How roofing contractors can grow their business with mountain resort roofing projects

October 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

By DaVinci Roofscapes.

Composite slate and shake roofing can help turn harsh mountain conditions into premium project opportunities.

From Colorado to West Virginia to North Carolina, mountain resort owners have a difficult roofing problem. They need roofs that protect high-value lodging properties. They also need roofs that look right in mountain settings. That combination creates a strong business opportunity for roofing contractors.

Composite slate and shake roofing gives contractors a way to lead that conversation. DaVinci® Roofscapes is one proven example of success. Its composite roof tiles are designed to deliver the look of natural slate or cedar shake with lower maintenance demands, Class A fire-rated performance and Class 4 impact resistance.

The oppportunity: Sell more than a roof

On mountain resort projects, contractors should not lead with “roof replacement.” Instead, lead with asset protection, guest experience and Total Cost of Ownership.

Protect the property from wildfire-related risk.
Address insurance concerns tied to aging cedar shake.
Reduce callbacks caused by rot, curling, splitting, insects and algae.
Preserve the luxury mountain look guests expect.
Support long-term capital planning for owners and asset managers.

Why mountain resort roofs are different

Mountain roofing challenge	What contractors can bring to the table
Wildfire exposure and WUI concerns	Roofing materials that help address fire resistance and owner confidence.
Insurance pressure	A replacement path when real cedar becomes harder to insure.
Snow, ice and freeze-thaw cycles	Durable products paired with smart snow retention planning.
Guest-facing aesthetics	Slate and shake profiles that suit timber, stone, copper and lodge design.
Operational disruption	Lower-maintenance roofing that can help reduce future service headaches.

DaVinci Roofscapes: A product story contractors can use

DaVinci composite slate and shake tiles are modeled from actual slate and hand-split shake. The goal is simple: natural-looking roofing without the common issues that come with natural materials.

Feature	Benefit for resort owners	Contractor selling angle
Class A fire rating	Helps address wildfire-sensitive locations.	Useful for WUI and insurance-related discussions.
Class 4 impact rating	Supports performance in hail and storm-exposed areas.	Gives contractors a strong answer for mountain weather.
Natural slate and shake appearance	Maintains an upscale lodge look.	Fits architecture with timber, stone and copper details.
Resistance to fading, cupping, curling, cracking and splitting	Reduces maintenance worries.	Helps shift the conversation from first cost to lifecycle value.
Resistance to insects, algae and fungus	Supports long-term curb appeal.	Helps reduce common sources of callbacks.
Warranty-backed value	Supports long-term ownership planning.	Strengthens the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) conversation.

Case study 1: Horizon Pass Lodge replaces cedar with composite dhake

At Horizon Pass Lodge in Bachelor Gulch, Colorado, the property owners faced a familiar mountain-property challenge. The existing real cedar shingles were still in fair condition. But they had become a fire liability. Insurance was also becoming harder to secure. The owners worked with Jamie Pappas, president of Borne Consulting, to develop the project scope and select a contractor. Based on previous composite roofing experience on Colorado’s western slope, Pappas recommended DaVinci Multi-Width Shake.

“There’s an Elk Track townhomes project I check up on every so often,” said Jamie. “It was done back in 2008. The composite roofing tiles look almost brand new. Our team believes the DaVinci Multi-Width Shake and slate tile product holds up the best in this snow country environment.”

Arapahoe Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc. was selected for the 500-square reroof.
The team installed DaVinci Multi-Width Shake in Tahoe.
New copper gutters and downspouts complemented the Rocky Mountain setting.
More than 10,000 Rocky Guard RG16 Snow Guards were installed in Dark Bronze.
The team also added 1,700 linear feet of NoFlash III three-pipe aluminum snow fence systems above sensitive eave areas.
The project was completed in 10 weeks.
It earned DaVinci Masterpiece Contractor 2022 Project of the Year recognition.

Contractor takeaway: When real cedar becomes a fire and insurance concern, contractors can offer a composite shake solution that keeps the mountain look while improving the performance story.

TCO takeaway: The resort owner gains a durable, lower-maintenance roof system that supports insurability, guest-facing aesthetics and long-term capital planning.

Case study 2: Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa rebuilds with resilience

When the Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa in Jackson, Wyoming, burned to the ground in 2019, the rebuild needed to respect the character of the original property while improving resilience. After five years of work, the expanded rustic lodge reopened in 2024. Brandon Herbst, a partner with Rowland + Broughton Architecture and Interior Design, said Class A fire resistance was required for materials used in reconstruction. That made the DaVinci Roofscapes product a natural fit for the roofing discussion.

“The Rusty Parrot owners were also intrigued by the Class 4 impact resistant rating and resiliency of the composite shake tiles to handle the extreme weather conditions in Jackson,” said Brandon. The design team specified DaVinci Multi-Width Shake in the Mountain color blend. The goal was to blend into the rugged mountain setting while still acknowledging the lodge’s somewhat urban site.

Brandon continued, "The Rusty Parrot owners are excited about the composite shake product’s durability and minimal upkeep requirements. We feel the synthetic roofing provides a natural look that blends well with the building’s color palette and mountain setting.”

Contractor takeaway: On new construction and post-loss rebuilds, roofing contractors can help owners and architects select a system that supports fire resistance, impact resistance and design intent.

TCO takeaway: A premium composite shake roof helps protect the owner’s investment while reinforcing the property’s luxury mountain identity.

Composite roofing versus common mountain alternatives

Owner priority	DaVinci composite slate/shake	Natural cedar shake	Natural slate	Asphalt roofing
Fire readiness	Class A fire-rated products support wildfire-conscious communities.	Authentic look, but wood can become a fire and insurance concern.	Noncombustible, but heavy and more complex to repair.	Fire-rated options exist, but the aesthetic may not match luxury resort expectations.
Appearance	Modeled from natural slate and hand-split shake for realistic mountain character.	Natural beauty, but appearance changes as wood weathers.	Classic luxury look, but matching repairs may be difficult.	Broad color options, but less dimensional for premium resorts.
Maintenance	Resists fading, cupping, curling, cracking, splitting, insects, algae and fungus.	Requires ongoing maintenance as shakes deteriorate.	Durable, but specialty repairs can be expensive.	Lower first cost, but may require more frequent replacement.
Impact resistance	Class 4 impact rating helps address hail and storm risk.	Can split, crack or degrade under exposure.	Can crack from impact or foot traffic.	Performance varies by product.
Long-term value	Warranty-backed product provides ROI and TCO discussions.	Maintenance and insurance concerns can erode value.	High-end look, but high labor and repair costs.	Lower initial cost, but shorter lifecycle may reduce value.

How contractors can position the sale

For ownership groups: “This is a way to replace aging cedar before it fails while addressing fire and insurance concerns.”
For resort owners: “This roof helps protect the guest-facing mountain look while reducing future maintenance demands.”
For architects: “DaVinci gives you a slate or shake look with product performance suited to harsh mountain environments.”
For property managers: “The system helps resist the issues that create recurring service calls.”
For developers: “This is a premium roofing choice that supports long-term ROI and Total Cost of Ownership.”

Quick contractor checklist

Before the pitch	Ask the owner
Review current roof material.	Is cedar becoming a maintenance or insurance issue?
Identify wildfire exposure.	Is the property in or near a WUI area?
Evaluate snow retention needs.	Where are entries, walkways, decks and sensitive eaves?
Match the architecture.	Does slate or shake better fit the lodge design?
Build the TCO case.	What maintenance, replacement and downtime costs matter most?

The bottom line

Mountain resort owners need roofs that do more than cover buildings. They need roofs that help protect people, property, brand value and long-term investment. For roofing contractors, that need creates a valuable business opportunity. A composite slate or shake system gives you a premium solution to discuss with owners, architects, developers and property managers. DaVinci Roofscapes offers one strong option with Class A fire-rated performance, Class 4 impact resistance, authentic mountain aesthetics, low maintenance benefits and warranty-backed value.

Ready to pursue more mountain resort work? Start by turning the roofing conversation into a business conversation. Show owners how the right roof can improve curb appeal, reduce risk, control maintenance demands and support a stronger Total Cost of Ownership story.

Learn more about DaVinci Roofscapes in their Coffee Shop Directory or visit www.davinciroofscapes.com.