The Fernweh
Status
Available
Housing Type
On Wheels (CSA Z240)
Site Space
~4000 sq ft
Cooperative Equity
$125k (redeemable)
Resilient Infrastructure
$25k (non-refundable)
Target Timing
Fall 2027
Pad Profile
Translated literally from German, Fernweh means “far-woe” or a longing for distant places. This pad is one of the furthest out from the gates and enjoys plenty of space around it. You’ll wish you were there. Bonus: bring your hammock; this one is is tucked in amongst a few tall trees.
The Fernweh is one of six Phase 2 sites for a certified tiny house on wheels. The pad itself is ~20’x40’ of levelled CORE 50-35 Heavy-Duty water-permeable honeycomb grids with washed gravel. And the spot is roughly 4000 sq-ft within a 4 acre “pocket neighbourhood” meadow inside the 37 acre permaculture-guided property. All pads at Big Calm enjoy the same core features – resilient infrastructure, convivial community, and cooperative equity – and a wide range of shared amenities.
Key Hookups
- Water Mountain fresh
- Wastewater Type 2 septic
- Power 50 amps via Fortis grid
- Backup 15KW solar array
- Data Starlink + Columbia Wireless
- Firewater Gravity-fed hydrants
- Geothermal Passive pedestal
- DwellDock Optional edge space
Co-op Amenities
Shangri-Loft
Community common house with porch & studio
Gardens
Organic garden, greenhouse, and root cellar
Trails
Kilometres of forested nature trails on-site
Guesthouse
Proximity to The Pocket Getaway Airbnb
Laundry
Shared laundry room with washer and dryer
Recycling
Compost stations & garbage/recycling removal
Plowing
Snow plowing the main driveway and roads
Charging
Two available L2 EV charging stations
Libraries
Communal book, tool, and seed libraries
Comms
Private Slack and an emergency landline
Animals
Small livestock & fenced dog run with wash tub
Campfire
A central campfire pit for stargazing gatherings
Views
Location
West Kootenays
Slocan Valley, BC, Canada
Proximity
10km
Slocan
shops | gas | mail | beach
10km
Winlaw
shops | gas | mail | ems
60km
Nelson
hospital | stores | ski
60km
Castlegar
airport (ycg) | stores
40km
New Denver
hospital | gas | police
90km
Nakusp
hot springs | waterfront
285km
Spokane
330km
Kelowna
600km
Calgary
675km
Vancouver
Next Steps
It takes a village to raise a village. These are the tentative next steps on the path to living tiny, reconnecting with nature, and sharing your gifts within resilient community.
1. Expression of Interest (now)
If you like what you see and are interested in potentially living at Big Calm within a co-op structure, start first by completing our Expression of Interest form. From there, we’ll connect for a chat, answer your questions, share additional project details, and encourage you to visit for a tour.
2. Pre-membership Diligence (Q3-2026)
Less than 10 spots total will be available; there won’t be another phase later. If, after chatting and visiting, you think that Big Calm is the right place for you, we’ll tick through various pre-membership steps – including a personal statement, background checks, and, hopefully, a virtual open house for interested parties.
Upon Big Calm filing a disclosure statement for development property of multiple cooperative interests, we will then enter into a Joining Agreement tied to one of the available pads and collect a non-refundable $10k Joining Fee, which is applied towards the Resilient Infrastructure Levy and the legal fees for setting up the co-op.
3. Advance Work (Q4-2026)
We’ll take this time to perform some important, long-lead utilities work – in particular, drilling the water well and upgrading the grid power transformer – as well attaining building permits and preparing core legal paperwork for the cooperative.
Going into winter, while you search for or order your tiny house (see our list of builders), we’ll confirm the spring project plan with our roster of contractors and order all the various materials and equipment for buildout. At this time, the remainder of the Resilient Infrastructure Levy is due.
4. Formalize the Cooperative (Q1-2027)
In early 2027, the new cooperative entity will be legally formalized, its governance established, and bank accounts opened. We’ll ask for the first 50% of your equity purchase at this time.
5. Land Purchase & Earthworks (Q2-2027)
In Spring 2027, the Cooperative will formally purchase the property, making it a truly co-owned homestead. Earthworks will commence – trenching, utilities installation, road building, and pad setup. The second 50% of your equity purchase is due at this point either in full or via a co-op VTB financing plan.
6. Membership & Move-in (Q3-2027)
As is required by all members of a co-op, your one-time $500 Membership Fee, as well as your first monthly Operating Fee payment, is due. And with that, your pad should be ready for tow-in. We’ll confirm timing and logistics, including installing a DwellDock next to your home sweet home!
