A boutique ski hotel in Northern Idaho designed by Portland-based Skylab Architecture will break the mold of a classic luxury getaway, bringing snowy vacations into the contemporary era while retaining elements that shape the identity of the local skiing culture.

The design team’s working vision statement: “Seattle cool meets Idaho ski bum.”

Construction recently began on the 30-room hotel at Schweitzer Mountain Resort near Sandpoint, Idaho.

Internally, the building references old ski equipment and bright ski suits of the 20^th century, with materials like granite, basalt and Douglas fir honoring regional identity. But on the outside, cedar, metal and an abundance of glass will make the place thoroughly modern.

“What Skylab’s trying to do is interpret the regional history and culture of Schweitzer, and then kind of put a twist on it,” Skylab designer Jamin AAsum said. “It’s a modern aesthetic, it’s a modern take on a ski lodge.”

AAsum said the hotel is being designed to compete with other ski resorts in Idaho, such as those in Sun Valley, while also attracting a new generation of younger skiers. He said the hotel aims to “bring Seattle to Schweitzer” with its modern amenities and styling. It’s a “ski-in, ski-out” hotel, which means guests can hit the slopes right from their rooms.

Skiers can seek refuge from the slopes at a 50-seat restaurant or in unique bar and lounge areas, and a terrace will provide outdoor gathering space on fair-weather days.

Guest rooms offer views of nearby Lake Pend Oreille, while common areas are oriented toward Schweitzer Mountain. At the opposite end of the building from the restaurant and bar is what AAsum called “the living room,” a place for families to relax and play games, and a rooftop space will contain a spa with hot tubs and an outdoor shower.

There are challenges to building on the side of a mountain, AAsum said. Construction crews can only access the site via a nine-mile-long road between the months of June and October. Due to the grade of the site, the 42-car below-grade parking garage is essentially being cut into the side of the hill.

Foundation work is currently under way at the project, which is being built by Spokane-based general contractor Walker Construction. The Spokane office of DCI Engineers is the project’s structural engineer, and Denver-based Dunn + Kiley is the landscape architect.

While the initial design is being built for skiing, AAsum said the ultimate goal will be to create a year-round, modern facility that can be used for summer activities as well.

“It’s a little rebellion,” he said. “It’s not quite the quiet ski hotel.”

Design Beyond Borders is a 91��Ƶ feature offering a look at the projects outside of Oregon being tackled by local architecture firms. To have your firm’s projects considered, contact 91��Ƶ architecture and engineering reporter Alex Visser at 503-802-7224 or avisser@djcOregon.com.

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