A brand-new ski-in/ski-out home at Deer Valley’s Bald Eagle will welcome snow this weekend and launch the home’s first ski season
Photos by Scot Zimmerman
Waiting for the First Snow
Recently I was reminded by how long I have been taking photos when I returned to a lot in Bald Eagle. I recognized the spot where I had earlier photographed a log home, and I was met with one that was recently completed—angular and contemporary with wood, and stone. It had just been built for a family whose previous homes I have photographed. Their newest, built by Midway Construction, architecture by Upwall Design (Michael Upwall), and interiors by Marian Rockwood, captures the family’s love for the outdoors, entertaining, and skiing with the convenience of a ski room adjacent to a Deer Valley run.
In the foreground, you can see the ski run, barren of snow at the time of the photo. Things should change with the upcoming predicted storm cycle.
Moving to the opposite side of the home, the design emphasizes windows to the views and patio and deck space for enjoying the outdoors.
Here’s a closer look at the deck off the main living space.
The home backs into the wooded mountain side where terraced gardens lead up to the retaining wall with a patio and hot tub positioned to appreciate the beauty of the spot.
Walking in through the pivot door at the front entrance, you are met with this view of the great room. The fireplace anchors a seating area of Italian leather sofas that recline. The angular wooden ceiling lifts to the clerestory and a glimpse of the rooftop garden.
Looking to the right is a stone wall perfect for a large artwork. This custom piece shows Deer Valley behind the red boot.
Crossing the room, the camera now looks to the front entrance. From this view you can appreciate the casual elegance Marian Rockwood achieved with the décor. Above the fireplace are blackened metal panels. Looking past to the front door, there are more windows for natural light, stairs, a glass elevator, and a glassed in walkway above.
Here is a closer view of the stairway and glass elevator.
In the open-planned great room, the dining area is positioned in front of the floor-to-ceiling sliding window doors that open completely to the patio. To the right is the kitchen with seating on the island and a dropped ceiling for better lighting and more intimacy. An adjacent enclosed butler’s pantry, the same size as the kitchen, provides for food preparation and workspace so that the open-planned kitchen remains uncluttered. Beyond in the distance are the hearth room and bar.
The hearth room, or cozy room, as some call it, has access to the main patio to the west and its own private patio that looks out to the terraced garden. We get a peek of the bar to the right.
The homeowners created a great bar in their previous home, and I was excited to see the one here. Wow! The lighting can be adjusted to different colors, depending on the mood they want to set.
The colorful stone makes the main floor powder room memorable.
The primary bedroom suite is in a quiet private corner of the main floor.
The top level has a vibrant rooftop garden. The planters are aligned by the clerestory windows we viewed in the great room. Nearby on this level is the home office, and further down the hall are two guest suites.
On the lower level is a family recreation room with doors leading to a dedicated home theater. Additionally, there are a home gym and guest rooms.
In the hallway leading to the lower-level bedroom suites and bunkroom, adjustable colored lighting adds an extra pizazz.
The material selections in the downstairs powder room shows a more casual look than in the upstairs.
Under the circumstances of having photographed an earlier home on this same lot as well as having photographed a previous home for the homeowners, it is easy to slip into comparisons of how far homes have progressed in a relatively short time. The contrast in design, materials, and workmanship is stunning. I feel the recent work I have seen in Park City and Utah demonstrates homes as finely built as anywhere in the country. If I travelled more, I would venture to compare them to other places in the world. But for the places I have travelled and photographed and the publications I read, the local homebuilding community stands up to anyone.
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