A ski house is built for the mountain. The mudroom and gear storage are at the bottom, the great room with its fireplace is in the middle and the bedrooms are tucked above or below. After a day on the slopes, the last thing tired legs want is three flights of stairs.
Why owners are adding elevators
- Many now live in their ski home most of the year
- Grandparents want to join family gatherings without struggling
- Gear, luggage, groceries and firewood all need to go up
- Ski injuries happen, and a house with an elevator is still usable on crutches
- Rental guests and buyers value it
Choosing a type
- Pneumatic. The clear tube suits an open timber interior and needs no pit.
- Traditional. Best planned into new construction. Offers the largest cab and can be finished in wood to match the house.
- Shaftless. For a two-level home, with the least construction.
Planning for a mountain property
- Timber frames. The route has to work with posts and beams.
- Power. Outages are part of mountain life. Ask about emergency lowering and consider a generator.
- Seasonal use. If the house is closed for weeks, run the elevator through its floors when you return and keep to the service schedule.
- Winter access. Schedule delivery and installation with the weather in mind.
From the driveway
Many mountain homes have a long outdoor stair. An outdoor stair lift or a platform lift handles it in snow.
For the firewood
A dumbwaiter from the lower level to the hearth is one of the most appreciated additions in a Vermont ski home.
Building new?
Bring us in while your architect is still drawing. It costs less and gives a better result.
Talk to a Vermont company
Nationwide Lifts of Vermont is based in Richmond and works across the state. Call (802) 734-0869 for a free home assessment.