If you want to go skiing in winter with your family or friends, you will often choose a vacation rental for your ski vacation. In this blog post, you’ll learn how to prepare your vacation rental for winter tourism.
In terms of ski tourism, the USA, Austria, and France have been at the top of the most peoples’ list in recent years (source: Statista). At the same time, unfortunately, the costs involved in winter sports are rising steadily – especially the price of season passes, ski rentals and lift tickets.
Therefore, especially larger groups or families typically opt for a vacation rental for their ski vacations. This way they have more space, can spread out, prepare their own meals and usually save money compared to hotels.
If your vacation rental is located near a ski resort, you should take advantage of this opportunity and tailor your offer to the needs of skiers.
What do guests need during their skiing vacation?
1. Storage for skis & co.
If you book a skiing vacation, you will of course need equipment such as skis or a snowboard, ski poles, ski boots, appropriate clothing, helmet etc. Make sure that you provide enough space for all this gear in your vacation rental. Especially for the skis, it is important that your guests are able to store them safely overnight without having to carry them up and down stairs twice a day.
2. Ski rental
Keep in mind that not every guest brings their own ski or snowboard equipment, because many prefer to rent something on site. Whether it’s because it’s easier to travel without bulky luggage, or because they prefer to try out new equipment each time without having to worry about storing and maintaining it themselves, each person has their own reasons.
Therefore, your visitors will appreciate it if you partner with a local ski rental shop and possibly offer them discounts.
3. Ski pass
Those who book your vacation rental because it’s close to a specific ski resort will likely need a ski pass for the area. Give your guests the opportunity to buy the ski pass through you. This way they don’t have to stress on their vacation and can go straight to the slopes on the first day.
4. Shuttle service
Make sure that your guests can get to the lifts or back from the slopes (or from après-ski) without a car.
5. Wellness & relaxation after skiing
If you’ve been on the slopes all day, you’ll want to relax afterward. Even with a small wellness area with sauna and hot tub etc. you’ll offer your guests the possibility to relax in peace after skiing.
6. Après-ski
For many guests, après-ski is the real highlight of their ski vacation. So make sure your guests have an area where they can socialize a bit after skiing. Be it a mulled wine stand, bar, etc. Also inform them how to get back to their accommodation safely by cab or bus if it’s too far to walk.
Upselling opportunities: That little extra
You can also offer additional services to increase your revenue and give your guests that little extra.
You could offer the following services and make them bookable via your digital guest guide, for example:
- Special offers for Christmas / New Year’s Eve
- Breakfast / dinner incl. (half board)
- Ski pass
- Rental service for equipment
- Information about events (ski races etc.)
- Ski tours, snowshoe hiking etc.
- Yoga courses, massages etc. for an extra charge
How is your vacation rental found by ski vacationers?
1. Adjust your listing for winter
In order to make your rental attractive for skiers, you also have to adapt your listings to the season. For example, you could focus on hiking in summer and snow and skiing in winter. We suggest change the pictures in your listings regularly and use pictures with snow etc. for winter.
2. Use the right amenities in the portals
You should also make sure that the features of your rental on the various booking portals is always up-to-date. This will make it easier for potential guests to find your vacation rental.
3. Early booking discounts and special offers
In addition, you should open your calendars several months in advance. Many people plan a ski vacation as early as possible and hope for bargains. Therefore, you should also think about discounts for early bookers, regular guests and special skier offers.
4. Cooperation with local businesses
Work with businesses in your region and arrange special conditions for your guests with ski schools, stores, etc.
You can also support each other in mutual advertising.
Conclusion
If your vacation rental is suitable for guests planning a skiing vacation, you should use this opportunity to address this target group as well.
You must be aware of the needs of these guests and equip your property accordingly. With a little extra – such as a hot up- you will stand out from the competition.
Also think about additional services like selling ski passes or cooperating with a ski rental company.
Once you have all this in place, be sure to include this information in your listings on the booking portals, so that your vacation rental can be found and booked by skiers all over the internet.
