The Dos and Don’ts of Peak Season

They say hindsight is 20-20. In my particular case, foresight may have been 20-20, too. There’s no way one can work two jobs during the Christmas rush in a seasonal town and expect to emerge unscathed, and I was well aware of this both before and after Fernie’s two-week busy period. But what can I say. I'm in my twenties: I know a lot of things are bad ideas, and I do them anyway.

Things may have quieted down for now, but February and its stream of family day weekends and university reading breaks is just around the corner. So as I sit at home in recovery mode (lights darkened, eye twitching, flinching at the thought of another customer interaction), I can’t help but wonder how best to get through round two. So here’s a handy list of dos and don’ts to remember for next time:

DO give up any hope of skiing. When you work more than seven ten-hour days in a row, you should spend any time not working eating, sleeping, or recovering in a dark room. And let’s face it; we’ve all been spoiled with fresh tracks and fast lift lines during the quiet periods, so skiing when it’s busy won’t quite the same anyway.

DON’T skimp on the hand sanitizer. I’m serious. Use that hand sanny all day, every day, like it’s going out of style. If you’re like me and deal with money or people’s dirty plates for your job, you’re probably coming into contact with the most vicious cold and flu germs from BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and beyond. And while we’re talking about germs, you know the handprint sensor that RCR employees use to clock into their shifts? It’s carrying the plague. Trust me, the last thing you want when you’re working a 70-hour week is a hacking cough and exploding snotty sneezes.

DO stock up on groceries, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, anti-anxiety meds, and all other essentials beforehand. Hell, if you have time, make yourself a vat of chilli or something to live off for the next two weeks. You won’t have time to go to Overweighty when it’s busy in town. Even if you do, a trip runs the risk being bowled over by Calgarian shoppers complaining about high prices, HST, and how they forgot their 5-year aged Gouda cheese in the fridge at home.

DON’T choose the busy time to go through a breakup, major self-worth crisis, family drama, or spiritual upheaval. There’s no time for such frivolities.

On that note, I'm off to enjoy all the spare time January has to offer!