Inside a $6M Fly-In Mountain Home: Design/Build Secrets Revealed

Lucía Torres · 2026-09-08

### A Home That Flies You In In Crested Butte, Colorado, 231 S. Avion Drive is unlike anything else. It sits on a private airstrip at Buckhorn Ranch, giving owners fly-in/fly-out access right from a 3,000-square-foot hangar. That's not a typo — your plane lives next door. The house itself? Vaulted ceilings, clean lines, and a modern edge that feels rare in a mountain town. You won't find another Crested Butte home with this mix of design, craftsmanship, and one-of-a-kind access. Behind it all is Kasia Karska Design (KKD), a studio that refuses to repeat itself. Every project starts with the site and the client, not a template. Their style is modern rustic at heart, but it bends to each owner's vision — from materials to layout to the way light moves through the rooms. This was KKD's first Crested Butte project, and it shows a studio translating its language into a brand-new landscape. ### The Price Tag That Makes You Look Twice Listed at $5,995,000, this home delivers a private hangar, over 9,000 square feet under roof, a private ADU, and a fully custom design/build pedigree. Compare that to Aspen, Vail, or Telluride, where similar trophy properties — without a private airstrip — command significantly more. It's a price point that's hard to match. ### One Team, Zero Handoffs Kasia Karska Design works in a model that's still uncommon in high-end residential construction: design/build. The same team that designs your home also builds it. No handoffs between architect and contractor. No gaps where your vision gets diluted. The pitch is simple: it's a creative way to build a home without hiring and managing multiple separate teams. One point of accountability. One continuous line of communication. One team that carries the vision from sketch to move-in day. That approach starts on-site, before a single line is drawn. KKD meets clients at the property to find the right location and orientation. Then they build a plan around it — framing rooms, windows, and outdoor spaces to capture the views that make the site worth building on in the first place. And while the studio's own aesthetic leans modern rustic, the team is quick to point out that the work isn't about their signature. "It's not about us, it's about the client," they say. The same design language flexes to whatever you envision. ### Why Crested Butte? KKD's roots are in Eagle County, so this project marked new terrain — literally and professionally. A client introduced the studio to Crested Butte, and two things drew them in: the breathtaking setting and the unusual opportunity to design a home around a private airstrip. > "Every site tells you what it wants to be. We just listen." — Kasia Karska Design That philosophy shaped every decision here. From the hangar placement to the window heights, the home responds to the land. It's a collaboration between client, site, and builder — and the result is a property that stands apart not just in Crested Butte, but across Colorado's mountain markets. ### What This Means for You If you're considering a custom mountain home, here's the takeaway: - **Design/build saves time and sanity.** One team means fewer meetings, fewer miscommunications, and a smoother process. - **Site-first design pays off.** Orienting your home to the views and the sun can transform how you live in it. - **Fly-in access is a game-changer.** It's not just convenience — it's a lifestyle that few properties can offer. Whether you're dreaming of a Crested Butte escape or a trophy property in another mountain town, the lesson is clear: the right team makes all the difference. And sometimes, the right home comes with a runway.