 Poster: A snowHead
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Well, not just me, but three others also.
Scenario:
A good mate of mine is a chef (won UK pub restaurant of the year 2007 and was third in 2006 - against some very acclaimed competition). His wife runs front of house in the ventures they've been involved with.
My SO and I have been debating for a while about doing a season. A couple of weekends ago we went to stay with our friends (they're just opening a re-vamped restaurant in Melton Mowbray) and over a few wines we started to develop an idea of taking over a chalet next season. As a combined unit we do have some very relevant skills. Apart from the chef, I am quite capable in a kitchen and reasonably "handy", my mate's SO has superb customer service and dining service skills. My SO is fluent in French, German and Spanish. We're all grafters - not afraid of hard work and get on as a group. As for working with one another, the SO and I have helped them open 2 previous ventures including gutting and re-decorating a pub within tight deadlines.
So, we discussed running an "up-market" chalet, probably France or Switzerland where the emphasis would be on high-quality food and service. Probably not Descent International level, but something between that and the better chalet hotel/catered chalet experiences.
The aim is to do something that has financial benefit, the chance to scope out a future business opportunity, to improve lifestyle, to pursue a dream and work in a healthy environment.
The questions:
1) We're not looking to buy anywhere - so are there companies that "rent" chalets that would suit our purpose?
2) Should we be overly concerned with the credit crunch - we're hoping to appeal to a market less affected by the financial turmoil?
3) Does anyone have any experience of this, or know of anyone who has?
4) Suggestions/recommendations/cautionary comments?
Thanks
Mark
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I've no clue re: advice...but count me in as a chalet girl 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Schuss in Boots, well if you can handle a drink, can burn the candle at both ends and don't wear spyder gear or talk landy, you're in 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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1) Yes
2) Concerned? Certainly, but not to the extent where you don't look into it in more detail
3) Yes, but not at this end of the market
4) Get some incriminating photo's of your bank manager in a compromising position before having the chat about overdrafts and charges
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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No advice, just 'Nice Dream' comment. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Chasseur, it's something that's been discussed around our dining table too - MrsFE and her sister have incredible front-of-house panache and her sister has worked in some of the best hotels in the country. MrsFE is a wonderful manager and organiser, I'm capable in the kitchen and speak fluent French, and sis-in-law's bloke is an engineer and mechanic par excellence and can handle the manual and operational stuff.
We'd not be anything like good enough to step straight into the upper echelons, but I'd fancy us to be able to run a happy, homely chalet on a strict budget!
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FastEddie, the mate I was referring to (chef) has already had experience as a head chef at a couple of exclusive Swiss chalets, a few private yachts and in hotels on private islands - he's good, but a "typical" chef. Also understands the client expectation. Can also play the piano (once with Billy Joel  ) and skis like a maniac!
Against the background of his experience, we reckoned targeting a more affluent market would require not only serious hard work, but an opportunity to operate at a level that wouldn't be quite so affected by the economic situation.
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Chasseur, sounds like you have the perfect chalet hosting team.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
| My SO is fluent in French, German and Spanish. |
That gives you more than a starter for 10, I'd say. An I agree with arv. Good luck.
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Doesn't Parlor rent his chalet? Might be worth sending him a PM to ask a few questions.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Chasseur, as people say, Parlor runs something along these lines. he does rent his chalet. also do a bit of a search because i think he did a couple of threads on this topic (although he got a bit of a hard time for pimping on one so that might have been pulled  )
i'd be a bit wary of assuming that operating towards the top end will insulate you from the credit crunch. it possibly puts you right into the demographic most affected - ie city types who can afford luxury when the times are good but who are now contemplating severely cut bonuses or possibly having to scrape by on savings until things turn around.
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Chasseur, Sounds like you have the necessary skills and enthusiasm for your dream, go for it and good luck 
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You know it makes sense.
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Main comment: I'm sure everybody who stays in your chalet will have a fantastic time, and excellent skiing.
I'm equally certain that you will hate every minute of it; never go skiing; and even when you do ski, you'll be too tired to enjoy it - and anyway it will be part of your job - a bit of guiding.
The best thing about this, is after a whole season of it, you'll never want to ski again, so you can put this madcap idea behind you forever more!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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Hi Chasseur, Nina and I fell into our life in the mountains. Came for a season and stayed, common story. Now run a B&B and self catering appt here in Morzine and also for my sins organise the Morzine Chalet Group. Mainly to assist everyone with transfers, mutual help and all that. Fewer vans on the road means more drivers on the snow (in theory).
Point is, this year has been a bumper year for new chalet companies joining the group. Possibly due to many companies downsizing due to the financial climate and a glut of available chalets. Give it a go, no one is making a fortune, but the lifestyle is good.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Chasseur, you sound super well-qualified. At the risk of getting another sarky comment from Guvnor, I'd say you'd need to think very hard about your marketing. My son is about to start a job in a very luxurious, new, meribel chalet run by a French family. They'll be there for a month throughout the season, they have one 2 week let (to Russians.... ) but other than that no lettings yet. Their first week, mid December, they're getting some journalists in for a freebie but it seems rather unlikely that they'll get it anything like full for the season. There are an awful lot of these top end chalets, it seems.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Seems that there are quite a few 'homes' rented out by the owners as 'chalets' for the winter season so maybe just rent a half decent chalet and give it a go for a season, pimp like mad, work out the glitches, then do an up-market one next season where the costs are higher but rewards are higher too.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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pam w, good advice. Amongst my wide and varied career, I had 5 years in marketing, but wouldn't pretend to be a specialist in this area. Have a few ideas though.
DallyPaul, hey, good for you Do you own or rent your chalet?
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FAQ
So may be an excellent season to start as things can only get better
