The Wild Turkey Inn in Rossland, British Columbia
When is a B&B not a B&B? In Rossland, British Columbia, The Wild Turkey Inn is bringing the “bed and breakfast” into the high-tech era. And if you’re an outdoor adventurer who’s serious about your coffee, you’ll find plenty to love at this Canadian mountain town lodging.
Here’s the scoop:
Welcome to The Wild Turkey Inn
Located just north of the US border in British Columbia’s Kootenay Mountain region, Rossland is known primarily as a ski town. A quick 10-minute drive from the town center, RED Mountain Resort challenges skiers and snowboarders with its steep terrain and 119 runs across five different peaks.
During the warmer months, Rossland draws mountain bikers and hikers to the trails at RED Mountain and elsewhere across the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Rossland drew The Wild Turkey Inn owners Shauna Ullman and Mike Tigges, too. The couple — she’s an artist and his background is in construction — had been living in the Vancouver area when they decided to make a life change.
They purchased an 1896 Victorian home on a residential street, a short walk from Rossland’s main street. After spending nearly two years renovating the house and refurbishing the yard and gardens, they opened The Wild Turkey Inn in July 2021.
Guests can help themselves to breakfast fixings.
Breakfast and Coffee — Lots of Coffee
Shauna and Mike decided that a traditional sit-down breakfast at a fixed time wasn’t what B&B guests want these days. They built a huge self-service kitchen, which they stock with basic ingredients that guests can use to prepare their own morning meal or opt to grab-and-go if they’re heading to the mountain.
During my stay, I could help myself to fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, eggs, bread, butter, and jam, with whatever dishes, utensils, and pans I might need to make breakfast.
Plenty of options for coffee lovers
Shauna and Mike are serious about their coffee, too. They’ve set up a coffee station for guests in the dining room with several varieties of coffee — both whole beans and freshly ground, a coffee grinder if you want to grind your own beans, and multiple types of coffeemakers to choose your preferred preparation method.
And if you can’t drag yourself downstairs for coffee, or if you’d rather enjoy your caffeine in bed, each guest room is stocked with a kettle and coffee pot.
Each of the three guest rooms at The Wild Turkey Inn is decorated differently.
Guest Rooms and Amenities
On the second floor, the three guest rooms all vary in size and decor, but the overall feel is comfortably traditional, with antique furnishings and polished wood floors.
At the front of the house, the Seven Summits Guest Room has a bay window, pale blue decor, a queen-sized bed, and a modern bathroom with a walk-in shower.
Done in deep reds, the larger Happy Valley Guest Room has a king-sized bed and an updated bath room with a tub/shower combination.
Though the inn feels traditional, the amenities are high-tech.
If you’re a fan of classic claw foot tubs, opt for the cozier Old Glory Guest Room, which has modern shower as well.
Despite the traditional decor, the amenities are modern, including fast Wi-Fi, electronic door locks, electrical outlets and reading lamps by the beds, and motion-activated lighting that illuminates the hallways and stairs when you come in after dark. The hosts also created a house manual with instructions about anything you might want to know; it’s available both online and in a notebook for guests.
Note that the rooms have no TVs. But really, at The Wild Turkey Inn, once you’ve had your excellent coffee, you should be heading outdoors to play.
Rates
Double room rates at The Wild Turkey Inn start at CAD$239-254 per night, depending on the season. Discounts are available for small groups who want to book a “Turkey Takeover” and occupy the entire house.
Getting to Rossland
By car, Rossland is about 7.5 hours from either Vancouver or Calgary. It’s a short detour for road-trippers traveling BC’s Highway 3 across the province or toward the Canadian Rockies.
Spokane, Washington, which has the closest major airport, is about three hours’ drive to the south. You can also fly into nearby Trail, BC, or to the West Kootenay Airport in Castlegar. Tourism Rossland can provide more travel details, including current information about airport shuttles and transportation to RED Mountain.
Hotel feature by Vancouver-based travel, food, and feature writer Carolyn B. Heller. Photos © Carolyn B. Heller. Tourism Rossland, in partnership with The Wild Turkey Inn, arranged my stay for review purposes.
