Crafting Christmas at the SummitDecorating pro-tips and tricks for budget-savvy families

Every year at this time, like clockwork, the Summit is transformed into a Holiday Season winter wonderland. A seemingly effortless display of festive brilliance that appears from nowhere, I assume, finger-snapped into existence by unseen, contractually appointed sub-alpine elves.

Like most things that appear effortless to the casual observer, they actually are anything but. Over time, I’ve come to realise that simplicity is deceiving. And that more often than not, it's the end result of a person who has mastered their craft. In this case, it’s Shannon Lorenz and her small team of “hey, leave it to us, we’ve got this” helpers.

Like most of us Shannon is busy this time of year. Unlike most of us, Shannon also handles the cat-herding logistics of a growing number of boutique craft markets dotted throughout southern BC. In short, Shannon is a force of nature. I met up with her to ask her a few questions about Christmas-izing the Summit and a few pro-tips for families wanting to level-up their decorating game this Holiday Season:

Q: How many people are on your Summit decorating crew this year? What are their names?

This year, 14 people from our internal team and specialized contractors helped with the decorations: Carrie, Renee, Aidan, Bec, Laura, Emily, Lois, Maya, Darby, Ola, Sarah, Alex, Ryan, and myself. A true team effort!

Q: How long does it take you and the team to decorate the Summit for Christmas?

From start to finish, including scheduling, the decorating process took four days. This involved window painting, Christmas tree sourcing and decorating, hanging lights, garlands, and wreaths, wrapping presents, trail décor (hanging frames, putting up our white trees/snowflakes and animal cut outs), refreshing our outdoor decor with a coat of paint, holiday crafting, and adding all the final festive touches to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for our guests.

Preparation begins in late August with booking and scheduling our team. We then focus on marketing materials, communication strategies, and a plan to promote the holiday season. Early November marks the start of preparations for décor orders, crafts, and other essentials for a successful setup. We are very efficient by the time our set up days arrive.

Q: What’s unique about preparing the Summit for the Holiday Season?

One of the unique things about the Summit that I learned very quickly, is the need for wind-resistant decorations. Anything hanging from a branch is likely to get tangled or blown away and zap straps become your best friend. Additionally, the trees don't have many branches, so we must get creative with how we can decorate in the forest. Sustainability and choosing local supplies are also important to us. We maintain our décor year after year, with some pieces, like our white trees, frames, and preserved boxwood wreaths, being 10 years old now. You will notice we use a lot of wood décor outside made by local creators in the community and the greenery we use on our white trees comes from the trimmings of the Christmas tree, always using what we have so that nothing goes to waste. Given our daytime-only operations and limited electricity, finding ways to incorporate vibrant colours is important to create a festive and bright atmosphere.

Q: Do you have any advice for parents who are decorating their homes this holiday season?

I love simplicity. On my tree I always use red ribbon to brighten it up which is affordable and impactful, I use warm bulbs for the soft glow and for decorations I use ornaments I pick up from local markets or at the Sea to Sky Gondola. Lucy our Director of Retail always picks the cutest ornaments including the gnomes. I have collected a few gnomes from our retail shop over the years. I also love garlands – a gorgeous, lush garland can drape across a front deck or hang along stairs. For windows, hanging stars creates a nice impact (like the IKEA stars at the gondola). I always have a candle burning or use a holiday spray to bring in festive scents.

Q: Most families are on a budget, do you have any budget-savvy pro-tips or tricks for parents decorating their homes this holiday season?

Yes! Here are some affordable tips for a holiday home:

Nature's Beauty

We're lucky to live in such a beautiful community, surrounded by forest. Take an afternoon to collect greenery and pinecones on a trail walk and create a simple arrangement at home. Add in some holly for pops of red. This is a great way to connect with nature and bring the outdoors in.

Citrus Charm

Bring a burst of color to your home with citrus-themed decorations. Explore online tutorials for easy DIY projects, such as making citrus garlands or gift tags. Simply string dried citrus slices together with twine and add greenery for a natural, festive touch.

Keep it Simple

My personal preference is less is more. A decorated Christmas tree with simple, elegant ornaments creates a beautiful impact. Focus on quality over quantity and let the natural beauty of your decorations steal the show.

Warm and Cozy

Incorporate warm lighting, cozy blankets, and scented candles to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Soft lighting can create a magical ambience, while cozy blankets and scented candles can add a touch of comfort and elegance.

So, gather your family, join us at the Summit this holiday season and feel the magic for yourself. Let the decorations inspire you to bring a bit of holiday cheer into your own home—whether it's through simple touches like red ribbons on a tree or crafting with items found on your forest walks. The magic is in the effort, the memories, and the moments shared.