We recently took a look at the history of ski architecture but what about the future? Ski chalets in the future will be full of smart technology, we see some evidence of this today but we’ve barely scratched the surface of what’s to come. We’ll see new interior & exterior materials and so new inspiring designs that will look very different to the ones available today. What could be more comforting than your chalet being a home away from home that is able to play an active role in ensuring your trip is well organised and you are well looked after?
Automated monitoring and information systems exist today but soon are expected to not only monitor weather conditions, but track lift & piste congestion, snow quality & then deliver suggestions to guests based on the data it has received. You will be able to wake up in a chalet ready for a day in the mountains & the built in system will provide you with customised suggestions from routes to take, places to visit, where to eat, events that are going on in the area and even what gear you might need. It doesn’t stop there, it will also be possible for the chalet of the future to take readings of all key signs to track & monitor health & performance. This information will automatically be available for you to be aware of how your fitness, your stats on the mountain and even give you tips on your technique. It can all be controlled with a simple touch of your fingertips or even simply serve you in anticipation of your needs without even being asked. Chalets that adopt these fantastic innovations as they become available will have a competitive edge giving guests the kind of experience you can’t get from today’s chalets. Although we do not know for sure what the future will hold for chalets, we have high expectations for intelligent systems & gadgets that will make your trip a whole lot easier and more awesome. From smart glass technology to automated wood burning fires, 3D holograms & robotic cleaning, we have a selection of creative & inspiring gadgets that we expect future ski chalets will hold.
What will the ski chalet of the future contain?
Automated Wood Burning Fires
There are various automated wood burning fires available in the market currently Mountain Heaven have a few for example in Chalet Boulle de Neige, but they’re improving all the time, hopefully one day they’ll empty themselves but until that day our chalet hosts take care of it. Coming home to a warm fire is one of the great joys of ski and snowboard holidays. These devices control the supply of air and fuel to the fire allowing you to get the heat and the timing just right using a smartphone app. A digtal fire is clearly very cool but as a bonus it also saves wood. Can you envision yourself returning from the slopes and simply saying ‘hello’ to the house will begin firing up the fire, the hot tub & the sound system to welcome you? We don’t envisage technology like this replacing chalet hosts, we see it freeing them up to provide even more of the human side of the service.
Entertainment automation can range from advanced audio to stream music to home theatres & even hologram technology. For an enhanced lifestyle in the mountains, chalets that integrate your own devices and gadgets can provide you with hours of entertainment. However, we expect we might see virtual reality sets and 3D holographic video projectors in the decades to come. Hologram technology hasn’t fully developed yet & has a lot of growing to do but nevertheless many think it is viable and will change our living room forever. It will be able to generate highly powerful & realistic 3D videos & as part of a smart-chalet help you interact with a map of the resort, your ski videos from the day or even browse the 3D dinner menu. New ways to view digital content are already here in the form of VR headsets, Google Glasses and holographic exbitiions how long before they are part of your ski chalet?
Smart glass technology provides innovative switchable glass solutions that effectively blocks UV & infrared rays. Essentially you are able to turn glass from clear to private, or even tinted depending on your preferences. Smart glass is the future of windows & for ski chalets, it will make it easier to block rays of sun & provide you with an appropriate setting that fits your mood. There are various dynamic glazing technologies that could make their way into ski chalets in the future, giving you full control of light, privacy & heat gain with the touch of a button or even automatically. The unique glass is also suitable for high definition video projection, able to display videos, images and even presentations. What better way to get the most out of smart glass?
Designers have made it possible to control features for hot tubs such as lights, bubblers, spillovers & spa jets. You will be able to reflect a theme or ambience that matches the way you feel on evenings, particularly when you’ve been hitting the slopes all day & your body is calling for relaxation. This is only the basic functionality of automation & remote hot tub/pool management. We expect in the future the installation & programming will be developed to save time & provide more freedom for users including customisation. The manufacturer that delivers such a thing will ultimately revolutionise the industry & we for one cannot wait. It’s a race to deliver smarter & more convenient options for remote hot tub or pool management. Talk about relaxation at its finest.
Exceptional drones do already exist, but for action packed activities, you’ll want to capture your experience at its best. Drone technology is evolving & the future expects smart drones will consist of accurate sensors, self monitoring & built in safeguards, providing new & improved opportunities in all sectors, including the sport industry. Drones are able to follow you down the slopes, in all terrain to gift you with remarkable footage, hands free. All you’ll have to do is set your preferred settings through your smartphone & it’s time to take off, literally. Look forward to getting back to your chalet after sifting through the snow & be spolit for your choice on which device to playback your footage on, whether that be through your smart glass or a 3D holograph video system.
Although robotic vacuums have recently been introduced, they’re not quite perfected just yet. The development of robotic cleaning in the future will make what we have now look outdated & not very effective. Artificial intelligence will provide us with all kinds of entertainment that we could barely imagine today but it could also do a good job of the cleaning. Robot cleaners will make many household duties a thing of a past as most of the basics will be in the hands of technology. We thnk this will be something to look forward to, especially on a week away in the mountains when you want to relax and enjoy yourself. With the right technology all you would have to do is focus on staying on your feet while you glide through the snow.
In years to come, kitchens in chalets will have worktops that have the ability to double up as touch screens, presenting recipes that you can cook up with the ingredients you already have in your cupboards. Smart cooking equipment will also ensure the meals you prepare are of a high quality which will make it hard to go wrong. Imagine having cupboards & fridge/freezer essentials automatically re-ordered for you when you’re running low? How convenient! However, for those who thrive on traditional & old fashioned ways, you’ll have the choice to opt out of these technological advances. Although this kind of technology is not on the market yet, we’re certain they’ll make your life easier. Take a look at some gadgets that will change the way you use a kitchen in the future, especially when you’re away.
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