The ‘Polar Express’ ranch, home of Chris Van Allsburg, lists for $17.5 million

The former home of The Polar Express author, Chris Van Allsburg, is currently on the market for $17.5 million. Whilst living in the Wyoming home in the 1980s, Van Allsburg wrote the popular Christmas story alongside other children’s books, including Jumanji and The Mysteries of Harris Burdick. 

The aptly named ‘Polar Express’ home sits adjacent to the verdant Puzzleface Ranch, Wyoming’s first conservation easement, protected for its views of the surrounding Teton Mountains. Properties with such high ceilings are no longer permitted in Teton County, meaning this home is the last of its kind – and one of the world’s best homes. 

Both the interiors and exteriors are designed to emphasize these views through its 12-meter-high windows and surrounding terrace that showcase the natural surroundings. Here, we tour Chris Van Allsburg’s former mountain retreat. 

The entire home is a trove of decorating ideas, but none more prominently than its open-plan living room that combines an Alpine aesthetic with American traditionalism. Here, the neutral soft furnishings create a contrast with the warm wooden architecture and solid stone fireplaces – for the ultimate Christmas party space. 

The adjoining space is a host of dining room ideas, from its ornate rug that zones the eating space to the statement light fixture, which pays homage to the organic surroundings. 

The cabin also includes two fully fitted kitchens, seven bathrooms, and six bedrooms – all of which maintain the cabin’s Alpine-style through their wood panels and bold rugs that sit as the focal point of the room. The master space is also decorated with flowers and artworks that energize the wooden space further. 

Beyond the interiors, the rustic ambiance continues beyond its four walls into the verdant grounds. Here, the Polar Express ranch exhibits luxury garden decorating ideas through its various patios that include an outdoor seating area with a jacuzzi with a large fire pit. There are also more natural features, including a stream and a pond that reflects Teton’s snowy peaks. 

The estate includes an additional guesthouse that comprises three further bedrooms, a kitchen, and an open plan living room with access to a separate terrace.

The Polar Express ranch is currently listed with Engel & Völkers for $17.5 million.