The Digital Nomad’s Guide to Living & Working from a Ski Resort

As the constant threat of the COVID-19 pandemic has hung over our heads, many peoples’ lives have changed drastically. Work has followed suit, and many employees now have more flexibility in terms of their locations. Nowadays, working from home is the norm in most parts of the world and, while it’s the best way to ensure we stay safe, it has also brought with it the possibility of setting up camp in another place.

To that end, the idea of sandy beaches and sparkling oceans may be appealing to some, but others prefer to move in the opposite direction and choose to live and work from a ski resort. Doing so provides the freedom to be active and also relax in your spare time. Plus, the U.S. is full of absolutely stunning ski resorts — approximately 500 — and while all of them are worth visiting, it’s best to make sure you find the one that’s most suitable for you.

What to Consider

When choosing to move to a new place, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re prepared for such an endeavor. Specifically, here are a few aspects to review before you decide on a destination.

Safety

COVID-19 is still affecting most of the country. As such, begin by looking up the number of cases in your preferred ski destination, as well as any restrictions that may be in place there. For instance, there could be a mandatory quarantine when entering the state or other requirements for newcomers. Meanwhile, avoid crowded places and check the population to choose an area with a low number of inhabitants and tourists.

Cost of Living

If you plan to stay at least a few months, be sure to take the cost of living into consideration. For example, rents in Colorado — which is home to several popular resorts — may vary depending on the exact location, so put some effort into proper research. Likewise, if you need to be close to the slopes and decide to rent an apartment in Denver, then big-city life may come at a certain cost. But, if you choose a small mountain village, like Telluride, you might find better options. However, if you’re thinking about a more permanent move, there are also some great Colorado homes for sale.

After you’ve decided on a home, set a budget and make sure you can afford living there for the length of time that you’re planning to stay. Begin by researching basic expenses, such as the average rent, as well as the cost of utilities and food. A rent calculator can help you figure out how much you can afford to spend on rent.

Weather Conditions

You already know that cold is a given when staying at a ski resort, but make sure you look up how cold it usually is around there. That said, pack accordingly and be prepared to face the slopes in a safe and responsible manner.

Internet Access

When working remotely, internet is likely the most important aspect to consider. Therefore, research the local internet providers and choose the one that offers the highest internet speed.

Amenities

Make a list of the amenities you’d like to have access to while living there — anything from shopping options and entertainment to quality childcare and family-friendly activities if you’re travelling with kids.

How to Find the Best Ski Resort for You

Before you embark on this journey, make sure you find the best option for you. Start by doing some research online. By far, one of the most popular ski resorts is Jackson Hole in Wyoming near the Idaho border. This wilderness recreation area has some of the most amazing views and great campsites. Telluride and Crested Butte, both in Colorado, are also great options.

However, what is popular may not necessarily be what is right for you. So, choose a location that is nearby and can be reached by car, especially if you’re traveling with kids. Also, select a lower altitude, preferably less than 5,000 feet if you’re new to this or have small children. That’s because the effect of high altitude can be quite strong and your body might struggle with it. With that in mind, quiet villages are probably your best option as they offer both skiing options and sightseeing opportunities.

What to Bring/Pack

Depending on whether your move will be temporary or more permanent (or whether you’re traveling with kids), your luggage will vary considerably. For instance, if you’re only planning to spend a few months there, pack only the essentials and limit yourself to a few bags that can fit in the trunk of your car. This should definitely include warm and waterproof clothes, sunglasses, thermal tops, your insurance details and, of course, your work laptop.

Even when they’re paired with work, vacations are always exciting as there’s always some beauty in discovering a new place. However, in the current health climate, be responsible and protect yourself, as well as those around you, when traveling. Enjoy this opportunity to work remotely from your preferred ski destination!

Written by Nicky Iudean for RENTCafe

You did it, you took the plunge to go full-time freelance or become an entrepreneur. After countless late nights, questioning whether you were ready and dealing with challenging clients, you took the leap. At first, it was amazing! You had all this free time, could work from home in your PJs, and do your laundry during the day. Over time though, this wears on you and you realize you’re working all the time and not taking advantage of the flexibility you created for yourself.

Sound familiar? For many freelancers and entrepreneurs, this is the case. When getting started you often need to just buckle down in one place and dedicate your time to landing clients. But overtime you settle into a routine and hopefully have recurring clients. Once you feel settled in your business, it’s the perfect time to start planning to work while traveling.

When we say that we don’t mean that you’ll be sitting on the beach typing or living out of a suitcase always in transit. No, the most productive way to work and travel is to spend time in a new place. To get to know that place and develop a routine but most importantly be inspired by the new environment you’re in. Ideally a month or more, so you feel settled, comfortable and productive. That’s why we’re sharing how to start traveling as an entrepreneur and why you should get out of your house.

Choose your travel dates
The first step is choosing a date that you want to start traveling on. Ideally, don’t plan it at the same time as you’re onboarding a new client as you want a day or two to travel and settle in. It’s important you choose a realistic date you can commit to and it’s okay if it feels a bit nerve-racking. We always recommend giving yourself at least a month in a new place to get settled and feel connected to a place. This also helps you feel more comfortable and productive. It also gives you the opportunity to build new connections in that place.
Do the prep work
Some freelancers like to tell their clients if they’re going out of the country or timezone. This is entirely up to you but make sure you outline what this process will look like for you. Ensure you download all necessary tools, like these tools for freelancers to make sure you are set up for success.
Remember why you started
When you first started freelancing what was your #1 goal? Was it to be your own boss? Work from anywhere? Travel more? Spend more time with friends or family? Whatever it is, you need to do those things. Life is too short to get stuck in a hamster wheel, especially once you started for different reasons. So if you want to travel, then make it happen and stop making excuses.
Schedule in downtime
You might want to explore and see everything when you get to a new place but pace yourself. If you try to cram every touristy thing in you’ll likely end up feeling burnt out and unable to work. Take your time exploring and schedule in downtime, for relaxation. While traveling as an entrepreneur it’s easy to get caught up in still working nonstop then filling your free time with exploring your new city. To stay balanced and not burnout, give yourself breaks and make ‘me-time’.
Meeting new people can change your life
If that isn’t reason enough to get out of the house, we don’t know what is. By traveling, or even just joining a coworking space, you can meet people that impact your life. Whether its a new business partner, connection, sale or friend, connecting with new people is essential. It doesn’t have to feel like stuffy networking.
New environments create new inspiration
It’s true, new places help you find new inspiration. They help your brain expand, and help you feel more creative and inspired. When visiting a new city or area, you’re often flooded with new and exciting sights and colors. These help you tap into new inspiration and ideas that you otherwise wouldn’t have had sitting at home. So if you’re feeling like you’re lacking inspiration, traveling may be just the fix.
International cities give you a global perspective
If you’re looking to take your business to the next level, going international might just help. By visiting other cities and seeing how business is done there, you might find new opportunities for your own business. Often gaining that new perspective is essential to helping you come up with new ideas for your business. Plus, you’ll get exposure to businesses and ideas that you wouldn’t have gotten while sitting at home or in your local coffee shop. By traveling as an entrepreneur you’ll gain so much new knowledge.
Travel is FUN!
Let’s think back to the reason you started your business in the first place. Hopefully, more flexibility and time for fun were part of those reasons. And travel is fun! It is an adventure and can be hectic but it’s an amazing learning experience. You have put so much work, time and effort into your business. You need to enjoy the fruits of your labor, explore and have some fun.
Solo travel helps you gain more independence
Maybe you are feeling just a bit too comfortable in your life and business. Perhaps a bit stale or unfulfilled? In search of something more? Traveling somewhere new can help you find that. Instead of waiting for someone to finally go traveling with you and making excuses, go solo! Solo travel is amazing, we shared all the benefits of it here. It also requires you to make all your decisions, become more independent and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It’s a perfect way to help you grow. This growth can translate into your business too.

As you can see, there are so many reasons to take your business on the road. That’s why we shared these tips for how to start traveling as an entrepreneur. If you really want to grow, learn, have fun and take advantage of the flexibility you’ve created then travel. After all, we know you didn’t start your business to sit in your house working for 16 hours a day ;).

Please note: We know not everyone has the flexibility to do this, and it is intended for those whose businesses do not have a physical presence nor have dependents to take care of at home.

Ready to finally take your work on the road? We can help with everything from where to stay, to where to work, to where to eat. Learn more here.

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