Grouse Mountain, overlooking Vancouver, B.C., is a year-round destination for outdoor adventure, dining, and wildlife experiences. To enhance the guest experience during warmer months, the resort sought to improve signage, and TDH Experiential Fabricators were brought on board. The initiative focused on creating a positive, engaging, and informative environment in helping visitors navigate the property, discover attractions, and learn about local flora and fauna.

Collaborative teamwork

Design of the signage was already underway with an experiential spaces company. The TDH team was brought in for our fabrication expertise in bringing complex designs to life and our knowledge of materials within different environments.

Our teams collaborated closely, suggesting modifications to improve practicality, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Adjustments included optimizing sign dimensions, materials, and construction details to suit the mountain environment and operational needs. This partnership ensured the creative vision was realized with practical, durable solutions that suited Grouse Mountain’s unique environment.

Sign types and interpretive elements

Monument and pylon signs: Large, vertical structures made from Corten steel, featuring prominent wayfinding and directional information.

Pedestal style signage and interpretive panels: Smaller signs, lower to the ground, focused on environmental interpretation. These highlight wildlife (such as grizzly bears and birds of prey), flora, and other attractions with photographic imagery.

Unique aspects

One of the most interesting aspects of the project is that this signage is exclusively for the warmer weather months and is removed when the snow falls. Once removed, any existing structures need to be flush to the ground so that it doesn’t impact snow activities. This has been handled by using concrete bases installed throughout the property. Signs were designed to attach to the concrete lock blocks and be removable. They can be removed for winter seasons and reattached once the snow melts in the spring.

Another interesting feature was signage that didn’t detract from the natural environment. Signs were customized to be informative while respecting the nature they were placed in.

Carefully chosen materials

One of the main materials used on this project is Corten steel, also known as weathering steel. The client wanted signage that fit within the natural environment but with a modern esthetic. Corten steel creates a striking look as it develops a rust-like appearance after exposure to the elements. The rusted patina blends nicely with rock, wood, and alpine landscapes, making the signage feel organic rather than intrusive. Its warm tones echo earth, clay, and tree bark, complementing the mountain environment year-round.

Corten steel is highly durable and weather-resistant, capable of lasting for decades in external environments with minimal maintenance. However, as it develops its characteristic rust-like patina, it can stain adjacent materials and may corrode if not properly designed to allow water drainage. Careful consideration was taken to ensure the steel would not damage the graphic elements of the signage.

Signs were precision-welded and ground smooth to ensure seamless joints and a refined appearance. Each piece was then sandblasted to prepare the surface, followed by an acid treatment to initiate the weathering process.

Dimensional letters were affixed to the sign faces, while maps and wayfinding panels were produced using direct-print technology on aluminum panels, finished with a durable clear coat for protection and longevity.

Challenges and solutions

While there were no significant challenges with the project, our team believes that precise preparation ensures a successful outcome. As with all our projects, detailed 3D drawings are created to ensure all stakeholders have a clear vision of the final outcome. This helps prevent surprises and streamlines the process.

All signs were engineered to meet building code requirements. And although the project began in the summer of 2024, installation was postponed until spring 2025 at the client’s request to accommodate seasonal conditions. Our role included delivering the signs to the top of the mountain, where the Grouse Mountain operations team handled installation using their expertise and specialized equipment.

Project reflections

It was a privilege to contribute to such a creative, customized, high-profile project aimed at enhancing the Grouse Mountain guest experience. Collaborating with the Grouse team and design partners made this work especially rewarding.

Kim Hubbs is vice-president of sales, and Kristina Termansen is an account manager with TDH Experiential Fabricators. Both work to make sure that businesses across Canada have signage that represents their brands in the places they need them. Based in Surrey, B.C., TDH Experiential Fabricators crafts quality custom signs for businesses across Canada. Known for craftsmanship and innovative solutions, TDH Experiential Fabricators serves businesses of all sizes for monument, pylon, illuminated, and specialty signage needs.