Build a house on the side of a mountain and you get a wonderful view and a vertical floor plan. In Park City, Deer Valley and the hills around Heber, homes commonly have four levels, with the garage and ski room at the bottom and the main living space two floors up.
Why elevators are now expected
- Carrying skis, boots and bags up several flights gets old fast
- Guests arriving from lower elevations tire easily on stairs
- Owners want a home that works for parents and grandparents
- Buyers and vacation renters increasingly look for one
Designing it in
For a new build, involve the elevator company while the plans are being drawn. Good positions are beside the garage entry and mudroom, with a stop at every level including the ski room.
Adding one later
A finished home can still have an elevator. A pneumatic model needs no pit and no machine room, and its transparent tube keeps views open. A survey shows where it can go.
Style
Cabs can be finished to suit mountain architecture, in timber, steel and glass.
Mountain realities
- Power. Storms cause outages. Understand the emergency lowering and consider backup power.
- Part-time use. Run and check the elevator each time you open the house, and keep up with servicing.
- Site access. Schedule delivery around weather and road restrictions.
- Approvals. Check local permit and association requirements.
More helpers
A dumbwaiter from the garage to the kitchen handles groceries. Outdoor stair lifts manage long exterior stairs.
Local service
See our home elevators and our Park City page. Call Nationwide Lifts of Utah on (801) 335-9089 or get in touch.