High Country Club Launches As "First Affordably Priced Destination Club"

By: Destination Club News
Date: September 1, 2005

"When we looked at the types of destination travel clubs around, we realized there was a whole group of people being underserved – people just like us who want to visit luxury locations, stay in luxury accommodations and not pay a luxury price for it."

This vision by Founder and Chief Executive Officer Christian Kirschner provides the overarching idea behind the new destination travel club, High Country Club.

"We offer virtually the same types of properties, amenities and conveniences that other, more expensive clubs offer but at a significantly lower price," continued Kirschner in the club's launch press release. "That means you can take several vacations each year to a number of highly desirable locations for the same amount of money you would have spent on one traditional 10-day vacation."

The up-start club will focus primarily on Colorado to begin, with their headquarters based in Denver. Members will have access to a collection of $600,000 properties in prime ski destinations, including Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, and Steamboat. As the club gains traction, future plans will include destinations in Florida, Wyoming, and eventually into Tuscany.

The value club will be accepting the first 50 members at a "reduced one-time introductory membership price." These introductory prices range from $15,000 to $30,000 to join, of which 80% is refundable if a member elects to resign their membership. Annual dues range between $4,200 and $8,400 per year and depending on the membership plan, members can travel for 21 nights annually at the lowest membership tier up to "virtually unlimited" access at the highest membership level. Group and Corporate Memberships are also available.

These premium priced clubs have continued to gain momentum over the past 18 months. When Private Escapes launched in April of 2004, they branded themselves as the "First and only affordable travel destination club." Ultimate Resort launched earlier this year under the tagline of "The most affordable luxury destination club on Earth." Now High Country Club has entered the sector as the "first affordably priced destination club."

These destination clubs designed for the more economical leisure traveler has already seen a great deal of success despite their new standing in the industry. Private Escapes has far surpassed the 100 member mark and has already introduced a new club to their family, Private Escapes Platinum. Ultimate Resort has sold out their first phase of Charter Memberships. High Country Club looks to follow in their peer's footsteps.