Sorry, No Refunds for Winter Being...Wintry: Adventures at a Mountain B&B
Running a cozy bed and breakfast in the snow-capped mountains of central Europe sounds idyllic, right? Crackling fireplaces, panoramic views, and, of course, an endless parade of guests thrilled to embrace winter’s chill. But sometimes, the real adventure isn’t on the slopes—it’s fielding calls from guests who seem surprised that winter involves, well, wintry weather.
This week, I stumbled across a gem on Reddit’s r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk that perfectly captures the comic absurdity—and occasional drama—of hospitality in the cold season. It’s a story of icy roads, worried parents, cancellation requests, and one B&B owner’s quest for sanity (and maybe a self-refilling cheese platter). If you’ve ever worked in hospitality—or just love a good “people are wild” tale—this one’s for you.
When “Winter Getaway” Meets “Icy Reality”
Let’s set the scene: Our narrator, u/Kwecks, runs a B&B in the mountains with their partner Chris. It’s February. The snow has been falling for weeks, enticing skiers and sledders from city life into a winter wonderland just a few hours away. Enter Jennifer Cole, who books a weekend stay for herself and her boyfriend Pierre—presumably to enjoy all that frosty goodness.
But there’s a twist: Jennifer and her father, Mr. Cole, seem to have missed the memo that mountain winters are, well, cold and icy. After booking, Jennifer bombards the B&B with calls, anxious about her father’s all-weather tires and whether they’ll survive the treacherous journey. Kwecks, ever the professional, advises caution and proper winter tires—a tip every snow-country local would agree with.
The calls escalate, culminating in Mr. Cole himself phoning in to demand a cancellation and a refund, citing “inclement weather.” The owner’s response? A masterclass in polite resolve: “Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds due to cold weather in winter.”
The punchline? Jennifer and Pierre arrive safely, have a great time, and are back from skiing the next day. Sometimes, a little perspective (and an extra layer) goes a long way.
“Hello, I’d Like to Cancel My Winter Vacation Because of…Winter”
It’s hard not to laugh at the core irony here, a point that several Redditors quickly jumped on. As u/soda_cookie quipped, “Hello, I'd like to cancel my booking at a winter location to have a winter getaway because of winter.” The refrain echoed by many: if you book a trip to the mountains in February, you should probably expect snow and ice. After all, as u/kb-g pointed out, “They were complaining about ice when they were coming up to ski?! Do the two not go hand-in-hand where you are??” Even the OP admitted bafflement: “I was wondering the same thing!”
But there’s more to this than just a funny misunderstanding. The story touches on a universal truth in hospitality: Guests sometimes have expectations…that defy reality. As u/VariousExplorer8503 observed, “People. Never fail to amaze me, and not in a good way.” Still, there’s empathy for Jennifer—she’s just 19, and as OP later shared, “this is a very unusual winter for her…we really haven’t had winters as harsh as this one in a long time.” Maybe this was her first real brush with old-school winter, and dad’s protective instincts kicked in hard.
The community also speculated about Mr. Cole’s motives. Was he genuinely concerned about his daughter’s safety and his precious car? Or was there a hint of parental meddling, using the weather as a pretext to keep his daughter from a weekend away with her boyfriend? As u/Mira_DFalco mused, “I’m wondering how much of this was about the weather, and how much was daddy trying to find a reasonable excuse to keep his girl from going off somewhere with her boyfriend.” There’s something universal in that, too: the dance between letting go and holding on.
The Realities of Running a B&B in Winter
Behind the scenes, life at a mountain B&B isn’t just answering funny phone calls. OP’s cleaning lady, for instance, had slipped on the ice and was out for a week with a heavily bruised knee (not broken, as OP clarified after a lively debate on the meaning of “busted” in the comments—turns out regional slang can be perilous terrain). With staff down, Kwecks and Chris were left to do it all: breakfasts, checkouts, cleaning, and, of course, fielding requests for weather-related cancellations.
Despite the stress, OP’s professionalism shone through. As u/Different_One265 noted admiringly, “Congrats on doing so well with the whole situation. As I am older—I sometimes, have less patience with some people. Kudos.” And when the guests finally arrived, Kwecks greeted them warmly, even worrying when Jennifer and Pierre were running late. In the end, Jennifer was “quite pleasant” in person—a reminder that sometimes, our phone personas don’t tell the whole story.
Community Wisdom: Weather, Words, and Warmth
The comment section on this tale was as entertaining as the story itself. Beyond the laughs, there were little nuggets of wisdom:
- On tire advice: “Winter tires use a very soft rubber that stays flexible below 45F (7C)—not much help on ice… unless your definition of winter tires are those that have studs…” (u/Ioftencatchflies, dropping some car-nerd knowledge.)
- On language: The debate over whether “busted” means “broken” or “just banged up” got delightfully heated. “Busted means busted, the word for broken is in fact ‘broken’,” said one, while others insisted it’s perfectly fine for “busted” to mean bruised. Either way, most agreed: falling on ice is no fun, and “sending your cleaning lady get well soon vibes” is always appreciated (thanks, u/Glowing_Trash_Panda).
- On perspective: u/Margali reminded everyone that harsh winters used to be the norm, and it’s only recent years that have softened expectations. “Welcome to a real winter,” they wrote—a sentiment echoed by many in snow-prone regions.
In the end, hospitality is all about flexibility, empathy, and a dash of humor. As u/Kwecks summed up, “People are always fascinating (it’s part of why we love what we do), but there sure are some queer folk out there.”
Conclusion: Hot Cocoa, Cold Weather, and the Joys of Hospitality
If there’s a moral to this story, it’s that winter is cold, people are unpredictable, and B&B owners deserve medals for their patience. Whether you’re planning a ski getaway or just booking a weekend escape, remember: sometimes, the weather will be exactly what you signed up for.
Have you ever encountered a “Jennifer Cole” moment—either as a guest or a host? Share your stories in the comments below! And if you’re traveling to the mountains this winter…maybe check your tires before you call the front desk.
Stay warm, stay kind, and may your cheese platters always be full.
Original Reddit Post: 'Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds due to cold weather in winter.'