A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ROSSLAND DUOS

Aiming a camera at the Rossland Duos, it’s almost impossible to take a bad picture.

Set against the rolling hills of southern B.C. carpeted with evergreen trees, the views are spectacular. Standing there and taking in the view, it’s easy to see why Kate and Ed Garlinge left the big city to pursue their dreams out here among the trees.

The first step to making a dream reality

The Rossland Bike Resort started out as a dream of the Garlinge couple – to leave the hectic rat race and start a business they were passionate about, one where their children could flourish without being stuck in a box. Years before the Duos dropped down into their Rossland property, the Garlinge’s were dreaming and scheming. Together they crafted a vision of what would become the Rossland Bike Retreat, and bought the property.

As they continued to dream, they found DROP Structures, and the brand new Duo online. It perfectly fit their dream, and soon after they made their first order.

“Contracting Drop Structures to build the first two cabins for Rossland Bike Retreat felt like laying the cornerstone of a dream that was years in the making,” Kate Garlinge of Rossland Bike Retreat said.

“Their ethos totally aligns with our vision for a retreat. We wanted contemporary accommodations built with an eye for design — a departure from the standard Kootenay chalet — and yet capable of withstanding Rossland snow loads.”

Making beauty central

For Kate and Ed, the beauty of the property, and the bike trails that spiderweb the region, is central to the camping experience. The last thing they wanted to do was to set down cabins that stuck out, or took away from the aesthetics of the experience.

“The Duo melts so beautifully into our property and landscape. That’s a huge part of the appeal, that aesthetic piece,” Kate said.

“I think having beautiful structures is part of the experience.”

— KATE GARLINGE, CO-OWNER OF ROSSLAND BIKE RETREAT

That push to maintain a focus on the natural beauty of the area comes through as you experience the bike retreat. The magnificent views are available from almost everywhere on the property, even inside the Duos thanks to their large, front windows, which are perfectly placed to take in the scenery.

“It really accents the view when you’re inside,” Kate said. “So there’s no need for large art pieces on the wall, because we have this incredible view. That’s really the focal point when you’re inside one of these structures, and there isn’t a lot to distract from that.”

Living the experience

The focus on aesthetics came from a desire to create something different. There are plenty of places to go in Rossland if you just want to bike in and bike out – areas with extreme trails that bring in expert bikers. But The Rossland Bike Retreat was created as much to bring people together in a peaceful environment as it was to bring in hardcore cyclists. It’s as much about the experience of being there with your friends – chatting together over a fire after a long day of riding – as it is steep terrain, or getting air.

“What we’re offering is different than other resorts – something more serene. It’s a quiet space where people can access trails easily and reconnect with the people they are travelling with,” Kate said.

Standing on the property as the sun starts to go down, it’s easy to see Kate’s point. Though the terrain looks amazing, the feel of the property, the quiet summer night and sky full of stars, makes it easy to relax and open up.

The hurdles to serenity

Though the end result is serene, the process of getting out there wasn’t simple.

Like anyone starting from scratch, the Garlinge’s had to conquer more than a few problems to make their dreams a reality. From permitting to delivering the Duos, it wasn’t easy to set up camp. But through it all, the DROp Structure’s team was there beside them.

“From the get go, Brandon went out of his way to explain our options. It was evident that he was just as vested as I in a creating the ideal guest experience. This became particularly apparent when we ran into permitting hurdles. Brandon and his team examined the requirements from every angle and ultimately landed on the solution that would get our inspector’s enthusiastic stamp of approval.”

With such an out of the way property, the delivery was difficult. But the DROP Structure’s team were there to over see the process and ensure each step was taken and the Duos were properly placed. Today, the family intends to move into one of the Duos as their nearby home gets built, making it easier for them to prepare for the big opening this fall.

The Duos

The Duo was created to fill a market niche. Whether you call it glamping, or simply staying in a cabin, we believed, and still believe, a turn-key, deliverable solution is the answer for companies or individuals looking to add visual interest to their camp grounds or lake-front property.

To create a larger DROP Structure that could be trucked across the continent, we kept the width largely the same, bumping it up just over a foot. Most of the extra room inside comes from and increased length, up 8’ over the Mono to 24’.

This extra room allowed us to pack in everything four adults would need during a trip to the mountains with their friends. The Rossland Duos include space for four adults to sleep Including a loft bed and one on the main floor, along with a full bath, with shower, to clean off after a long day in the wilderness.

The Duos also include a wet bar, with sink and fridge, for beverages and other snacks.

Hit the link for more information on the Duo, or check them out in the flesh by booking one at Rossland Bike Retreat.