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Company Snowboarding Trip! ... But what do we do?

3K views 32 replies 20 participants last post by  Varza 
#1 ·
It's a bit of a weird question but I've been trying to figure it out myself and thought this forum might be able to help.

I'm a new rider with half a season under my belt (intro post) and I own a small company of 6, counting myself. I wanted to do something a touch bigger than your standard office party this winter since we didn't have the budget to do much last year; so I thought a company snowboarding/ski trip would be awesome.

So I've priced out a shuttle, lift tickets, rentals, etc. and it all seems do-able (although honestly a shuttle is the most expensive single expense, what the hell) and everyone seems to like the idea, but the problem I'm having is the disparity in experience.

We've got two guys who've never done any snow sports, one guy whose rides only once or twice a season but he's been doing it since he was 12, one woman who is a very experience skier and another who says she goes skiing "all the time, but I only ski for like an hour and then spend the rest of the time chatting at the lodge."

I'd like us to do stuff as a group, since the whole idea is to get everyone to experience an activity together, but other than eating together and just being on the same general hill I can't think of anything on the slopes that would be about doing something as a group. Even something like a group lesson would be weird since we've got two skiers and four snowboarders. I'm pretty new to the whole snow sport world myself though and have primarily been riding solo, so I thought maybe the more experienced folks here would have some ideas.

Any help would be appreciated!
 
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#2 ·
Just one day? That's a tough one. I've been away with large groups of varying ability and attitude. The beginners should have lessons first thing then maybe meet for lunch and spend an hour or so together before/after eating. It's not fair on anybody to try and make everybody stick together. The beginners will feel under pressure and the more experienced will get bored. On a week long trip this year I spent 1.5 days with my Mrs and other early intermediates and not more than a couple of hours with the total beginners. Most of my time was spent trying to keep up with lunatic skiers.

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#3 ·
It's a cool idea and I think you could make it work if everyone was at least a competent intermediate rider/skier, but with two guys that are complete beginners there's a good chance they won't get off the bunny hill all day, or best case scenario will be really slow/falling frequently on blue/greens runs which just isn't fun for the rest of the crew. Between the shuttle ride, lunch break, and some drinks at the end of the day you could still spend plenty of time together, but I'd expect the more experienced people would end up frustrated if you try keeping everyone together on the slopes all day.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Only 6 folks...very doable. IME and 2 cents: 1. do a weekend....Friday nite, Saturday and 1/2 Sunday, 2. rent a cabin, diy food, diy or rent a van, 3. do the group thing off slope...maybe doing some company retreat activities such as strategic planning and etc. If acceptable as a company, fit in some bar time. On slope...if folks want get individuals lessons and rent equipment...meet up for lunch and apres beers at the end of the day.

Since ur in Seattle...suggests Baker...know a person that help with cabins in Glacier

Pm me if you want some particulars...I've coordinated conferences for 200 and small team retreats for training and workshops.

Or...Take 2 cars, just do a day at the hill, buy lift tickets, get them lessons if they want, buy lunch and some apres beers.
 
#5 ·
Seems like the best bet is the off hill activities. Not sure if your resort has stuff like tube town, dog sledding, sleigh rides, skating rink or snowmobiling but that's the kind of shit anyone from any age would find pretty fun.

Even with a group of similar skilled riders it's hard enough to keep the pack together, a range of skill levels would end up not being fun.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Thanks for the advice guys!

Sounds like I should just plan the team building stuff for before and after the slopes if we do this. I have a season pass to Summit, and they have a tubing hill I've never tried so maybe we'll go there and start with some tubing.

This is a team of coders and artists so the biggest hurdle to the idea was, "we have to wake up when?!?" I'm using to getting there just before lifts open, so I just assumed they would all want to do that too. I was sadly mistaken. :(
 
#7 · (Edited)
Very doable, but keep in mind that even though you're fronting the cash for the obvious parts of the trip people will still need gloves, decent jacket, etc.

As the boss keep that in mind, you don't want to hit peoples pockets if possible. Unless you don't mind the two non sports people showing up in their black wool trench coats.

And you could always rent a van. Assuming you don't want to do the driving offer one of your regular riding friends a free ticket if they drive, stay at least somewhat sober, and agree not to hit on one of your employees.
 
#10 · (Edited)
rent a cabin/food/drinks/lessons on you. lift tickets on them. set a schedule so people can do their own thing, the important thing is having a home base, where when everyone is done they have somewhere to meet and relax. have free time 8am-4pm or w/e the mountain closes, then throw a bbq. rent a van. don't be afraid to ask for some money to make it a better trip, not saying make them pay dutch on everything, but if $100 from each of them can extend the trip by a day or two, it might be worth it. i.e. $100 on a 3 day trip with food and lodging paid for is a bargain. Don't ask, just do. you're the boss.
 
#11 · (Edited)
I think the money thing is getting us sidetracked from his real question, what's a good way to successfully have the trip with such a wide range of people. Tough question to answer to be honest. If everyone gets along they'll have fun no matter what in my opinion. Make sure people going into it focus on the group day, not an epic trip or the experienced ones will have a rough time sticking with the lower people.

One other thing to maybe try. You mention some experienced skiers. Have them try snowboarding. It'll level the playing field for those with no experience.
 
#12 ·
One other thing to maybe try. You mention some experienced skiers. Have them try snowboarding. It'll level the playing field for those with no experience.
This might work actually, everyone could start with a group lesson together since there's only one person who would even qualify as an experience snowboarder.

Again, I appreciate all the suggestions. I should note that the one day thing isn't really a money thing, but rather a time/commitments thing. Making people new to the sport do multiple days on the slopes isn't a great idea. I remember after my first time (last year!) riding for half a day I was feeling it for days afterwards. Plus, everyone also has family and responsibilities so it would be a huge planning hassle if we did it over the weekend and I don't want to lose 2-3 days of productivity for a midweek trip. So I guess it is a money thing, just not a money-paid-for-event thing.

dave785 said:
this is a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Haha, my other idea for a company event was a trip to the firing range I frequent. Planning these things at 2:00 AM doesn't always result in the best ideas.
 
#21 ·
I came from a different culture and I think it's interesting to give my 2 cents here.

First, it's a really nice thing to do, of course you need to take a legal support just to avoid any risk if something not nice happen.

Then, If it will be an 1 day trip, like, a full day in the mountain, or even a 2 days trip, with 2 full days on the mountain, organize the day on a way that everybody has the freedom to do whatever they want at least half of day, for example:

01. Breakfast together
02. Snow tubing, shoeing or whatever with all the group members
03. Lunch break
04. Free time, in this moment experience riders can go wherever they want or even help the newbies to learn. As a company, it is interested to encourage to the experienced ones, with some teaching skills, try to give some advice to new ones.
05. End of the snowboarding/skiing day

Doing this, you going to have the best of both worlds.
 
#22 ·
I would go opposite of the above post.

Breakfast before lifts open.

Free time for the advanced people, lessons for the beginners in the morning. I would rather have fresh snow or corduroy first thing....

Lunch together.

Ride together for the last couple hours.... advanced can give additional pointers on top of what was learned in the mornings lessons.

Dinner together
 
#23 ·
First of all, great idea! Now here's my advice should you choose to accept it...

1) Employee safety is number one. Inform them of the inherent risks in snow sports. Check with local laws to make sure company team building trips don't fall under your WCB coverage (or equivalent in the states).

2) Freedom of choice is the biggest driver of happiness. Meet for lunch in the main lodge if you want to treat them, but don't be surprised/upset if the experienced people don't show up if the snow is really good.

3) Offering to pay for lessons for all is a great thing. We can ALL use lessons. The total noobs will feel better if they don't think they're being singled out. People can decline your offer, that's fine.

4) Make dinner and the hot tub the prime team building spot. Here everyone will naturally want to tell everyone else about their day. Pick something nice but not too stuffy. If staying on the hill, something on the hill would be appropriate because people could arrive/leave from dinner as they please.

The biggest thing is you offering the oportunity to try something new, or get better at something you already do, in a fun and relaxed environment. Make it casual and people will have fun! Can I come?
 
#24 ·
I think you all are over thinking it a bit. It's like 6 people hanging for a day as a nice thank you from the boss. Presumably they all get along. And with such a small number even the best of them probably aren't nearly as pow driven as some of you are.

It doesn't sound like a weekend thing. Not to mention your chances for a law suit are much more realistic when you introduce mixed party hot tubbing. Especially if you run into Shawn White.

For a single day odds are that the more experienced will have no problem trying to teach the others for most of the day and laughing at their attempts. As long as attitudes stay positive it can be a fun thing to do every now and then. With the caveat that none of the teachers are in a relationship with their peers, of course.
 
#25 ·
Lots of good ideas here.

I have planned a few work retreats (up to 150 people), best one was when we went house boating but that is another story. I have gotta great feedback for all of the trips I have planned so let me take a stab at this one.

First off great concept as long as everyone wants to do it, you said they do so that should be ok. At my work we have lots of 400lbs ladies that think pushing an elevator button is exercise so I would never do this. >:)

Tell them to try to stay together as much as possible at least for part of the day. Don't make the skiers try snowboarding, if my work made me ski on a work trip I would call-in sick.


Pay for lessons for everyone for the first hour, everyone could use a lesson, just gear the lesson to their skill etc. Give them the option to pay on their own for more lessons if they wish.

Consider renting snow clothing for the ones that don't have it, or at least give them a detailed list of what they will need.

Have everyone meet for lunch. Then you can all do a green run or 2 together then let them go off on there own for a couple hours. Meet for drinks at 4pm, have supper.


You may not all be together all the time, but some of your employee will be riding together and bonding. Try to get them to at least do a 1-3 runs together. It will be cool to see employees encouraging the noobs etc. That's what makes a team. I know how to snowboard but I wouldn't mind riding with a noob for a couple runs offering tips and encouragement. I hope this goes really well, post pics afterward, we'd love to see them.

Above-all, make them sign a waiver! You are asking them to do something that can be extremely dangerous. Don't be surprised if someone comes back with an injury, and they may blame you for the injury.
 
#26 ·
Really great idea guys, thanks a lot!

It's funny that so many of you mentioned waivers. That was one of the first thing I thought of too, which is kind of sad statement on how business works here.

Working out the finer details of cost is mostly stalled now just because most of the sites are still in summer mode. Hopefully in the next couple of months the information will start popping up.

I've already planned my schedule so I can probably make it up to slopes for a couple of hours 2 nights a week whenever the season starts, plus a weekend day of riding with the family. Maybe I'll be able to ingratiate myself with the staff there and get sweet discounts for this trip! (This will not happen)
 
#28 ·
You gotta protect yourself/business these days, just the way it is. Even homeless guys are lawyered up now-a-days. You should try to make it a 2 or 3 day trip if possible. Plan to have meeting/workshops/training in the evenings for an hour or 2, nothing crazy as some may be tired. But I would try to make it a bit of a working trip if possible to justify costs. Could you write it off on your taxes if you have meetings during trip?
 
#31 ·
I give the true beginners the option to board or ski, and make sure they would know what they're getting into as far as learning to board goes. While (in my opinion) it is much more enjoyable to snowboard in the long run, it is also more difficult to learn and might not be the most enjoyable day if they don't plan on continuing to learn after your trip.

It sounds like you guys are based out of Seattle and might be planning on going to Snoqualmie? Since it is fairly close you might want to consider going back to Seattle/wherever and getting dinner/drinks to finish off the trip. Maybe let everybody vote on a place to go that they like. I haven't explored the area around Snoqualmie much but the lodges aren't great to say the least and it doesn't seem like there is much else around. Another thing to keep in mind is that Snoqualmie does tend to get more rain, and it would suck to get rained on the entire time.
 
#32 ·
Thanks to everyone a half a year ago for the advice for this trip. It was insanely delayed: we planned for early January but kept getting delayed due to weather and avalanches across the highway.

We finally went last Friday and everyone had a blast! A few of the people brand new to the sport were hesitant at first but ended up really enjoy themselves. One guy said he was really thankful for the opportunity to try something he would never have tried on his own and is now looking into more lessons and a season pass. Two others also decided to get the three pack of lessons and lift tickets that the ski area offers and will be learning to ride on their own.

I just brought three people into the snowboarding community! :)

I had everyone do their own thing after getting lessons for the whole crew in the morning. Everyone was enjoying practicing what they learned and we did dinner and drinks in town afterwards to avoid mountain prices. Most of us stayed on greens and it was nice seeing my staff trying to give each other tips as they all learned together. A couple of more advanced riders and I went on a few blues near the end of the day and they got the pleasure of watching the boss face plant and wipe out a good dozen times.
 
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