Private school parent small talk in December: EVERYONE bragging about upcoming ritzy trips

[Anonymous]

If it's small talk, always stays small talk and the relationship never goes anywhere else -- that's an easy interaction/person to dismiss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We have a place in Vail and we spend the entire winter there. When people ask what we're doing, I say we might travel out of town, but we're not sure. I'm European, so this might be cultural, but for us, anything that might look like bragging is very faux pas. My FIL is American and likes to brag about his homes, vacations, cars, career etc. For him, it's the pride for being successful.
___________

Obviously, your opinion doesn't count here because you are not tied to the school schedule if you spend "all winter" there. You obviously don't have kids in a fancy private school. I do and am tied to the school schedule. BTW I have 2 condos in Vail and spend loads of time there. It's actually a cheap vacation for us. We own our own gear, buy the Vail local Epic pass in April, eat at home, and stay in our own place. We rent the condos when we don't use them. To us, this is not a "ritzy" vacation and nothing I feel I should hide from anyone. When people ask and they know me they usually say "are you skiing?" And I say "yeah, any travel plans?". We ski spring break and MLK weekend too. Only for family emergencies have we deviated from this pattern.

I am here for this Vail cage match! Can we get someone with 3 Vail properties? Or Aspen? Aspen would trump, since it's not right on I-70.

Ha! I like you already. Aspen would trump, as would an actual home rather than condos - theres the whole STR zoning though. I also think Telluride is better too. It's actually my pre-retitement project, which is why it's not really fancy for me. I'm the one post-ski still in my thermals playing chess with the kids in the lounge - occasionally with a glass of wine I brought down from the condo. I'm too cheap to buy it at the bar.

Telluride is not on the level of Vail and Vail is not Aspen. Aspen trumps all! I don't think I would ever be in a social circle of someone with an Aspen home but I've known several at the others.
Vail homes now are 2-3million for a duplex half that is only available to you on certain weeks, who goes for those plans?!

Lol as a native Coloradan this made me cry-laugh. I feel so sorry for you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We have a place in Vail and we spend the entire winter there. When people ask what we're doing, I say we might travel out of town, but we're not sure. I'm European, so this might be cultural, but for us, anything that might look like bragging is very faux pas. My FIL is American and likes to brag about his homes, vacations, cars, career etc. For him, it's the pride for being successful.
___________

Obviously, your opinion doesn't count here because you are not tied to the school schedule if you spend "all winter" there. You obviously don't have kids in a fancy private school. I do and am tied to the school schedule. BTW I have 2 condos in Vail and spend loads of time there. It's actually a cheap vacation for us. We own our own gear, buy the Vail local Epic pass in April, eat at home, and stay in our own place. We rent the condos when we don't use them. To us, this is not a "ritzy" vacation and nothing I feel I should hide from anyone. When people ask and they know me they usually say "are you skiing?" And I say "yeah, any travel plans?". We ski spring break and MLK weekend too. Only for family emergencies have we deviated from this pattern.

I am here for this Vail cage match! Can we get someone with 3 Vail properties? Or Aspen? Aspen would trump, since it's not right on I-70.

Ha! I like you already. Aspen would trump, as would an actual home rather than condos - theres the whole STR zoning though. I also think Telluride is better too. It's actually my pre-retitement project, which is why it's not really fancy for me. I'm the one post-ski still in my thermals playing chess with the kids in the lounge - occasionally with a glass of wine I brought down from the condo. I'm too cheap to buy it at the bar.

Telluride is not on the level of Vail and Vail is not Aspen. Aspen trumps all! I don't think I would ever be in a social circle of someone with an Aspen home but I've known several at the others.
Vail homes now are 2-3million for a duplex half that is only available to you on certain weeks, who goes for those plans?!

Disagree! Telluride is awesome skiing. That where the real skiing is. True not as fancy as Aspen. I struggle to think of any other resort that is. Even Jackson falls short in ritziness.

Is Aspen preppy? Everyone I know that goes there is sort of flashy and new money.

[Anonymous]

I’ve actually been surprised that there isn’t a lot of bragging at my K-8th. Maybe it is school specific. I assumed that anyone who can pay $50k for 2nd grade can vacation where ever they want, so most people don’t brag.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve actually been surprised that there isn’t a lot of bragging at my K-8th. Maybe it is school specific. I assumed that anyone who can pay $50k for 2nd grade can vacation where ever they want, so most people don’t brag.

For a lot of people $50K is a sacrifice they are willing to make to send a kid to private school, and not just another expense.

[Anonymous]

When people say they are going to a foreign destination, I always confess that we are not well travelled and ask if they will be willing to give us tips and advice if we ever plan the same trip. Guess what? Most people are more than happy to give us some good tips and recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thankfully, DD is in the Nutcracker so we can't travel, but I hear you.

LOL. This. This is what you say to the other parents. Humble brag it...

HA! Unpaid child labor that impact two months of your whole family’s lives pawned off as “privilege” is the greatest heist in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We have a place in Vail and we spend the entire winter there. When people ask what we're doing, I say we might travel out of town, but we're not sure. I'm European, so this might be cultural, but for us, anything that might look like bragging is very faux pas. My FIL is American and likes to brag about his homes, vacations, cars, career etc. For him, it's the pride for being successful.
___________

Obviously, your opinion doesn't count here because you are not tied to the school schedule if you spend "all winter" there. You obviously don't have kids in a fancy private school. I do and am tied to the school schedule. BTW I have 2 condos in Vail and spend loads of time there. It's actually a cheap vacation for us. We own our own gear, buy the Vail local Epic pass in April, eat at home, and stay in our own place. We rent the condos when we don't use them. To us, this is not a "ritzy" vacation and nothing I feel I should hide from anyone. When people ask and they know me they usually say "are you skiing?" And I say "yeah, any travel plans?". We ski spring break and MLK weekend too. Only for family emergencies have we deviated from this pattern.

I am here for this Vail cage match! Can we get someone with 3 Vail properties? Or Aspen? Aspen would trump, since it's not right on I-70.

Ha! I like you already. Aspen would trump, as would an actual home rather than condos - theres the whole STR zoning though. I also think Telluride is better too. It's actually my pre-retitement project, which is why it's not really fancy for me. I'm the one post-ski still in my thermals playing chess with the kids in the lounge - occasionally with a glass of wine I brought down from the condo. I'm too cheap to buy it at the bar.

Telluride is not on the level of Vail and Vail is not Aspen. Aspen trumps all! I don't think I would ever be in a social circle of someone with an Aspen home but I've known several at the others.
Vail homes now are 2-3million for a duplex half that is only available to you on certain weeks, who goes for those plans?!

Disagree! Telluride is awesome skiing. That where the real skiing is. True not as fancy as Aspen. I struggle to think of any other resort that is. Even Jackson falls short in ritziness.

The real rich ski at Yellowstone Club.

Ah, yes, I forgot about that one!

Fascinating. I guess it depends on where you’re sitting?

Telluride is where all the real West Coast money goes. There and obv Montana.

Vail is for the middle class and Aspen is for East Coast posers with a lot of really bad filler and Botox.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thankfully, DD is in the Nutcracker so we can't travel, but I hear you.

LOL. This. This is what you say to the other parents. Humble brag it...

HA! Unpaid child labor that impact two months of your whole family’s lives pawned off as “privilege” is the greatest heist in the area.

My kids were in the nutcracker and it was an amazing experience. Would do it all over again.

[Anonymous]

OP, you could mention that you're going to stay home and read Agnes Callard and Shahnaz Habib. Or, better yet, just let it go. I mean if this gets under your skin, you're gonna have a hard time when college applications crank up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We have a place in Vail and we spend the entire winter there. When people ask what we're doing, I say we might travel out of town, but we're not sure. I'm European, so this might be cultural, but for us, anything that might look like bragging is very faux pas. My FIL is American and likes to brag about his homes, vacations, cars, career etc. For him, it's the pride for being successful.
___________

Obviously, your opinion doesn't count here because you are not tied to the school schedule if you spend "all winter" there. You obviously don't have kids in a fancy private school. I do and am tied to the school schedule. BTW I have 2 condos in Vail and spend loads of time there. It's actually a cheap vacation for us. We own our own gear, buy the Vail local Epic pass in April, eat at home, and stay in our own place. We rent the condos when we don't use them. To us, this is not a "ritzy" vacation and nothing I feel I should hide from anyone. When people ask and they know me they usually say "are you skiing?" And I say "yeah, any travel plans?". We ski spring break and MLK weekend too. Only for family emergencies have we deviated from this pattern.

I am here for this Vail cage match! Can we get someone with 3 Vail properties? Or Aspen? Aspen would trump, since it's not right on I-70.

Ha! I like you already. Aspen would trump, as would an actual home rather than condos - theres the whole STR zoning though. I also think Telluride is better too. It's actually my pre-retitement project, which is why it's not really fancy for me. I'm the one post-ski still in my thermals playing chess with the kids in the lounge - occasionally with a glass of wine I brought down from the condo. I'm too cheap to buy it at the bar.

Telluride is not on the level of Vail and Vail is not Aspen. Aspen trumps all! I don't think I would ever be in a social circle of someone with an Aspen home but I've known several at the others.
Vail homes now are 2-3million for a duplex half that is only available to you on certain weeks, who goes for those plans?!

Disagree! Telluride is awesome skiing. That where the real skiing is. True not as fancy as Aspen. I struggle to think of any other resort that is. Even Jackson falls short in ritziness.

The real rich ski at Yellowstone Club.

Ah, yes, I forgot about that one!

Fascinating. I guess it depends on where you’re sitting?

Telluride is where all the real West Coast money goes. There and obv Montana.

Vail is for the middle class and Aspen is for East Coast posers with a lot of really bad filler and Botox.

Yellowstone Club is owners only, $3 million minimum for a condo, $400 thousand club fee, and $40 thousand annual dues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We have a place in Vail and we spend the entire winter there. When people ask what we're doing, I say we might travel out of town, but we're not sure. I'm European, so this might be cultural, but for us, anything that might look like bragging is very faux pas. My FIL is American and likes to brag about his homes, vacations, cars, career etc. For him, it's the pride for being successful.
___________

Obviously, your opinion doesn't count here because you are not tied to the school schedule if you spend "all winter" there. You obviously don't have kids in a fancy private school. I do and am tied to the school schedule. BTW I have 2 condos in Vail and spend loads of time there. It's actually a cheap vacation for us. We own our own gear, buy the Vail local Epic pass in April, eat at home, and stay in our own place. We rent the condos when we don't use them. To us, this is not a "ritzy" vacation and nothing I feel I should hide from anyone. When people ask and they know me they usually say "are you skiing?" And I say "yeah, any travel plans?". We ski spring break and MLK weekend too. Only for family emergencies have we deviated from this pattern.

I am here for this Vail cage match! Can we get someone with 3 Vail properties? Or Aspen? Aspen would trump, since it's not right on I-70.

Ha! I like you already. Aspen would trump, as would an actual home rather than condos - theres the whole STR zoning though. I also think Telluride is better too. It's actually my pre-retitement project, which is why it's not really fancy for me. I'm the one post-ski still in my thermals playing chess with the kids in the lounge - occasionally with a glass of wine I brought down from the condo. I'm too cheap to buy it at the bar.

Telluride is not on the level of Vail and Vail is not Aspen. Aspen trumps all! I don't think I would ever be in a social circle of someone with an Aspen home but I've known several at the others.
Vail homes now are 2-3million for a duplex half that is only available to you on certain weeks, who goes for those plans?!

Disagree! Telluride is awesome skiing. That where the real skiing is. True not as fancy as Aspen. I struggle to think of any other resort that is. Even Jackson falls short in ritziness.

The real rich ski at Yellowstone Club.

Ah, yes, I forgot about that one!

Fascinating. I guess it depends on where you’re sitting?

Telluride is where all the real West Coast money goes. There and obv Montana.

Vail is for the middle class and Aspen is for East Coast posers with a lot of really bad filler and Botox.

Telluride might be fun to ski but it's UMC, not at all "real west coast money" but that depends on your definition of wealth. Aspen is UUC. This is a commentary on the ritzy aspect of show off vacations op mentioned. That isn't to say Aspen is best to ski but it's fancier (botoxed up gobs of money, old and new) and if you are uncomfortable with extreme wealth you wouldn't end up in Aspen. In terms of purely best skiing I wouldn't even put Colorado in my top 3 but anyone can discern what is $ ritzy, pretty nice and your personal sweet spot.

[Anonymous]

I'd almost agree that Vail is UMC but the tide has turned price wise. It's great to ski but a crush of people at the base which is not fun, that still doesn't mean it's affordable for UMC at the moment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We have a place in Vail and we spend the entire winter there. When people ask what we're doing, I say we might travel out of town, but we're not sure. I'm European, so this might be cultural, but for us, anything that might look like bragging is very faux pas. My FIL is American and likes to brag about his homes, vacations, cars, career etc. For him, it's the pride for being successful.
___________

Obviously, your opinion doesn't count here because you are not tied to the school schedule if you spend "all winter" there. You obviously don't have kids in a fancy private school. I do and am tied to the school schedule. BTW I have 2 condos in Vail and spend loads of time there. It's actually a cheap vacation for us. We own our own gear, buy the Vail local Epic pass in April, eat at home, and stay in our own place. We rent the condos when we don't use them. To us, this is not a "ritzy" vacation and nothing I feel I should hide from anyone. When people ask and they know me they usually say "are you skiing?" And I say "yeah, any travel plans?". We ski spring break and MLK weekend too. Only for family emergencies have we deviated from this pattern.

I am here for this Vail cage match! Can we get someone with 3 Vail properties? Or Aspen? Aspen would trump, since it's not right on I-70.

Ha! I like you already. Aspen would trump, as would an actual home rather than condos - theres the whole STR zoning though. I also think Telluride is better too. It's actually my pre-retitement project, which is why it's not really fancy for me. I'm the one post-ski still in my thermals playing chess with the kids in the lounge - occasionally with a glass of wine I brought down from the condo. I'm too cheap to buy it at the bar.

Telluride is not on the level of Vail and Vail is not Aspen. Aspen trumps all! I don't think I would ever be in a social circle of someone with an Aspen home but I've known several at the others.
Vail homes now are 2-3million for a duplex half that is only available to you on certain weeks, who goes for those plans?!

Disagree! Telluride is awesome skiing. That where the real skiing is. True not as fancy as Aspen. I struggle to think of any other resort that is. Even Jackson falls short in ritziness.

The real rich ski at Yellowstone Club.

Ah, yes, I forgot about that one!

Fascinating. I guess it depends on where you’re sitting?

Telluride is where all the real West Coast money goes. There and obv Montana.

Vail is for the middle class and Aspen is for East Coast posers with a lot of really bad filler and Botox.

Yellowstone Club is owners only, $3 million minimum for a condo, $400 thousand club fee, and $40 thousand annual dues.

Yawn. Same boring people same boring alcoholic drinking scene. No substance. How sad that these kids have zero exposure to anything else except hopping from one club to the next. No not envious - could easily afford all of these things but choose to raise kind well educated kids that associate with all sorts of people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

We have a place in Vail and we spend the entire winter there. When people ask what we're doing, I say we might travel out of town, but we're not sure. I'm European, so this might be cultural, but for us, anything that might look like bragging is very faux pas. My FIL is American and likes to brag about his homes, vacations, cars, career etc. For him, it's the pride for being successful.
___________

Obviously, your opinion doesn't count here because you are not tied to the school schedule if you spend "all winter" there. You obviously don't have kids in a fancy private school. I do and am tied to the school schedule. BTW I have 2 condos in Vail and spend loads of time there. It's actually a cheap vacation for us. We own our own gear, buy the Vail local Epic pass in April, eat at home, and stay in our own place. We rent the condos when we don't use them. To us, this is not a "ritzy" vacation and nothing I feel I should hide from anyone. When people ask and they know me they usually say "are you skiing?" And I say "yeah, any travel plans?". We ski spring break and MLK weekend too. Only for family emergencies have we deviated from this pattern.

I am here for this Vail cage match! Can we get someone with 3 Vail properties? Or Aspen? Aspen would trump, since it's not right on I-70.

Ha! I like you already. Aspen would trump, as would an actual home rather than condos - theres the whole STR zoning though. I also think Telluride is better too. It's actually my pre-retitement project, which is why it's not really fancy for me. I'm the one post-ski still in my thermals playing chess with the kids in the lounge - occasionally with a glass of wine I brought down from the condo. I'm too cheap to buy it at the bar.

Telluride is not on the level of Vail and Vail is not Aspen. Aspen trumps all! I don't think I would ever be in a social circle of someone with an Aspen home but I've known several at the others.
Vail homes now are 2-3million for a duplex half that is only available to you on certain weeks, who goes for those plans?!

Lol as a native Coloradan this made me cry-laugh. I feel so sorry for you

If you think I have the affordability of these places backwards, I don't know what you've been smoking! This is not a commentary on fun skiing or the place to be most at ease. This is a judgment of most expensive.