How much rent to charge?

[gusko]

Hi. I have completed the 2nd renovation on my rental property in Bulgaria . Now I am getting the documents together to open up for guests. I am keen to be operating for this winter season. The original price point I was thinking of was 200 euro a day during the summer and 300 euro a day in the winter to cover the extra heating costs. The house sleeps 8 people in 4 bedrooms I am happy with that price point and am not interested in offering discounts etc as i would rather not work than work for a pittance.

My problem is that I am now purchasing a parcel of land next door to my house , the initial reason for buying this was for the fruit trees and having a vegetable garden to spend my time there and not be in the guests way, but easy to find me for any help they need.

Now the land is pretty much a cliff with a few flat ledges that have trees and 2 areas that can grow vegetables, once I build an access road for a minitractor to plough the land.

The land has a vertical drop of say 40-50m from the road to the river . While I was there last week doing a bit of strimming I had an idea to create a snow park for the winter season. This will have a gentle sledging run and a few snow park obstacles like rails and little jumps .

The terrain really is perfect to construct a big air jump .To make this happen an investment of 20-25000 euros will get a capable snow making machine set -up , a certified new rope tow system to get the guests back up the hill and a custom built air bag landing ramp .

This will make my property unique in Europe .

What king of price hike should I be thinking of ?, my opinion is to start at 500 euro a day and max out at 1000 euros a day peak season, ie half term .

In the ski resort Bansko , 10km away , an equivalent chalet for self catering starts at 2500euros a week in the ski season, but obviously a premium is attached due to the distance to the chair lifts .

If I can get nearer the 1000euros a day price point I can just work the winter and have 8 months off a year to enjoy my property and semi retirement

Am I being realistic ? Or should the mark up be a lot less?

Any advice will be appreciated.

[LooneyTunes]

Why the winter season? Anyone serious is going to hit a resort and anyone not serious won't want a mini-park.

Space to do something like this for the summer season when people are missing the slopes and short on options? https://bangerpark.com/

[trickywoo]

I don’t want to be negative but sounds like you are making a headache for yourself with the equipment.

Everything breaks down at some point and if people have paid potentially 7k for a week and something doesn’t work they aren’t going to be happy.

I’d be terrified of an injury claim because of potentially defective equipment as well.

[gusko]

Hi thanks for the replies

I am not interested in opening a stand alone facility,, the project is strictly for my guests.

I may need to expand my budget a little bit for the tow lift as trumpys tariffs are messing iwth my ability to get a transport quote..

I could go the 2nd hand route and purchase from Europe for a little less...options options

During my younger years I operated a snowmobile company and various other extreme sports activities , included in this experience I transported proffesional skiiers and snowboarders plus film crew etc up into the mountains to film big jumps , advertising clips .

The kind of athlete that loves big jumps will stay in a snow park all day and is not interested in the rest of the resort

Progressing your skill level is vastly accelerated using an air bag landing system. Having a dedicated tow for the snow park is allowing 3-5 x the amount of jumps per hour compared to using the main lift infrastructure.

A dedicated jump / big air instructor starts around 200 an hour.

I have been on many ski holidays with groups of people and a fair few spend all week just hitting the same jump

The air bag landing system insures no blood or broken bones...

[paddy1970]

Yes, you are being realistic. In fact, your idea has the potential to carve out a niche that could command exactly the premium you are targeting.

My recommendations would be to:

Launch winter 1 with €500–€600 per night standard, €800–€1,000 peak.

Market aggressively on uniqueness, exclusivity, and safety.

Focus on attracting families, freestyle enthusiasts, and pro/influencer groups.

Keep summer rates as-is until you add summer-specific features.

[gusko]

Hi . The lift pass price for 1 day at the local ski resort Bansko was 56 euro a day

So if I charge 800 euro a day for example that divided by 8 people is only 100 euro a day for accomodation and a private snow park to play on ,, I really do think its got potential.

I think easing into it is the best way this season by first off getting a snow machine to guarantee a luge /sledding track .Whilst also making a start on reprofiling the land ready for the jump construction.

Please keep offering any positive or negative thoughts

[m3jappa]

trickywoo said:

I don’t want to be negative but sounds like you are making a headache for yourself with the equipment.

Everything breaks down at some point and if people have paid potentially 7k for a week and something doesn’t work they aren’t going to be happy.

I’d be terrified of an injury claim because of potentially defective equipment as well.

I think its now only us Brits who have been brainwashed by years and years of health and safety stuff who think like this.

I am continually amazed when I visit other countries how 'dangerous' things are and you just sign a waiver or nothing at all.

I went away to Switzerland the other week, I was speechless that at 5 years old you can do paragliding yes a fking 5yr old is allowed to(tandem) to jump off a cliff

We went up a small mountain and up the top were dozens of scooters, again I believe any age could use as long as with a parent. So someone who's never ridden one, never signed anything can just jump on these things and ride down a mountain road (with active traffic). we did it , it was great. I mean the second you let off the brake speed increased very very quickly. you had to ride the brakes all the way really. It really was potentially lethal.

Im no health and safety person and love some danger but as I say, I think we've been brainwashed into thinking anything could result in a massive claim.

[biggiles]

If skiers are spending thousands per night, they might not be spending it in Bansquo, or a (very nice) chalet 10km outside Bansquo? How many local places charge that amount?

In my experience, most teenage snowboarders would just get themselves a shovel and make some jumps on a suitable slope.

If you can staff your setup, perhaps it could work as a standalone venue?

[gusko]

Thanks again for the replies.

I must admit a few of the replies justified my decision to leave the Uk 20years ago.

Living in a foreign country is not the same as just holidaying there .I have kind of embraced the local ways , the work - life equation is different and Bulgaria excels in things to do apart from work.
I would rather work 3 months a year than 12 , so aiming for this higher value experience seems the right thing to do.

I had a brief think about keeping the big air jump and just adapting it for mountain bikes .... not my scene , I know nothing about the sport and have no interest to get involved,

Another comment about UK safety views/concerns are valid,.This is why I am using my expertise to offer a safe fun experience.