How to promote your vacation home for the ski season
July 2026
Winter doesn’t have to mean the low season for a holiday rental —not if your property is in a great ski location, that is. It’s time to take advantage of the lucrative winter sports market. Here are some tips to turn a profit this ski season.
How to promote your vacation home for the ski season
Winter doesn’t have to mean the low season for a holiday rental —not if your property is in a great ski location, that is. It’s time to take advantage of the lucrative winter sports market. Here are some tips to turn a profit this ski season.
Preparing a holiday rental for skiers
First things first, it’s important to make sure that your holiday rental is ski-friendly. If you want to rent out your holiday home to winter sports enthusiasts, it needs the kind of amenities they’re looking for.
Many skiers have their own gear, but not all of them do. Provide snow sporting equipment available to rent for a price. That can include skis and poles, boots, helmets, and warm clothes. Offering wax free of charge is a little gesture that will go a long way.
As well as ski gear, you can offer other winter sports items, like snow shoes and sledges. By doing this, you encourage mixed groups of skiers and their friends to enjoy your rental.
Your rental will also need a suitable area for guests to store their ski equipment between uses. A cool, dry space like a utility room, garage or basement is a good choice. Make sure guests know what it’s there for, and encourage them to use it.
How to prepare a holiday rental for snow
You can’t have ski season without snow. When you want to rent out a holiday apartment or home in winter, there are added logistical concerns to think about.
How will guests travel to your property? If most arrive by car, then they will need a place to park. Landlords with a covered garage or secure underground parking space have a major advantage when it comes to holiday rental during ski season.
When renting your property to skiers, you may also want to consider offering snow removal services. There are two ways of doing this. A simpler option is to provide shovels and a snowblower for guests to clear paths themselves. If you want to provide a more luxurious service, pay for someone to clear snow while your guests are staying.
Upgrading your mountain holiday rental for the winter season
Now it’s time to look at what makes the ideal ski holiday rental. You don’t necessarily need to have a picture-perfect alpine chalet, but if you want to elevate the guest experience, there are a few amenities that will make a huge difference. Consider adding the following:
A fireplace
Anyone renting a house in winter will be grateful for the chance to sit in front of a roaring fire. Keep in mind that a fireplace does involve some extra upkeep. For instance, it will add some time to your cleaning routine, and it requires a fresh stack of firewood to be laid out for each guest. However, the added atmosphere it brings to your holiday home in winter is priceless.
A hot tub or sauna
Not every property has space for these, but if you have room in the garden, a small sauna or a jacuzzi will truly bring your property to the next level. Of course, guests can enjoy these luxurious amenities all year round, but they’re particularly popular when there’s snow on the ground.
Underfloor heating
Thick, comfy carpets will be enough to keep guests’ feet warm in winter in some parts of your property. However, the tiled floors of bathrooms and kitchens can be extremely chilly. Solve the problem by installing an underfloor heating system for a touch of everyday luxury.
Cosy furnishings
Not every upgrade has to cost the earth. Thick, warm blankets and throws, plenty of cushions, and a kitchen well-stocked with hot chocolate will make your guests happy in winter. Remember, in snowy weather, you can never have enough blankets. Supply some extras in the closet, and offer some thick, cosy slippers for your guests to wear after a day on the slopes.
Board games
Skiers often want something to keep them busy in the evening. A selection of fun games is a great choice. Choose some family-friendly favourites and keep them stocked in a cupboard in the living room.
Special promotions for skiers
You might want to create some special promotions, perhaps working with local businesses. Here are some upselling and cross-selling ideas that will appeal to skiers:
- Massage services. A massage is always welcome, but a specialist sports massage after a long day on the slopes is one of the best ways to keep skiers happy.
- A welcome basket. Stock it with winter goodies. Hot chocolate is a must, of course. You can also add some nice local goodies. If your ski holiday rental is located in an area like the Alps, some good cheese is an absolute must. Be careful if you want to offer alcohol like mulled wine or hot toddy. Not all guests are drinkers, so check with them in advance. What’s more, depending on your area, you may require a licence to provide it.
- Fondue cooking classes. Fondue is an après-ski classic. Most of the year, it may feel a bit dated, but it’s still fresh and exciting in a cottage in winter.
- A private chef preparing meals. Think of the most popular après-ski dishes, like tartiflette or a thick and tasty stew. Remember, after a day of skiing, most guests will want hearty meals.
Do your research here. Look around to see what your competitors are offering — can you match their services? Do you have a better idea?
How to advertise your holiday home to skiers
You’ve spent ages upgrading your holiday home for winter, but the skiers still aren’t knocking at your door. What next? It’s time to rethink your marketing.
Your holiday rental website should include photos that clearly show what the property looks like in winter. If all your advertising shows your holiday home bathed in glorious summer sunshine, winter sports enthusiasts may overlook it. Upgrade your listings with winter photos. Your pictures could include guests having fun in front of a roaring fireplace or a serene snapshot of your property covered with a blanket of snow.
Consider a marketing campaign based specifically on your property’s winter appeal, using social media and listing platforms. Update your website to show proximity to the nearest ski slopes, allowing potential guests to see what is waiting for them if they book with you.
You may also want to look for holiday rental portals that specifically target winter sports fans. In Europe, Interchalet is the best-known option and is hugely popular with skiers.