Base Camp at Mt. Telemark Village
Continuing the Birkie Tradition
LHB’s design for the new Base Camp at Mt. Telemark Village draws inspiration from the original Telemark Lodge — a modest wood structure with a shed roof and expansive windows overlooking the ski slopes. The new facility reinterprets that heritage in a contemporary way, creating a vibrant and welcoming hub for the community. Designed to complement the existing Double OO facility, the Base Camp reinforces the continuity of the Birkie tradition while embracing modern functionality and year round use.
The Base Camp offers a range of amenities to support outdoor recreation in all seasons. The Great Hall provides an inviting space for gathering before and after activities like biking, hiking, and skiing. The building includes showers and restrooms accessible outside regular operating hours, a bike and ski shop, a café, and a retail space for Birkie merchandise. The Birkie Museum and Hall of Fame further enrich the visitor experience by celebrating the longstanding history of the American Birkebeiner and Telemark.
Siting for Intention
The site was chosen for its access, views, and sustainability potential. South facing glass captures solar gain, while reusing a previously developed area limits ecological impact. Overlooking the original lodge and Mt. Telemark, the location supports parking and future growth within the Birkie Village vision.
Connecting to Telemark’s Legacy
The Great Hall’s south facing glass frames striking views of Mt. Telemark, strengthening the connection between visitors, the landscape, and Birkie heritage. As a year round gathering space, the Base Camp offers a warm and welcoming environment where the community can come together before and after outdoor adventures.
Designing a Healthy Environment
Interior design studies guided the client’s decisions and shaped the final vision. The energy efficient design features a tight envelope, LED lighting, ground source heat pumps, natural ventilation, high performance windows, and low VOC, Red List free materials for healthier interiors.
Visitors arrive beneath a welcoming canopy to a reimagined Base Camp rooted in Telemark tradition.
Wayfinding maps greet visitors just inside the Base Camp entrance, helping orient them to the space.
With soaring wood ceilings and abundant natural light, the Great Hall invites visitors to relax, gather, and connect.
Grab gear and go — Base Camp’s bike and ski shops are just steps from the trails.
Extended access to restrooms and showers supports comfort and convenience for all-day adventures.
Visitors can browse Birkie merchandise in the Base Camp’s inviting retail space.
