Steamboat’s Beloved Ptarmigan Inn To Retain Ski Town Charm, But Get Modern Upgrades with OZ’s Latest Hotel Project

Few mountain-town hotels inspire as much lore as the Ptarmigan Inn in Steamboat. Set on a prime ski-in/ski-out location at the base of the mountain, the hotel was originally built in the late 1960’s and added to in the 1970’s, and is famous for its friendly atmosphere and apres ski happy hours. The Inn has an unparalleled reputation for delivering the quintessential Colorado ski experience for visitors and locals alike, yet after decades of use, the Ptarmigan Inn owners realized it was time to upgrade and enhance the property, without detracting from its charm or quirky appeal.

The Inn’s renovation team, Lowe and Coral Tree Hospitality, hired OZ’s award-winning resort & hospitality team to conceptualize and envision this boutique hotel’s potential.

“We took the time to truly explore and understand what the Ptarmigan Inn means to the community, the ski industry, and to the visitors who come back year after year,” said Rebecca Stone, OZ principal and lead architect on the project. “Throughout our entire resort & hospitality practice, it’s critical to our process that we think about each hotel property as a unique entity and what it can contribute to the overall destination. That dedication to research and understanding featured prominently in the concept for the Ptarmigan Inn.”

The OZ team created a concept package that told the story what a ski town boutique hotel can be: a gathering place for guests and surrounding neighbors, a community amenity, an all-are-welcome destination with modern appeal, but warm comfort. The concept focused on refreshing the common spaces, as well creating access for all people by including accessible features throughout the building, something that was sorely lacking.

The building exterior will get a fresh new look with new paint, and the front entry will have a wood-toned ramp for ADA access, enhanced signage, a fresh look for the porte cochere and new stairs for an overall better guest experience upon entry. Once inside, visitors will be instantly at ease with the refreshed lobby that will have a new check-in desk with wine and beer taps behind it, games for families, and casual mountain town furniture that inspires guests and locals to congregate, relax and feel welcome in this cozy space.

Two new lifts – one for the restaurant and one that reaches the guest room (some of which will be converted to accessible rooms) and pool – will enable all guests to access these areas of the hotel, regardless of their physical abilities. At the pool level, guests may choose to enjoy the new hospitality suite, a room that can double as a meeting space or a family suite.

OZ is the lead architect for the project and is partnering with Design Force for the interior design. The construction, which is beginning in the summer of 2019, is being led by Haselden Construction.

Click here to read more about the Ptarmigan Inn refresh in the Steamboat Pilot & Today.