Creating a Classic Mountain Retreat

Embrace the natural setting in a home built for family fun using these tips from our Whistler design-build experts.

“People come to Whistler for all the area has to offer — to ski, have fun and be outdoors. Creating spaces for people to enjoy that is rewarding.” David Girard - President of Whistler Builder

Cozy evenings cuddled around the fireplace after a day spent on the ski slopes. Hanging out in a hot tub watching the sun set on the mountains. Waking up to the scent of warm coffee in a snow-dusted chalet. Sound like good ways to spend time with family and friends? “These homes are often called grandchild catchers,” says David Girard. “They’re all about getting closer with the people you love and having spaces where families can gather together in a personalized retreat while also capturing a cabin feel in the mountains.”

Panorama Ridge - Click image to see more from this project

Revelling in the outdoors. The glorious natural setting of Whistler helps inspire our team’s work. “There are such beautiful vistas here, views that I haven’t gotten bored of even after 30 years,” Girard says. “The majesty of it and the pristine wilderness aspect tug at me. So it’s pretty fun to create homes here.” Jessica Routhier, an interior designer at Whistler Builder, agrees. “Everything starts with the mountain environment,” she says.

Sky Pilot - Click image to see more from this project

Diverse settings. The Whistler Builder team works on homes in areas ranging from downtown Vancouver to remote Pacific coast islands to the mountain peaks of Whistler. “There are different challenges in each place, but I always enjoy the satisfaction on clients’ faces when they see the end result,” Girard says.

Ready to create your dream mountain home? Our interior designer, Jessica, shares the team’s tips below.

Northern Lights - Click image to see more from this project

1. Consider Use

Whether you adore cooking up a feast or prefer to stay on the slopes, “think about why you’re coming to Whistler and how you’re going to use the home,” Routhier says.

The family at the home on Whistler Mountain whose mudroom is seen here love to ski. Routhier capitalized on updated zoning that allowed for the build-out of crawl spaces, combining a crawl space with a tiny closet. Now, when the family come in, they have a spacious mudroom in which to stash their wet gear, and a bench where they take off their boots. Then they can duck into a new powder room before piling into a media room to relax with a movie.

Blackcomb Way - Click image to see more from this project

2. Choose Natural Materials

“You want materials that show warmth, are durable and will last over time, and that bring in the outdoors,” Routhier says.

Before, this condo on Blackcomb Mountain had pink shag carpet and outdated beige cabinets. Now alder wood fills the space, selected for its knotty character; it’s been stained dark to meet the homeowner’s request for a moody, rustic feel. A wooden beam from an old barn is the mantel for the stone fireplace. Rich oak floors finish the look.

3. Style to Suit

Decide on an aesthetic to fit your ideal, then tailor your space with that in mind, Routhier says, “whether you want a cozy cabin feel or something more contemporary.”

For the same Whistler Mountain home as seen above, the owners wanted to remake the outdated spaces that felt like they belonged to an impersonal, bland rental into a chic, bright home with a timeless feel.

Routhier chose a slate tile in a herringbone pattern for the master bath wall, then added a quartz countertop and oak cabinets for contrast.

Sleek porcelain tile brightens the floor, and nickel-finish fixtures softly gleam under the twinkle of modern lights.