FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DECEMBER 16, 2025 – Nakusp, BC — At Summit Lake Ski Area, a volunteer-run hill that has welcomed generations of families since the early 1960s, a thoughtful architectural renewal is giving the community’s ski lodge a stronger, more resilient future. TOWN Architecture has worked to preserve the building’s character while addressing structural needs and improving performance in a climate where snow, moisture, and time have left a visible mark.

Summit Lake Ski Area sits just south of Nakusp in British Columbia’s interior. The small ski hill has long offered affordable access to skiing, snowboarding, and community gatherings for families throughout the region. The site and the lodge are tied closely to the area’s forestry and timber industry, which once formed the backbone of the local economy. Much of the original construction reflected that history, built by volunteers and tradespeople who spent their days in the nearby mills and forests around Summit Lake.

The lodge began as a simple, community-built structure and evolved through five construction phases completed between 1961 and 2016. Each era introduced its own materials, framing approaches, and floor levels, creating a building rich in character but increasingly complex to maintain and upgrade.

A Phased Approach Rooted in Practicality and Respect

Because Summit Lake Lodge operates through volunteer effort, the renewal was structured into three manageable phases. This allowed the ski hill to remain open while construction moved forward and helped the society spread costs over time.

Phase One focused on repairing significant floor deterioration caused by decades of snow buildup and moisture. The team stabilized the existing structure, improved drainage paths, and addressed areas of compromised framing so the lodge could safely support ongoing use and future work.

Phase Two introduced a new building envelope and functional upgrades. The design added continuous exterior insulation, a rainscreen system, updated windows, new siding, and roofing, and rebuilt the small office and storage bump-out. Inside, the compact kitchen was transformed into a commercial kitchen capable of supporting community events, race days, and larger gatherings throughout the season.

Phase Three, replaces the aging deck and roof structure. The new framing is designed to handle heavy snow loads while extending and covering the outdoor gathering zone. The goal is to create a more durable, sheltered terrace where families, volunteers, and visitors can gather, watch the hill, and move comfortably between inside and outside through the changing winter conditions.