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SALT LAKE CITY — Realizing you have to go to work when the conditions are ripe for skiing and snowboarding can be a serious let down.

Most employers would rather have their employees in the office than out on the slopes, but some are sweetening up to the idea that letting their employees take a ski day off could help increase workplace happiness, creativity and productivity.

Although this may seem like a crazy idea for some business owners, it has actually proven very effective in improving workplace morale and reducing employee turnaround at the companies where it has been employed. It's also helpful to note that employers aren't completely throwing caution to the wind thanks to advances in technology that have made it possible for most of Utah's ski resorts to offer Wi-Fi. This means employees are never more than an email away should a problem arise.

So without further ado, here are nine Utah companies leading the way in helping Utahns take time to enjoy the greatest snow on Earth this season. Have a company in mind that you think should've made the list? Let us know in the comment section!

Super Top Secret

Super Top Secret is a creative agency that services clients like Ski Utah, Powder Mountain and Rossignol. With clients like these, it comes as no surprise that the firm's collective of "creators, discoverers, and doers" enjoys a pretty awesome ski perk during the winter season.

When a powder day hits, employees are welcome to take either a "powder morning" or a "powder day" so long as they're caught up on their projects. Their bosses understand the importance of an awesome powder day and reward high performance with time off to ski and board.

Deer Valley Resort

Located in Park City, Deer Valley Resort, is renowned for its luxurious amenities. As one of the venue sites for the 2002 Winter Olympics, its reputation precedes itself and skiers regularly flock to Deer Valley to indulge in winter related activities.

Their appreciation of skiing is reflected in their employee benefits: skiing is free for employees and ski passes are available for friends and family.

Clearlink

Clearlink is a tech company that provides content and conversion services for its brand partners. Clearlink has an array of awesome perks — one of which is ski passes. They encourage their employees to take advantage of the world's greatest snow by offering employees fully transferable Ski Utah Gold Passes that provide a collective 100 ski days per pass.

Employees don't need to worry about taking paid time off as a ski day comes with no strings attached. Even more incentive for them to take advantage of the snow and come back to work refreshed and motivated.

Skullcandy

This Park City-based retailer is known for its ability to produce some of the "sickest" headphones, ear buds and gaming headsets on the market. In true tech company fashion, Skullcandy focuses on inspiring innovation among its workforce by offering a variety of cool perks for action and outdoor enthusiasts.

The company's CEO has been quoted saying "when there is fresh powder, [we pretend] it's Saturday!" In other words, the company's employees never miss a fantastic powder day in fear of sacrificing a PTO day. Skullcandy employees also enjoy team outings where they engage in outdoor activities, including skiing and boarding.

Snowbasin Resort

One of the oldest continuously operating ski areas in the United States, Snowbasin Resort is an institution. Snowbasin Resort was also an Olympic site venue during the 2002 Winter Olympics and boasts a total of 11 lifts with 104 runs.

This resort makes sure its employees, as well as friends and family, can enjoy its famed amenities. Snowbasin offers employees a Snowbasin Resort Season Pass as well as lift tickets for friends and family, based on employee status and length of employment.

Lendio

Lendio, the online small business service, knows that skiing can be an expensive habit. This is why they offer free ski passes and unlimited paid time off to their employees. This is a win-win situation for Lendio as it helps employees save money while encouraging them to be more physically active, which could reduce sick days.

This allows employees who are new to the state, or those who have may been intimidated by ski and snowboard fees, to engage in Utah's beloved winter sport.

Snowbird

Known for its expansive beginner and intermediate terrain, Snowbird is a great starting point for new and less advanced skiers. They first opened their doors to the public back in 1971 and have garnered a reputation for world-class skiing as well as a commitment to environmental conservancy.

During the ski season, employees are eligible for ski benefits in addition to receiving half-price lift tickets at participating Mountain Collective Resorts. Employees are given access to over 2,500 acres of skiable land as well as seven doubles chairlifts and three high-speed chairlifts.

MRM//McCANN

As a part of one of the largest marketing agencies in the world, MRM//McCANN Salt Lake focuses on creating seamless customer experiences driven by superior creative, technology and data solutions. Their work for major clients like Verizon, IHOP, and Microsoft is fueled by a base of marketing minds who enjoy a number of awesome perks.

MRM//McCANN's employees are given several weeks off in December and January to spend time with their families and, more than likely, hit the slopes! Employees are also offered discounted passes to encourage them to get out and unwind on Utah's gorgeous winter terrain.

Backcountry

Backcountry is headquartered in Park City, just "a quick pedal or a few footsteps off the Wasatch mountains." With their obvious link to skiing, it comes as no surprise that Backcountry provides their employees with ski perks.

Backcountry offers lift tickets and season pass deals as well as Ski Utah Gold Passes, which give you both the ability to ski and snowboard during the winter, and mountain bike and hike during the summer. In addition to this, they offer employees discounts on gear.

If you're an avid skiier and tech lover in the market for a new role, it might be worth checking out the corporate positions available at one of these nine companies.

Cosette is a freelance writer and remote worker specializing in topics surrounding the tech and lifestyle fields. She is a University of Utah graduate with a BA from the Department of Communications.

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