Sopris Lodge at Carbondale
Mountain Modern | Senior Living Community - Assisted and Independent Living, Memory Care Facility
Carbondale, Colorado
Where Mountain Spirit Meets Memorable Hospitality Design
High Alpine Marketplace & Alpin Room is a celebrated alpine dining destination perched mid‑mountain at Snowmass Ski Area, revitalized through architectural and interior design by Z Group Architecture & Interior Design. Formerly known as Gwyn’s High Alpine Restaurant, this dynamic hospitality environment now serves as both a vibrant mountain marketplace and an elevated sit‑down dining experience, accommodating up to 850 guests across its expanded, two‑level interior.
This project exemplifies how thoughtful design — rooted in place and purpose — can transform a busy on‑mountain restaurant into an iconic destination that enhances guest experience, reflects local context, and strengthens social connection on the slopes.
A Mountain Interior That Celebrates Place and Experience
The design narrative for High Alpine embraces its unique setting: mid‑mountain, immersed in alpine landscape and ski culture. Z Group’s design strategy preserved and celebrated the original restaurant’s rustic character—while introducing refined architectural organization, spatial clarity, and updated interior layers that resonate with both skiers and lodge visitors alike.
Natural materials and structural expression are central to the interior experience. Massive wood columns and beams were sandblasted to reveal their natural light‑colored grain, creating a cathedral‑like volume that enhances both the scale and warmth of the space. These elements anchor the design and speak directly to the character of the high alpine environment.
High Alpine’s interior now unfolds with distinct but connected zones — from the lively Marketplace, where casual fare and quick bites invite après activity, to the refined Alpin Room, a more intimate lounge and dining space framed by views and atmosphere.
Interior Design Highlights
Z Group’s interior design for High Alpine balances functional efficiency with guest comfort and visual richness, accommodating the rhythms of a busy ski day and the relaxed pace of après:
Expanded Marketplace dining hall with seamless service flow and casual gathering areas.
The Alpin Room — an elevated bar and lounge environment with gourmet dining and curated ambiance.
Exposed and refined wood structural elements offering rhythm, warmth, and alpine authenticity.
Two levels of interior activity, including a downstairs satellite bar and coffee station — popular social nodes post‑ski.
Feature elements such as a central wood-burning stove and generous seating expanses that invite guests to settle in and enjoy the landscape.
These layers of design enhance both functional performance and social vitality, making High Alpine a place where guests naturally gather, linger, and connect with the mountain’s spirit.
Recognition
Sopris Lodge has been highlighted for its community‑focused design and integration into the Roaring Fork Valley’s cultural and physical landscape. The project was featured in Modern Luxury Aspen Magazine’s Midwinter 2023 “Golden Years” editorial, which highlighted how the design supports active, engaged living in a setting that feels both comforting and elevated.
The Team Behind the Vision
Architecture & Interior Design: Z Group Architecture & Interior Design
High Alpine reinforces Z Group’s expertise in hospitality and interior design — designing spaces that accommodate large‑scale use while celebrating texture, material honesty, and regional character.
Explore More from Z Group
Explore more of Z Group’s hospitality and interior design projects where design elevates guest experience and cultural connection.
View More Projects → Residential | Interior Design | Multi-Family + Mixed Use | Commercial + Hospitality
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