There are many benefits to working remotely: a flexible location, casual dress, flexible hours, availability and a better working environment are just a few. But have you thought about the advantages of working from a chalet in the Alps?
You’ll have an idyllic working environment in a luxury chalet surrounded by the wonderful colours of nature in the autumn. You can enjoy the peace and quiet of the mountains which is sure to increase productivity, and when you’re not working, there are wonderful mountain activities to enjoy with your family and friends. But it’s important to make sure you prepare well for your trip.
Consider your destination, the speed and reliability of the internet connection, and the workspace in your chalet. Read our article to make sure you’ve covered all the bases so that you can set off on your remote working holiday with complete peace of mind.
So you want to work remotely – but from where?
The Alps cover a large area, with dozens of attractive resorts. This isn’t an exhaustive list, but here are some criteria to keep in mind when choosing a destination for remote working:
- Travelling time from your main residence,
- Finding accommodation which suits your needs (a group of friends, family, young children, pets allowed),
- A reliable internet network in the resort and in the accommodation,
- A suitable office or workspace in the chalet,
- The availability of shops, restaurants and activities in and around the resort,
- The possibility of trying out activities in between your work sessions (tree-top assault courses, walking, mountain biking …),
- Childcare for your children.
Although life slows down in the resorts outside the busy seasons of winter and summer, many local traders are now adapting to welcome guests in autumn, including those visiting for professional stays.
If you don’t want to work from your chalet, co-working spaces are available in the mountains, particularly in Val d’Isere and Les Gets.
Other resorts are following their examples and opening comfortable shared workspaces with high-speed wifi. Take for example the Le Pêle coworking centre in La Clusaz, which has 20 offices.
Although the choice of destination is important, it is secondary to your choice of accommodation during your stay. You’ll need the perfect chalet where you can be efficient and productive.
Choosing the right chalet for working from the mountains
When booking your chalet, you’ll need to consider several criteria if you want to make your professional visit to the mountains as comfortable, efficient and effective as possible.
These include the workspaces, the internet connection, the setting, the geographical location and the surrounding activities.
Here are some of OVO Network’s partner chalets which we think are particularly well-suited to working remotely in the autumn:
Discover more chalets for remote working
In addition to these workspaces, some of OVO Network’s partner chalets are also designed to meet the needs of young families, with play areas, safety features, a homework desk etc.
The Cool for Kids label highlights the chalets which are perfectly suited to the whole family. For example, Chalet Antigone in Saint Jean de Sixt offers guests various items of baby equipment, such as a cot and a baby bath.
Discover our ‘Cool for Kids’ chalets
But life isn’t all about work – in between sessions in the office you will certainly want to take a break to relax.
We also offer chalets with wonderful well-being facilities such as a sauna, spa or hot tub, swimming pool and/or steam room, and sometimes even all three.
Discover OVO Network’s partner properties with wellness facilities
What to do on your break
Spending part of the autumn in the Alps is a good way to relieve the pressure of working in the city. It’s also a great time to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery, the changing colours of the trees and the slowing down of nature.
Spending autumn in the Alps allows you to make the most of the milder temperatures before winter – it’s a great time to try activities such as Nordic walking, hiking, mountain biking and tree-top assault courses.
Quieter walks are even more enjoyable when you stop to pick mushrooms, blueberries or herbs. And it’s the time of year when trees look at their best, with leaves of red, yellow and orange. Finally, it’s a good time to spot a few curious animals wandering around in their natural Alpine environment.
If you have an afternoon free to spend with family or friends, why not try rock climbing, tree-top assault courses or via ferrata?
They are all great ways to get up high and discover landscapes that are otherwise inaccessible. And it’s also an opportunity to get out in the fresh air after a day of work.
Younger guests will love the assault courses and giant zip wires that are available in some resorts, such as Aillons Margeriaz, 40 minutes from Chambery.
Services to make your daily life easier
Childcare
Some resorts offer childcare for your children – often from the age of 12 to 18 months.
Daycare centres operate on a half-day or full-day basis – expect to pay about 60€ for a full day and an additional 10€ if lunch is included.
But it’s important to book well in advance, as places fill up very quickly, even in low season. For more information, see our article on everything you need to know about childcare in the mountains.
To find out if your resort offers this type of service, check out their local tourist office website for more information.
Prices vary depending on the service and the resort and are given here only as an indication. For more information, please contact the tourist office website for your area.
The Alps offer an extraordinary setting for remote working, combining productivity and pleasure. In autumn, you’ll appreciate the wonderful colours and landscapes, luxury accommodation adapted to your needs, and excellent services and activities in the resorts. What better reason do you need to escape from the daily grind of the city and public transport?
For more information, read our articles on Autumn in Morzine, What is there for teenagers in the mountains and Luxury chalets for family holidays in the Alps. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date with all the latest offers and news from OVO Network.
