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A Modern Ski Chalet Surrounded by the Forest

Surrounded by a dense forest of spruce, maple, beech, and birch trees, the Laurentian Ski Chalet was built for a family with young children to enjoy on the weekends. RobitailleCurtis designed the modern retreat on a steep slope that was once used for skiing near the Saint-Donat village in Quebec, Canada, with 100 miles of panoramic views over Lac Archambault.

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They kept the footprint to a minimum by building the house elevated on 8″ x 8″ western red cedar pilotis to allow snow and water to freely wash under the structure.

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The main living area is on the top level and is an open floor plan. A 27-foot-long window spans the length of the kitchen and dining areas to enjoy the views. An upholstered bench runs below it with concealed storage. On the other side, they installed clerestory windows that run the full-length of the house.

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Wood planks running the length of the slanted ceiling warm the space up, with butcher block countertops on the island in a similar tone.

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On the southern end of the house is the living room with a fireplace that anchors the space.

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At the opposite end of the living level, there’s a master suite that enjoys the same views as the public spaces.

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The lower level houses the children’s bedrooms, a guest bedroom, a steam room, and a playroom.

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Photos by Marc Cramer, courtesy of v2com.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.