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A Tale of Two Yurts, Part Two |
Glenn Walsh | 11/19/10
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Read Part One
The Pass Creek Yurt is located in a remote and pristine setting on the east side of the Continental Divide, a few hours by skis or snowshoes from the Wolf Creek Ski Area parking lot. The Yurt is set on an open deck at an elevation of 10,250 feet, where it is subject to forty feet of snow during an average spectacular winter and full exposure to Colorado sunshine 300 days each year.
“The Yurt” — the affectionate local name — has been owned, provisioned and maintained by Sandy Kobrock and husband Mark Mueller for twelve years.
“So how did you get started in the hospitality business is such an inhospitable spot?” I asked in jest. The Yurt is one of the most hospitable spots I’ve ever enjoyed.
“When I was working at the ski area, the district ranger at that time — who was a woman — told me ‘You know, if I had a little extra cash, I would apply for yurts and huts on the Rio Grande for winter use, because we don’t have anything like that here.”
Sandy doesn’t recall having much cash then, but she and Mark were already backcountry veterans, head ski patrollers, Outward Bound leaders — today they team teach avalanche education courses — and Sandy had reinvented a few other careers along the way.
After some research, Sandy and Mark choose an Oregon designer — Pacific Yurts — and chose a site both remote and accessible by modest memorable effort. All the clichés — snug, cozy, homey — are reinvented in a simple circular structure surrounded by miles of wilderness.
 The business requires a week of hauling and storing the winter’s wood in the basement, plus another week of maintenance and improvements. And then checkups every week or two over the winter, which rarely means much work: “So many of our clients are repeat clients and they love the Pass Creek Yurt and they really care for it. People realize it is a special place and treat it with respect and kindness.”
“Well everyone loves The Yurt but how does it work as a business?” I asked.
“Winter time it is rented almost one hundred percent,” Sandy explained as her appealing smile segued into a more thoughtful countenance. “In the summer we are still working to create a hut-to-hut mountain bike circuit that would end up in Del Norte. To Elwood Pass and Summitville and winding down to Del Norte, hopefully using the rehabilitated Fitton cabins that Forest Service is working on now.” Continued...
Sandy admitted the biggest challenge is accepting that The Yurt is a business. “Your customers want you to be in business,” a colleague recently assured her. “We are constantly reminding ourselves it is a beautiful business,” Sandy sort of confessed, “and we are still figuring out how to run it as a business, especially in the summer. We have met great friends, and the yurt provides a special place that people love and remember.”
Prices are reasonable: $135 for any weekday $219 winter weekends. The more the merrier and cheaper. A party of ten can stay for little more than ten dollars apiece during the week. “The Yurt has six beds but I’ve been there with thirteen people,” Sandy laughed, “and we encourage people to invite as many friends and families as want to join them.”
A new policy and revamped website allows new guests to book exactly one year in advance at wolfcreekbackcountry.com and steal a march on repeat customers.
I fished for some amusing anecdotes, but Sandy only nibbled: “I am not sure that we hear it all. There is a yurt book with interesting stories to read. I do remember once when a professor from a prominent Colorado college skied in to within one hundred feet of the yurt, couldn’t locate it and skied right back out. He was a geography professor, which is kind of ironic. It’s kind of like being parents, though, you don’t want to know everything that goes on back there.”
When I asked how The Yurt was holding up, Sandy’s characteristically direct and bright disposition intensified: “We are not there every day to care of The Yurt. Think about it. It withstands tons of snow, and tons of wind, and thousands of guests. Who would think after twelve years that it would still look new.”
Sandy took a moment to summarize her feelings. “It’s just beautiful.”
For locals, The Yurt is such an accessible adventure. I’ve spent a few days there, enjoying intense friendships and family experiences. Whenever I drive the pass in wintertime, however harsh and frigid the weather, and however lonely my own mood, I can sense there is a warm, friendly spot back in that unforgiving terrain.
“Has anybody fallen so deep in love with The Yurt they’ve refused to leave?” I wondered.
Sandy shook her head. “Not that I am aware of.”
Then Sandy smiled and added with a chuckle, “Just us.” |
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