Imagine this: you start the day in fresh powder snow, carve a few turns on the Planai or the Reiteralm – and in the afternoon you are sitting in a coworking space with a hot tea, focused on your next project. Sounds like a dream? In the Schladming-Dachstein region it has long been reality.
Coworking and winter sports go together perfectly here – provided you pay attention to a few important details.
Why Schladming-Dachstein in particular?
This region is a paradise for anyone who wants to combine exercise, nature and work. It offers not only perfectly groomed ski slopes, snow parks and winter hiking trails, but also a growing infrastructure for digital nomads, freelancers and remote workers.
Initiatives such as OpenMindSpace create workspaces in which focused work is just as natural as the view of the snow-covered mountains. This turns the classic workation into a holistic experience – between focus and freedom, between laptop and lift ticket.
And the best part: you work where others go on holiday.
Finding the right balance
For your winter work adventure to succeed, you need more than good intentions. A few basics make the difference:
Good internet is everything. Before you book, check whether fibre or at least stable Wi-Fi is available. No signal – no workflow.
The location also plays a big role. Ideally your coworking space is within 10 to 30 minutes by car or bus of the nearest gondola. Short distances mean less stress and more time for both: work and sport.
The equipment should also have its place. If you are travelling with skis or a snowboard, you need storage space, drying facilities and perhaps even a small workbench for fine-tuning. Good coworking and workation spaces often already have solutions for this.
Your time management also needs some thought. If you try to work eight hours in the morning and ski another five hours in the afternoon, you will quickly notice: that does not work in the long run. Set yourself clear blocks instead – for example focused work in the morning, on the slopes in the afternoon.
And last but not least: community. Especially when you travel alone, social contact does you good. A chat over coffee in the space, a shared dinner or a little après-ski round – that brings energy, new ideas and a sense of belonging.
What your day could look like
A typical day between work and descent could look like this:
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07:30 – breakfast, quick email check
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08:00 – 11:30 – focused work session in the coworking space
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12:00 – 14:00 – out on the slopes: sun, snow, exercise
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14:30 – 17:30 – second round in the space, wrapping up projects, calls, focus time
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Evening – going out for dinner, socialising or simply relaxing with a view of the mountains
Of course this is just an example – depending on weather, energy level or project phase you can shape it flexibly. That is the beauty of this way of working: you set your own rhythm.
The benefits at a glance
Working in the mountains is more than a lifestyle trend. It brings very concrete benefits:
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Mental freshness: exercise and nature give your mind room to breathe – ideal against creative blocks.
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Health & balance: instead of eight hours of sitting you get exercise, sun and oxygen.
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Pure inspiration: the landscape, the light, the atmosphere – a perfect source of new ideas.
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Networking opportunities: in a coworking space you meet other remote workers, nomads and creatives.
What to keep in mind
Of course this model has its challenges too:
Sudden weather changes, weak internet connections in remote accommodation or too packed a schedule (work + sport + socialising = overload) can be stressful. Plan breaks and consciously set aside days when you only work – or are only on the slopes.
Logistically it pays to plan early: accommodation, equipment, ski pass, coworking desk – those who book in good time have the best cards.
Conclusion
Coworking in Schladming-Dachstein is more than a trend. It is a way of life: fresh mountain air in the morning, creative ideas at midday, contentment in the evening. If you love winter sports and do not want to give up productivity, you will find the perfect combination here.
Working where others go on holiday – that is no longer a dream. That is coworking with powder.
