The 7th post in the “Work Shift, Work Styles, Work Anywhere – Flexible Work across Canada” summer blog series
As the summer begins to wind down, the warm days are getting shorter and leaving us with little time get outside and take advantage of the great outdoors. Companies are always on the hunt for new and exciting ways to get their teams out of the office for a refresher before the long Canadian winter.
So if you are in Vancouver, Canada, why not consider an impromptu team outing to the stunning peak of Grouse Mountain?
Grouse Mountain is considered one of the most picturesque places in the Vancouver area. Located just 15 minutes away from the major metropolitan centre, the resort is perfect for anyone who likes outdoor activities, as well as those who just want to get away from the everyday hustle and bustle of the city. During the summer months, Grouse Mountain has hiking and zip lining – a great team building experience for your staff.
Anyone in your office who is particularly adventurous, or just plain crazy, can take on the Grouse Grind. This is
the most popular summertime activity on the mountain; a 2.9 kilometre hike up what Vancouverites call “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”. Anyone not bold enough to endure the trek can enjoy a wonderfully scenic Sky Ride - a 1.5 kilometre gondola offering breath taking views of Vancouver and the Pacific Ocean. Call ahead for group rates.
For teams that enjoy showing off their dance moves, be sure to include the Grouse Grind Social Night in your plans, held every Wednesday evening in the summer months. Enjoy music from DJ Ahtz, drinks, food, prizes and good fun.
But, like with any day outside the office, you never know when business is going to call.
A few tips:
- Plan ahead: pack all of your work essentials when heading out to the mountain for the day
- Once at the top of the mountain, there are no outdoor power outlets. Make sure your devices are fully charged or bring along extra battery packs.
- There is also no public WiFi at the peak, so be sure to bring along your laptop and mobile Internet key, or rely on your smartphone to monitor your email and respond to any urgent messages. 3G coverage is good on the mountain.
Thinking of bringing your team to Grouse Mountain? Act fast. October is typically the rainiest month in Vancouver and there are few awnings and outdoor shelters at the peak. Snow typically hits the mountain in November, and by then your team will probably appreciate the warm and dry comfort of the office.
