article by maria weidich | photos by nathan satran

The mountains are calling, and the new Alpine Basin community in the heart of Red Lodge urges you to settle in and venture out .     

Featured in last year’s Billings Parade of Homes, Alpine Basin had the privilege of showcasing a home in their newly developed Red Lodge neighborhood. Located just minutes from downtown, the resort-styled community boasts open floorplans, fine finishes, and easy mountain living. 

“Red Lodge is a great outdoor playground, with a fantastic community and lots going on year-round,” said Andy Skatvold, Alpine Basin’s lead developer. “We want to give people access to it in a way where everything is taken care of.” 

Wide Open Spaces 

Step across the threshold and immediately devour the home’s grandeur. The towering vaulted ceilings, soaring fireplace surround, and prominent upstairs loft easily captivate, and the home couldn’t be more spacious.   

Marcella Manuel, Alpine Basin realtor and host for the Parade of Homes was quick to say the responses from prospective homeowners were incredible.  “Whether thinking of it as a vacation home or full-time residence, people loved the floorplan and how well thought out the spaces were.” 

The exposed upstairs loft overlooks the great room, providing privacy while keeping the line of sight to the home's main features. The loft is a flexible space by nature, serving as a TV room, book nook, game room, or even an overflow sleeping area. It’s the perfect opportunity to build out the space to accommodate each unique homeowner.   

Flexing with Finishes 

The open kitchen and living space are simple, easy to maintain, and sprinkled with luxe finishes. The kitchen features granite countertops, tile backsplash, stainless appliances, and stunning wood cabinets. The custom steel railing adds a pop of modern elegance throughout. 

The beautiful wood embellishments throughout the home perfectly complement its Red Lodge surroundings. The knotty alder doors, wood baseboards, door casings, and wall accents create the ultimate mountain retreat.  

“So many positive comments were made about the quality of the finishes,” Marcella agreed. “People love the wood trim package and the wood accents throughout the house.  Many commented on how warm and mountain-y it felt.” 

Après Ski at Home 

After a wintery day on the slopes, the homes at Alpine Basin make it easy to create the ultimate après ski experience right at home. As the wet snow gear dries, cap off your day with a warm winter beverage and cozy up by the fire. Or, take the post-ski socializing outside to the hot tub or your private upper patio deck. 

These exterior amenities of the home were the talk of the town. The rooftop deck with a wet bar nestled in the corner was a real surprise and was overwhelmingly favored at the Parade. “You can’t beat the outdoor living space,” Andy echoed. “Even though the homes are tight-knit, everyone has their own space, and there’s not a bad view in the whole development.” 

The More, the Merrier 

The beauty of Red Lodge should be shared, and with the home’s roomy floorplan, there’s always space for more. The 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home will comfortably accommodate a crowd no matter the season. “I love the efficiency of the floorplan,” Andy agreed. “It looks and feels much larger than its actual square footage.” 

As a convenience when hosting guests, each full bath includes double vanities and a separate water closet, allowing more than one person to use the space simultaneously . 

The Grand Suite, located on the main floor, is privately tucked behind a rustic wooden barn door where in-floor heat awaits. The adjoining bathroom is just as grand, brimming with a spa-like walk-in shower and separate free-standing tub.  

Easy Mountain Living 

The ease of upkeep, whether as a primary residence or a vacation home, is a big plus, Marcella said of the houses at Alpine Basin. “The HOA takes care of the lawn, snow removal, and exterior maintenance.  For vacation homeowners, that was appealing,” she said.  “And with vacation property management already in place, it makes it easy to short-term rent.”  As an added bonus, the neighborhood’s clubhouse, equipped with a community room, outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, and equipment rental, is nearing completion. 

Alpine Basin may be new to Red Lodge, but Andy and local builder Adam Quick of Palisade Builders each have over 25 years of experience in the industry.  Mountain living is a lifestyle, and Alpine Basin is designed to cultivate that spirit in their community.  The homes are built in reverence to the natural beauty of Red Lodge while offering comfortable, carefree living.  Whether for a weekend getaway or the long term, Alpine Basin inspires getting outdoors while having a comfortable place to hang your hat at the end of the day.  

Originally printed in the February 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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