Thoughts about 2024 and looking forward to 2025

I've recently returned from closing down and locking up for the winter. Snows arrived early this year (well compared to the last number of years) and combined with sub-zero temperatures, it all meant a risk of freezing waterpipes which obviously I don't want!

Closing down this year I reflected - more of reminded myself - on a few things:-

- it's a great place for a base for walking and scrambling without crowds. The highest peak in the area is just over 2600m so that means no queues on routes as everyone is over on the Matterhorn or Monte Rosa... Although the long-distance GTA runs very close by which does attract some numbers, it's very easy to find yourself alone on a nearby summit just taking it all in.

- for the less energetic, although the cabin is only 10 minutes walk to the centre of the village, it's still far enough away for solitude and a retreat-like feeling. Nearby easy forest walks to the river or a couple of hours for lunch to the nearby refuge are all do-able for everyone.

Weather is Key!

It is anywhere but it seems that in this part of the Alps, the transition between Spring-Summer and Summer-Autumn, are the wettest and least predictable times to go. So essentially May and October, give or take. And when it rains, it rains... Unfortunately, I had people staying in both of these times this year and it was a wash-out.

- back to back reservations with only a day or so in between people coming and going causes some stress! Although I have a local person able to come in and change pillow cases and give the place a clean, it's the commercial lets (more on that below) that I really find pressurising.

All that said, and thinking ahead to 2025, my preference is to let the cabin to people I know and/or people who have already stayed in it and all their direct contacts. So even though I may not personally know the person(s) staying, there is a link of sorts in that they are maximum one step removed from people I do know.

That's my preference. Whilst I have used a commercial short-term letting website over the last two years, it's their clients paying commercial rates that I feel most under pressure from and so I really prefer to ensure future lets are more personal.

If you're wondering whether the cabin is free for the time that you're thinking of, and what “Pay as you Can” is all about, have a look at the FAQ page where you’ll also find a link for the on-line calendar. Then message me on the Find Out More page.

Have a great Christmas and New Year season and see you in 2025!

Des