Cliffhanger Chalet – A Story of Vision and Engineering
High above the alpine valley on Mount Washington, Canada, stands the Cliffhanger Chalet—a bold retreat built where few would dare. More than just a building, it is a place for unforgettable moments: families gathering around the fire, wedding parties celebrating on the terrace, and travelers soaking in sweeping mountain views. Within its two side-by-side units, the chalet welcomes a wide variety of guests seeking alpine life at its most inspiring.
The dream began on a winter day, with deep snow underfoot and endless views from a cliff-side lot at 1,110 meters above sea level. The location was breathtaking—but also unforgiving. Once the snow melted and surveys were complete, it became clear: a conventional foundation was impossible. The home would have to be engineered directly into the mountain itself.
Eleven rock anchors drilled into bedrock now secure the structure. A suspended insulated concrete slab and a steel frame facing the cliff provide the strength required for snow loads of 21.6 kPa (2.2 tons per square meter) and average snow depths of 230 cm. Beneath the home, a snow-free void houses the technical systems, allowing the chalet to perform flawlessly in harsh alpine conditions.
But strength was only part of the vision. The chalet needed to be warm, inviting, and timeless. That’s where Kontio solutions played a decisive role. The walls are built from Kontio’s non-settling SmartLog timber (205 × 275 mm), ensuring dimensional stability without shrinking or twisting. Triple-glazed wood windows with aluminum cladding provide lasting insulation, capturing the sweeping mountain views while standing strong against ice and wind.
Today, the Cliffhanger Chalet is more than a technical achievement. With capacity for up to 25 guests, it has become a dream getaway where families reunite, weddings are celebrated, and travellers experience alpine life at its most inspiring.
Suspended on the mountainside, it is both an architectural statement and a testament to Kontio’s ability to turn the most challenging visions into lasting reality.
