How to Ski While Working Remotely
In these trying times, it’s important to find space for #selfcare. So we consulted our ambassadors Kersten and Matt (and resident Masters of Fun) on how to fit a wellness routine into our crazier-by-the-minute schedules. Read on for some insider tips from the CEOs of having a good time.
We’ve all been there. There’s a big storm on the horizon but you’ve got a “real job” without any flexibility. Lucky for you, you’re still working remotely. Before you send a Slack to try to convince your manager to exchange your sick leave for powder days, here is a fully-vetted plan to keep your boss at bay and your skis at play.
Preparation
The bulk of the work comes down to preparation. Do the work now, and you’ll shred what you sow — in about a week’s time.
Zooms and Hangouts can be fatal for flexible remote work. Set the stage with a malfunctioning camera so your coworkers don’t get suspicious on the knee-deep day when your camera is off. It’s recommended that you also begin to incorporate white noise in the background of calls and zooms, so when they hear the real white noise on your powder day, they're none the wiser. This playlist is a good starting place, but feel free to record your own. If you absolutely need to be on camera, use a green screen like Frankie LaPenna.
The average American is caught on security cameras 34 times a day, and the average American skier is no different. So, avoid your usual kit and either borrow or get something new. Best to borrow a buddy’s car, skis, boots, ID, ski pass, and poles while you’re at it. Take from the wrong loose-lipped friend, and your entire plan could go asunder, so choose wisely. Make sure to turn location sharing off on your phone. Better yet, use a burner phone, avoid laptop work, and destroy after using. Do not accept cookies. Unless you ski at Beaver Creek.
Day Of
Pack a small bag with your burner phone, laptop (if using), chargers, rental gear, and rental pass, and take off in your rental Subaru Outback, or similar, and get ready to work (on your face shots). Do not pack goggles, given their predisposition for creating obvious tan lines. If you do make the mistake of wearing them, you’ll need to cover it up tomorrow, much like everything else.
Long lines and slow lifts provide the perfect place to get your calls out of the way. Avoid getting on chairs with strangers. If a liftie forces your hand, make sure to keep the bar up and prepare for a swift evacuation if your liftmate starts asking probing questions like, "how’s your day going?"
If you need to work inside at any point, summit lodges usually have the best service. And by service, I mean bar service. Cell service is pretty rough up there.
The Aftermath
It’s no secret that skiing’s biggest perk is the elevation of your Personal Brand, so it’s undoubtedly tempting to share content from your snow day on Instagram. For obvious reasons, posting day-of should be avoided at all costs. But if your gear-trading friend doesn’t mind getting fired, let them post to their account so you can receive a secondhand dopamine rush when their comments, likes, and reprimands roll in. Or, sit on your content until the weekend, and if your coworkers ask where you found all that untouched powder, just tell them you "worked" for it.
Another storm rolling through next week? Prepare to start all over again tomorrow!
