FAQ

Questions, answered
without the hedging.

We are pre-launch. Where something is not built yet, this page says so rather than describing it in the present tense.

Section 01

The basics

What is Beaten Path?

A directory of mountain homes owned by people who actually use them. We introduce hosts and guests to each other. That is the whole product.

Do you handle the booking?

No. You and the host deal directly — dates, payment, keys, house rules, all of it. We are not a party to your booking and we do not take a cut of it.

That is deliberate. The moment a platform sits between a host and a guest holding the money, it starts optimising for itself. See the legal page for exactly where we stand.

Is it live?

Not yet. We are signing founding hosts and building around what they actually need. If you want early access, get on the list.

What does it cost?

For founding hosts, nothing during the launch period. Longer term the intent is a flat listing fee rather than a percentage of every booking — a cut of your revenue gives us an incentive we do not want.

Section 02

For guests

How is this different from Airbnb?

Smaller and narrower. Every house here is near something worth doing, and the person who owns it uses it for that too. You will not find a downtown condo with a no-shoes policy.

Can I bring gear inside?

Yes. That is close to the founding principle. Bikes, skis, wet ropes, a dog that swam in an alpine lake. Individual houses set their own limits, but "your equipment is not welcome indoors" disqualifies a listing.

Do you verify the houses?

No, and we will not claim otherwise. A founder has spoken to every founding host, but that is a conversation, not an inspection. We do not check permits, insurance or safety equipment. Satisfy yourself about a house before you book it, exactly as you would with any private rental.

What if something goes wrong?

You take it up with the host directly, because your agreement is with them. Tell us too — a host who handles problems badly does not stay listed.

Section 03

Cleaning and handover

Why is there no cleaning fee?

Because guests reset the house themselves and photograph it for the next party. It is how alpine huts have worked for a century. The full explanation is on The Handover.

What am I actually expected to do?

Roughly thirty minutes: strip beds, run the dishwasher, haul trash, sweep the mudroom, set the thermostat. Each host sets their own list. Nobody expects you to shampoo carpets.

Who sees my handover photos?

The host and the next guest. Not the public web, not marketing. Photograph rooms, not people.

What if the last guest left it a mess?

Say so immediately, with photos, before you settle in. That is precisely what the handover record is for — it establishes what you walked into rather than leaving it as your word against theirs.

Section 04

For hosts

Do I have to leave Airbnb?

No. Most founding hosts list in several places. Nothing here is exclusive.

Who handles payment?

You do, directly. We never touch guest money, which means no payout delays, no held funds, and no account freeze because an algorithm flagged something.

What about permits, insurance and tax?

Yours. Short-term rental rules are intensely local and we are in no position to advise on yours. Listing with us does not transfer any of that to us — the legal page spells it out.

Can I decline a guest?

Always, for any lawful reason. It is your house. Unlawful discrimination will get you removed.

How do I list?

Through the listing form. A person reads every submission and replies. There is no automated approval.