Drawing on the rustic farmhouses of the European Alps, the romantic Chalet style gained popularity in America around the middle of the 19th century, where it was employed in snowy mountain settings where its storybook charm is complimented by spectacular scenery.
Typically built of rough-hewn timber, the Chalet home design's Alpine origins shine through in its raised stone foundation, steeply pitched gable roof, broad exterior galleries, and quaint decorative woodwork, and expansive windows that frame breathtaking views. Sunshine-flooded interior floor plans are graced by exposed beams and brackets, wood paneling, and generously proportioned, inglenook-style stone fireplaces to gather around for après ski entertaining. Often referred to as lodges or cottages, Chalet homes have become a popular choice for vacation homes in the ski resorts of the Adirondacks, Glacier Mountain region, and Rockies, though they are perfectly at home in most any sloped countryside setting.