WELKEYS GOODTIP: Prepare your mountain apartment for this winter

Winter is coming, and you want to rent out your apartment to give your guests the experience they deserve? During the high season, vacationers flock to the mountains. Fresh air, ski resorts, sports, atmosphere, and local cuisine are the ultimate combination for a pleasant family getaway. However, with nearly 400 winter sports resorts, France has a world-class ski area offering a wide range of mountain activities. Ultimately, the competition is tough. How will you stand out and show potential guests that your listing is worth choosing? Welkeys shares a few tips to improve your offer and make your listing shine.

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Remember to highlight your amenities

Taking care of your listing is essential because it is the storefront for your property. When a potential guest selects your apartment on Airbnb or Booking.com, it is the first thing they see. A well-equipped home is a major selling point for travelers. Providing detailed information about your property's features reassures guests and saves them from having to buy extra items. In short, it is important to showcase your essential amenities.

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Beyond that, don't forget why travelers choose to go on a mountain vacation. Tourists expect their accommodation to be tailored to their needs and desires. When we head to the snow, we want our rental to feel like a mountain retreat with all the right touches. Don't hesitate to mention if your chalet has a fireplace to add a cozy feel to their stay. Visitors love warming up after a day out in the mountains. Plus, if you are lucky enough to have a view of the slopes, that will be a major asset for your listing. Local cuisine is also worth highlighting. If your guests have the chance to share a raclette thanks to your equipment, your offer will be even more appealing.

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Make your guests dream

Tell a story to your future guests. What do they need? What do they want? Why are they choosing the mountains over lounging on the beach? Why is your sofa worth relaxing on? Why is it more comfortable to sleep in your chalet? These are all questions that will help you tailor your listing to them. The vibe of a mountain getaway is different from a beach vacation. Your visitors are looking for comfort and are usually traveling as a family. Paint a picture for them so they can imagine their stay before they even arrive.

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Activities and the ski area are essential for a successful mountain trip

Tourists usually head to the mountains for the main attraction: skiing. Winter sports provide a breath of fresh air and a great way to get back in shape. Furthermore, tourists often choose the resort before they choose their accommodation. The ski area will therefore be a major asset for your listing. It is important to highlight it by mentioning the number of slopes, access, and the unique features of the resort.

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Additionally, your listing will be indexed so that it appears at the top of search results if a traveler searches for the resort name on Airbnb. You will have a better chance of being noticed by users during their search. However, mountain vacations very often mean family vacations. And yes, there is always one family member who doesn't enjoy skiing... Despite this, there are many winter sports that might suit them: snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and many others. Therefore, try not to generalize when listing nearby activities. Not everyone is a skier!

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Photos are the best showcase for your listing: take care of them!

Photos allow users to immediately picture themselves in their vacation spot. When someone browses Airbnb to find a listing that suits them, images are the first thing they look at. It is an "eye-catcher." Therefore, your images must reflect the atmosphere and spirit you want to convey. If the photos don't appeal to them, they won't take the time to read your listing description. For example, a vacationer heading to the mountains needs to see snowy views, the resort, and the mountains in the photos you provide. In other words, photograph your environment both inside and out.

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Furthermore, your mountain vacation rental listings should be adapted to the season. A mountain property should not be photographed in August. It would lose its charm, and your potential client might well click away from your listing! Secondly, guests are looking for a particularly "cozy" environment to make the most of their stay. It is important to highlight your fireplace and lit candles to make your space warm and inviting!

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Highlight your storage space for their mountain gear

Anyone who has been there knows: ski boots, snowsuits, skis, helmets, gloves, and more... All this gear takes up so much space that it can fill the entire living room. So yes, it takes us long enough to take it all off, but we also need a place to store it! Remember to showcase your storage areas. Believe us, your potential guests will thank you!

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Provide a mountain welcome guide

Being welcomed in the best possible way is always pleasant as a traveler. That is why creating a welcome guide can build a sense of connection between you and the tourist. In other words, a welcome guide is a thoughtful way to communicate because it shows your guests that you are thinking of them. This aims to build a relationship of trust. This guide should contain information about points of interest near your vacation rental. Consequently, it answers a number of questions the traveler might have upon arrival: How far is the ski resort? Where are the shops? What transport should I take to get to the activities? How do I turn on the heating? In addition, be aware that in French resorts, an average of 25% of skiers are foreigners (60% in some resorts). It is therefore best to translate the guide into English.