Château de Vail
A European château with a slate crown worthy of the French countryside
Location
Vail, CO
Completed
2022
Roof Area
5,800 sq ft
Home Size
9,200 sq ft
Bedrooms
7
Bathrooms
9
Elevation
8,300 ft
Duration
24 weeks
Project Overview
Château de Vail is a 9,200 sq ft European-inspired estate that required the most technically demanding slate roof installation in Alpine Peak's history. The home features a steep-pitched main roof, a conical turret, copper dormers, and ornate copper gutters — all requiring master-level craftsmanship.
The Story
Philippe and Marie-Claire D. are French expatriates who wanted their Vail home to evoke the châteaux of the Loire Valley while embracing the Rocky Mountain setting. The design features cream stucco walls, arched windows, a circular turret with a conical slate roof, and a formal courtyard with fountain. The slate roof was essential to the vision — no other material could achieve the authentic European character they demanded. Alpine Peak assembled a specialized crew including a master slater trained in traditional European techniques to ensure every detail was historically accurate.
Architectural Design
Wine cellar and tasting room design in the château's lower level
Interior Highlights
The lower level houses a temperature-controlled wine cellar with capacity for 2,000 bottles, a tasting room with barrel-vaulted ceiling, and a billiards room with hand-painted ceiling murals. The formal dining room seats 16 beneath a Baccarat crystal chandelier.
Project Specifications
Roofing Details
The roof features Vermont unfading black slate in graduated courses, with thicker 3/8-inch slates at the eaves tapering to 1/4-inch at the ridge. The conical turret roof required each slate to be individually shaped to follow the curve — over 800 custom-cut pieces. All flashing, valleys, ridge caps, and dormer cheeks are fabricated from 20-oz copper. The ornate copper gutters feature a custom half-round profile with decorative brackets.
Key Features
- Vermont unfading black slate in graduated courses
- 800+ custom-cut slates for conical turret
- 20-oz copper flashing, valleys, and ridge caps
- Ornate half-round copper gutters with decorative brackets
- Permanent roof anchors for maintenance access
Challenges & Solutions
The conical turret was the most challenging element — a circular slate roof requires every piece to be individually measured, cut, and fitted. Our master slater spent six weeks on the turret alone. The steep 16:12 pitch on the main roof required permanent roof anchors for maintenance access. The 24-week timeline made this our longest residential project to date.
"We have homes in Paris and Provence. Alpine Peak's craftsmanship on our slate roof rivals the finest artisans in France. C'est magnifique."
— Philippe D., Homeowner
