Wheel and Deal Aspen-Style with the Latest Version of Monopoly

Image: Courtesy: USAopoly
Just spotted: The Wheeler Opera House is available for $60.
OK, so the offer’s only good if you’re playing the new Monopoly Aspen edition, the first ski-town version of the iconic board game. Nonetheless, it’s fun to dream about buying and selling spots like the Caribou Club and Clark’s Market at decades-old prices. Bonus: net sales from the game directly benefit community nonprofits.
The brainchild of Dane and Katherine Chapin (he’s the CEO of USAopoly, which has licensed hundreds of Monopoly special editions), who received help at every step from Aspenite Lisa Baker, this version replaces traditional properties like Marvin Gardens and Park Place with Gorsuch and the Limelight Hotel. The Aspen Skiing Company’s four mountains sub in for the railroads. Instead of income and luxury taxes, you “pay” for a fishing license or ski pass. Community Chest and Chance cards feature entries like “make your friends wait on a powder day” and “your duck wins the Ducky Derby.” Says Dane, “We had so much fun brainstorming this.”
Active philanthropists in San Diego, the Chapins wanted to contribute locally. “We’ve been coming to Aspen for 14 years,” says Katherine, “and we feel like this is our adopted second home. The community has been very good to us in terms of folding us into the lifestyle and culture, and we wanted to come up with a creative and fun way to give back.”
The Aspen Community Foundation will distribute the proceeds to a group of local beneficiaries that will change every two years. In other words, it’s a win no matter how you play the game.
$40 at Gorsuch, Explore Booksellers, and Carl’s Pharmacy.