The Question: “I’m coming there for a day this weekend. Unfortunately I might need to do some work while my family skis, so is there Wi-Fi available at the resort? If there is, can you recommend a quiet place for me to sit down with my laptop?”

Working remotely is becoming the norm. Even those with office jobs occasionally need to take care of some business while out and about, including, sadly, when they’re at a ski area with the family. In other cases, young professionals would rather take their laptop to the mountain and work in the lodge so they can make some turns on their lunch break.

More and more ski areas are recognizing this, and some are even opening on-resort shared office spaces that telecommuting guests can use for a fee. On the other end of the spectrum, several ski areas still don’t even have free Wi-Fi for guests to use.

As is always the case, however, Mountain Spy doesn’t reward resort staffers for saying “yes” to our bi-monthly query. Whoever handles it best gets the thumbs-up.

Have a question we can use for a future Mountain Spy? Send it to Dave Meeker, dave@saminfo.com.

MOUNTAIN 1, NY

Answering phone: Automated machine. Chose guest services.
First contact: Male.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: There is Wi-Fi! It’s going to be (network name) and the username is X, and the password is X.
SAM: Great. Just in case I forget the piece of paper I wrote that down on, is that info posted in the lodge, or …?
Staff: Yeah, you can ask anyone who works at the mountain and they’ll be able to tell you. Well, they should be able to tell you. If you come to the guest service desk, we’ll definitely be able to help you out.
SAM: OK, cool. I know it’s probably going to be a little busy, but can you recommend a relatively quiet spot that I could sit with my laptop?
Staff: X is a nice little restaurant area. They could probably sit you down in there. When are you coming?
SAM: Either Saturday or Sunday, we haven’t decided yet.
Staff: Well, neither day should be too too bad. And when you get here, if you have any questions, definitely come over to the guest service desk and we can help you out with a couple spots that might be a little quieter.
SAM: Terrific. Thanks! I appreciate it, man.
Staff: Yeah, no problem. Have a good one.

Score: 9.5
Comment: This guy is good at what he does. The .5 deduction is not his fault, it’s the resort’s. This is the first time I’ve gotten a human on the phone after several attempts.

MOUNTAIN 2, CO

Answering phone: Automated machine. Chose guest services.
First contact: Male.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: There is, yes, there is.
SAM: Great. Is it free?
Staff: Yep.
SAM: Terrific. I know it’s going to be busy, but can you recommend a relatively quiet spot that I could go to get some work done?
Staff: You’re gonna have to find that quiet spot, buddy (snickers).
SAM: (laughs uncomfortably) OK. So, I just need to search around?
Staff: Yeah. Yeah.
SAM: Alrighty. I’ll try and search out a quiet corner if I can.
Staff: Yup. Thanks.

Score: 2
Comment: Buddy? Thanks for the help, chief.

MOUNTAIN 3, UT

Answering phone: Automated machine. Chose operator.
First contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: (pause, then, sounding gruff) I can’t answer that for certain. I think, we ah, we didn’t have it for awhile, and then I think we may have gotten it back. I don’t know. I really don’t know. (sounds like she’s chewing on something)
SAM: OK. Is there anyone who—
Staff: (interrupting) Yeah, lemme go ask. Hang on. (holding for about a minute) I guess we do have it in the X, but it’s not very good.
SAM: OK, um, gotcha. Is it, ah, free for guests?
Staff: Free. Yeah, mmhmm.
SAM: Is there a spot that I can go there and work on my laptop?
Staff: X floor. X floor, mmhmm.
SAM: Alright. Thanks.
Staff: Yeah, thanks, bye.

Score: 2
Comment: Two points for asking another staffer. The score would certainly have been higher if she just handed the phone to another staffer.

MOUNTAIN 4, OH

Answering phone: Automated machine. Chose operator.
First contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: There is! Right here. We have a lot of folks who come here and get work done while their family skis. So, yeah. We have Wi-Fi!
SAM: OK, cool. Is there any particular spot that would be best for be go that might be a little quieter? I know weekends are busy.
Staff: Well, usually folks go upstairs or by the fireplace.
SAM: Awesome. Thanks! See you this weekend.
Staff: You’re welcome. Buh bye.

Score: 8
Comment: Very pleasant and knowledgeable. Great job!

MOUNTAIN 5, MN

Answering phone: Automated machine. Chose operator.
First contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: There definitely is Wi-Fi in all the lodges. The network and stuff should be posted all around, but it’s X. All the lodges have Wi-Fi. As to which one is quieter this weekend…I’m not sure. The X is the bigger one, so there might be a back table you could cozy up at. But all of them will be open this weekend.
SAM: OK, great. Thanks so much!
Staff: You’re welcome. Bye.

Score: 8
Comment: I love Minnesotan accents, especially when spoken by such a nice lady. Short and sweetheart.

MOUNTAIN 6, MA

First contact: Male.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: We have a lodge with Wi-Fi, yup. On the weekend, quiet might not be the word I’d use to describe what it’s like in there (laughs). But, I mean, there are places outside that you could make phone calls and it would be fine. But, I would say your best bet is not gonna be to try and make phone calls inside the lodge.
SAM: Ha! That’s cool. I just need to do some work on my computer and shouldn’t need to make any calls. Is the Wi-Fi free?
Staff: Oh, yeah. The Wi-Fi is actually pretty good. And it’s free. There’s no password or anything.
SAM: Great. Thanks, man.
Staff: You’re welcome. Bye.

Score: 8
Comment: Another great job by a super nice kid. I appreciate his honesty, too.

MOUNTAIN 7, PA

First contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question (interrupted).
Staff: We don’t have Wi-Fi, sir.
SAM: OK ... (interrupted).
Staff: We don’t have Wi-Fi in the lodge. OK?
SAM: Alright. Thanks.
Staff: You’re welcome.

Score: 0
Comment: Ugh. It’s fine that you don’t have Wi-Fi, but why talk to me like I’m wasting your time for asking?

MOUNTAIN 8, BC

First contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Unfortunately, there is not.
SAM: OK, gotcha. Is there anyplace nearby that might have it?
Staff: Well, you could drive down to Nelson and there are some places in town that have it. Of course, you’re more than welcome to bring your computer here and work on any files you have saved, but I’m sorry to say we don’t have Wi-Fi. Unfortunately there is no cell phone service, either.
SAM: Oh, gotcha. So, totally unplugged, eh?
Staff: We definitely strive for that (laughs). Some people find it challenging, particularly if they’re trying to get caught up on work, but, ah, yeah!
SAM: Well, hey, if I’m coming there to ski I shouldn’t even be asking about work.
Staff: (laughing) Hey, sometimes it just catches up on ya and it’s all you can do!
SAM: That is true. Alright, I’ll see you this weekend anyway.
Staff: Oh, great! Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.
SAM: No, you were very helpful. Skiing is far more important than work (laughs).
Staff: (laughing) Priorities, priorities. Well, safe travels to you and we’ll see you when you get here!
SAM: Thanks very much!
Staff: You’re very welcome. Have a great day.

Score: 10
Comment: OK, so you don’t go here to do work, because there’s no Wi-Fi, nor can you share photos of your epic powder day because there’s no cell service—but this young lady knocked it out of the park.

Identity revealed: Whitewater Ski Area, B.C.