Shaping Their Next Decade: Loren and Nikki's Blanca01N

When your kids start needing you a little less, a new kind of space opens up.

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Evenings quiet. The calendar softens. The rhythm of practices and pickups fades, and your weekends return. The trips you'd bookmarked for "one day" suddenly feel closer, more possible. In that stillness, a bigger question begins to surface:

What do we want the next decade to look like? 

For Loren and Nikki, that question signalled a shift. With their kids now 17 and 18 and finding their own independence, the couple could finally imagine a chapter with a little more room for themselves. They loved getting outside - whether skiing, biking, or hiking - and wanted more opportunities to travel to the places that let them do exactly that.

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Loren had shifted into a position that opened up his schedule for travel. Nikki could join him too, as long as they stayed connected on the road. As they put it, "We're young enough that we're still working - we still have kids to put through college - so the ability to work while we travel is non-negotiable."

They weren't retiring - they were recalibrating. A new phase with more freedom, more flexibility, and a touch more comfort woven in.

To make the shift real, they needed a van that supported the life they were living now - and could carry them into whatever came next. One adaptable enough for spontaneous overnights, capable on extended road trips, and comfortable in every season. From steep chutes in Jackson Hole to Squamish singletrack, their mental map was already taking shape.

The road was calling.

They just needed the right van to answer.

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01 Co-Design Process

At Yama, we believe you shouldn't have to choose between a van that's proven and one that feels personal. Our co-design process gives you both: trusted engineering paired with a design tailored to how you live and explore. It's structured, collaborative, and built to get every detail dialled before a single bolt turns.

It starts by getting to know our clients. With Loren and Nikki, that meant taking a close look at their current setup - and where it was starting to fall short. At the time, they were travelling with a truck-and-tent system. It had taken them to plenty of great places, but the pain points were adding up.

As Nikki put it:

"You'd go away camping for three days, but it was really five days, because you need a whole day to pack up, get the food organized, the coolers, the ice, and then you'd come home and have a whole day of laundry and clean up. Is this even worth it anymore? Is the return on investment there for the three days of being out?" 

They hoped a van would change that: making it easier to head out on a whim, stay out longer, and go farther in every season. No more corralling everyone out the door at 6:30 am to make first chair. No more trips cancelled because the logistics simply felt like too much. They wanted their van to unlock opportunities - not limit them.

So we dug into the details: the gear they carried, how they liked to travel, and what comfort meant to them on the road. Those early conversations set the direction for their build.

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Design Consultation

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Selecting a Model

With a clear sense of their needs, we moved into selecting a model. Rather than presenting all five options, we recommended the one that best fit their needs – and they made the final call from there.

For Loren and Nikki, the Blanca01N model checked every box:

• A lengthwise XL bed for sleepers up to 6’4” – essential for Loren whose height made a traditional crosswise bed unworkable.
• A 95 ft³ gear garage with space for long skis, XL bikes, and all the gear they travel with, without compromising living space.
• An open, airy interior with a bench that would double naturally as Nikki’s remote-work setup – a layout she connected with immediately.

As Nikki described it, "It felt a little more like my house. I have a really open concept home, and visually, I felt comfortable in it."

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Dialling In Functionality

Next, our team guided Loren and Nikki through the upgrade options - across gear, performance, storage, and systems - to chooes the ones that matched their lifestyle.

A few upgrades were no-brainers::

• The Starlink Gen 3 Package was non-negotiable because they needed the ability to stay connected and work remotely from anywhere they parked.
• The Onboard Air Kit was an easy yes. It would support off-road travel, simplify winterizing, and keep bike tires at the optimal PSI.
• The Roadhouse Superior Sound Package made the list once they learned how limited the stock stereo was. They wanted sound quality that matched the experience of the drive.

From there, we helped them choose a few thoughtful additions to round out their build.

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Radio Vans Slide-Out Gear Tray + MOLLE Package

Baja Designs Fog Lights + Tough Skin Protective Spray

Owl Vans Monster Box 30 + Gear Basket

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Exploring Finish Options

Loren and Nikki worked with our designer, Rochelle, to create a finish that fit their style. With more than 100 material options, it's easy to create a space that feels personal.

Their direction evolved as the process unfolded. Loren gravitated toward more saturated, expressive colours, while Nikki was drawn to natural, neutral tones. Together with our team, they landed on a calm, neutral palette with soft green accents that felt right for both.

Nikki laughed, "When we got home, Loren said, 'The van looks like the kitchen.' And it's true - they're very similar." She added, "I actually had fun doing that with Rochelle. I felt like she understood."

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3D Renderings

With the major decisions made, it was time to see the van take shape. We provide a set of interior and exterior renderings, giving clients a clear picture of how their layout, materials, and upgrades all come together.

Seeing their renderings for the first time, Loren and Nikki could picture how the space would work: cooking in the galley, working from the bench, loading bikes and skis into the garage, and settling into the lengthwise bed after a long day outside - without climbing over each other.

The renderings helped them confirm their choices, fine-tune small details, and feel confident about the direction of the build.

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02 Production

With the design set and drawings finalized, the van entered production, shifting from something only seen in renderings, to a personalized adventure vehicle. Each Yama build moves through a standardized and quality-controlled process - our sweet spot between craftsmanship and efficiency.

Because Loren and Nikki are local, they were able to stop by the shop throughout the build and watch their van come together in person. For clients outside Calgary, we encourage a couple of in-person visits when possible - and for those who can't make the trip, we share regular photo updates so they can follow the journey just as closely.

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Our team of skilled technicians handles each step, ensuring the van we deliver matches the one you envisioned. In eight to ten weeks, it's fully built, thoroughly tested, and ready for the road.

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03 Delivery

The day they'd been waiting for finally arrived. Loren and Nikki pulled up to find their finished van parked out front with a red bow on the hood. Before the walkthrough, we kicked things off with our van-signing tradition: removing a wall panel, gathering the team, and signing the inside as everyone shared their favourite parts of the build.

We then walked them through every system, switch, and workflow at their pace, making sure the space felt familiar and intuitive from the start.

Before they left, they were equipped with their comprehensive User Guide. Delivery day comes with a lot to absorb, so having it on hand means they can revisit any detail, whether they're parked ten minutes from home or deep in the mountains.

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04 Support & Service

Loren and Nikki didn't just make a purchase - they joined the Yama Fam. What we do isn't transactional; the relationship continues long after delivery. They're supported by Bay4, our dedicated service team, who knows their build inside and out and are ready to help with everything some quick troubleshooting to seasonal maintenance. And, if they decide to add additional upgrades or further refine their setup down the road, Bay4 handles that, too.

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What's Next?

For Loren and Nikki, this isn't just an adventure van - it's a jumping-off point for the next season of their lives. A way to get out more often, ride more trails, chase more powder days, and spend more time together, doing the things they love. A space that fits the way they move, the work they do, and the adventures they're no longer willing to postpone.

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They named their Yama Van Trekka, Norwegian for "traveller," a fitting companion for the trips on their list: driving north to Alaska, tracing the Oregon coast down to Yosemite, and maybe even heading all the way to Mexico to visit family and explore Baja.

We know we'll see Trekka again soon - at a Parking Lot Party, on a Know Your Sprinter course, or at another one of the events we have in store for the Yama Fam in 2026 - this is just the first chapter of Trekka's story.

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FAQs

Can I customize my Yama Van layout and finishes?

You bet. Every Yama Van starts with one of our proven off-grid models, pre-engineered for safety, service, and reliability. From there we co-design the details with you - from functional upgrades that match your lifestyle, to finishes that reflect your personal style. It’s a guided, collaborative process that ensures your van is an extension of you. 

What Yama Van models work for tall people? 

Most of our models feature a horizontal bed that sleeps up to 6’2.” For taller travelers - or anyone who prefers more space - the Blanca offers a lengthwise bed that sleeps up to 6'4". No more sleeping diagonally or climbing over your partner to get in and out. 

‍What kind of support does Yama Vans provide after delivery? 

Our relationship doesn’t end at delivery. When you drive away in your Yama Van, you’re backed by a dedicated service team who knows your build inside and out. Whether it’s troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades, or tune-ups, we’re always just a call or click away.

Do Yama Vans work in winter or cold climates? 

Absolutely. Yama Vans are finely tuned for off-grid adventures year round, including the harsh winters of the Canadian Rockies. With insulated interiors, reliable heating, and systems designed to perform in colder temperatures, our vans stay comfortable and capable in every season.

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