Aspen Ski Lodge

Logo with bold black "M" and red "A" and "R" letters.
Logo with bold black "M" and red "A" and "R" letters.
Logo with bold black "M" and red "A" and "R" letters.
Logo with bold black "M" and red "A" and "R" letters.
Logo with bold black "M" and red "A" and "R" letters.
Logo with bold black "M" and red "A" and "R" letters.

Aspen Ski Lodge

Architect: Mark Holmquist Architect

Interior Designer: Mark Epstein Designs

This Aspen ski lodge was designed as a contemporary mountain retreat that balances warmth, simplicity, and architectural restraint. Originally built without a specific owner in mind, the project focused on creating interiors that would feel timeless, comfortable, and deeply connected to the surrounding Colorado landscape.

The design draws from the material language of traditional alpine architecture while introducing a quieter and more contemporary sensibility. Natural wood plank walls and ceilings finished in hand-applied wax create a soft, textured atmosphere that changes subtly throughout the day as light moves across the interior. The muted finish preserves the tactile quality of the wood while avoiding the heaviness often associated with rustic mountain interiors.

The primary living spaces were organized to maximize openness, natural light, and long views toward the surrounding mountains. Matching wood cabinetry was integrated throughout the kitchen and living areas to create continuity and visual calm, allowing the architecture and landscape to remain the focus. Furnishings were intentionally understated and relaxed, emphasizing comfort and ease after long days outdoors.

The palette of materials and finishes was informed directly by the Aspen environment—weathered wood, stone, soft neutrals, and earthy tonal variations that reflect the surrounding terrain across changing seasons. Rather than contrasting sharply with the landscape, the interiors were designed to feel embedded within it.

Particular attention was given to proportion, lighting, and the relationship between intimate and open spaces. Large gathering areas are balanced by quieter moments throughout the home, creating an atmosphere that feels both expansive and deeply personal.

The result is a mountain residence that feels refined without excess—an interior shaped by natural materials, landscape, and the rhythms of seasonal living in Aspen.

Explore more of Mark Holmquist’s architectural work beyond NYC.