How to prepare your mountain cabin
What to take care of in your mountain cabin before you welcome guests
June 2025
A mountain cabin is one of the most inspiring and evocative holiday rentals. It’s perfect for guests who want to get away from it all, and it can be seriously profitable for the owner. If you’ve decided to invest in one, this is how to prepare your mountain cabin before you start welcoming guests.
Think about your guests
Before you start welcoming guests into your mountain cabin, it’s best to consider things first from their perspective. When someone decides to stay in a mountain cabin, what are they looking for? A traveller might rent a holiday flat a big city because they want to visit museums, go shopping, and attend business conferences – but remote mountain refuges attract a very different market.
You can probably assume that your guests have a keen interest in nature. This is likely to inform your decorating decisions. Most mountain cabins are decorated in a charming, rustic style, with lots of wooden furniture; sleek Japanese-inspired minimalism would look out of place in this kind of remote destination.
You should also take the time to imagine your ideal guests – a family? A couple looking for a quiet romantic break? Dog lovers who want to take their pets on holiday with them? This will help you decide how to decorate your cabin, and what amenities will be essential.
How to prepare a mountain cabin for use as a holiday rental in winter
When starting a holiday rental business, it’s important to think practically. Your mountain retreat will be at the mercy of the elements. If it’s in an area with harsh winters, that’s something you’ll have to prepare for.
Start by winter-proofing your mountain refuge. Make sure it is well insulated, and fit the windows with double- or even triple-glazing. Even a roaring fireplace will have little effect if heat is escaping through the roof. Fit pipe covers on the water pipes to prevent them from bursting in extreme cold. Draught-proof your property; you should stay there for a weekend in winter weather to identify the sources of any draughts and block them.
Winter brings snow, which can create a truly magical mountain cabin guest experience – but is also a potential hazard. Fit your cabin with shovels and a snow blower which guests can use to clear paths when the temperatures drop below zero.
How to prepare a mountain refuge for modern guests
Your guests might want to get away from it all – but that doesn’t mean disconnecting entirely from modern life. Your mountain cabin needs to contain all the convenient things that your guests will take for granted. Here are some high tech installations that travellers expect:
- A good wifi connection. Of course, internet can often be patchy in the mountains, but you should provide the best service you can. You may need to use a mesh network to ensure that the entire property has coverage, with no blind spots.
- A smart lock on the front door. This allows guests to enjoy contactless check-in without you being present – often considered a must by the modern traveller.
- Security cameras covering the outside of the property. Remote holiday rentals can be extremely appealing, but guests may worry about safety. With CCTV and motion-activated lights, you can help soothe their fears.
- A smart thermostat. This is one of the best ways to ensure that your property remains at a comfortable temperature. It’s good for you, too, as you can control the heating remotely when you’re far away and the cabin is empty.
- Underfloor heating. This luxury amenity is particularly valuable in a mountain rental. When guests have spent all day out and about in the cold, they’ll love the chance to come in and warm up their feet.
Marketing your mountain cabin as a holiday rental
Before you list your mountain cabin on holiday rental portals, think carefully about your target audience. You can decorate and advertise your holiday home according to this.
Family-friendly mountain cabin
Install children’s play equipment in the grounds of the cabin. You don’t need to go wild – just a couple of tire swings are enough to make kids happy. Remember, families who rent this house for holidays are probably looking to make memories and enjoy some valuable bonding time. Why not stock a selection of fun board games for them to play in the evenings?
Romantic mountain cabin
A dramatic four-poster bed makes a great centrepiece for the bedroom of this style of cabin. You may also want to install a hot tub – a little piece of luxury that your guests can enjoy all the way through the cold winter months. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, consider a large, free-standing bathtub instead. A fireplace stocked with plenty of logs in the living room will be a welcome touch for couples.
Pet lovers’ mountain cabin
A dog-friendly mountain retreat is a wonderful niche to pursue. Supply doggy snacks in your welcome basket, and provide a quiet corner with blankets and cushions where Fido can take a nap. Ensure that the grounds of your cabin are securely fenced, or your four-legged guests may wander off onto nearby trails.
Mountain cabin for winter sports enthusiasts
Give guests the opportunity to rent skis, poles, boots, gloves and other winter sporting equipment (sleds and show shoes are popular and fun for non-skiers). Make sure you have a dry, cool room where guests can store their wet equipment after a day on the slopes. Your holiday rental website should be tailored towards this market; include a page with a guide to all the nearby ski slopes, and consider offering transportation services to take guests to and from the nearest resort.