The On Architecture team recently embarked on a well-deserved 4-day alpine adventure, to the nearly snow-drenched French resort of Les Deux Alpes. It was felt by the directors that a company ski trip was a great way for employees to bond and enjoy some time together outside of the office. Not only does it offer a chance to experience a new environment and participate in exciting activities, but it also allows colleagues to get to know each other on a personal level, fostering better communication and collaboration in the workplace.

“The ski trip was a fantastic opportunity to bring the ON team together. Many of the team had not had the opportunity to visit the mountains or, indeed, ski previously so this trip provided the chance to explore the amazing environment and scenery the Alps has to offer, whilst learning new skills alongside colleagues. The trip was filled with ski lessons in the morning and free ski time in the afternoons to put the skills learnt to the test, coupled with whole team evening meals with the chance to get to know each other better. The trip was a huge success with many fond memories to take away with us” said On Director, Luke Harrison.

In a large and busy studio, sometimes it might be easy to forget the importance of ensuring the team is rewarded with more than just a salary for their hard work, and at ON, we aim to ensure that the collaborative and social culture of the business is championed at every possible opportunity. Of course, providing the team with a few days to unwind, and relax with each other will no doubt contribute to creating a positive and productive work environment once we return home. Office Manager, Ali Chivers, said; “The trip was invaluable for bringing us together as a team in the process of learning new skills and developing existing ones, in very different surroundings to our usual working environment.”

One of our Architectural Technicians, Karl Baker had this to say about the trip, “The ONA Ski Trip was a memorable one, full of laughs and the odd minor injury. It was great for enhancing an already flourishing team bond in an environment away from our normal working day. As someone who had never been skiing before, it was fantastic to learn and develop new skills and I would highly recommend it to anyone.”, while Architectural Assistant, Ayopo Olatunji, said “The trip was quite thrilling for me because it was my first time skiing. I also believe that it boosted my relationship with the team. We had fantastic opportunities to get to know one another and have a good time.”

In conclusion, the 2023 company ski trip was important for building relationships, encouraging collaboration, boosting morale, developing skills, and promoting work-life balance. By investing in these trips, companies can create a more positive and productive workplace culture that benefits both employees and the organisation as a whole.