Where to get a DIY yurt that’ll put snow caves to shame

Where to get a DIY yurt that’ll put snow caves to shame

Secret no. 15 to making the most of the city this chilly season

Mongolian nomads know a thing or two about the cold, and they’ve been living in yurts for about 3,000 years: the dome-shaped tents are cozy, collapsible and incredibly zen. Ten years ago, Anissa Szeto and Marcin Padlewski recognized the genius behind the design and founded Yurta, a company specializing in handmade Canadian huts modelled after the traditional dwellings. At a starting price of $7,200, a 133-square-foot yurt is sturdy enough to withstand rainstorms, blizzards and howling winds of up to 100 kilometres per hour. Each yurt is made to order and completely customizable, from the colour of the canvas walls to the number of windows and type of flooring. The best part: DIY setup takes about three hours and requires less carpentry expertise than assembling a Billy bookcase. Voilà: a backyard yoga hut or guest room. Yurta.ca.

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