Review: 41323 Snow Resort Chalet
Posted by MeganL,
Ever since the news of a Friends winter series came out, the sets have been eagerly anticipated. Not only do they take Friends in a fresh new direction, but this subtheme could serve an alternate purpose. For those of us who are also Winter Village fans, could this be an opportunity to expand the village?
The box art on the front shows the completed set nestled amid snowy peaked mountains, presumably above Heartlake City. In the distance on the left we can see what I'm assuming is 41321 Snow Resort Off-Roader. Off in the distance to the right looks like a large winter manor, something that isn't included in the current wave of sets. However, it looks like a set I would love to see so perhaps there will be a second year for this subtheme!
The Friends ribbon that we see around the box is decorated with snowflakes and icicles which are quite fitting. On the back of the box there are a number of vignettes that show off all the details of the set. The only issue I have is that one of them shows Andrea enjoying the hot tub - albeit fully dressed. Surely she brought a change of clothes so those ski clothes wouldn't get all wet?
Inside the box we find four numbered bags, a perfect bound instruction book, a sticker sheet and two plates in brick yellow (one 8x16, one 16x16). Such large plates are relatively rare in Friends sets at the moment.
Minidolls
There are two minidolls in this set, Andrea and her friend Amy. Both look terrific in new winter outfits. Andrea is dressed in purple. She wears a vest with a vee pattern in bright yellow, magenta and purple fringed around the collar with what looks like faux fur. The vest zips up the front and is worn on top of her long sleeved lilac shirt, and, in a first for Friends sets, her hands are encased in yellow mittens to match the stripes on her vest. Andrea is wearing a short winter skirt in a darker lilac on top of warm long blue leggings. She completes the look with white boots with purple soles and magenta snowflake decorations. She also sports a pair of bright pink ski goggles.
Amy's outfit is in blue tones, starting with the zip up jacket with yellow accents and has several pockets. That's combined with pale blue ski pants and some very sturdy magenta boots with silver and blue fasteners. The boots therefore match her mittens which looks great! Amy's accessory is a snow resort map, which is a printed 2x2 tile.
The Friends animal in this set is Luna, a husky puppy. Luna is new this year in this colour and is a pale grey with some nice white detailing on her face and some accents on her back in dark grey.
Auxiliary builds
There are two small builds with this set. The first looks to be a directory for the various ski runs at the resort, provided by a sticker on a 2x3 flat white tile. There's also a slot next to the map for some ski storage, so the Friends can take some time while figuring out where they're going to go next.
The other small build is a snowmobile with small trailer behind. The snowmobile seems to be a bit unbalanced to me as there's only a front set of skis - though there is a set on the trailer to balance things out a bit. The snowmobile can be used for both a minifig or a minidoll, although the minidoll can't sit so looks a little more awkward behind the wheel. Accessories on the snowmobile include a flag denoting the resort, some skis that can be attached on a clip on the back and - my personal favourite - LEGO's version of a GoPro attached to the front of the snowmobile. It's represented by the standard camera piece in lime green for the first time.
The completed model
There are a couple steps leading up to the front door of the chalet. There's a small patch of snow around the bottom step and a pretty generous sized porch for the Friends and Luna to take in the views. On one side of the porch there's a large earth blue sign that indicates that this is the chalet (details provided by a sticker). Railings are on either side of the stairs with some snow still on top. There's some greenery with a few winter flowers and a dusting of snow too. The front door also includes a doggy door, as indicated by a sticker.
Around the side of the chalet there's a hot tub with controls, also provided by a sticker. There's a ladder on one side to allow access. Again, here's hoping the Friends packed some extra clothes so their ski outfits don't get wet.
Inside the chalet, we find a quite a lot of detail. The designer has managed to pack a great deal into quite a small space.
To the right of the door when the Friends enter the chalet is a storage space for some luggage and - arguably the most important feature (for Luna at least!) - a container of dog kibble and a dog dish with bone. A sticker represents some additional wall decorations including a clock, a shelf and a picture.
To the left of the door when a Friend enters is a hearth area, with a fire going in the fireplace and some wood stored to the side ready to replenish the fire. Details on the hearth include a cup and a snow resort flyer. There's a rug by the hearth for Luna to stretch out to enjoy the warmth while the Friends can rest on a large couch. You will also find a table with a lamp and a magazine rack with some reading material to complete this cozy area of the chalet.
The last part of the bottom floor is a kitchen area. It's pretty well equipped with an under the counter fridge (complete with chocolate bar) and an oven/stove with some hot chocolate bubbling. There's a generous sized counter that's large enough for two mugs and a large platter equipped with snacks, in this case bread and cheese. There are two fixed stools on the other side of the counter that allow the Friends an area to enjoy their snacks.
Even though there's no means to get there, there is also an upstairs to the chalet. On the second floor there's a vanity with a drawer along with some bottles and one of the Friends' cell phones on top. Finishing this room are three beds for our three Friends (including Luna). This is also a very cozy space, just like the first floor. It is also nice from a play perspective that the roof hinges open to allow for easy access.
New parts
There's not many parts in this set that aren't found elsewhere, with the exception of the round sign in earth blue, and the 2x4x1 1/3 plate with side bow in medium azure.
Overall thoughts
For a set this size (402 pieces, $39.99, £39.99, 39.99€), 41323 Snow Resort Chalet provides decent value for the money. I look at this set through two lenses: one for the playset that it is, and the other as a potential addition to a Winter Village display.
As a play set, it fits the bill quite well. The minidolls look fantastic in their winter outfits and I love that they have coloured mittens. There is plenty of opportunity for play in the numerous details throughout the set. The back of the building is open, as is common in Friends sets, to allow access to the inside and I like that the second floor is easily removed from the top (even if there is no way for the minidolls to get upstairs). While many of the stickers are extraneous, several do provided needed but not excessive detail. I think this is a great introduction to this subtheme and I'm looking forward to building others in the Friends Winter theme.
I think the chalet could fit in a Winter Village scene, perhaps with a few modifications. Some of the Winter Village buildings are completely enclosed and it would not be difficult to complete the walls of the chalet if you felt the need to do so. I think the colours of the chalet also fit, particularly the use of the bright yellowish green as the accents for the building. I think the magenta works too, but could be easily swapped out for those who just can't stand the colour. Sizewise, I think this also fits much better with a display that includes the Toy Shop, Post Office and Bakery (I've always thought that the Winter Village Cottage was too large compared to the other sets).
This set will certainly find a place in my winter village. What about yours?
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20 comments on this article
This and other set are great but they persists on making the same issue: you build a second floor with no realistic way of getting there.
Maybe the "hot tub" is a "cold tub" and that's why she needs to wear ski gear!
I think this would work quite well in a winter village or City scene. Just need to swap out the magenta with some sort of brown, and leave off some or all of the stickers. Could also get two and complete the back if desired. Generally not a fan of Friends, but this one is going on my list! Thanks for the review.
Where is the link to the set on Brickset? Can someone add one please they are handy thanks!
Thanks for the review. Have been eyeing this set and may pick one up however I have been more of a collector/fan of Lego Elves so I may just stick to that theme. Can't own it all!
@Lordmoral: That is crazy thinking and overanalyzing from your part, sorry.
If you start analyzing buildings like this you would have to dismiss like all of them from Lego range. Here, there is also rear wall completely missing, which would be terrible in winter and roof does not cover bottom floor at all, which might be great pain if it snows.
@campagnolo: that's a bit of a slippery slope. My younger sister almost never mods her sets, but when she does mod them, it's almost always adding a staircase or ladder to the second floor. At least from my experience lordmorals critique isn't crazy.
This is a great set. I'm hoping to pick up a couple if I can catch them on sale and I'm looking forward to seeing what mods others come up with.
Really nice photographs Megan!
Luna came out in 2016 though -- in the Heartlake Puppy Daycare set: https://brickset.com/sets/41124-1/Heartlake-Puppy-Daycare
I don't think it would take much to make this set Winter Village compatible :-)
I've always felt the other Winter Village sets were TOO SMALL compared to the Winter Village Cottage...
But that's just me... :)
Nice review! Thanks!
With two of these sets one could make up for the poor side-building design/coverage; and with some color swaps I think the exterior could fit for the Winter Village. But oh that interior. Oy. Looks like the Simpsons family summer cottage.
Which winter village buildings are completely enclosed? I can't think of any. Nice review thanks MeganL. I have picked this set up but was waiting until closer to Christmas to build it. I imagined it was actually much bigger than the winter village buildings so I'm pleased to read your comment about that. The Friends line seems to have more winter torsos and accessories than the winter village line, with all the new ones in this subtheme and their advent calendars.
This isn't the first time we've seen a lime green camera- didn't one come in the Sunshine Catamaran set? Great review!
Very nice looking from the front; I like the style and proportions, and the effect of snow sagging from the edge of the roof. It seems like it wouldn't be too hard to make a little ski chalet village of these with small customised differences.
@campagnolo: wasn't going to start a amniesty problem but I was just pointing out that sets in the City and Friend line need a few more pieces to be "complete", guess I'm just focusing on the realistic building and forget kids inmagination.
Would love to see a pic of it in the Winter Village as I was also thinking about combining the two series. I love the ski lift also!
@ Lordmoral: that is true, but regardless that, there will always be level of simplification. Whole Lego houses ergonomy is Lego-ergonomy, not scale down real live version. I think that set designers are well aware of that and they just have to decide how far they will go with it. As per staircase, I think the reason why it is left out often is simply because it would swallow big portion of already tight space inside.
The 2 x 2 stickered tile next to the couch on the ground floor of the resort looks like some sort of board game to me, not a magazine.
The little one loves it, so it is a winner
@LegoMyMamma - You're right - I was looking at the other set Luna was in before and somehow though the daycare set was from this year (probably because I got it this year).
@Aislinn72 - I was thinking more about the WV sets having full roofs; I should have made that more clear.
@GoldenNinja3000 - You're right, I meant to say new this year. I'm reviewing the Catamaran next....
@jonwil - I think you're right! I thought it was an odd looking magazine :-)
Building a staircase seems silly for two reasons: 1. It takes up space in builds that would be better served by having more interior detail and 2. Even if you make the argument of play value, how much time do you spend walking your minifigs up stairs anyway.