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In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, big snowstorms can start with wind squalls, followed by two feet of fresh powder, and then transform into sunny bluebird afternoons perfect for après. Clearly, outdoor spaces here have to work as hard as the people running them.
In the newly erected PERGOLUX Pergolas at Mythology Distillery, this truth shapes the guest experience as much as the spirits do.
Ordering a durable luxury pergola built to brave extreme conditions
Founded in 2018 and named Colorado’s Top Distillery, Mythology Distillery opened an après bar and restaurant at the base of Steamboat Ski Resort in 2025, quickly becoming known for its expansive slope-side patio. At 6,900 feet and fully exposed to the elements, the space demands thoughtful design, making the newly installed pergolas essential to creating a comfortable, year-round outdoor experience.
“This customer didn’t just want a decorative arbor,” observes Tim Heneveld, Country Director of PERGOLUX North America. “They wanted a sleek and adjustable structure that could tame the elements while giving guests the mountain views they came for.”
How PERGOLUX Pergolas adjust to enhance outdoor living in any weather
Crafted from powder-coated aluminum with stainless hardware and thoughtfully concealed gutters, PERGOLUX Pergolas are about strength and longevity. They are purpose-built for extreme weather.
A high-elevation winter puts that engineering to the test. On a powder day, the staff closes the louvers to provide shelter and trap heat for guests enjoying lunch and an Old Fashioned slopeside. That afternoon, the Colorado high-elevation sun comes out, and those same louvers open with ease, letting guests soak up the sun with a lavender vodka lemonade in hand. Integrated drainage keeps snowmelt channeled off the roof and away from foot traffic. Radiant heaters, aimed at seating areas instead of the sky, keep customers warm as they eat a smashburger and prepare for a shotski with friends. Guests stay cozy, and the view remains open.
Wind brings a different set of demands. Gusts can toss napkins and flash-chill drinks in seconds. At nearly 7,000 feet up, the combination of a rigid frame, smart anchoring, and adjustable louvers is ideal. In higher winds, louvers are angled to “spill” air, reducing uplift and pressure. Screens are deployed partway to dampen cross-breezes without walling off the surroundings. The staff knows the drill, dialing in the louvers and continuing service without a scramble. A system that adjusts quickly reduces downtime and makes the environment feel steady, even when the weather isn’t.
Then there’s the sun. It’s brilliant and, at times, relentless. UV exposure is stronger at higher elevations, and guests want shade without sacrificing that cinematic view of peaks and pines. Adjustable louvers allow light to be filtered rather than blocked. By setting them to a precise angle, glare off tabletops disappears, and sightlines remain intact. The result is a patio that is always a front-row seat to the mountains. It’s the difference between guests savoring another round versus scurrying back inside.
The PERGOLUX experience at Mythology Distillery
Food and drink service runs more smoothly when staff can better control the surrounding environment. With PERGOLUX Pergolas, Mythology Distillery’s Apres bar patio won’t go unused during a busy winter season. Once bartenders have the bar set up, they know that their equipment, garnishes, and serving areas will stay protected. Expediters and servers at the distillery’s restaurant don’t have to worry about sending out fresh plates whenever the temperature drops or the clouds open because the weather is no longer a concern.
Guests feel the difference immediately and are drawn to the inviting Mythology patio slopeside. In July, when the alpine sun is bright and insistent, the shade lands soft and even, letting lunch stretch into another round without sunglasses doubling as armor. By evening, as temperatures dip, the light warms, the louvers angle to hold in heat, and the deck becomes a front-row seat to dusk settling over the mountains. The mountain air stays part of the experience, but the bite of it doesn’t.
PERGOLUX Pergolas blend with the beauty of nature anywhere
Mythology was built by adventurers who believe people craft their own stories through the places they go and the people they meet. The brand is embraced by a Colorado community that values authenticity and nature’s rugged beauty. There’s a cultural harmony here, and the pergola fits right in.
“This coveted location at the base of Steamboat Ski Resort presented a tremendous opportunity for Mythology Distillery,” said Scott Yeates, Founder and President of Mythology Distillery. “The Pergolux pergolas add a striking visual element to our patio while delivering the functionality needed to drive traffic and increase revenue.”
The pergola’s integrated lighting can be tuned warm for the golden hour and cooler for brighter prep windows. Heaters nest discreetly into beams, and wind screens can be nearly invisible until they’re needed.
Behind that elegance is a stack of practical decisions. Snow-load ratings that match local codes. Footings that don’t flex with freeze-thaw cycles. Gutters sized for sudden melt events. Finishes that shrug off de-icing salts. Intuitive and physical controls that are easily accessible for a busy team to make adjustments mid-shift. Zoning allows one side to block the wind while the other drinks in the sunset.
Ultimately, building for the elements is an act of hospitality. At Mythology Distillery, the new PERGOLUX pergola invites guests to come for the spirits and stay for the stories.
“The Pergolux pergolas have been a game-changer for how we serve guests in every season,” commented Yeates.
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Image source: Mythology
