Mountain chalet owner? Welkeys is here to help!

Do you own a mountain chalet and are tempted by seasonal rentals, but don't know where to start? Or perhaps you want to embark on the adventure of buying a chalet but aren't sure how to begin? Your seasonal rental agency Welkeys is here to advise and support you in the world of short-term rental property management.

Let us put your mind at ease regarding your project, guide you by recommending tools to help you track your chalet's expenses, and provide tips and tricks to ensure a profitable investment!

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The reopening of ski resorts

It’s no secret that the 2021 winter sports season is a period mountain chalet owners would rather forget. The closure of ski lifts, the absence of vacationers in rentals, and completely shuttered residences significantly dampened the spirits of mountain property owners. The very low level of activity in ski resorts last winter generally prevented owners from collecting rent. As a result, many had to take out loans and credit to try to cover the debts they had accumulated.

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Good news: this period of endless, forced patience is over! It’s official: ski resorts will be able to welcome snow sports enthusiasts sooner than you dared to hope! The dates are set, and you’ll be able to strap on your skis and snowboards starting in November. Resorts will reopen gradually until December 18 and 19, by which time all winter sports destinations should be open. Notably, the slopes in Chamonix will open on November 20, and those in Alpe d'Huez on December 4.

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Access to ski lifts is back, but at what cost, you might ask? As you might expect, the reopening of the lifts comes with health protocols. Here is a quick summary of the rules largely in place for the 2021-2022 season. We’ve noticed that health restrictions have been significantly eased, with no requirement to present a health pass to hit the slopes for the time being. Wearing a mask in enclosed spaces may be required depending on the resort. However, we encourage you to remain vigilant and stay updated, as these rules could evolve throughout the season.

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Tools to help you rent out your mountain chalet

The 2021-2022 winter sports season seems to be the ideal time to invest in a mountain chalet for rental purposes. On one hand, tourists seem to have a real need to return to the snow. Whether for the All Saints' break, Christmas, New Year's, or the winter season, they want to get back to their old habits. On the other hand, the COVID period has left many rental chalets on the market. As a future new owner of a mountain chalet, you may be wondering what your borrowing capacity is for this investment. It’s easy to determine—just use this borrowing capacity calculator developed by Pretto.

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Once you’ve determined your options, you’ll need to know how to list your chalet for short-term rental. Legislation varies by location, but some elements are common to many areas. Let’s take renting a chalet in Alpe d'Huez as an example. To rent out your second home in this destination, you must first register your property as a "furnished tourist accommodation" with the town hall by filling out this form. You will then receive a registration number to include on all booking platforms where you wish to allow travelers to rent your chalet. Finally, you will need to pay the tourist tax based on the number of nights booked. Good to know: You can rent out your second home without any limits!

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Furthermore, if you are already an owner and lived through the difficult past season, now is the time to try to pay off your loan. To keep an eye on your payments, Pretto has also developed this mortgage installment calculator.

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Thanks to this tool, there will be no more surprises—you’ll know exactly what your expenses are! Additionally, after this difficult year, we recommend using a seasonal concierge service for your mountain chalet rental. At Welkeys, we know that managing short-term rentals is no walk in the park. Between check-ins, check-outs, cleaning, responding to reviews, writing listings, and dealing with issues with certain tenants... it never ends! That’s why we offer various high-end concierge services to facilitate the rental of your luxury mountain properties while ensuring your rental income is optimized by our experts.

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Making your mountain investment a success

The mountain real estate market is different from more standard markets, such as those in cities. While the primary quality of ski resorts is their snow cover, this is also what dictates property rentals. Although resorts are beginning to diversify and offer activities in all seasons, it is essential to keep in mind that renting a mountain chalet will primarily be seasonal. However, we encourage you to choose a destination where summer activities are developing, with the goal of generating rental income year-round.

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Beyond keeping certain factors in mind when choosing the location for your investment, you also need to take care in how you present the property to your target clientele. Undeniably, ski resorts attract a high-end clientele, so don't hesitate to add amenities to ensure significant income! Chalet rentals with pools and hot tubs are in high demand. Likewise, luxury and charming apartment rentals, such as this exceptional apartment with a sauna in Alpe d'Huez, are popular. Alternatively, a chalet at the foot of the slopes will undoubtedly be a highly sought-after property for vacationers.

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To wrap up our advice, we invite you to design your property's layout around the fact that mountain travelers are looking for a cozy, modern, and non-kitschy nest. They want to feel at home. A raclette machine is essential after a long day on the slopes, whether for 2, 6, 12, or even 20 people! As you can see, it’s all about optimizing your property as much as possible to give yourself the best chance of successfully renting out your exceptional home.

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So, are you ready to become a mountain chalet owner? Don't forget, we are here to guide you through the rental of your property from A to Z. Our experts are here to listen and work with you to develop a rental offer that suits you, while ensuring optimized income throughout the year.