HIGH ALTITUDE SOLUTIONS: R&R TACKLES TOUGH TERRAIN WITH GROUNDED EXPERTISE
When it comes to mountain work, the terrain sets the tone. Steep slopes, variable soils, freeze-thaw cycles, and tight access points all demand a different level of planning and a different kind of team. At R&R, we bring practical, proven strategies to high-elevation projects, working side-by-side with owners, architects, and contractors to design solutions that perform in even the most complex conditions.
We don’t just work in the mountains. We build for them.
What Makes Mountain Projects Unique?
Designing communities in mountain environments takes more than technical skill—it takes an integrated team that knows how to turn constraints into opportunities. Snowmelt, surface drainage, soil retention, utility access, site grading—everything is amplified by elevation.
We design with conditions in mind combining technical depth, local knowledge, 30+ years of experience, and a field-first mindset to deliver solutions that last.
How We Work Smarter at a Higher Altitude
At elevation, success depends on how well your systems work together:
Survey informs design. Our crews deliver accurate boundary, topographic, and utility surveys that eliminate surprises later.
Design responds to reality. Civil solutions are crafted to fit the terrain—not fight it—based on decades of experience in mountain drainage, grading, and utility systems.
Staking ties it all together. Our field crews understand design intent and make real-time adjustments, reducing costly delays and ensuring smooth construction.
This integrated process—from topographic survey to final staking—delivers buildable, resilient outcomes in even the most unpredictable conditions.
R&R in Action: Projects at Elevation
We approach each mountain project with technical precision and practical insight—designing systems that perform across snow, slope, and seasonality.
Aspen Distillers - Basalt, CO
Aspen Distillers
At over 6,000 feet in elevation, in Basalt, Colorado, Aspen Distillers aimed to become a national leader in sustainable development. R&R designed grading, drainage, and snowmelt systems that supported net-zero water use and renewable energy goals, helping deliver Pitkin County’s first LEED-certified distillery.
Challenge: Designing for net-zero performance in high-altitude terrain
Solution: Integrated civil systems that supported ambitious sustainability goals while addressing site complexity and long-term functionality.
In 2024 the project was celebrated as the World’s First LEED Platinum Distillery and was awarded the U.S. Green Building Council Colorado Leadership Award for Design & Construction.
Oak Creek - Routte County, CO
Oak Creek Development
Set on over 4,000 acres near 6,700 feet elevation, this large-scale residential development required thoughtful planning across rugged terrain. R&R provided roadway design, grading, and erosion and sediment control plans to stabilize slopes, support future infrastructure, and preserve the site’s natural features.
Challenge: Unstable soils and sloping terrain across a large mountain site
Solution: Roadway and erosion control strategies tailored to variable conditions—supporting safe access, long-term stability, and environmental stewardship.
Forest Road Residence
At over 8,000 feet in elevation, this high-end residential project faced strict retaining wall height restrictions and steep grades that limited traditional access solutions. R&R designed a heated bridge driveway, complete with slope armoring and detailed easement coordination, to meet both functional needs and regulatory constraints.
Challenge: Steep slopes and site restrictions preventing standard retaining walls
Solution: A custom heated bridge system with slope stabilization and precise easement planning to ensure safe, year-round access.
Forest Road Residence In Construction - Vail, CO
Wagner Park - Aspen, CO
Wagner Park
Located at 7,900 feet in downtown Aspen, Wagner Park is a high-use public space that required careful coordination during major infrastructure upgrades. R&R provided surveying, civil design, and construction staking for utility, drainage, and site improvements—ensuring that the design intent translated seamlessly to the field.
Challenge: Delivering accuracy and alignment across multiple scopes in an active public park
Solution: An integrated team approach that kept survey, design, and staking connected from start to finish, minimizing disruption and maximizing constructability.
Wildwood Lodge & Silvertree Hotel
Situated at 8,200 feet in elevation, this renovated mountain resort faced recurring issues with ice melt, perched water tables, and debris flows. R&R designed comprehensive drainage and debris control systems to protect structures, manage runoff, and maintain safe, year-round access for guests and staff.
Challenge: Managing snowmelt and mudflow hazards across an active resort property
Solution: Engineered drainage and protection systems tailored to site-specific risks—improving long-term safety, stability, and guest experience.
Wildwood Lodge & Silvertree Hotel - Snowmass, CO
Colorado Mountain Colleges - Glenwood Springs, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, Edwards, CO
Colorado Mountain College – Multiple Campuses
Spanning elevations from 5,800 to 9,600 feet, R&R supported campus improvements across Glenwood Springs, Edwards, Steamboat Springs, and Breckenridge. Our team provided surveying, site design, and erosion control, navigating unique review processes in each jurisdiction to keep projects on track.
Challenge: Coordinating design and permitting across diverse mountain municipalities
Solution: Comprehensive survey and site design paired with jurisdiction-specific erosion control plans to support consistent progress across all campuses.
High-Altitude, High-Performance
R&R’s expertise is built around one core principle: integrate early, stay connected, and build with intent. Our surveying, civil, and staking teams work together to reduce risk and keep things moving—even when the terrain gets tough.
We know how to plan smarter, communicate better, and build for the realities of mountain environments.
Let’s Build the Future at Elevation - letschat@rrengineers.com.