A home worthy of the gold

Olympic Valley residence built by athletes

A Europeanstyle chalet designed by worldclass skiers and boasting jawdropping vistas has hit the market in Olympic Valley.

Seventime world champion speed skier Steve McKinney and his sister, threetime olympian, gold medalist and fivetime world champion skier Tamara McKinney, oversaw the design and development of 1853 Apache Court, which features custom metalwork, thoughtful builtins, an expansive outdoor entertaining area and panoramic vistas of KT 22, a resort and acre upon acre of forest.

“The main feeling of the house is being connected to nature,” said Tamara McKinney, who is listing the home with Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty for $2.1 million. “You feel surrounded by an IMAX theater of Squaw Valley’s biggest views.”

Location always plays a crucial role in real estate, and 1853 Apache Court enjoys a coveted setting near protected land.

“It’s a unique showcase of Squaw Valley because of its positioning,” said Tamara McKinney. “It’s the furthest west property in Squaw before it turns to land maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. There isn’t another property in the area that has these views because they don’t have the furthest west setting.”

The hillside home’s southern

orientation ensures it receives light throughout the day. Bedroom suites reside on the upper and lower levels, while the second level houses an open floor plan and public rooms. There’s also a detached, two car garage with a studio apartment above it. The studio offers guests privacy and could be used as a source of income as a rental property, Tamara McKinney said.

In addition to working with architect David Tucker to design the luxurious retreat, Tamara McKinney said she’s made significant upgrades to the home’s infrastructure for more than a year. Now in turnkey condition, the home comes with a new furnace and ducting, fresh paint, a new water heater and updated electrical system. She also refinished an oak floor in a sitting area. Handmade ironwork is found throughout the residence. Creations by Mountain Forge, a local metal artisan, include a lantern by the front door and intricate stairway railings, one of which includes roses made of copper.

Stainless steel appliances and butcher block counters finish the chef ’s kitchen, while an adjacent breakfast nook basks in sunlight pouring through picture windows. Listing agent: Tamara McKinney, Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty, 5304120302, tamara@tamaramckinney.com.

Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty The family room at 1853 Apache Court in Olympic Valley includes a bar, floortoceiling windows and access to a view deck.

Photographs by Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty Above: Available for $2.1 million, 1853 Apache Court in Olympic Valley is a fivebedroom, fourandahalfbathroom Europeanstyle chalet conceptualized by architect David Tucker. Below: A woodburning stove warms this carpeted bedroom.

Photographs by Sierra Sotheby’s International Realty Above: The family room includes a stone accent wall and woodburning stove. The custom iron railing along the staircase features handmade copper roses. Below: The kitchen features a beamed ceiling, butcher block counters and stainless steel appliances.