Big White Chalets Earn Six Silver Finalist Awards from CHBACO
Weninger Construction & Design and Cobalt Design each received three Silver Finalist awards, announced Dec. 6 as part of the CHBACO Excellence in Housing Awards program. Gold winners will be announced Jan. 31.
“It’s an honour to have award-winning chalets available to our guests,” said Michael J. Ballingall, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Big White Ski Resort. “This recognition reflects the quality of craftsmanship and design that continues to elevate the Big White experience.”
Pauline Weninger, lead designer with Weninger Construction & Design and Cobalt Design, said the recognition helps showcase the resort’s appeal to luxury buyers.
“We’re excited to highlight the chalets we build on the mountain and demonstrate Big White’s appeal to high-end clients,” she said. “While we hope some of these turn to gold in the New Year, we’re very happy with the results.”
Weninger Construction has a long history with the CHBACO awards, formerly known as the Tommies. The company received its first Silver award in the 1990s for Grizzly Lodge and has continued to earn recognition over the years. This marks the first time Cobalt Design, Weninger’s sister company, has entered the competition.
Two chalets are finalists for Gold awards: Opulence in Feathertop Estates and Deerfoot Lodge in White Forest.
Opulence Chalet includes a full spa with steam room, sauna, and outdoor hot tub, a games room with theatre, pool table, and shuffleboard, a glass elevator, and a large great room designed for group gatherings.
Deerfoot Lodge features custom timber trusses, metal railings, an award-winning games room, a steam shower, outdoor hot tub, gym, ski-in, ski-out access, and sweeping views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
Both homes offer impressive boot room entries finished with Weninger’s custom millwork. Opulence and Deerfoot Lodge were built at the same time and competed against each other in several categories. According to the builders, both were designed as multi-generational ski retreats for families who regularly gather at Big White.
Big White chalets were recognized in the following categories:
- Excellence in Interior Design, 3,600 sq. ft. and over – Cobalt Design, Opulence Chalet
- Excellence in Decorating and Styling, $75,000 and under – Cobalt Design, Opulence bunk room
- Excellence in Decorating and Styling, $75,000 and over – Cobalt Design, Deerfoot games room
- Excellence in Creating a Feature or Innovation – Weninger Construction, Deerfoot railings
- Excellence in Single-Family Detached, $4 million and over – Weninger Construction, Deerfoot Lodge
- Home of the Year – Weninger Construction, Opulence Chalet
The recognition reflects continued investment in high-quality alpine development at Big White Ski Resort. The resort congratulates Weninger Construction & Design and Cobalt Design on the achievement and looks ahead to the Gold award announcements in January.
About Cobalt Design: Cobalt Design is a full-service design firm providing 3D planning, interior design, furnishings and décor services for residential and commercial projects. As the design arm of Weninger Construction & Design Ltd., which has operated in the Okanagan since 1989, Cobalt Design brings practical, construction-informed expertise to every project. The firm works with local and international clients, offering design, drafting, consultation, and project support from early planning through completion. Learn more at cobaltdesign.ca.
Photo Credit: Trevor Cooper Photography