When it comes to designing a mountain ski house, both functionality and comfort are key. Our goal is to create a space that looks beautiful and caters to the needs of the homeowners. Here are some elements to consider having in your mountain getaway.
1. Cozy, Warm Spaces
After a long and invigorating day of skiing or snowboarding, returning to a warm and cozy home is key. You’ll look forward to returning to your ski retreat if it includes these elements below:
- Fireplaces: fireplaces are a must in mountain homes, whether they are log-burning or electric. A fireplace in your main family room is perfect for adding to the ambiance as well as increasing comfort by adding warmth to the space.
- Durable Fabrics & Finishes: In ski homes, you can be tracking in a lot of dirt and snow so make sure to find fabrics and finishes that are durable and easy to clean.
- Cozy Textures: It gets cold up there in the mountains! Make sure you have an ample number of cozy blankets for added warmth. Materials like flannel, wool, and fleece blankets are great to have around on those extra chilly nights.
- Heated Floors: Extend the luxury of heated floors beyond the mud room to bathrooms (and even living areas and bedrooms!). This not only adds comfort but also helps keep the house warm.
- Towel Warmers: Install towel warmers in the bathrooms – there’s nothing better than wrapping yourself in a warm towel!
2. Emphasize the Views
If you have the view, capitalize on it!
- Windows: Show off your amazing mountain views with walls of windows. Make sure that you install windows that are UV-rated and Energy Efficient. The more windows you have, the more important it is to make them top-notch in quality. You may be spending more upfront, but you will be saving money as your home will have better temperature control, saving you dollars over the years. Also, it will keep you nice and cozy inside.
- Window Treatments: We always recommend shades and draperies where possible for both practical and decorative reasons. Fabric is an insulator, so it will help keep the cold out and the heat in, which is a major factor for these mountain homes.
- Space Orientation: Mountain views are everything; position the gathering spaces in your home around your amazing views. This way, you can all relax and enjoy the scenery together.
- Outdoor Areas: Ski homes are not just for the winter months. Make this the perfect getaway in the summer by adding a large deck and outdoor gathering spaces like screened porches.
3. The Ski Room and the Mudroom
Having a functional mudroom is essential for a well-planned ski home. You need a spot to put all of that gear! This will be your first stop after a long day on the slopes, so it needs to be practical (but also beautiful). Some must-have features to include are:
- Built-in Storage: Storage for all your winter gear is an important part of the mudroom. You’ll want to create a space to sit and take off those clunky snow boots, hang your jackets, tuck away those skis, and place your helmets. This keeps the space organized. Two extra notes for you on the built-ins… 1. make sure the bench sits high enough so that the ski boots fit underneath (ski boots are taller than typical shoes so raise your seat height). 2. create a drainage gap underneath where your coats & snow pants hang; that way the water dripping from the clothing drips onto the floor instead of the built-in itself.
- Durable Flooring: Choose materials that can withstand the wear and tear of wet boots and equipment. Non-slip tile & stone are good options for mudrooms as they are easy to mop, but make sure your selection doesn’t get slippery when wet.
- Heated Floors: A luxurious feature that can also be for a practical reason! Heated floors will help melt the snow of your boots quicker and help dry off all your gear. It also feels great after being outside in the cold!
- Boot Warmer: Yes, a boot warmer is the height of luxury in your Ski Room.
- Trash Storage: When you are up in the mountains, you often can’t leave your trash cans outside due to bears. You need a space to keep those bins inside where they can be tucked away.
4. Ample Room for Guests
A ski home is often a gathering place for family and friends, so another element to consider is how to maximize your spaces while making your guests comfortable.
- Kitchen & Dining: Up in the Mountains, you may not have as much access to restaurants and grocery stores – you often have to cook yourselves. Make sure your kitchen has pantry space for those non-perishables and plenty of room for multiple cooks in the kitchen when entertaining guests. A large kitchen island is great for that extra cook and extra seating.
- Guest Bedrooms: Make your guest rooms comfortable and inviting by providing blankets and toiletries. Even if the room is small, make sure there’s space for your guest to put away their things. We have a whole guide about how to prep your extra bedrooms for guests if you want to check it out.
- Bunk Rooms: We see a lot of bunk rooms in mountain homes. This is because it is a great way to provide room for more guests. Kids (and adults) love bunk beds! Bunks should be practical and comfortable. There could be a lot of people staying in a bunkroom at once, so just like all of your guest rooms make sure there are enough individual storage spaces for each guest. We also like to have storage within each bunk as well where guest can charge their phone or leave their book. If you want to learn more about bunkrooms… stay tuned as we will share a post all about how we created the custom bunk room for this ski home.
Creating the perfect ski home is all about blending practical and pretty elements together. We design these homes to meet the demands of mountain living while creating a beautiful sanctuary. What other features do you think belong in a ski home? Let us know.
Stay Inspired!
The Margery Wedderburn Interiors Team