These dozen doomed ski resorts, like most seasonal winter businesses, can fall off the financial cliff by something as ironically simple as a lack of snow.

Rainbow Basin Ski Resort – Kirksville, MO, USA

(images via: Don’t Look Now)

Northeastern Missouri might not be the ideal location to set up a ski resort but in 1982 the operators of Rainbow Basin went ahead anyway, and were relatively successful for a while. Just like a favorite downhill run, however, all good things come to an end and for Rainbow Basin, the end came in 1991 when a flood of red ink put a permanent damper on the popular winter recreation spot. “It all came down to weather,” stated former owner Jack Pickett. “It wouldn’t cooperate.”

(image via: Don’t Look Now)

Foreclosed upon in 1993, Rainbow Basin hasn’t been maintained, renovated, sold, salvaged or re-purposed in the intervening 20 years yet intrepid skiers still find their way onto the un-manicured slopes when weather permits. The chair lifts are inoperable, of course, so getting to the top of the runs has to be an adventure in itself.

Abandoned Ski Lodge – California

(images via: Panoramio/Wanderlust_biker)

Just off Highway 88 close by the Mormon Emigrant Trail lie the gently deteriorating remains of a formerly attractive ski lodge. Though the lodge is rather large and the operation must have been well-funded at its start, time and the weather will not be denied. At this point not even Mitt Romney could resurrect this little piece of Switzerland in the California mountains. To view more images of this abandoned ski resort, check out Wanderlust_biker‘s photo set at Panoramio.

Club Alpino Guadarrama – Nevacerrada, Spain

(images via: Urban Exploration)

The Club Alpino Guadarrama opened in 1947 and was originally named Club Alpino Romate. Situated in the scenic Guadarrama mountains north of Madrid, it was one of Spain’s first alpine resorts and due to its easy access from the Spanish capitol, enjoyed years of popularity.

(image via: Urban Exploration)

It’s not certain exactly when Club Alpino Guadarrama closed but it can’t be too long ago as it’s listed as a going concern on at least one travel website. As for the “easy access”, as always that’s a double-edged sword: convenience that once appealed to skiers and snowboarders now serves only looters, vandals and graffiti artists.

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Going Downhill Fast 12 Abandoned Ski Resorts

Not all of us can afford to rent out an entire private island in the Caribbean, or even an ocean villa in the Maldives, but it’s fun to dream. With the most picturesque tropical views of crystal-clear blue-green waters and white sand beaches imaginable, these 12 luxurious island resorts don’t come cheap, but their oversized tubs, infinity pools and hammocks suspended over the sea are capable of making you feel more relaxed with photos alone. But it is not surprising that home owners are looking for ways on how to market vacation rental property. For those lucky few who can afford to even spend a couple of weeks in one of these luxury villas, this will be money well spent and money well invested in by the owner. They are in high demand though. One day, we all may be able to afford this.

Musha Cay, The Bahamas

Among the priciest resorts in the world, David Copperfield’s Musha Cay in The Bahamas is only accessible to those with millions in the bank. It’s $37,000 per night, with a four-night minimum, for up to 12 people. But at that price, the island is all yours – so if you’ve got the cash, it’s worth it. There are five plantation-style villas and The Landings, the main building holding the restaurant and clubhouse. Beach barbecues, jet skis, banana boats, tennis courts and a pool table that once belonged to Harry Houdini are just a few of the activities offered.

Maafushivaru Hotel, Maldives

Choose from a spacious pool villa or a cozier ocean villa at the stunning Maafushivaru Hotel in the Maldives. Each little getaway is perched above crystal-clear waters, with a serene white sand beach within easy walking distance. Rooms start at $2,600 per night – per person.

Laucala Island, Fiji

The all-inclusive Laucala Island resort is located on the largest private island in the Southern hemisphere, just off the coast of the Fijian island of Taveuni; it was once the private island of Malcolm Forbes and is now owned by the head of Red Bull. It features 25 bungalows, each with its own private pool and oversized outdoor stone or wooden bathtub. Coming with a group? Rent the Hilltop Residence, which has six bedrooms, three baths and a 360-degree view of paradise.

Coco Palm Bodu Hithi Resort, Maldives

Locate on a private island in the Maldives, the Coco Palm Bodu Hithi Hotel boasts eight restaurants, a spa with yoga and tai chi classes, and 100 guest units. Elevated wooden walkways lead from one section of the resort to another, and infinity pools jut out over the deeper blue of the sea water.

Hayman Hotel, Australia

The incredible Hayman Hotel has its own artificial barrier island creating a private cove-like pool area. Nearly all the guest rooms overlook this massive aquatic playground and the sea beyond it, which is just a stone’s throw from the legendary Great Barrier Reef.

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Maldives More 12 Envy Worthy Resorts Of The Rich

Looming above the surface of the sea like a spaceship, the Water Discus Underwater Hotel is a futuristic wonder that is actually set to be constructed in Dubai. The luxurious resort features a support column connecting the upper discs to additional volumes underwater, with stairs and an elevator whisking guests up and down.

Deep Ocean Technology has released images of the planned hotel, which may be reproduced elsewhere in the Middle East. The Water Discus Underwater Hotel can work as an independent structure or be joined with additional modules to create a larger complex.

Not only does the underwater section of the hotel boast glass-walled rooms, but guests can actually manipulate a special lighting system to illuminate the water outside their windows, getting a better look at the sea life that emerges at night. For those who want to venture out into the water, there’s an underwater dive center.

Within the disc that hovers above the surface of the water is a restaurant, spa, recreation area and a lobby built inside a massive swimming pool that’s accessible from the roof. The deep pool enables guests to dive down into this disc and swim around the enclosed restaurant.

And this may just be the coolest part: if there’s any danger, like a severe weather event, the underwater disc will automatically rise to the surface. The small size of each disc also makes them easy to transport if “environmental or economic conditions” make it necessary. See more images at ArchDaily.