Decorating & Design
February 19, 2021
This Scandi-Style Chalet In The Mountains Is The Perfect Après-Ski Hangout
You don’t have to be a skier to appreciate “après-ski.” At resorts like Tremblant in Quebec’s Laurentian Mountains, there’s a joie de vivre that doesn’t require hitting the slopes. “We’re not skiers,” admits Ottawa clothing store owner Yann Darevic. “We love Mont-Tremblant’s culture of great food and wine, hiking and fishing, and just getting away from the grind.” He and his wife, Rocio, had vacationed in the area for years, a respite from the pressures of running NRML, their streetwear boutique with two locations. Then, after years of renting, the couple finally snapped up one of the 25 Spahaus chalets designed by architecture firm YH2 Architecture in Fraternité-sur-Lac.
Each Scandi-style chalet is positioned to keep other chalets out of sight and is fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows on the main floor to maximize the panoramic forest views. Now Yann, Rocio and their two daughters, seven-year-old Leticia and Havana, 3, only have to walk through the back door of their chalet and strap on snowshoes to access multiple trails.
The couple worked with YH2 architects Loukas Yiacouvakis and Marie-Claude Hamelin to personalize the standard 2,000-square-foot model chalet. “Their approach is minimalist — we enjoyed their simplicity merged with nature,” says Yann. “We wanted as much breathing room as possible, not just a place to sleep.” They also requested a focus on well-being and a light environmental footprint.
Designers Sacha and Melissa Leclair, longtime friends of the family, jumped in to pull together rooms that were modern without being cold. Using soft textiles, they layered a coziness atop the chalet’s clean lines. Its natural setting allows the whole family to slow their pace and reconnect.
Scroll down to tour this Scandic-style ski chalet!
“The house is surrounded by woods,” says Yann. “The property isn’t immaculately landscaped — it’s very raw, and there’s lots of wildlife.” An outdoor terrace nestled within the trees and boulders is the perfect spot for the hot tub.
The open-concept living area is designed to be sociable, with a generous sectional, flatscreen TV and nearby dining area. It’s easy to interact with the cook in the kitchen when perched on the stools at the island or stretched out on the sofa.
A hanging fireplace is a throwback to glam 1960s “après-ski” and can be manually rotated 360 degrees to face any part of the main floor. “It follows us throughout the day, starting at the kitchen in the morning,” says Yann. (He confirms it’s easy and safe to shift it with no fear of burnt hands.) Radiant heating warms the poured concrete floor, while a stag triptych highlights the woodland setting.
Yann and Rocio cherish family time with daughters Havana and Leticia, and dog, Loki. “It’s a place to escape from our urban life,” says Yann. “Wildlife passes in front of our kitchen all day — there’s a path the deer follow on a daily schedule and my daughters just love it.”
The textures of a plush rug and woven throw pillows amp up the warmth.
The chalet’s tonal kitchen is an homage to the wintry whites and blond woods native to Scandinavian design. Contrasting black window frames make the snow-covered outdoor views look even more like a picture.
Alpine artwork casually propped on the open shelving picks up the kitchen’s serene palette. Wood shelves warm up the coolness of the gray cabinetry, stainless countertops and curb backsplash.
Handmade jugs and rustic tumblers in spare black, white and gray suit the space and make a pretty vignette.
White cedar strips mounted horizontally on the walls give the chalet a more expansive, contemporary look, while open space between the stair treads instills an airy feeling.
In the principal bedroom, a solid oak platform bed blends seamlessly with the white oak flooring. A wall of white cedar cupboards stretches up to the peaked roof to max out storage and keep the space uncluttered.
An awkward nook in the principal bedroom becomes functional when equipped with simple, open shelving.
Hammam-style towels and Scandi sauna essentials enhance the principal bathroom’s spa vibe. The family can toggle between a body-warming sauna or hot tub, and endorphin-releasing cold showers. “We’re big on Nordic spas and that hot-cold feeling,” says Yann. “It could be snowing outside, but you’re warm in the hot tub. And when you run through the snow and into the sauna it’s a shock for the body, but it’s amazing for relieving stress. You feel really good, really fast.”
A full-height glass sauna wall and a glass shower enclosure allow light to flow through the space.
Maxime Desbiens
House & Home February 2018
Sacha Leclair & Melissa Leclair, Leclair Decor; Architecture by YH2 Architecture