Time constraints were a major challenge in building the new lodge, as the high alpine environment only allowed for a short building season. According to developer Harbor Properties, cast-in-place concrete proved to be the best method to begin the project ASAP, without the lead time of pre-cast systems.

For its new 20,000-square-foot lodge, Harbor Properties used cast-in-place concrete columns, beams and arches to enhance the rugged, heavy timbers at the lodge entrance. A large stone fireplace, rough sawn timbers and stone clad columns were also incorporated into the design; and on the exterior, a vertical board and batten siding was used with additional stone clad concrete columns. The structure consisted of slab on grade, and two cast-in-place elevated decks. The decks presented logistical challenges, primarily because the concrete supply plant - located in Monroe - was more than an hour's drive away. Cadman, the ready-mix supplier solved the problem by developing a custom mix that incorporated stabilizing admixtures that slowed the hydration process, thus extending the shelf-life of the concrete. This was a substantial cost savings from setting up a batch plant on site.

Having met the first challenge of delivering workable concrete to the site, the next step was to achieve a reasonable cure time in frigid ambient temperatures. This demanded a precise calculation of retarding admixture to get the product to the remote location, and still produce a high quality finish.

The 20,000-square-foot plaza was another central theme of the design. The gathering area is topped with pavers and concrete, bordered by granite blocks. The entire area was installed with underslab hydronic heating. Concrete was especially suitable for this application due to its durability and excellent heat transfer properties. Hot glycol, supplied via a boiler within the lodge, is pumped through thousands of feet of plastic tubing located within two to four inches of the surface. The glycol heats the concrete to a temperature of roughly thirty-eight degrees for an ice-and-snow-free surface for pedestrians.