Historic Summit Lake Ski Lodge Renovated for Durability and Preservation
In the picturesque West Kootenay region of southeastern British Columbia, the Summit Lake Ski Lodge has stood as a beloved community landmark for more than six decades. Recently, this small but significant lodge underwent a comprehensive renovation with a clear mission: to preserve the existing structure and extend its lifespan rather than replace or fundamentally reshape it.
A Community Hub Built by Volunteers
Located just south of Nakusp, Summit Lake Ski Lodge has served local families since the early 1960s. Constructed and maintained by dedicated volunteers over generations, the lodge functions as a warming hut, community gathering space, and repository of memories for countless individuals who learned to ski on its slopes. The building represents a tangible connection to community history and outdoor traditions.
"You could see the layers of adaptation — how the building had grown over time to meet changing needs," explains Jordan Jones, principal at Town Architecture, the firm that led the renovation project. "That kind of evolution carries meaning. It felt like something worth building on, not wiping away."
Preservation-Focused Renovation Approach
The renovation team prioritized durability and long-term functionality over aesthetic modernization. Instead of pursuing a contemporary look, architects focused on practical improvements that would ensure the lodge could withstand harsh mountain conditions for decades to come.
Key renovation elements included:
- Enhancing insulation in walls originally not designed for thermal efficiency
- Rebuilding roof and deck structures to handle heavy snow loads
- Staging construction to allow the volunteer-operated ski hill to remain operational
- Preserving the distinctive exposed timber framing that anchors the structure
Uncovering Architectural History
One of the lodge's most distinctive features remained hidden within its walls. The original construction utilized stacked lumber rather than conventional framing techniques, reflecting resourceful building practices shaped by local materials and community labor.
"The stacked-lumber construction is unusual and not something you encounter often today," notes Jones. "Even though it isn't exposed, understanding how it was built told us a lot about the building's origins. It reflects a hands-on approach shaped by available materials and community effort rather than convention."
Maintaining Character While Improving Comfort
The renovation team made a strategic decision to implement improvements primarily from the exterior, thereby preserving the familiar wood-lined interior spaces that generations of visitors associate with the lodge experience.
"Upgrading from the exterior allowed us to preserve the wood-lined interior that people closely associate with the lodge experience," says Jones. "That interior has a nostalgic feel for many — it's part of what makes the place recognizable and inviting."
This approach maintained the lodge's welcoming atmosphere while significantly improving thermal comfort and weather protection. The renovation respected the building's evolutionary history, where previous expansions and alterations had responded to immediate community needs using available materials and skills.
"Once you understand how a place has evolved, it becomes something to work with rather than correct," Jones emphasizes, highlighting the philosophy that guided the preservation effort.
The completed renovation ensures that Summit Lake Ski Lodge will continue serving as a community gathering place and winter sports destination while honoring its six-decade legacy of volunteer care and adaptation.
