Living the Dream in The Colony at White Pine Canyon
By Steve Phillips
Nestled in White Pine Canyon, among the towering pines and groves of quaking aspen bordering Park City Resort lies The Colony (www.thecolonywpc.com), a unique grouping of custom, “ski ranch” estates. The ski-in, ski-out homes there melt into the surroundings like an early season snowfall. Those privileged to live here bear witness to unsurpassed alpine splendor, enjoying vistas that extend to the far- reaching horizons of the Wasatch and High Uinta mountains. Skiers, mountain bikers, hikers and wildlife enthusiasts alike revel in this high-altitude wonderland.
“The true beauty of The Colony is that it offers an incredible sense of place, without disturbing the very things that make living here so desirable.”
JAY BURKE, THE COLONY
“The true beauty of The Colony at White Pine Canyon is that it offers an incredible sense of place, without disturbing the very things that make living here so desirable,” says Jay Burke, manager of marketing and communication at The Colony. “Most of the homes are tucked into very private little aspen and evergreen forests. Open spaces are paramount.”
Residents are treated to a never- ending kaleidoscope of color as seasons merge. Deep summer greens yield to fall, bursting into flaming reds and soft, pastel oranges and yellows. Magnificent. The Colony hosts a select enclave of families who seek a rare combination of elegance, natural beauty and serenity in the place they call home.
The home at 184 White Pine Canyon is a splendid jewel, reflecting all that it means to “live the dream” in The Colony. “Inspired by the beauty of its surroundings, the home balances modern simplicity and clean lines with the livable warmth of natural materials,” says Michael LaPay, with Summit Sotheby’s International. Tasteful use of stacked stone, stucco, wood, copper and glass lend elegance and grace to the home.
Architecture is by Michael Upwall (www.upwalldesign.com) a gifted architect who has designed several custom homes in the area. “When I think about living in the mountains,I think of The Colony,” says Upwall. “It has all the hallmarks that define what life in the mountains should be. Incredible views, married with privacy, and access to what is now the largest skiing and snowboarding resort in North America.”
This astounding ski-in, ski- out, mountain-modern estate encompasses a total of 26,000 square feet of interior living space on a 6.8 acre site. At almost 14,000 square feet, the primary residence is a masterpiece. The home combines elegant curves with differential lines and draws abundant natural light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Upwall’s penchant for indigenous natural materials and muted colors, both interior and exterior, meld to create organic, serene spaces throughout. Tucked under a second floor walkway, the state-of-the-art kitchen area is a gourmet chef ’s delight.
“Inspired by the beauty of its surroundings, the home balances modern simplicity and clean lines with the livable warmth of natural materials.”
MICHAEL LAPAY, SUMMIT-SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL
At 6,300 square feet, the guest house is a work of art in itself. With two spacious bedrooms (one equipped with several bunk beds), a media room, outdoor hot tub and a glass enclosed sports court for volleyball or basketball, the house is a dream- come-true for children and the young at heart.
Aleece Sligar, Upwall’s talented interior designer, chose a neutral palette for the main house furnishings “so the architecture and furniture could speak to each other. In keeping with the softness and curves, the furnishings draw the eye into that wave of the living area, the staircase and the windows,” she explains.
Upwall teamed with veteran Park City builder Jeff Hill (midwayconstruction.com) to bring this dream home from design to reality. “There isn’t another house like this in The Colony. It presented quite a building challenge,” says Hill.
“The residence is a perfect example of mountain-modern design. Its organic floor plan responds directly to the opportunities provided by the landscape, with its major feature being the leaning, curved wall of glass that literally wraps around the view. It is the perfect setting to create a multi-generational family retreat,” Upwall concludes.
