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 vision for building the destination took shape in the middle of winter, at a time of deep snow.
At an elevation of 1,110 metres above sea level, the views opening from a rocky ledge were unforgettable. The site is breathtakingly beautiful, yet at the same time unforgiving. As spring arrived, the snow melted and detailed site investigations were completed, it became clear that a conventional foundation was not possible. The only solution was to anchor the building directly to the mountain.
The completed structure is supported by eleven rock anchors drilled into the bedrock. A suspended and insulated concrete slab, together with a steel frame on the rock-facing side, forms a structure designed to withstand extreme conditions: a snow load of 21.6 kPa—equivalent to 2.2 tonnes per square metre—and an average snow depth of 2.3 metres. A snow-free technical space beneath the house ensures that the villa operates reliably even in the harshest weather conditions.
The aim was to create a villa that feels warm, inviting and timeless—a place designed to endure both structurally and aesthetically.
For this reason, the wall material was chosen to be Kontio’s durable, non‑settling SmartLog, which allows even the most demanding climate conditions and architectural solutions to be realised without compromise. Large, triple‑glazed, aluminium‑clad windows open up unforgettable mountain views while providing excellent insulation and reliable resistance to ice, wind and rapidly changing alpine conditions.
The Cliffhanger Chalet features two spacious living areas and four bedrooms, accommodating up to 25 guests. Designed by architect Pavel Denisov, the chalet has become a popular destination for families, wedding parties and travellers seeking relaxation in an exceptional setting with truly unforgettable views.
Built into a steep mountainside, this architecturally challenging project is a striking demonstration of the versatility and durability of non‑settling SmartLog as a building material.
