How to Prepare Your Copper Mountain Property for Ski Season (Owner Checklist)

Ski season in Copper Mountain starts in mid-November and runs through late April. If you own a vacation rental, those months drive the majority of your annual income.

But properties don't prepare themselves. Guests expect clean, warm, well-stocked units with working appliances and comfortable furnishings. If something breaks during peak season, you lose bookings and get bad reviews.

Here's how to prepare your property for ski season so you maximize bookings and avoid costly problems.

Start in September or Early October

Don't wait until the week before opening day. Start your prep work in September or early October. That gives you time to schedule inspections, order parts, and fix issues before guests start arriving.

If you wait until November, contractors are booked, parts take longer to arrive, and you're rushing to solve problems while guests are already checking in.

HVAC Check: Get the Heat Working

Your heating system is the most critical piece of equipment in a ski rental. If the heat fails during a guest's stay, you've got an emergency on your hands.

Schedule an HVAC inspection in September. A technician will check your furnace, replace filters, test thermostats, and make sure everything runs efficiently.

Replace furnace filters even if they look clean. Dirty filters reduce airflow and force your system to work harder. That wastes energy and increases the risk of breakdowns.

Test your thermostats. Make sure they're programmed correctly and that guests can adjust the temperature without confusion. If your thermostat is old or complicated, consider upgrading to a simple, user-friendly model.

Check vents and registers. Make sure they're not blocked by furniture and that air flows freely throughout the unit.

If you have baseboard heating or radiant systems, test those too. Bleed radiators if necessary and confirm that all zones heat properly.

Plumbing: Prevent Frozen Pipes and Water Heater Issues

Frozen pipes are a nightmare. They burst, flood your unit, and cause thousands of dollars in damage. Prevention is simple and cheap.

Insulate exposed pipes in unheated areas like garages, crawl spaces, and exterior walls. Pipe insulation costs a few dollars and takes minutes to install.

Leave cabinet doors under sinks open during extreme cold. That allows warm air to circulate around pipes.

If your property will sit vacant for extended periods, keep the heat set to at least 55 degrees. Never turn the heat off completely in winter.

Check your water heater. Flush sediment, test the pressure relief valve, and confirm the temperature is set between 120 and 140 degrees. If your water heater is over 10 years old, consider replacing it before it fails during a guest's stay.

Inspect all faucets, toilets, and showerheads for leaks. A small drip becomes a big problem when it freezes.

Exterior Maintenance: Roof, Gutters, and Snow Removal

Check your roof for damaged shingles, loose flashing, and signs of wear. A small leak in October becomes a bigger problem when snow starts piling up.

Clean your gutters. Clogged gutters cause ice dams, which lead to water damage inside your unit. If your HOA doesn't handle gutter cleaning, hire someone to do it before the first snowfall.

Confirm your snow removal plan. Does your HOA handle it? Do you need to hire a contractor? Make sure walkways, stairs, and parking areas will be cleared after storms. Guests won't leave good reviews if they're trudging through knee-deep snow to get to their car.

If your property has a deck or patio, clear furniture and store it for winter. Snow and ice damage outdoor furniture quickly.

Interior Deep Clean

Your property should be spotless before the first guest arrives. Even if you had cleaners come after the last checkout, do a deep clean before ski season starts.

Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents. Wipe down baseboards. Clean windows inside and out. Vacuum under furniture and behind appliances.

Wash all linens, towels, and bedding. Check for stains, tears, or worn items. Replace anything that looks shabby.

Clean the kitchen thoroughly. Wipe down cabinets, scrub the oven and stovetop, clean the refrigerator inside and out, and run the dishwasher with a cleaning tablet.

Check bathrooms. Scrub grout, replace moldy caulk, and make sure all fixtures work properly. Replace worn bath mats and shower curtains.

A fresh, clean property gets better reviews and commands higher rates.

Furniture and Furnishings

Walk through your property and assess the condition of furniture, rugs, and decor.

Is the couch sagging? Are cushions stained or flattened? Does the dining table wobble? Are chairs sturdy?

Replace or repair anything that looks worn or broken. Guests expect comfortable, functional furniture. If your couch looks like it belongs in a college dorm, your bookings will suffer.

Check mattresses. If they're over 7 years old or showing signs of wear, replace them. A good mattress is one of the best investments you can make in a vacation rental.

Inspect rugs for stains and wear. Clean or replace as needed.

Make sure artwork is hung securely. Check that mirrors and wall decor are level and damage-free.

Kitchen Supplies and Amenities

Guests expect a fully stocked kitchen. Walk through your cabinets and drawers and confirm you have:

• Pots, pans, baking sheets, and mixing bowls

• Knives, cutting boards, and basic utensils

• Plates, bowls, glasses, and mugs for your max occupancy

• Coffee maker, toaster, and microwave in good working order

• Dish soap, sponges, and dish towels

• Basic spices, cooking oil, and condiments (optional but appreciated)

Test all appliances. Run the dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, and garbage disposal. Replace anything that's broken or unreliable.

Provide coffee and filters. It's a small cost that guests appreciate.

Stock paper towels, trash bags, and dish soap. Guests shouldn't have to buy basics on their first day.

Bathroom Essentials

Each bathroom should be stocked with:

• Toilet paper (at least 2 rolls per bathroom)

• Facial tissue

• Hand soap

• Shampoo and conditioner

• Lotion

• Fresh towels (at least 2 per guest)

• Bath mat

• Trash bags

Check that showers and tubs drain properly. Fix slow drains before guests complain.

Replace worn towels. Guests notice threadbare linens and it affects your reviews.

Linens and Bedding

Inspect all sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and blankets. Replace anything with stains, tears, or signs of wear.

Make sure you have enough bedding for your max occupancy. If you advertise sleeping 8 people, you need linens for 8 people.

Wash everything before the first guest arrives. Fresh linens make a huge difference in guest satisfaction.

Consider providing extra blankets. Mountain nights get cold and guests appreciate having options.

Safety and Emergency Items

Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries even if they're still working. Test each unit to confirm they're functional.

Inspect fire extinguishers. Make sure they're charged and accessible.

Provide a first aid kit. Include bandages, pain relievers, antibiotic ointment, and tweezers.

Post emergency contact information. Include your property manager's phone number, local emergency services, and the nearest urgent care clinic.

Make sure exits are clear and guests know how to get out in an emergency.

Outdoor and Ski Gear Storage

If your property has a ski locker or mudroom, organize it before guests arrive.

Provide boot racks, helmet hooks, and space for skis and poles. Guests need a place to store wet gear without dragging it through the unit.

Stock sleds, snowshoes, or other winter gear if you advertise them as amenities.

Check that exterior doors lock properly and that guests can enter and exit without issues.

Guest Information and Welcome Materials

Create a welcome binder or digital guide with:

• WiFi password

• TV and streaming service instructions

• Thermostat instructions

• Trash and recycling guidelines

• Parking information

• Shuttle schedules

• Nearby restaurants and activities

• Emergency contacts

Make sure this information is accurate and easy to find. Guests shouldn't have to text you at 10 p.m. asking how to turn on the TV.

Test Everything

Before the first guest checks in, walk through your property and test everything.

Turn on lights, fans, and appliances. Run water in every sink. Flush toilets. Test the shower temperature. Check that doors and windows open and close properly.

Sit on the couch, lie on the beds, and look at the property from a guest's perspective. Is it comfortable? Is it clean? Would you want to stay here?

If the answer is no, fix it.

Why Owners Who Skip This Lose Bookings

Guests have high expectations. They're paying premium rates during ski season and they expect a premium experience.

If your heat doesn't work, your couch is stained, or your kitchen is missing basic supplies, you'll get bad reviews. Bad reviews kill bookings.

If something breaks mid-season and you didn't catch it during prep, you're scrambling to fix it while a guest is already there. That's stressful for you and frustrating for them.

Properties that are well-maintained, clean, and fully stocked get better reviews, higher occupancy rates, and repeat bookings. The prep work pays for itself many times over.

How Property Managers Handle This

Good property managers walk properties before ski season and handle all of this for you. They schedule HVAC inspections, coordinate deep cleanings, replace worn items, and make sure everything is ready before the first guest arrives.

Bad property managers skip the prep work and hope nothing breaks. Then they're dealing with emergencies all season and your property suffers.

We walk our properties regularly. We know what needs attention before it becomes a problem. We coordinate inspections, cleanings, and repairs so everything is ready when ski season starts.

Our owners don't worry about prep work because we handle it. Their properties stay booked, guests leave happy, and income stays consistent.

Let Us Handle Your Pre-Season Prep

If you own a property in Copper Mountain and you're not sure where to start, reach out to us at larkmountain.com.

We'll walk your property, create a prep checklist, coordinate inspections and repairs, and make sure everything is ready before your first guest arrives.

Ski season is your biggest revenue opportunity. Don't leave it to chance.