Planning a unique ski resort lodge

16.2.2017 By Martti Kyyrönen

A mountain hideaway with beautiful scenery, excellent skiing slopes and comfortable lodging services. This is the ideal combination for a ski lovers’ holiday resort – and these features also serve the interests of hikers in the off season. When the location of the new mountain resort has been set, the rest of the attractions are created by exclusive buildings and additional services.

Planning of the buildings for a ski resort requires thorough understanding of the mindset and expectations of the guests. Ski resorts often serve an international clientele, used to distinguished quality that is measured not only by visual and functional terms but also by the overall feeling and atmosphere of the resort. The combination of cosy privacy and pleasant togetherness has to be supported by the layout and look of the lodging buildings as well as by the connected services.

Using solid wood in construction and interiors of houses creates cozy, warm, and relaxing environments.

The features of an exclusive high-quality ski resort building

The lodging facilities are important – varying from family cabins to larger cottages and hotel-like buildings. Nicely furnished and well equipped rooms or suites are a must. Exclusivity can be increased with indoor or outdoor pools, hot tubs or a sauna, for example, as well as with stylish bars and high-quality gourmet restaurants.

Chalet Ana offers Ecolabel-certified apartment with stunning views in Les Angles, France. View Case Study

Ski resorts offer magnificent options for winter sports like skiing, skating, ice-climbing and sledding. These hobbies also need spaces for renting the equipment or storing one’s own. This service must be well planned so that these hobbies can be enjoyed without any unnecessary hassle.

The after-ski facilities must also meet the expectations: after a day on the slopes, you certainly want to enjoy the panoramic views in a cafe or wine bar. Later, it is time for a nice meal at a restaurant and some entertainment, perhaps shopping.

The advantages of log houses in the ski resort business

Natural wood creates just the right kind of atmosphere for a ski resort. Modern log houses provide the needed cosy yet luxurious feeling through their aesthetics and simple but healthy functionality. Many people have noticed that they also sleep better in wooden environments.

Perfect in natural surroundings, log houses can be used for large and small buildings of any style, forming the distinguished feeling of a carefully planned holiday service. For an architect and investor, cooperation with an experienced log building supplier secures a smooth service with all the advantages provided by modern log technology.

Here are some of the benefits of a modern log house:

• Freedom of design: The building design can be traditional or modern – the non-settling log structures offer architectural freedom and combine nicely with other building materials.
• Reputation: In a competitive business like the ski resort business, unique buildings made of massive logs provide clear advantages. Natural, healthy and ecological materials strengthen the resort’s concept and brand.
• Functionality: Durable and safe structures provide security and are easy to maintain on the long term.
• Cost-efficiency: In mountainous areas the benefits of a log frame are clear: they are comparatively light to transport and handle and they require no additional exterior or interior wall surfaces. Furthermore, log buildings are effective to produce, quick to build and easy to maintain with reasonable operating costs.

The Lodge – a luxury ski resort in the Alps

Verbier in Switzerland is one of the globally known holiday resorts in the middle of the largest skiing areas of the Alps. The Lodge is a place for families and friends to enjoy the winter holidays together. The chalet accommodates 18 adults in luxurious surroundings with a view over the valley.

This Alpine paradise is Sir Richard Branson’s mountain retreat, available to those who enjoy winter sports, fireplaces and good food – not to mention everything else the luxurious location has to offer.

The Lodge is a unique Alpine paradise, listed among the 10 most beautiful ski lodges in the world. View Case Study

Take a look at our other case studies, too

Honkarakenne has supplied various buildings for the hospitality industry all over the world. Take a look at some of our latest case studies and find inspiration for your own project.

MORE FROM THE BLOG: PRO LOG HOUSES

Log building is not limited only to small-scale private buildings. The material is very versatile and its benefits also scale up to large public buildings. Read on and get new ideas and support for your own building project!