Outfitting Your Ski Home Vacation Rental

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Tips on what to stock in your ski vacation rental to make it popular with families.

When families travel to ski and ride destinations, they often like to rent a home. Using platforms like airbnb and vrbo allow families the luxuries of space and a full kitchen to remove some stress from meal planning and give mom room to maneuver. If you are outfitting your ski home to be a vacation rental, we've got tips for what to stock in your home to make it popular with ski families. 

We've talked to dozens of moms who rent on these platforms and found out the items and amenities that make it easy, fun, and functional. 

Related: Mom recommended ski travel gear

Stock the Kitchen

We know that kitchens are required to have the basics, but we polled our moms to see what items would move a kitchen up in the rankings and make them want to book again. Here's what we found.

In addition to the kitchen gear, provide any relevant information re: easiest grocery shopping / delivery and restaurant recommendations is always welcome too.

Tip: leave a few cupboards empty. Guests need space to put away groceries and other kitchen items they may have brought along on the trip. 

Make it Cozy

One rental I stayed at located in Bend, Oregon near Mount Bachelor has a stack of blankets. It was so inviting! After a day of skiing, I'd make a cup on tea and wrap myself up.

  • Electric tea kettle: They heat in a flash. Provide one or two starter bags of tea and some cute mugs (hey, maybe a Ski Mom Mug). Get it on Amazon here. (note: This is an Amazon Affiliate link)
  • Cozy Blankets
  • Gas fireplace: Most guests won't want the hassle of cleaning up a traditional fireplace.
  • Hand Warmers: One mom we know provided hand warmers for guests in the ski locker area.
  • Toiletry Basket: Filled with small size samples...in case you forget

Think About Convenience

You'll want to make the home easy to navigate and keep tidy. Priovide instructions for everything, in an easy to understand vernacular. Have a complicated TV setup...instructions please. A fireplace? Detailed instructions on how it works (so your renters don't burn down the place). etc.

  • Hooks: you can NEVER have enough hooks by the front door. If you rent to families, make sure some of the hooks are LOW for kids to use.
  • Bench near front door to put boots on and off. 
  • Boot trays: contain the slush from the outdoors.
  • Power Strips: We all need to charge things. Label your chargers and maybe include a note that says: Please borrow our chargers while you are here. Lost chargers will be replaced at cost.
  • Boot Dryer: I recommend a unit that is installed by the front door. The smaller ones can go missing 
  • Provide coasters everywhere and placements to cut down the damage. 
  • Maps of the area:  Also very clear instructions on the best way to and from the mountain. Yes, smart phones are great, but it's also amazing to unfold a map and look at the terrain as a family.
  • Paper and pens

Linens and Sheets

Label the shelves in the linen closet to make finding sheets easy. Color code the sheets. Ex: gray for queen, white for twin, green for king. It makes grabbing a spare from the closet less of a roulette game. Also, waterproof mattress covers on all the beds.

  • Extra towels for the hot tub
  • White sheets and white towels are the only way to go. Light colored towels get "ruined by a teenagers who use acne medicine" (it bleaches the towels). 

Guests will Grumble

If you don't take care of the following services

  • Clean humidifier
  • Washer/dryer and laundry detergent
  • Plow service
  • Good wifi
  • Functional place to store ski equipment
  • Cleaning supplies to wipe down the kitchen table and a broom and stick vac to clean up crumbs
  • Hangers in the closets. 

Entertain the Kids

One thing that's mentioned again and again is a bunk room. Kids love the cozy feel of bunk beds.

  • Board games
  • Puzzles
  • Night lights 
  • Pack n play & high chair 
  • Sleds
  • cards

Please make a note of baby-proofing in the listing. Or at least in the description describe what might be kid proofed and what might not be so folks can make the decision if the rental is the right fit for them.

Bonus Items for Your Ski House

  • Tuning table and supplies: it could be as simple as saw horses and a supply of wax, chamois, and some tools.
  • Hot Tub
  • Fire Pit
  • Coffee grinder, coffee brewer and one of the Breville Nespresso things that steamed milk and made coffee.
  • Welcome food! Put real fruit in the fruit bowl. A bottle of red wine, a box of spaghetti, and a jar of red sauce. A quart of milk, packets of pre ground coffee, teas, and some repackaged grocery store pastries.
  • Basic spices (beyond salt and pepper)
  • Travel mugs are a bonus if driving distance to the slopes

MORE SKI FEATURES FROM MOMTRENDS

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  2. Family Ski Resort Mont Tremblant
  3. Reasons Big Sky Montana is Becoming More Popular as a Ski Destination

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