12 Ski Chalets That Double As Winter Wonderlands

For the upper-level great room in a ski chalet, S2 Architects’s custom blackened-steel fireplace surround has an inset TV hidden behind Minako Abe’s Scene No. 11; the pair of tubular-steel rocking chairs are vintage art deco.

For ski enthusiasts, it’s always the perfect time for a winter getaway. Discover these stunning ski chalet retreats, from a luxurious three-level ski haven in Aspen to a breathtaking all-glass sanctuary in Quebec’s Lanaudière region. Here are 12 ski chalet designs that embrace the magic of winter in style.

Chic Meets Snow In These Innovative Ski Chalets

1. How This Aspen Ski Chalet References Alpine Architecture

Photography by Garrett Rowland.

The Aspen, Colorado, ski chalet of a hospitality-centric art collector swings in a bold new direction thanks to Ghislaine Viñas and S2 Architects. Reimagining the three-level, nearly 6000-square-foot-structure, the low-pitched hipped roof was swapped for a strikingly contemporary gabled one that extends out from the living room, creating deep eaves over a cantilevered balcony with glass balustrade. Taking inspiration from Aspen’s early Swedish settlers, traditional Alpine architecture and vintage ski bum culture, the entire southern façade is dominated by expanses of glass with views of the snowy landscape outside. Read more about this Aspen ski home here.

2. Ski Straight Into This Rustic-Chic Aspen Home

Photography: Lisa Romerein; Styling: Helen Crowther.

Explore how this three-level ski chalet in Aspen, Colorado, inspires visitors to hit the slopes. The rustic 1990’s stone-and-glass dwelling presented a sensitive fit with its mountain surroundings, but it was also ripe for modernization. Rowland+Broughton’s architectural interventions include expansive, view-enhancing windows and sliding doors and the careful editing out of mullions on existing glazing. ⁠Read more about this rustic-chic Aspen home.

3. Feel The Winter Spirit At This Luxury Ski Chalet

Photography by Ulysse Lemerise.

Located high on a hillside in the Laurentian Mountains, Chalet Bertha, a family weekend ski chalet in Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada crafted by Perron, is full of clean lines, inviting textures and lots of light. Inspired by the Alpine goddess in Germanic mythology, the idea was to “feel the winter spirit indoors and be warmed by the joy of company.” Embracing the natural beauty of the area, the three-level, 7,500-square-foot chalet enjoys panoramic views of the surrounding forested landscape and the mighty Saint Lawrence River beyond. Explore this ski chalet in Canada.

4. Indulge In A Cozy Lodge With A Spalike Bath In Norway

Photography by Snorre Stinessen.

When Snore Stinessen Architecture began concepting a cabin in the Lyngen Alps, the client couldn’t help but imagine the potential for a ski chalet-style lodge where guests could enjoy the world-class skiing, glacier trekking, and wildlife spotting the land provides. After purchasing the surrounding 600 acres, architect and client started designing a place that would provide luxury hospitality without disturbing the pristine surroundings. Simple, earthy materials further emphasize a connection with the landscape, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer a panoramic view from every angle. Discover this chalet-style lodge in Norway.

5. Relax In A Rustic Cabin Blending The Old And New

Photography by David Lauer.

This ski chalet in Breckenridge, Colorado, needed plenty of TLC, so Amy Pigliacampo got to work on a warm and cozy renovation. But updating the structure built in 1976 was no small feat. Not only is the mountain cabin challenging to access at an elevation of 11,000 feet, but its interiors needed some serious attention, too. Painting the original pine paneling bright white, she opened up the lofty space by building a window above the kitchen counters and added warmth with various furnishings. Bits of cain, caramel leather, creamy wool, and wood in a variety of tones and colors are found throughout, styled to accomplish an aesthetic Pigliacampo has coined “1970s Modern Alpine Chalet.” Take a look inside this cozy ski chalet in Breckenridge.

6. A Winter Wonderland In Western Siberia

Photography by Inna Kablukova.

Studio Shoo’s hotel in Kogalym, Western Siberia, for Ibis Styles—a French brand of no-frills budget destinations owned by Accor—was slated to open to the public last year but, for obvious reasons, never did. When or if this Ibis eventually welcomes guests, its 7,600 square feet are primed and ready to go, conceived as a winter wonderland that draws inspiration from the location’s subarctic climate. Walk through this wintery locale in Siberia.

7. Step Into The ‘60s At This Retro-Chic Ski Lodge

Photography by Younes Bounhar/Doublespace.

When the Voyager Inn was built in the Canadian ski town of Banff in 1964, road tripping was all the rage and motor lodges were opening in vacation destinations to cater to the traveling public. By the time Canalta Hotels bought the property in 2016, however, the Voyager—or the Voy, as locals called it—was seriously rundown, best known for its dive bar, liquor store, and budget accommodations for group bus tours. But its handsome, low-slung bones were still very much intact. Now, after a $30 million overhaul helmed by Workshop/APD and Metafor, it has been reinvented as the Moxy Banff, combining the cheeky personality of the Moxy hotel brand and the outdoorsy spirit of Banff with the building’s own mid-century roots. Go snowboarding at this retro-chic ski lodge.

8. Stunning Views Make This Park City Property Pop

Photography by Kevin Scott.

The Park City Mountain resort in Park City, Utah, by CLB Architects offers drop-dead views of the Wasatch Mountains and hotel-worthy amenities, raising the bar for residential design. Collaborating on the interiors with the client, Iluminus co-founder and creative director David Ostrander, the goal was to create a focused aesthetic with the materials. The building’s exterior establishes the material palette used throughout: Croatian limestone, shou sugi ban cedar cladding, steel-framed windows, and a copper roof. And since the house is built into the hillside, Ostrander also added a pop-up perch where residents can take in 360-degree views, referencing the forest-fire watchtowers in national parks. Observe the breathtaking views at this mountain resort in Utah.

9. Embrace Nature In This Hudson Valley Hotel

Photography by Chris Mottalini.

This Hudson Valley hotel embraces an Alpine-inspired, homey vibe thanks to Loren Daye of Studio Love is Enough. Tapped by restauranteurs Noah Bernamoff and Matt Kliegman to transform their newly acquired Hudson Valley country inn into an Alpine-inspired, 14-room ski hotel, tavern, and bar, Daye’s subtle makeover includes walls clad in reclaimed mushroom boxes, checkered daybeds, Isamu Noguchi lanterns, and custom maple furniture made by a local woodworker. Take a look inside this ski chalet.

10. A Modern Ski Retreat Facing The Pacific Crest Trail

When architecture and design connoisseur Massy Mehidpour wanted help crafting her Martis Camp retreat, she turned to veterans Bohlin Cywinski Jackson and the Wiseman Group. Located on 2,100 High Sierra acres in Truckee, California, a few miles from Lake Tahoe, this 12,200-square-foot, three-level ski residence carefully sits on the lip of a west-facing crescent bowl lined with evergreens. And to take advantage of the spectacular views of the Pacific Crest Trail, the west-facing face is almost all glass with a public façade of long, overlapping cedar screens for privacy. Take a hike at this Martis Camp retreat.

Herbert Bayer’s Mid-Century Buildings Undergo A Refresh

Photography by Brent Moss.

Two of Herbert Bayer’s seminal mid-century buildings at the Aspen Institute in Colorado got sympathetic makeovers in recent years. The first, the 1973 Boettcher Building, was renovated by Rowland+Broughton, enclosing the open courtyard to serve as the nucleus of the building while keeping its connection to nature. The second was the three International Style “ski chalets” for the Institute’s Aspen Meadows Resort, with the interiors reinvented by Michael Suomi who used legacy pieces of furniture nodding to its Bauhaus origins. Discover these two winter mid-century buildings today.

Relax In This Single-Story Glass House by ACDF Architecture

Photography by Adrien Williams

Set on a 6-acre forest plot in Quebec’s Lanaudière region, this single-story ski residence by ACDF Architecture masterfully highlights the nature surrounding the home. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows let in abundant natural light and allow for sweeping views of surrounding trees. To emphasize those views, and the connection to the natural world, furniture was kept minimal with muted tones. Polished concrete flooring is also neutral. Ceilings incorporate wooden planks, with half-inch gaps between them to soften direct sunlight. With spaces for both connectivity and privacy, it is perfect for a growing young family. Explore this beautiful glass ski house here.