THE QUESTION:  ”DO YOU HAVE A SPACE WHERE I CAN WORK FROM THE MOUNTAIN?”

While many adults are headed back to the office, the work from home trend (and generally more flexible work hours) galvanized by the pandemic continues to gain steam. Mountains have an opportunity to capture these flexible folks. That’s not to say that your base lodge needs to become a shared workspace, but amenities like free Wi-Fi or a quite space for conference calls can make your mountain a more viable option for the remote worker who is looking to squeeze in a few laps between Zoom meetings. So, the Spy called around to see what resorts have to offer for guests who want to “work from the mountain.” 

As always, it’s not about the answer, it’s about the attitude.  

Been asked an interesting question this season? Send it to dave@saminfo.com for the Spy to pose to other mountains! We won’t tell anyone the question came from you. Plus, if we use it, your resort will be immune for that issue.

MOUNTAIN 1, MN

First contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Yeah, there’s tables upstairs in the cafeteria.

SAM: OK. Is there Wi-Fi?

Staff: Umm, good question. Hold on. (brief hold) No, there is not.

SAM: Oh, OK. Is there a space to store my computer while I ski?

Staff: Yeah, you can buy a locker downstairs by where they serve food.

SAM: OK. Thank you.

Staff: Yep, you are welcome. Bye.

Score: 4

Comment: I appreciate that she took the time to find the right answer to my Wi-Fi question. Wish I hadn’t had to prompt for every bit of information, though. And, it didn’t affect the score, but no Wi-Fi?!?

MOUNTAIN 2, WI

First contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Well, we have the cafeteria.

SAM: OK. Do you have Wi-Fi?

Staff: Yes.

SAM: Is it free to use?

Staff: Yes.

SAM: Do you have anywhere that I can store my computer?

Staff: Yes, we have lockers.

SAM: Alright.

Staff: Yep. Goodbye. 

Score: 3

Comment: Well, she clearly did not want to talk with me. She answered my questions, but monosyllabic responses are not the way to make new customers (or endear returning ones). 

MOUNTAIN 3, ID

First contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Yeah, kind of. So, I think you could work at our restaurant, [name], but it is a sit-down restaurant, so you would have to order and work like that. There is [building name], which is probably better. It’s more cafeteria style. 

SAM: OK.

Staff: I cannot guarantee how good the internet connection would be, though.

SAM: OK. Do you have Wi-Fi?

Staff: Yes, we do have free Wi-Fi.

SAM: OK. Is there anywhere to store my computer while I go out and ski?

Staff: There are day lockers, and they should be able to fit a laptop. I know it fits a good-sized backpack.

SAM: OK. And do you know how much those are?

Staff: I think they are $5.

SAM: OK, thank you for your help.

Staff: You are welcome. Have a great day! 

Score: 7

Comment: She provided options and necessary details for making an informed decision—and she did it with some enthusiasm. Not bad. 

MOUNTAIN 4, WA

First contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: We have a restaurant, a couple of them, and there is a bar and a little coffee shop.

SAM: OK.

Staff: Does that sound good?

SAM: Yes. Do you have Wi-Fi?

Staff: I think we do have Wi-Fi in the restaurant.

SAM: OK. And for the restaurant, do I have to order something in order to be able to sit down?

Staff: I would assume you would have to order something, but you know, I’m new, and I haven’t really been up there. So, I don’t really know how they do things about that. I am sure if you are just sitting down trying to beat the cold that they’re not going to make you purchase something.

SAM: OK, great. Is there a spot to store my computer?

Staff: Yes, you can purchase lockers in the bathroom with a credit card.

SAM: Do you know how much those are?

Staff: I do not.

SAM: OK, thank you.

Staff: Yep, bye. 

Score: 5

Comment: New hires can’t know every answer right off the bat, but it would have been better if she found accurate answers to my questions instead of speculating. There is nothing wrong with putting me on hold to find someone in the know. 

MOUNTAIN 5, IN

First contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Oh yeah, a lot of people just set their stuff up at a table. There are plugs along the wall.

SAM: Oh, great.

Staff: Yeah, a lot of people do that.

SAM: It’s a good way to do it.

Staff: (laughs) Yeah, and you can watch people ski down the hill while you are doing it.

SAM: (laughs) Exactly. Do you have Wi-Fi?

Staff: We do.

SAM: Is it free to use?

Staff: Yes, it is.

SAM: OK, and is there a spot where I can store my computer while I ski?

Staff: Yes, we have lockers down by rental and up here by the offices.

SAM: Do you know how much those are?

Staff: Um, they range from $8 a day to I think $15.

SAM: OK, great. Well, thank you for your help.

Staff: Of course, you have a great day! 

Score: 8

Comment: She was upbeat and knew all of the answers to my questions. I also enjoyed that she made it feel like it was normal for people to work from the mountain rather than an inconvenience.

MOUNTAIN 6, NY

First contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: So, you’re looking for employment?

SAM: No, my work is very flexible so I can work a couple hours and then go out and ski. I didn’t know if there was an area where I could work for a little bit and then go skiing.

Staff: Um, give me one second.

SAM: OK.

(Transfers me to the employment and HR voicemail box.) 

Score: 1

Comment: Maybe it was my phrasing? Maybe she has too much ear wax? She should have made sure she understood my question before transferring me to someone else—in this case, the wrong department. 

MOUNTAIN 7, ME

First contact: Female.

SAM: Stated question.

Staff: Well, we have a fairly ample base lodge. And, you know, several people often set up their little stations right there.

SAM: Oh, great. Do you have Wi-Fi?

Staff: Yes, we do.

SAM: Is it free?

Staff: Yes, it is. But, you know, it will be unsecured. You’ll be under [name] guest, and it will be unsecured.

SAM: Got it. Is there anywhere I can store my computer while I am out skiing?

Staff: We don’t have lockers for rent, I am afraid. That is a bit of a problem. I am here Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and I am willing to hang onto things for people.

SAM: Oh, how nice.

Staff: Yes, and I am in guest services.

SAM: OK, great. Thank you.

Staff: But when there are a lot of people here or I am not here, I don’t know if you would have to go through the problem of taking it back out to your car and that sort of thing.

SAM: Yes, that is an option.

Staff: As long as it’s not 40 below! (laughs)

SAM: Right (laughs). Exactly. Well, thank you for your help.

Staff: Does this help? If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call us back.

SAM: Yes, this definitely helped. Thank you again.

Staff: Yep, bye-bye. 

Score: 9

Comment: Wow, she was a breath of fresh air! She had good information, was generous, and best of all, she didn’t rush me off the phone.

Identity revealed: Saddleback