Overland Trail Cabin is a 4,200 square foot single-family residence located at the entry to Sugar Bowl Ski Resort from the Royal Gorge Cross Country Resort. This connection is along the historic Overland Trail, along which early settlers traveled from the East and what would become the route followed by thousands of gold settlers.
The two-story home is organized as a horseshoe that marks the path of the sun opening to the south and west, and in doing so provides panoramic views of the forest and Mount Disney slopes. This is a home that celebrates all of the best that the combined Sugar Bowl and Royal Gorge resorts have to offer – both in Winter (Alpine and Nordic Skiing) and in Summer (hiking, mountain biking and easy access to Lake Mary for boating and swimming).
The dramatic timber structure sheds snow to the north and east, producing shelter to both the entry and the gracious second floor deck that extends the living room, dining room and master bedroom. The home is designed for entertaining, with a magnificent gourmet kitchen at the center of the great room. The north facing hot tub deck provides sheltered privacy to enjoy unwinding after an active day. A second “master” west room completes the main level of the house.
One enters the home into a large family room with beautiful forest views. This room is intended to provide for many uses (winter and summer). A wet bar allows for outdoor entertainment to be stationed here in the summer. Two bedrooms and baths are located to the west and a bunkroom to the south (the house sleeps 12 in beds). A generous ski room and separate summer room for mountain bikes are located just off the entry.
The house celebrates the structure required to tame the heavy snow loads frequently found at Sugar Bowl. The pitch of the roof and deck pay homage to the village lodge, designed in 1938 by William Wurster. Two granite chimney masses complete the composition of the house by bookending the structure and rooting it to the ground. One provides the fireplace from the living room, the other for the sitting area in the master bedroom; while this a house in which one can entertain lavishly, it is also designed to be enjoyed as an intimate getaway.