Private ski area (North America)

Like a country club, private ski areas in North America offer exclusive memberships, usually based on an initiation fee and annual dues.

Highly exclusive areas, namely Montana's 13,450 acre Yellowstone Club near Big Sky Resort, do not sell day tickets and require "that prospective members show evidence of a net worth of at least $3 million and pay a membership deposit of $250,000."

Vermont's Hermitage Club features an 80,000 square foot clubhouse with a lap pool, spa, bowling alley and teen center[3] but has a more modest $75,000 initiation fee.

In comparison, an individual season pass to Whistler Blackcomb, a public resort and an official 2010 Winter Olympics host venue, costs the average adult $1,795 Canadian.

As one of the oldest ski areas in the United States, Greylock exists on the slopes of one of Massachusetts highest peaks but only operates two small surface lifts, one powered by a salvaged Ford motor.