I am so excited for you. No, really, I am - when I was in the Army (a long long time ago) my regiment sent a team down to Austria for six weeks training and then onto France for two weeks of racing. But but but... please don't be under the illusion that I knew what I was doing, I didn't. I had done two hours of grass skiing and a hour on a dry slope... I had bluffed my way onto the team "Yes sir, I have skied before..."
And then, when I left the army I went and spent a season in Chatel, France, working any and every job I could find, skiing lots and er... drinking a little too much. But OMG I had a blast.
More recently I did part of a season instructing in Niseko (why yes, it does snow a lot) and part of last season instructing at Whistler. On top of that... I have spent most of the last 26 seasons at Big White - I know right! No I can't believe how old people my age are!!!
Anyways... so after that little preamble, ramble (see what I did there? I know you're impressed) I have a property management company, here at Big White that caters solely to seasonal staff. And yesterday I sent them a couple of notes for their ease of moving in etc etc etc.
And with a spark of, what I like to call, "Trump like genius" (which is the same as a regular genius except, you know, opposite) I thought I'd share it for both owners, renting to seasonal staff, and said staff themselves - for Free! How generous am I?
Well, of course I'm pretending to be nice, yes, to try and attract some extra business. Do you need a property manager...? We are for you. There, done. If... you're looking for a bed - sorry, we are full :(
If you are imminently arriving... this may help. If you are an owner sharing unit information, you can use this as a template - fill in the details, which are specific to your place; and viola - easy. Yes yes, I know 'Voila...' couldn't be bothered changing it.
Hey Everyone,
November 1st is quickly approaching... so I have a couple of bits of information for you.
Access
- The unit is XXXX - top floor, out of the elevator, turn left and follow your nose to the end.
- The unit is numbered and the access code is XXXX
- If you are bringing a vehicle - only two of you atm. The access code for the parkade is XXXX - please do not share this code.
- The parking stalls are numbered XXX and are to the far right of the garage door. Please take care to park between the lines, ensuring there is room for two vehicles nose to tail in the tandem spot.
- The ski locker is in the parkade to the left of the elevator doors. There are two ski lockers. The code for the ski locker door is XXXX- please don't share this code.
- All bedding and linens are provided and the beds have been prepared by my wife with lots of care and attention... cos that's the way she rolls... true story.
- There are sufficient towels for everyone.
Heating - this is important for everyone's comfort.
Modify below as you need.
- The floors are heated.
- But... you will not feel much if any. If you do, then the heat is set too high.
- Because the floor is such a huge area, a small change in the thermostat has a large impact on the overall temperature.
- And... moderating the temperature is like trying to change the direction of an oil tanker - it is slow and cumbersome.
- What tends to happen is someone is cold, turns up the heat and nothing happens... then they crank it up a little more... and nothing happens... and a little more...
- At 3am everyone wakes up in a sauna-like environment...
- And they turn the heat down... and nothing happens...
- And they turn the heat down further... etc etc etc... Are you getting the literal picture? I thought so - you guys are smarter than the average cookie.
- If you are cold - turn on the fireplace... if it gets warm turn off the fireplace.
- Bedrooms - the bedrooms are on a separate thermostat.
- I know most of you are Aussies from that big ol' hot continent... but, science has proven that people get better sleep in cooler bedrooms.
- I don't care if you want to walk around (mostly) naked... be considerate of your roomies.
- You will recall the hot tub does not function. This detail is specific to a specific unit - yours maybe different.
- On November 3rd the hot tub is being filled and tested.
- If it proves to be functioning... it will be run until it stops functioning.
- If it stops functioning... refer to point one.
- The non functioning hot tub will not be repaired.
- Tips to keep this non functioning hot tub functioning... is that an oxymoron...? Asking for a friend.
- It is a six person hot tub, the max number of people allowed, at any one time is...? Altogether now... SIX! Well done.
- Do not cause water to spill onto the deck.
- If the water level drops to low the pump will automatically switch off... not good.
- Then the water will stop heating... not good.
- Then the pipes will freeze... not good.
- Water flowing over the deck irritates the strata and they will issue a fine... this fine will be passed on to you guys... good...? No, not good.
- Do not bring your friends back from the bar to use the tub - this is not a thing... and is... yep, not good.
Smoking and Vaping.
- The XXXX (as well as the whole of Big White) is a non smoking, non vaping building. Neither in the unit, on the decks, in the parkade... or anywhere.
- If you do smoke or vape... are you Insane?
- Besides, if you are seen smoking or vaping on the deck, the strata will impose a $200 fine for every single infringement - this fine will be paid by you. $200 is typical for all stratas, as far as I know.
- "But our new bestie from the bar smoked on the deck..." The strata does not care... they will issue a fine. Which is... paid by you and... not good.
Noise.
- There is an eclectic mix of people staying in the building and in the unit... lifties, ski patrol, serving staff etc etc. everyone has different schedules - please respect each other's need for sleep and quiet times.
- Remember - this is a family vacation, mountain and building. Please don't ruin people's vacation or quiet enjoyment.
- Besides (that word again) the strata (yes, they are a fun bunch...) will fine the unit for noise violations, again it is $200 per infraction. not good.
- Top tips.
- Do not have parties.
- Do not bring people back from the bar.
- Be respectful of units below and to the side of you.
Ski and Snowboard Storage.
- Skis and snowboards must be kept in the lockers in the parkade.
- Doing this is a pain.
- But it must be done.
- Every time you bring skis boards indoors, you bring in ice and snow. Not good.
- This ice and snow melts and creates a very humid environment. Not good.
- This humidity then condenses onto the windows and walls. Not good.
- Creating an awesome environment for mold to develop... Not good.
- Let's keep everyone healthy... er... Good.
Gear Theft.
Every year jackets, skis and snowboards are taken - sometimes accidentally, sometimes opportunistically... don't be a statistic, look after your gear especially in the bars.
Drugs and Alcohol.
- Hmmm... this is a sensitive subject. But encouragingly, over the years with the changes in generational culture (whoa... that is a bit of terminology eh? I'm very proud of myself for that one) the incidences of alcohol/drug problems seem to be diminishing/lessening or if you wish, improving... however...
- Be careful.
- Make smart choices.
- Look after each other - there have been incidents at Big White of drinks being spiked.
- If something happens, call 911 - the fire department will be despatched immediately. They are competent, very well trained and... very good looking - true story.
- If you suspect your friend has had drugs or too much alcohol and they are struggling... call the fire department - They do not care, they are not the police, their sole job is to make things safe - information helps.
- Stay in control.
Here is a little self promotion... I'm ex-army so I have done carry drills, sober, having been taught the correct technique, using a stretcher or modified equipment, on dry land, with a team of highly trained squadies as carry partners... And STILL, and still, it is not easy.
Anyhoo back to the story... eventually the fire department are called and these trained, experienced, good looking, guys and girls turn up and do their thing. "Has the victim been drinking?" (they know the answer) "Has the victim had any drugs?" (they suspect the answer). "We don't care, we just need to know what kind." and finally "has the victim banged their head...?"
Remember the 'hard to carry bit'?
"Well... we did drop them on their head a couple of times..."
"...a couple of times..."?
The story had a happy ending, they were fine but you know, two-day hangover. But my point is...
Stay in Control!!!
This story may or may not be fabricated by me... no, I lie, of course it's fuching true.
Cleaning.
- Keep the place clean.
- You are all adults - clean up after yourselves.
- Recommendations - create a schedule for everyone.
- Take all garbage down to the waste bins every day. There are XXX of you - once every X days is not a big deal.
- Clean the bathrooms every day - individually once every XXXXX days is not a big deal.
- Clean the kitchen every day - if you use it, clean it.
- Vacuum common areas every day - your turn every XXX days is not a big deal.
- Vacuum your room every day - once every XXX days is... yep, not a big deal.
Repairs and Maintenance.
- Things break... the stove, bar fridge and microwave, (fill in your own details) are basically brand new.
- Things break pt 2... but please don't abuse things.
- Never ever put metal into a microwave...
- It has only happened three of four times over the years, but tenants have put metal in a microwave... it kills the microwave almost instantly.
- You can tell if metal has been placed in a microwave as there are burn marks on the inside of said machine... you are looking at a $500 replacement cost.
- Replacing a microwave can take weeks...
- Do not put anything in the toilet other than toilet paper-
- No sanitary products - the toilet will block, and possibly flood - flooding a toilet is not fun.
- No kitchen roll.
- There are two plumbers on the mountain - getting a plumber in the off season is a challenge (I know, my wife does the admin for one of the plumbers and he is a really good friend... so you know 'I' can get a plumber... after about a month). Getting a plumber during the season... to fix your toilet... ha! Good luck.
- Quick question for you. Was the toilet working when you arrived? Yes? And is the toilet working now? No? Then you blocked the toilet...
- Things break pt 3...
- Most of you hairy aussies shed hair like the local bernese mountain dogs... this hair gets stuck in shower drains... and eventually blocks them. This is... altogether now... "Not good."
- If the drains start to drain slowly - add some draino. They sell it in the market, if, there is none in the unit.
- If this doesn't work send the owner a message.
- Do not let water sit in shower basins - especially the tiled basin.
Getting to Kelowna.
There is a Facebook Group for rideshare. My recommendation is to join it - you don't really need a vehicle at Big White.
Okay that's it from me. Sólido Properties has been owning, managing, buying, selling, developing property at Big White since 2001 (we built the Edge, Timbers etc). We have managed as many as 25 properties per season and many of our clients are still with us. If you're thinking we need a fixed, guaranteed, (we have never missed a rental payment) revenue stream... you can email me at solidorentals@gmail.com if you're thinking "Hmmm... I wanna know more about this dude." Well, there are lots of blog posts to the right of the screen.
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