Ski Après
Ski Après by FRY, set at the base of one of Australia’s most iconic ski runs, brings a sleek new alpine aesthetic.
Taking over a former restaurant space at the end of Mount Buller’s Bourke Street run, the home spans 635 square metres, making it the largest alpine residence in Australia, with ski-in, ski-out access to the slopes. Its pared-back design and neutral colour palette brings a new visual language to alpine living – far removed from the rustic stereotypes of log walls and fireplaces. “The intention was to create a contemporary space, not a traditional, clichéd alpine project,” says Luke Fry, director of FRY, who oversaw the architecture and design of the renovation. “I think [we] executed this very well.”
By the time Fry came to the project, initiated by Pearl Development Group, the restaurant had been stripped back to a “bare shell”, he says. “We knew by its location and sheer scale that it would be something special. Our task was to design a space that met those expectations and worked within the existing constraints of the building.”
The result is a luxurious six-bedroom, five-bathroom residence with multiple living spaces. With the slopes just beyond its doorstep, the home offers inviting comforts, including a cinema, sauna, gym and bar.
The materials and palette echo the alpine landscape, while expansive glazing beautifully frames the surrounding views. A respect for nature extends beyond aesthetics, too: the home integrates well with its natural environment and incorporates eco-conscious measures, from high-performance windows to formaldehyde-free flooring and zero-VOC paints.
Luxury here is grounded in the widespread use of raw materials and carefully layered textures. European oak and travertine flow throughout the residence, infusing warmth and tactility. In the kitchen, G-LUX’s Grey Aether natural stone is softened by the light timber of Apato’s N-BS01 bar stools.
In one of several living spaces, guests can relax after a day on the slopes on the striking Kashima settee by DOMO, in a room warmed by a Wignells fireplace. Timber veneers wrap the interior, nodding to the alpine chalet while introducing a modern edge. DOMO’s Curly ottoman, woven from short wool sheepskin, only dials up the tactility. At the entry, timber panelling creates a welcoming sanctuary as residents step in from the snow, its stripped-back Japanese sensibility heightened by Apato’s Ishinomaki bench.
With Ski Après, FRY reimagines the possibilities of an alpine residence, merging a contextual sensitivity with a foundation of contemporary luxury.
Architecture and interior design by FRY. Build by Small Projects. Development by Pearl Development Group. Flooring by Made by Storey. Stone and tiles by G-LUX. Appliances by V-ZUG.
