Installing outdoor infrastructure during winter is rarely ideal, but for seasonal and hospitality businesses, waiting isn’t always an option. This case study documents a real-world winter deck installation in Granby, Colorado, where snow, freezing temperatures, and mountain terrain were part of the build environment, not obstacles to avoid.
The project supported the launch of Cedar Sauna House, a mobile sauna experience debuting for the first time this winter at Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, CO.
Location: Granby, Colorado
Season: Winter
Environment: Mountain terrain, snow cover, freeze–thaw cycles
Use Case: Outdoor hospitality / mobile sauna / Nordic center
Joe Tim, owner and operator of Cedar Sauna House, set out to bring a sauna experience to the Nordic Center at Snow Mountain Ranch, specifically for winter guests.
“The goal was to bring a sauna to the Nordic Center at Snow Mountain Ranch.”
To make that possible, the entire setup needed to be:
The setup included:
The tent required a level, dry, and weather-resistant deck surface that could be installed in winter conditions, making modular decking the most practical solution.
Launching a new business is demanding under normal circumstances. Doing so:
Joe identified the biggest operational concern early:
“I was thinking through how I was going to keep my customers’ feet dry in the winter with snow, melt, freeze-thaw.”
Without a proper deck foundation, risks included:
In winter hospitality environments, ground conditions directly affect guest experience and liability.
Joe first encountered Flatspot while attending Glamping Show Americas. He wasn’t actively shopping for decking, his goal was to source a tent.
What stood out was how consistently Flatspot appeared in real-world installations.
“What caught my attention was the utilization of Flatspot in almost all of the presentations and demos.”
Seeing Flatspot paired with Davis Tent setups created a clear use case for winter deployment.
“It clicked. It made sense.”
Before committing, Joe explored building his own solution:
However, once he evaluated:
the cost-benefit equation shifted.
“It would take at least a week of my time.”
For a first-season launch, that time wasn’t available.
“With installation, timing, and everything else, it made the most sense.”
Installing a deck in Colorado mountain winter conditions requires confidence in both materials and execution.
Key factors that made modular decking the right solution:
“Knowing the installation would be done properly and level—that’s the most important thing. You need a flat spot.”
In winter environments, level installation is non-negotiable:
Despite challenging conditions, the installation process remained straightforward.
“Customer service has been very easy. Very responsive.”
Rather than a standard sales process, the focus stayed on:
“From the initial call to meeting you all here today—it’s been very straightforward.”
With the deck installed:
Most importantly, Cedar Sauna House launched on time, without delaying its first winter season.
This project demonstrates how modular decking supports:
When conditions are difficult and timelines are fixed, the right deck foundation becomes a critical operational decision—not just a construction detail.
Combine all three to get the lowest price per square foot and 10% off every add-on.