The full guide on winterizing your short term rental
Cold-season life in Mammoth Lakes is part wonder, part hard work – and if you rent your place out, you’ve probably felt just how tough the conditions can get. From frozen pipes to heavy snow, the risks are real.
The good news is, with some solid preparation, you can protect your investment, keep guests safe and comfortable.
At Mammoth Property Management, we’ve walked through this process hundreds of times with homeowners just like you. In this guide, I’ll share practical winterization tips that you can start implementing today, plus explain why having professional support can ease your stress and safeguard your rental.
Start winter prep in early October with heating system inspections, pipe insulation, and professional snow removal contracts.
Remote owners need either multiple mountain trips for maintenance or local property management for on-site inspections, vendor coordination, and emergency response. Properties that skip winter prep risk costly pipe damage and canceled bookings during ski season.
The winters here get cold and fast, which creates unique challenges for Mammoth Lakes short term rentals, especially for owners who don’t live locally. Temperatures can plunge into the single digits, and snowfalls of over a foot overnight are common. Without proper winter prep, you risk costly damage like burst pipes, ice dams on the roof, and even guest injuries from icy walkways.
Burst pipes can easily lead to thousands in repairs and lost bookings as guests cancel or leave poor reviews. But for remote owners, the real challenge is coordinating everything from hundreds of miles away. Taking emergency time off work, driving six hours in a snowstorm, finding available plumbers during peak season, and paying premium emergency rates.
On the flip side, a well-prepared rental builds trust and attracts repeat visitors who know they’ll be warm, safe, and worry-free.
Starting early gives you time to spot and fix issues without rushing or paying premium emergency rates during peak snow season. Here’s a thorough checklist based on experiences shared by Mammoth hosts and property managers.
Trying to coordinate everything via phone during emergencies. When your furnace dies late on a Friday, and you’re in San Diego, finding someone who’ll answer becomes extremely difficult. Remote coordination works for routine maintenance. It fails for winter emergencies that need immediate on-site response.
Starting prep after Thanksgiving. By then, you’re competing with every other property owner trying to schedule vendors during peak season. Prices increase, and availability shrinks.
Assuming guests will handle snow removal. This creates liability when they can’t keep up with heavy Mammoth storms
Managing utilities reactively instead of proactively. Smart thermostats give you real-time visibility and control over heating costs.
Skipping attic insulation checks. You won’t know there’s a problem until pipes burst and you’re coordinating repairs from two states away.
Winter can be unpredictable. Even if you do all the prep yourself, having a local property management team means fast help when unexpected issues come up—whether it’s a broken heater, a burst pipe, or urgent snow clearing.
At Mammoth Property Management, we coordinate repairs, keep open communication with you and your guests, and help maintain your rental’s reputation during the busiest season.
Taking these steps not only protects your property but also creates confidence for your guests that they’ll have a safe, cozy experience, no matter how fierce the winter gets.
The full guide on winterizing your short term rental Cold-season life..
Early October, before consistent snow arrives and before every other property owner is competing for the same vendors. If you’re managing from out of town, either plan a trip up in early October or hire property management to handle pre-season inspections.
They’re your local eyes and problem-solvers. Pre-season inspections happen without you driving up. Snow removal gets coordinated in real time during storms. When heat fails early in the morning, they have a tech there within hours. You get updates and photos via text instead of emergency phone calls.
Consider the alternatives: burst pipes coordinated remotely (thousands in repairs plus lost bookings), poor reviews from preventable problems (lost future revenue), or emergency trips up the mountain (time off work, gas, stress). Many remote owners transition to local management after experiencing the coordination challenges firsthand.
Property Manager and Airbnb Host
Property Manager and Airbnb Host
Jessica Rivera is a dedicated property manager and Airbnb host with 10 years of experience in real estate. Based in Irvine, she excels at creating exceptional guest experiences and helping property owners maximize their rental income.
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