Chateaux's Extracurricular Activities

The old proverb, “all work and no play make Jack a dull boy,” does not apply at Chateaux Software. Although we work hard and are productive during the workday, there is ample opportunity for fun and socializing after work hours. The Chateaux team is a tight-knit group of friends, not just work colleagues, and we enjoy spending time together on a social level as well as on a professional level.

When Chateaux was formed, a main priority was to make a concerted effort to provide a good balance of hard work and fun activity. The vision has always been to build a team that are friends first and co-workers second. A long-standing tradition has been the Chateaux ski house. Every year, the company rents a ski cabin in Killington, Vermont large enough to accommodate most employees and their spouses. There is always one major weekend ski trip that everyone attends and for the rest of the ski season, all employees are encouraged to visit the cabin on weekends or even to work there remotely if the nature of the work allows. Even for those who don’t ski this is a great opportunity to relax in the mountains and bond with fellow co-workers.

Chateaux has organized several trips over the years ranging from one-day fishing fieldtrips to a week-long horseback excursion through the Montana wilderness for the more adventurous employees. Employees who don’t enjoy skiing, fishing, or wilderness adventure will often meet for a casual dinner or drink after work to discuss business or just leisurely conversation. The social camaraderie outside of the office tends to make the work atmosphere very relaxed and we are all very comfortable with one another. As we are all friends first, there is no resistance to help out or any apprehension to approach another fellow employee with a problem or a favor.

– Pete Childs, Senior Technologist