Zeppelin Development Launch A-Frame Club in Winter Park

A-Frame Club cabins, courtesy of Zeppelin Development.

Zeppelin Development’s A-Frame Club, located at the base of Winter Park mountain, is now open for business. Situated on three acres, A-Frame Club is comprised of 31 A-Frame cabins, a historic saloon, and a wood-fired, French alpine-inspired restaurant. The new concept combines nature and outdoor recreation with a 1970s-inspired design aesthetic, elevated culinary offerings, and an expansive patio facing the ski hill, perfect for après ski activities.

Designed by Portland, Oregon-based Skylab Architects, the standalone 475-square-foot A-frames are a new take on the timeless A-frame form. Connected by a geometric snowflake-shaped elevated boardwalk, the cabin arrangement preserves existing trees and allows guests to float around the natural forest. While creating a sense of place for visitors, the cabin layout was designed to have an environmentally light footprint and to create privacy and ambiance for guests. Each 28-foot tall light-filled cabin, built to match the tree line, is made with cedar, fir and birch panels and spans two stories. Cabins include a main floor living room, kitchenette, and full bath, plus a lofted bedroom with a desk and freestanding Onsen-style soaking tub. Tall windows bring an abundance of natural light into the cabins, which look out onto walk-out decks with views of the forest and Fraser River. A nearby signature event lawn with a fire pit offers another communal space for guests to gather.

“A-Frame Club is taking mountain hospitality back to the heyday for skiing in the 70s and 80s that I grew up with,” said Kyle Zeppelin, founder of Zeppelin Hospitality. “It’s a throwback to a simpler time with cabins at the base of the ski hill that open up directly to the forest and a turned-up party in the lodge.”

Zeppelin Development worked closely alongside Skylab and Denver-based Wunder Werkz to incorporate the hotel’s nostalgic-forward branding into the overall design. The team looked to classic ads from the 1970s and mid-century typographic motifs for design inspiration. Materials including warm cedar planks and natural leather can be found throughout the property, along with saturated, natural tones of brown and green. Furniture choices are focused on the interplay of vintage products and classic design elements, such as Malm fireplaces located in each cabin, Noguchi lighting, Maharam rugs to add to the classic alpine chalet feel, and tufted leather headboards custom designed by Wunder Werkz and built by Denver Upholstery.

The design team worked with designers and furniture houses whose work has a strong sense of form and movement that stands up well against the angular A-frame architecture. The art program focuses on original 1970s ski art and old print advertisements, vintage Lange ski posters, and original Hunter S. Thompson photographs taken by renowned photographer, David Hiser.

Open to the public and hotel guests daily, The Saloon features a wood-fired, French Alpine-inspired food and beverage program, with elevated but familiar menu offerings, available for both lunch and dinner. With Hospitality Director, Antoine Moinard, at the helm, The Saloon is set to become Winter Park’s best dining destination. Moinard, an industry veteran, honed his hospitality skills with projects in Ireland, the Caribbean, France and most recently, serving in a director role at The Source Hotel in Denver.  Culinary Director, Nic Weber, who has worked on the James Beard Award-winning team at Mercantile Dining & Provision in Denver and three Michelin-starred Atelier Crenn in San Francisco, created sophisticated but approachable menus. Lunch service includes options such as grilled veggies with house-made dipping sauces, the A-Frame burger made with ground brisket, Croque Monsieur, and a mountain lodge staple, French onion soup. The dinner menu includes standouts like charred beef short rib with bone marrow mustard glaze and venison schnitzel with wild mushroom fricassee.

A-Frame Club’s rustic, charming bar will also feature a heated outdoor après deck, complete with extensive mountain views. The après-ski-inspired bar program focuses on classic cocktails, herbal liquors and spirits, hot cocktail options perfect for a cold winter day, beers on tap from Colorado breweries, and a large European wine selection. Highlights include a Black Manhattan made with Elijah Craig Rye Whiskey, Italian Amaro and Orange Bitters, and the Champs-Elysees, made with Cognac, Green Chartreuse, and fresh lemon juice. The après-deck, set to be the area’s best new après-ski destination, will include a fresh crepe station and live DJ. Happy hour patio and après ski offerings include venison tartare, a fromage and charcuterie board, crispy potatoes with caviar, and fun dessert snacks, including citrus tartlets.

Next door to The Saloon is Winter Park’s longest-running family owned and operated ski shop, Alpine Sun, outfitting visitors since 1984. A-Frame Club is conveniently located directly across from the last shuttle stop before the base of the mountain, and a few blocks away from the Winter Park Express Ski Train stop, which is directly accessible from Denver’s Union Station and Denver International Airport. Guests can expect overnight ski equipment tune-ups and other related services at their fingertips.

 

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