Osler Bluff Ski Club

The Osler Bluff Ski Club has long been recognized for its intimate, well-scaled spaces that anchor the social life of the Club. With the arrival of high-speed lifts, however, more activity shifted off-hill, pushing the existing Clubhouse well beyond capacity. A comprehensive 30,000 sf renovation and expansion was undertaken to address these pressures—providing increased lunchtime seating, improved circulation between change rooms, dining areas and support spaces, a more dynamic après-ski environment, and consolidated childcare facilities. At the same time, the project required updating the existing structure to current health, safety, and accessibility standards while seamlessly connecting old and new building fabric.

The scale and complexity of the work demanded the integration of over a dozen specialized sub-consultants, from structural engineers to building envelope specialists, acoustic and lighting designers, and food service consultants. The project team coordinated intensively across disciplines to resolve challenges of building within and around an existing heavy timber and core slab structure, where careful phasing and detailing were required to accommodate new spans, services, and circulation without compromising the character or integrity of the original building.

A continuous Douglas Fir acoustic ceiling unites the old and new spaces, reinforcing the Club’s longstanding ethos of craft and timber construction. CNC-milled Y-Columns reinterpret the heavy timber structure, recalling the carved forms of heritage carved wood skis. Existing Douglas Fir frames—weathered and checked after decades of exposure—were each assessed, repaired, and retained, preserving the memory of the original building line. The new slope-side façade reframes the Clubhouse as a contemporary destination deeply rooted in tradition, its two-story gabled extension echoing the form of the renewed original structure.

Our scope extended to the interiors and furnishings, creating a seamless experience from architectural shell to detailed fit-out. Custom wood detailing and carefully selected finishes provide members with a warm, tactile environment that reflects the Club’s identity.

The project integrates a high-performance mechanical system and a timber-backed curtain wall, replacing 40-year-old single glazing with an energy-efficient envelope that ensures long-term reductions in operating costs while improving comfort. Materials removed during construction—including large sections of heavy timber framing—were reclaimed and reused, reducing waste and conserving resources.

Through its ambition, technical challenges, and layered coordination, the Osler Bluff Ski Club demonstrates how complex, large-scale renovation projects can balance craft, performance, and heritage, transforming an overextended facility into a vibrant, future-ready clubhouse.