Trends in Ski-In/Ski-Out Home Design
Just one short, scenic, drive through Martis Camp and Northstar California and one will immediately notice the popularity in ski-in/ski out homes. And as such, home buyers within our resort communities are asking architects throughout the Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas to design ski-in/ski-out homes that seamlessly blend function with family fun on and off the slopes and links.
With this topic hot, I thought it might be interesting to highlight some of the trends and features that Borelli Architecture in Incline Village, Nevada, suggests for the design of your ski-in/ski-out home in California or Nevada – which will certainly include what we used to simply call a “Mud Room” which is now referred to as a “Ski Room”.
We have a ski-in/ski-out home on North Summit Place at Northstar under construction right now. When all is said and done, our clients will live the dream to be able to click into their ski boots or jump on their mountain bike for a great day of skiing or biking – right from their back door.
It’s interesting to see the trends in mountain homes design develop over the years; the focus on the functionality of the back of the home is just as important as the home’s front entry, and the Ski Room in particular, that sits on the edge of the great outdoors.
Before we start to design any Ski Room we take all the seasons into consideration – be it winter, spring, summer, or fall. And most often the design ends up with recommendations that are far from the typical Mud Room or Foyer of yesteryear.
BORELLI ARCHITECT’S SKI ROOM DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS
Most of the clients that we work with lead a very active lifestyle. And with that in mind, the Ski Rooms we design reflect the owner’s passions – and include all of the necessary space and features to elegantly and efficiently store all of their play toys. Here are some highlights:
Heated Floors: These function both as warming surfaces for stocking feet and a drying capacity for the lingering water that comes with the onslaught of ski gear in the winter and muddy shoes and such in the wrap-around seasons.
A Drop Zone: From low level kid cubbies to higher shelving for the adults, we always recommend plenty of these easy to reach locations for things that need to stay off the floor and easily stored.
Cabinets that Hide the Goods: There are many features that are essential to a Ski Room, but that doesn’t mean that this room has to look like a Utility Room. At Borelli Architecture and Kelly Borelli Interiors, we always remind our clients of the importance of tying the significance of the room into the image of the home; be it elegant doors and hardware or other tasteful accents, we tie it all together to blend seamlessly into the overall style.
Long, Comfortable, Benches. No fabric needed or perhaps even wanted for these ‘must haves’ that have a tendency to be used by those who have had a long wet ski day and can’t wait to take off the boots or muddy sneakers. We like to build in long benches and always suggest a warm durable wood to add to the home’s own mountain charm.
Ski, Golf, and Fishing Reel Racks: Here in the High Sierra there are endless ways to enjoy a full lifestyle right out one’s backdoor. In addition to the basics, we also like to design sport-specific racks for skis, golf bags and shoes, fishing rods and reels, bike helmets, and more.
A Place for Everything and Everything in Its Place
Whether you plan to build or remodel a home in the mountains, or are seek a sandy sea-side retreat, call us at Borelli Architecture first. We welcome every opportunity to spend some quality time with you to design a home that is as personal as it is practical for generations to come.