Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Clayton.
Hi Kristen, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I first became involved with this property in 2019 when the owners learned the challenges of managing an off-grid property as a vacation rental. As a Realtor and property manager, I’ve seen a wide variety of properties and loved how special and unique Brown’s Canyon Lodge is. I am passionate about sustainability and enjoy sharing this property, which runs on solar and wind energy.
After many years of offering the lodge for ski trips, corporate events, and family reunions, we branched out into weddings and events last year after constructing an outdoor pergola for ceremonies and landscaping the area. The pandemic caused so many weddings to be postponed. This caused local reception centers to be completely booked out. We decided to offer the lodge as a wedding venue to provide our clients with an option that works best for their timeline.
I have a large family myself and wanted to share this property with even more families and guests by offering affordable weddings where guests can choose their own vendors and decorate as they wish. Due to the property’s off-grid nature, guests have complete privacy for their weddings, events, and retreats. We’re currently booking weddings and events for 2023 and beyond and are looking forward to our busiest year yet.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Due to the pandemic closing ski resorts early and keeping people home, we lost a lot of business in 2020. But we worked hard and have recovered to our pre-pandemic booking levels.
It also took time to find a caretaker who loved this property as much as the rest of our team does. The systems that operate the lodge are complex and require diverse knowledge to deliver a five-star experience to our guests. Luckily, we’ve found someone who is the perfect fit.
We also initially struggled to get the word out about our wedding business, but it’s now growing rapidly due to word-of-mouth advertising and our new Instagram page (@brownscanyonlodge).
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Browns Canyon Lodge is unique because it sits on 44 private acres but is just 15 minutes from Park City. Guests can enjoy the amenities of this large lodge, which include a playground, game room, hot tub, solarium, fire pit, playroom, theater, caterer-friendly kitchens, and more.
Beyond the lodge, guests can snowshoe, sled, hike, mountain bike, or ATV around the property. It’s also incredibly close to local reservoirs, ski resorts, and nature.
For events, guests can design a custom space for their dream wedding. We do not have curfews or require the use of certain vendors, a big difference from most venues. We also provide the rental of tables, chairs, lanterns, and bar tables so guests don’t need to transport those to our location.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
We generate most bookings through VRBO and Airbnb—so we love those apps for finding new business. I’m always studying market trends and enjoy frequently upgrading the lodge to fit current styles. We’re new to Instagram, but love how this app has helped us build connections with other local businesses and new clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: Brownscanyonlodge.com
- Instagram: @brownscanyonlodge
Image Credits
Profile photo: Austen Diamond, austendiamondphotpgraphy.com
Sunset photos: Cameron Stark
Fire pit, bedroom, and floral Photos: Jenny Willden
Exterior home photo: Phil Willden
Pool photo: Melissa Chipman
