About Us - Crystal Valor Peak Architecture

How We Got Here

Look, I'll be straight with you - Crystal Valor Peak started because I got tired of seeing cookie-cutter buildings ruining mountain landscapes back in 2008. After spending a decade with big corporate firms that didn't get why altitude and ecology actually matter, I grabbed my drafting tools and headed back to BC.

Started small - a single ski lodge renovation in Whistler. The client took a chance on my pitch about working WITH the mountain instead of against it. That project ended up using 40% less energy than the old structure, and suddenly everyone wanted to talk.

Fast forward to today, we've built everything from high-altitude research stations to luxury resorts that don't make you feel guilty about existing. Our team's grown to 23 people who actually understand what -30C does to building materials and why avalanche zones aren't just suggestions.

The Timeline That Built Us

2008

675m

The First Project - Blackcomb Lodge Retrofit

Honestly thought we'd bite off more than we could chew with this one. 1960s structure that was hemorrhaging heat and money. Convinced the owners to let us gut it properly and install geothermal heating that everyone said wouldn't work at elevation.

Result: It worked. Cut their energy bills by 43% and the place is still running strong.

2012

1,440m

Going Higher - Alpine Research Station

University of BC asked if we could design something that'd survive winter storms that'd rip regular buildings apart. This was our "prove it" moment. Spent three months doing site analysis in conditions that froze our laptops.

Achievement: First carbon-neutral research facility above 1,400m in Western Canada. Yeah, we're still pretty proud of that one.

2016

890m

The Game Changer - Cascade Peak Resort

180-room resort that could've been another eyesore but ended up winning three sustainability awards we didn't even know existed. Client gave us freedom to push boundaries and we ran with it - maybe too far, since we went 15% over budget figuring out how to make heated floors work with solar in December.

Impact: Put us on the map internationally. Started getting calls from Switzerland and Japan.

2020

1,825m

Pushing Limits - High Alpine Visitor Center

Parks Canada wanted something that'd blend into the landscape but still handle 200,000 visitors annually. Had to design for avalanche zones, grizzly habitat, and extreme weather - all while making it wheelchair accessible. Lost sleep over this one, not gonna lie.

Recognition: Governor General's Medal in Architecture finalist. Our moms were super impressed.

2024

2,150m

Current Heights - Summit Eco-Lodge Complex

Our most ambitious project yet. Net-zero everything, built to survive climate change scenarios through 2100. We're literally writing new building codes as we go because nobody's done this at this elevation before. Construction's ongoing and yeah, there've been some interesting challenges with getting materials up there in winter.

Status: Breaking ground on phase two. Check back in 2026 for the full story.

The People Behind the Plans

We're architects, engineers, and mountain geeks who actually spend weekends hiking the sites we design.

Marcus Chen

Founding Principal

Started this whole thing after getting frostbite doing site surveys. Still hasn't learned to dress properly for winter.

Sarah Kowalski

Lead Sustainable Design

Turns impossible green building requirements into working systems. Has strong opinions about insulation that you'll hear about.

David Nakamura

Structural Engineering Director

Makes sure our buildings don't slide down mountains. Takes snow load calculations way too personally.

Emma Thorsen

Project Management Lead

Somehow keeps us on schedule despite weather, wildlife, and our tendency to redesign things at 2am.

What Actually Drives Us

We're not saving the world - let's be real. But we ARE figuring out how to build stuff in mountains that doesn't wreck them for the next generation. That feels worth doing.

Every project starts the same way: boots on the ground, months before we touch a computer. We map microclimates, watch how snow moves, figure out where the sun actually hits in January. Sounds obvious but you'd be surprised how many firms skip this part.

Our philosophy? If a building looks like it was airlifted from Vancouver and dropped on a mountain, we failed. Good alpine architecture should feel like it grew there.

87

Projects Completed

23

Team Members

15

Awards Won

Want to Build Something That Lasts?

We're always up for tackling projects that make us nervous. Those usually turn out the best.

Let's Talk About Your Project