Slopes and spreadsheets: A guide to working remotely on a half term ski holiday

#Collaborative post

A half-term ski break is a rare chance to slow down and spend some uninterrupted time together as a family. But for many parents, it might not be realistic to switch off work altogether – you still need to reply to emails, move projects forward, and attend meetings. Things don’t always pause for school holidays. The good news is you don’t have to choose between work and family ski holidays. Here are some practical ideas on how you can enjoy the mountains with your family while still staying on top of important work matters. 

An hour here, five minutes there: Plan small work windows 

Don’t try to squeeze work into every spare moment – it will inevitably lead to frustration and half-finished tasks. Instead, build around the natural structure of your ski week. For example, use ski school hours for focused work since the kids will be happily occupied on the slopes until at least lunchtime. Early mornings while the rest of the family sleeps in can also be productive. Set aside an early hour with a coffee to clear a few emails, update a document or prep for upcoming calls. The trick is to take these windows seriously – close Instagram (you can add photos of your trip later), mute non-work notifications, try the pomodoro technique for each task, and set one or two clear goals. 

Set clear expectations with your work team 

You will need to let your boss and your team know exactly when you will and won’t be available so they won’t expect instant replies throughout the day. Keep it simple – for example, ‘I’ll be online from 8:00am–10:00am and then again after 4:00pm this week’. If you have regular meetings, try moving a few of them earlier in the morning or consolidate them into one long block so you’re not breaking up your day and interrupting family time. An added bonus is that this makes it easier to completely step out of ‘work mode’ once you shut down your laptop. 

Create and guard family-first moments 

Ski time, lunch together on the mountain, and family evenings back at the lodge. Decide in advance which moments of your trip are absolutely non-negotiable and protect them. Put your phone away during dinner. Leave work devices in another room while you play cards or chat about the day’s runs and falls. These small boundaries ensure that you’re fully present during family time. 

Be flexible: Juggling work and ski-time like an expert 

Remember that a half term ski holiday is about shared family experiences, not sticking to a rigid schedule (even if you created it yourself). Some days will inevitably be more about work as you get a last-minute call, a tight deadline or an unexpected issue. On other days, the weather, a skiing lesson, or tired kids might cause work to drop down the list. Don’t expect the balance to be perfect – being flexible lets you adapt without guilt.  

You can have your ski-work holiday and enjoy it too 

Just because you need to work remotely during a half-term ski holiday, it doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun or be pulled in different directions. By planning short work windows, setting expectations clearly, protecting family moments and staying flexible, you can enjoy the slopes and still stay connected to your job.