A Millionaire's Market at Stratton Mountain

Can't be that skiers at Stratton Mountain are feeling the same financial pinch as the rest of us because new spacious mountain homes are still going up.

One of the parking attendants told me that the newest gems cost in excess of two million dollars. Wow! Skiing alone is expensive so who in the world has the money to afford a colossal mortgage getaway that gets used only a few months a year?

Nola and I jumped for joy having our photos taken for our seasons weekday ski pass. "Smile," said the cashier. "Gladly," I said.

In May 2009, the 2010 season passes went on sale for a limited time. We agreed this was the way to go to save some bucks. For the first time, we ponied up $299 for a Monday-Friday ski pass and promised ourselves to brown bag it every time we skied. We also limit our apres-skiing cocktails to a hot chocolate at each others houses to save money.

While skiing Sunrise Express, I stopped for a closer look at "The Tamaraks", the newest collection of ski-in, ski-out homes. The website says that of the 12 exclusive properties only three homesites are left. From the lift I watched construction crews hard at work shaping the great rooms with beautiful stone fireplaces, large decks with private hot tubs, gourmet kitchens and cathedral ceilings. Over 45 homes have been sold since June 1.

Stratton, Vermont is the new Aspen, Colorado.