This Vail, Colorado, home features elegant outdoor living spaces in a natural setting.

TODAY'S CUSTOM HOME  

Winter 2002  "Winter Wonderland - Mountain Homes Provide Cozy Retreat"

As Old Man Winter settles in, visions of snowflakes, ski resorts and hot tubs begin to dance in the heads of some custom home buyers. Building a mountain retreat is how some people satisfy their need to escape to the serenity of nature at any time of the year.

The informal elegance of a timber frame home is a natural choice for a vacation home or a primary residence in the mountains. "Mountain homes tend to be a little more rustic," says Bruce Hafley of Timberpeg Carolina. "We can do things to make the look less formal. For example, on the interior we may darken the timbers with a stain or soften the edges of the timbers." To get a true mountain lodge look, post and beam timbering used in the interior can be carried through to the exterior. A timber framed front porch entry is very popular.

While appearances are important, what lies beneath - and on top of - a home’s surface is crucial for it to withstand the sometimes harsh weather conditions found in the heights. "You can get winds of 100 to 120 mph - that’s what mountain homes need to be rated for in many North Carolina mountain counties," Hafley says. Fiberglass shingles tend to tear off in such gales, so cedar shakes and high gauge metal roofing are used.

Another major concern in higher elevations is snow. In the North Carolina mountains, steep pitched 12/12+ roofs are effective for shedding snow, hence weight, easily. Areas of the country that get more snow - such as

Lake Tahoe - have to adopt other solutions. "We receive a tremendous amount of snow annually, with as much as 15 to 20 feet on the ground," says Craig F. Threshie, AIA, ASLA, architect in principal of Alpen Environs, Inc. "We’re very cognizant of where the snow will drop off the roof and design the roof to hold the snow above areas where we don’t want it to accumulate on the ground."

When architect Carolyn Wicklund, AIA, was designing her Ketchum, Idaho, home in the Sun Valley ski area, she had a creative solution for snow build up. "We put a circular drive in front of the house with an area in the center for the snow to be piled. It gets to be about 6’ tall there," she says.

Snow also impacts where certain home features are placed. Since a home’s north side gets less direct sunlight in the winter, there’s more potential for longer lasting snow and ice buildup. For example, a north facing deck or driveway may be frozen for several months, making access treacherous. Snow will melt more slowly and freeze more quickly since the home blocks the winter sun from reaching the ground.

The ground itself is a consideration in building your mountain hideaway. "Often people who are building a second home become enamored with a view or a piece of property," says Paul Kessler, president of Timberpeg Pacific, Inc. "Site considerations are often overlooked because of an emotional response."

Factor such as the slope of the lot and what’s under the surface can have a significant impact on your budget. "There’s the potential of hitting solid rock when you’re building the foundation or digging for the basement," Hafley says. Some homeowners simply build around large rocks. You can blast through the rock, but to do so costs both money and time.

Other items that can increase costs are utilities. Lots in developments typically have access to utilities, but outlying sites may not. "One of the reasons why a lot is a lovely spot may be because it’s so remote. In that case, consider whether it will cost $700 or $10,000 to hook up electricity," Kessler says.

That relative isolation is exactly why some people flock to the mountains. "For many buyers, it’s an escape from the busier life of the large cities. Sometimes people don’t even put in phones or televisions," Hafley says. "We’re seeing some computer hookups, typically from the self-employed who can work from their vacation homes or people who need to stay in touch with their businesses."

But getting away from it all is the primary draw of the mountains, and your mountain retreat should reflect that. "You want to take advantage of the large vistas most mountain homes offer. Multiple windows off the great room allow you to capture the essence of the views," Hafley says.

"Mountain homes are designed for snow and the recreational gear that comes along with that." Threshie says. "We commonly design a transitional space from the main entry and from the garage that acts as a mud room. They have heated stone floors to melt the snow and a drain." Such spaces may include a bench, wall hooks and storage closets for coats, boots and skis.

Another pleasant reality of mountain homes that was not lost in Carolyn’s home is that once you own one, friends and family are sure to find it. "My husband and I built this house for ourselves, our five children and our grandchildren. The first floor is for us. The lower level is for family and friends. It has 3 bedrooms, 3 baths and a recreation room that is open to the back."

Experiencing the beauty of the outdoors and sharing it with family and friends in a secluded setting is what drives many to select a mountain site for their dream home.

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