The historic lodges of America’s national parks owe much of their character to the use of native wood and stone in an architectural style nicknamed “parkitecture.” Structures built in the early days of parks such as Yosemite and Yellowstone were defined by a rustic, hand-crafted look intended to fit into the country’s dramatic landscapes.
The same could be said of a sprawling ski resort home on a secluded point overlooking Bachelor Gulch in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Built in 2005, the house at 352 Tall Timber Road in Bachelor Gulch Village embraces the tenets of parkitecture, featuring natural materials inside and out.
“The finishes are stunning,” says listing agent Catherine Jones Coburn of Slifer, Smith & Frampton Real Estate. “You could not replace this house today. It has beautiful barrel ceilings in the lower level, copper accents throughout and a water feature that’s heated, so it runs all year long.”
Floor-to-ceiling windows on the main level capture unobstructed southerly views of Bachelor Gulch as well as views of the mountains at Vail Ski Resort. “It’s very unusual to catch views of both ski slopes and the Gore Range,” Coburn says.
The house has seven bedrooms and 11 bathrooms—eight full and three half—across an impressive 10,282-square-foot interior. An array of grand living spaces throughout allow for sizable gatherings, many complete with fireplaces for a cozy touch. Bedroom suites are located on all three levels.
On the upper level, the primary suite has its own wing with a private deck, outdoor wood-burning fireplace and hot tub, as well as a spa-like en suite bathroom. Views overlooking the sprawling mountain landscape from wide windows that wrap the edges of the room give the feeling of a secluded fire lookout.
A ski-in heated patio leads into a “ski room” outfitted with a steam room and fitness area.
Thanks to the sizable layout, amenity spaces are plentiful, including a game room, home theater, climate-controlled stone wine cellar, illuminated onyx bar, an oversized hot tub in the backyard and a three-vehicle garage with heated flooring. “It’s a resort in and of itself,” Coburn says.
Tucked away behind a gate, the property is guarded by the Bachelor Village neighborhood. Residents also have access to a shuttle and hotel amenities at the nearby Ritz-Carlton.
Bachelor Gulch is located on Beaver Creek Mountain and shares the slopes with Beaver Creek and Arrowhead ski resorts. Year-round activities include skiing in winter and biking and hiking in summer.
Colburn says a prospective buyer might be “an extended family who appreciates quality, who loves the uniqueness of the house and wants outstanding views.”
The residence comes furnished and is on the market for $16.85 million. When sold, it will change hands for the first time since it was built nearly two decades ago.