You’re a student. You spend your days watching ski edits instead of paying attention to your professor. You’ll skip class to get the fresh snow, and do whatever it takes to get a ride from your buddy who has the car. With enough practice however, you learn the tricks and by senior year you’re stacking 100 days in a season, all while maintaining an acceptable GPA*.

*An acceptable GPA does not mean a 4.0, but it could.

There is an entire list of paths you could take post high school graduation. Some of them involve living in the mountains, some of them involve school, and some both. Bottom line is that not going to college isn’t an option for everyone. But if I learned one thing in my first two and a half years, it’s how to make the most of your ski season.

The ultimate goal, right? Member photo.

Schedule your classes accordingly

While this is definitely easier as an upperclassmen, it can still be done. Aim to stack all your classes on MWF or TU/TH. That way you have at least 4 days a week you can be spending on the mountain. If this doesn’t work, try and schedule night classes (or morning classes if night skiing is accessible). Your other option is to take an extra class during the fall semester so you can have an easier load when spring comes along, and not have to worry about falling behind on credits.

Getting the job done with liquid motivation. Matt Sklar photo.

Have a car, or make friends with someone who has a car

Just like in high school, cars are your friends. Public shuttles to ski hills generally suck, so your best bet is to make some friends and carpool. However, especially during your first year, it’s harder to come across friends with cars. Get to know the local bus routes and shuttles so you don’t spend the first month of the season sitting in your room.

If you luck out, your friend might have a vehicle as trusty as Cy Whitling's Subaru, Roxanne. Cy Whitling photo.

Winter Break

Most schools have 3-6 weeks off over the holidays, and affordable ski trips. Many times, if you’re from the Midwest or East Coast there’s trips to the Greater Rocky Mountain region for under $600. Not to mention all the days you can get at your home hill with that much time off of school. Take advantage of college pricing and no class.

Work Hard

If you do all your work on the days you can’t ski, you can ski more on the days you have off. Cut back on partying- a Friday or Saturday night spent at home instead of out with your friends means a lot of homework you can get done, and a lot of skiing you can do the rest of the weekend. Stay on top of your responsibilities so you can go shred with your friends instead of staying home and finishing that paper due tomorrow you haven’t even touched.

This could be you.

Save your summer money

Don’t blow all the money you made over the summer before the snow falls. If you can’t have a part time job in the winter, you’ll need some extra cash to afford the season. Getting a job at the resort isn’t a bad idea either if you’re close enough- a free pass saves you money.

If all else fails and you drop out to be a ski bum, you'll have good company.