Log cabins, lodges, chalets, and A-frames. In the past, ski homes were dictated by the availability of local materials, the weather, and the success of what was being built at established mountain resorts.

Sturdy timber logs and stone were used to construct homes with smaller windows (to help retain heat) and steep rooflines (to encourage the snow to slide). It made perfect sense.

Yet, today's buyers want more from their mountain vacation homes.

"Today's homeowners have upped their game when searching for the perfect vacation home," says Eric Burgund, director of marketing at Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate, Vail, Colo. "They are seeking an escape from their primary residence and looking for luxuries and unique features that they don’t have at home."

Rather than be dictated by location and materials, today's buyers want their homes to reflect their own personal styles. "Incorporating stone and wood into the design of mountain vacation homes is still incredibly popular," says Burgund, "but today, homeowners are seeking this look in a more contemporary presentation."

Natural elements are mixed with new materials such as steel and concrete to create cleaner lines and a more eclectic, contemporary design. The style is commonly referred to as "mountain modern."