Weekends spent cozied in the mountains hitting the slopes are one of the greatest perks of winter. But hosting a group of people at your vacation home isn’t always the easiest – or most relaxing – time. That’s why we’ve put together a few tips and tricks to help make your ski weekend go smoothly.
Charcuterie for Apres
When it comes to feeding a crowd – big or small – you can never go wrong with a charcuterie board. The recipe for a charcuterie board varies but staples always include cheese, meats, crackers, olives, dips, pickles and a variety of nuts. Prep as much as you can beforehand and store everything in containers so all you need to do apres-ski is fill out a board.
Rustic and Comfortable Lodge
Having a cozy place to host guests doesn’t necessarily mean a fancy mega-mansion in the mountains. Focus on adding comfortable touches throughout your ski home by investing in quality linens, great bedding and luxe throws that invite guests to cozy up and unwind. Also, make sure there’s plenty of durable, comfortable seating that can withstand wear and tear.
Post-Ski Luxury
After a day spent on the slopes, tired skiers will be looking to unwind and kick-back. If you have a sauna or a hot tub, amp up the luxe factor with a few unexpected touches for your guests like a towel warmer for toasty towels post-soak, a bin of flip-flops for dodging across the deck and plenty of jugs of water laid out to keep everyone hydrated.
Fireplace
What’s a mountain home without a fireplace? It’s the perfect spot to gather for early morning coffee, apres drinks and games throughout the evening. If you’re lucky enough to have a wood-burning beauty, keep it stoked all evening long and have plenty of prepped firewood. Or invest in a gas one, which still adds the ambience and warmth of a fire but with a lot less maintenance.
Non-Ski Activities
You don’t want to exclude non-skiers from the winter fun. Second-hand skates, cross-country skis or snowshoes are relatively inexpensive and easy to come by and give non-skiers an easy afternoon activity to partake in outside. And post-ski, it’s a good idea to have a small collection of books (best sellers and classics, please) on-hand along with board games and decks of cards.
Need some help preparing your vacation home for a ski weekend? Give us a call.
