About This Series

They are the Forbidden Cities: Aspen, Vail, Jackson, Incline Village, Sun Valley, Taos and others, Western resort areas that have become so affluent that few can afford to live there. Associated Press reporters and photographers in several Western states compiled a package of stories on the “Aspenization” of these resort areas, including places just now facing the pressures of popularity.

* Last week: Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Gerald Ford. Oprah Winfrey. They are just some of the rich and famous who live the high life in Aspen, Vail, Jackson, Lake Tahoe and Sun Valley. Jim Brooksher, Kaye Ferry, Joe Montoya aren’t famous. But they are vital to their communities and often can’t afford to live there. They operate ski lifts, drive buses, manage stores, teach school, practice law, build houses--and often commute long distances or hunt for roommates.

* Last week: Incline Village, Nev., where the billionaires are crowding out the millionaires and overwhelming the common folks along scenic Lake Tahoe. Some communities are trying to deal with resort problems, while others say lower-income people can always live somewhere else. Looks at Bend, Ore.; Sedona, Ariz.; Sun Valley, Idaho; Jackson, Wyoming; and Park City, Utah.

* This week: Entire neighborhoods empty out at the same time in resorts like Vail, Aspen, Telluride, Taos, Incline Village and Sun Valley, creating high-class nouveau ghost towns. Plus, closer looks at Taos and Big Sky, Montana.