The Hotel You Can Ski On

02/1/10  Print This Post Print This Post    9 Comments      Written by Candice Walsh
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Pictures by Michael Jantzen

Designer Michael Jantzen’s new take on snow sports is an eco-lodge that doubles as a year-round ski slope.

Still a design proposal, the North Slope Ski Hotel has 95 rooms and is powered primarily by wind and solar energy. The whole thing would be constructed with sustainable building products, including gym equipment designed to help contribute power to the hotel.

The best part? The hotel has a 400-foot-high ski slope built right into it. Not only is the design swanky, it’s functional.

An aerial view of the hotel.

Using an elevator, skiers climb to the top of the hotel and then ski or snowboard down into the landscape. The slope has a special surface that eliminates the need for snow, so guests can ride year-round.

After a long day of skiing, you can head to the hotel’s rooftop bar to check out the view.

The slope is also designed to catch rainwater and snow and store it in large containers at the building’s base. The water is then recycled and used throughout the hotel.

The eco-hotel is only one of the many environmentally friendly designs created by Jantzen, who hopes to “demonstrate how even the most luxurious places on earth can, and should be, built in an earth friendly way.”

Community Connection:

Check out these six American ski mountains you’ve never heard about for more ski inspiration.


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About the Author

Matador ID: CANDICEW86

Candice Walsh is a technical writer for a deep sea technology company. When she isn’t writing about sonar equipment, she’s shooting whiskey and hitting on men, or eating nachos and dreaming about travel. She’s currently stationed in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Check out her blog, Candice Does the World.

9 Comments... join the discussion!

  • JoAnna replied on February 1, 2010

    Very cool! Do you know where they’re planning on building it?

    ↵ Reply
    • Candice replied to JoAnna on February 2, 2010

      It’s still in a proposal stage, that’s really all I know! Amazing structure though.

      ↵ Reply
  • Adam replied on February 1, 2010

    Um… awesome! Form MEETS function.

    ↵ Reply
  • Eric replied on February 2, 2010

    That would be a fun place to vacation. If Richard Branson can build an undersea plan, they can build this.

    ↵ Reply
  • Nancy replied on February 2, 2010

    That’s awesome. I don’t even ski, but I want to visit already.

    ↵ Reply
  • josh johnson replied on February 2, 2010

    completely amazing…how about a hotel you can eat? Wonka style!

    ↵ Reply
  • Rare Retreats replied on February 3, 2010

    I hope they build this – I would love to stay there.

    ↵ Reply
  • Ski Chalets replied on February 20, 2010

    Marvelous! Where is it going to be built? I just loved the design, its simply outstanding!

    ↵ Reply

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