I visited Aspen's most expensive neighborhood to see how its ultra-rich residents like the Bezos family live, and was blown away by the massive luxury homes

Insider's author toured two homes on Billionaire Mountain where families like the Bezos and Michael Dell have properties.
Insider's author toured two homes on Billionaire Mountain where families like the Bezos and Michael Dell's have properties.Monica Humphries/Insider/Hart Houston/Compass/Katherine Taylor/Reuters/David Dee Delgado/Getty Images
  • Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, is home to some of the ski town's most sought-after real estate.

  • The neighborhood attracts so many ultra-rich residents that it's been dubbed "Billionaire Mountain."

  • After touring two homes, I understood why the mountain earned the nickname.

When it comes to ski town real estate, Aspen, Colorado, is as expensive as it gets. In fact, the ski town's prime real estate often costs more than $8,000 USD per square foot, according to a 2022 report from Engel & Völkers.

A ski slope in Aspen, Colorado.
A ski slope in Aspen, Colorado.Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Engel & Völkers

Read more: I visited Aspen, the most expensive ski town in America, for the first time. Here are 12 things that surprised me.

And the region is only getting richer. The average home sold for $18.7 million in 2022 — up from $12.7 million in the first half of 2021, according to the Colorado Sun.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
Two homes overlooking Aspen, Colorado.Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Colorado Sun

Three real-estate agents told Insider that one of the hottest places to buy property is on Red Mountain, a neighborhood overlooking downtown Aspen.

Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado.
Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado.Monica Humphries/Insider

The neighborhood attracts so many ultra-wealthy residents that it's earned the nickname, "Billionaire Mountain," Insider previously reported.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
A street sign on Red Mountain Road.Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Insider

As Insider and Forbes have reported, some of the world's richest families own property on Red Mountain, from Walmart heiress Ann Walton to the Bezos family.

Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke, left; Jeff Bezos, right.
Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke, left; Jeff Bezos, right.IAN WALTON/Reuters/Katherine Taylor/Reuters

Source: Insider, Forbes

Last winter, I drove up the mountain to see what prime real estate looks like in the country's richest ski town. I also got a sneak peek into some of Aspen's most exclusive properties.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
The author in front of a Red Mountain Road street sign.Monica Humphries/Insider

Read more: 15 of the most over-the-top examples of wealth and luxury I saw on my first trip to Aspen, Colorado

The base of Red Mountain is less than a five-minute drive from Aspen's main street.

Aspen, Colorado
Holiday lights in Aspen, Colorado.Monica Humphries/Insider

At the bottom of Red Mountain is Willoughby Way, which Compass real estate agents Heidi Houston and Doug Leibinger told Insider is considered the most sought-after street in all of Aspen.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
A street sign on Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

"Most people would tell you they think it's the Rodeo Drive, it's the Park Avenue, it's THE address in Aspen," Leibinger told me. "It's a pretty coveted address and location."

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
The entrance to Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

"I would suspect that almost every homeowner on this street has two to five properties around the world," Leibinger continued. "Most of the people that are here, they've also got a house in the Hamptons. They've also got something in Miami, in St. Barts, in Montecito."

A home on Willoughby Way.
A home on Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

Leibinger explained that although the homes higher on Red Mountain are sometimes bigger and more expensive, Willoughby Way has a unique set of factors that appeal to potential buyers.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
The last home on Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

Namely, the street is within walking distance to the center of Aspen and still has breathtaking views of the mountains.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
The view of Aspen Mountain from Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

Last winter, Leibinger listed 287 Willoughby Way, a four-story mansion on the coveted street.

The only home currently for sale on Willoughby Way in Aspen, Colorado.
The only home currently for sale on Willoughby Way in Aspen, Colorado.Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Compass

I toured the five-bedroom, 6,130-square-foot home, which sold for $23.4 million, according to Compass.

The view from 287 Willoughby Way in Aspen, Colorado.
The view from 287 Willoughby Way in Aspen, Colorado.Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Compass

Inside, the home was filled with warm woods, floor-to-ceiling windows with mountain views, and a stunning fireplace — all elements I expected in a ski-town mansion.

The interior of 287 Willoughby Way.
The interior of 287 Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Compass

After touring the property, I explored the rest of the street. While 287 Willoughby Way was what I expected from a rich ski town, other homes on the road embraced a myriad of styles and designs.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
A home on Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

Some homes were visible from the road, but most had private gates and towering trees for added privacy.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
Many homes on Red Mountain have privacy gates.Monica Humphries/Insider

I also passed a $72.5-million home — one of Aspen's largest sales in history. In June 2021, Patrick Dovigi, a former professional hockey player and the founder and CEO of the waste management company Green for Life Environmental, purchased the nine-bedroom, 21,477-square-foot home.

The exterior of 419 Willoughby Way.
The exterior of 419 Willoughby Way.Google Maps

Source: Aspen Daily News

Willoughby Way ends in a cul-de-sac, and as I drove back toward Red Mountain Road, I soaked in views of Aspen and the curving trails from the ski slopes.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
The view from Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

Then, I hung a left and started crawling up the mountain.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
The road zigzags up the side of the mountain.Monica Humphries/Insider

From here, the homes were tucked into the mountain and farther apart. Private drives jutted into forests, preventing any glimpse of the multi-million-dollar houses.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
A private driveway on Red Mountain Road.Monica Humphries/Insider

Down many of those roads were homes reported to belong to billionaires like candy mogul William Wrigley Jr. and casino magnate Neil Bluhm.

The view of Red Mountain from Aspen's Police Department building.
The view of Red Mountain from Aspen's Police Department building.Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Forbes

One of the most popular names associated with "Billionaire Mountain" is Bezos. Bezos' parents Miguel and Jackie have a home on Red Mountain valued at $20 million in 2012, according to Forbes.

Jeff Bezos, left; Miguel and Jackie Bezos, right.
Jeff Bezos, left; Miguel and Jackie Bezos, right.Evan Agostini/Invision/AP/Gonzalo Marroquin/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Source: Forbes

Michael Dell of Dell Computers also has parents with a $10.5-million home in the neighborhood, according to Forbes.

Michael Dell at the Economic Club of New York.
Michael Dell at the Economic Club of New York.David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Source: Forbes

While I didn't spot Bezos or any other billionaire, I did gain access to a private drive leading to one of Red Mountain's most lavish mansions.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
A private road leading up to The Peak House Estate.Monica Humphries/Insider

Houston took me to The Peak House Estate, the highest residence on Red Mountain. When the home was listed last year, it was one of the town's most expensive with a listing price of $44.5 million.

The Peak House on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
An exterior shot of The Peak House Estate.Hart Houston/Compass

Source: Compass

Read more: A $44.5 million mansion in Aspen has a secret bedroom and passageway built for the original owner's mistress. Take a look inside.

 

Filled with history and European design, it's a seven-bedroom, 22,000-square-foot mansion.

The Peak House on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
The interior of The Peak House Estate.Hart Houston/Compass

Source: Compass

From its indoor pool to the 12-car garage, the home oozed opulent luxury. And after 191 days on the market, it sold for $40 million, according to Compass.

The Peak House on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
The Peak House Estate's indoor pool.Hart Houston/Compass

Source: Compass

As we were touring The Peak House, Houston casually rattled off the names of other billionaires living on Red Mountain.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
A view of three homes in the upper section of Red Mountain.Monica Humphries/Insider

She pointed to a plot of land, and told me that tucked behind the growth was a mansion belonging to Leslie Wexner, the founder of L Brands, the company that owns brands like Victoria's Secret, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Express, Inc.

Not viewable from the road, Houston said Lexner has property on Red Mountain.
Houston said Leslie Lexner has property on Red Mountain that's not viewable from the road.Monica Humphries

There's also media mogul Byron Allen, who purchased a 9,000-square-foot contemporary mansion for $27 million in 2020.

Homes on Red Mountain, nicknamed Billionaire Mountain, in Aspen, Colorado.
Byron Allen's $27 million home on Willoughby Way.Monica Humphries/Insider

Source: Mansion Global

The list goes on and on. And after taking just a glimpse of the properties on Red Mountain, it's clear how the neighborhood earned its well-deserved nickname of "Billionaire Mountain."

Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado.
Red Mountain in Aspen, Colorado.Monica Humphries/Insider

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