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Best place to live after college? (for skiing)

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kiwisdontbounce
Posts: 663 - Karma: 12
I'm thinking about where i want to live after i graduate.  It will have to be somewhere with awesome powder and great skiing.  However, the catch is that I also need a job, and I want to be remotely close to a city, and i don't want to live like 30 miles from a gas station or super market.

Let me know where you live, distance to mountain, nearest city, size of town you live in and maybe a few pics.

Thanks
Mar 14 2009 11:54AM
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Pinguu
Posts: 1581 - Karma: 49
well I'm in the same boat as you man but I'm planning on living in SLC or Boulder, Denver, maybe somewhere in Montana.  The only thing that you have to research is where you can get a good job and how much it is gonna cost to live in places.  I hope that helps some
Mar 14 2009 12:33PM
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troublemaker3
Posts: 1954 - Karma: 225

dude ive been looking into this a long time and the best place seems to be SLC area.

colorado is cool but jobs tend to be quit a distance away from skiing. i know i dont want to deal with i 70 every time i want to ski.

Mar 14 2009 12:42PM
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ShredtillURdead
Posts: 2024 - Karma: 93
yo denver and boulder would suck for skiing...sure you would get a job easily, but youre so far away from skiing...in CO you gotta be in or around summit county or eagle county..Silverthorne, Dillon, Minturn, Frisco, Leadville, breckenridge, vail, avon, edwards


i know the day i graduate next spring im driving up to mt hood for good.
Mar 14 2009 12:53PM
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factory81
Posts: 3967 - Karma: 63
Utah is pretty different. You should definitely try and do more than vacation there. I am not saying it is the Mormon thing either...so don't think this is all over religion.

Denver, Colorado, greater Seattle area, Sacramento would allow you to go to Tahoe pretty quick.

All of these locations would be the most well rounded of living areas. In terms of night life, city, bars, JOBS,

No doubt living in Jackson, or British Columbia might be cool but you are really in the middle of BFE.

Also consider this since I work at an ISP. Living in a populated city greatly increases your chance of getting high speed. I am not saying you can't get high speed in a lot of towns that great ski resorts are at.

But if you want good cell phone / high speed internet options you should consider trying to live in a city that is near a mountain range, and not in a mountain range that happens to have a town if you know what I mean.

Imagine, going to the most epic place ever to live, buying a phatty house on a lake, all this shit and you find out dial up is the only thing available, or you have to get ridiculously unreliable and expensive wireless service.
Mar 14 2009 12:54PM
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troublemaker3
Posts: 1954 - Karma: 225
^ id give up internet completly for a sick house near great mt biking and skiing
Mar 14 2009 1:50PM
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VTtreeskier
Posts: 1833 - Karma: 64
I dont give a fuck about having a big city near me, so im either looking at gunnison cuz crested butte is fucking amazing, or maybe even getting somewhere in bc when im outta school, goddamn i can't wait to ski bum
Mar 14 2009 1:59PM
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factory81
Posts: 3967 - Karma: 63
I am just saying, cell phones, high speed internet, girls, jobs...those kinds of things you should pay attention to. If you want that kind of shit in life.

I am not saying there are no girls and jobs, but if you want to be able to pick rather then take whats available.
Mar 14 2009 3:46PM
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katana190
Posts: 75 - Karma: 10
Utah has the least unemployment rate pretty much in the country and slc area is dirt cheap as far as cost of living. Check out craigslist for roommates wanted. Snow is sick and they are in the process of changing their alcohol laws.
Mar 14 2009 4:03PM
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JLloyd
Posts: 125 - Karma: 10
live in calgary! it's near banff! XD
Mar 14 2009 4:10PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Yeah the alcohol laws is a big part of why I wouldn't want to move there.  I mean, I drink kindof a lot, and I'm told that prices out there are totally outrageous. 

Also I'm scared there would be no party scene or that I'd hate everyone.  At Boulder everyone is high as fuck and it seems like an awesome place to live.  But the mountains are farther away than I am with my local hill right now, and I live in goddamned LA.
Mar 14 2009 4:21PM
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factory81
Posts: 3967 - Karma: 63
Don't commit to Utah until you spend some time here.

UTAH IS DIFFERENT. I am trying to say it as nice as possible.
Mar 14 2009 5:04PM
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kiwisdontbounce
Posts: 663 - Karma: 12
Thanks everyone.  Sounds like Salt Lake and tahoe are central regions to the ski life.  I can imagine whistler is expensive, but i wouldn't think it's more than NYC.  is anyone from whistler that can tell me about life there?
Mar 14 2009 5:37PM
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Bumblesteeze
Posts: 3092 - Karma: 748
yea, my cousins live there and its kind of far...
I wouldn't move there because you want to live close to a ski resort.
There's better spots...
Mar 14 2009 5:55PM
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s.bishop
Posts: 665 - Karma: 26
can you give me a breif overview if ya dont mind, im moving to SLC soon.

and denver is dope for the city, but its like an hr and a half from the nearest resort if traffic is good
Mar 14 2009 5:58PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18

After graduating high school and living here for 9 months, I can safely say BRECKENRIDGE.

Skiing is bomb, town is dope as fuck.  people are chill (for the most part) and Denver/ Boulder is only an hour and a half away for shows and culture and whatnot.

Mar 14 2009 6:03PM
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kiwisdontbounce
Posts: 663 - Karma: 12
so no denver?  what about tahoe?  is there a big city nearby and job market?  i know the skiing rocks but what else is around?  Young crowd?
Mar 14 2009 6:03PM
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Gnarshred
Posts: 5670 - Karma: 18
I guess im unclear... do you want to be a ski bum, or have a career which allows for skiing?? Denver is great if you want a career, but shitty paycheck-paycheck jobs are a plenty in ski towns.
Mar 14 2009 6:07PM
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Slinger1x1
Posts: 8853 - Karma: 66
My brother had an internship at a GREAT advertising agency this summer, they really liked him and he may try to actually work there when hes done with school. that would be pretty awesome, but hes not the biggest skier, like he wouldnt try to go as much as possible
Mar 14 2009 6:16PM
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kiwisdontbounce
Posts: 663 - Karma: 12
I want to ski almost every day, but also have a good job (im an engineering major)  I would like to earn a little more than paycheck to paycheck but if i can't ski you should scratch that shit off my list.
Mar 14 2009 6:27PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
I would also like to hear this, UofU is on my list of possible colleges.

Everyone I know who's ever been to Utah got sent to Provo for rehab so I can't really base it on that.
Mar 14 2009 7:42PM
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WeK
Posts: 1894 - Karma: 11
vancouver.
Mar 14 2009 7:49PM
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basedjase
Posts: 2510 - Karma: 640
i live 20 minuts from one of the base lodges at Heavenly.  it may be crowded but they have a super inovative and original park. maybe the most in LT.  im gonna live in truckee tho.  ski tahoe man
Mar 14 2009 9:56PM
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jreilly
Posts: 1165 - Karma: 619
I would say truckee, ca 15 min from big time resorts

Or you could move out to oregon in welches or govy. Kind deserted at time but in the summer or on holidays its packed.
Mar 14 2009 10:32PM
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epic_line
Posts: 929 - Karma: 32
B.C
Mar 14 2009 11:12PM
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B.Fantana
Posts: 487 - Karma: 86
Nelson or Rossland
Mar 15 2009 1:34AM
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epic_line
Posts: 929 - Karma: 32
^ yeah or any were in the interior of b.c
Mar 15 2009 1:49AM
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C_Perin
Posts: 944 - Karma: 156
Click for larger image

Big Sky Montana! decent park and good backcountry and Big mountaoin
Mar 15 2009 1:55AM
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prontocuts.com
Posts: 5244 - Karma: 42
Silverthorn/dillion is the best, not too expensive. and you have an outlet mall, grocery store, and tons of other places to get goods and to do stuff at other then skiing and drinking.
Mar 15 2009 2:05AM
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dowalibeast
Posts: 3339 - Karma: 207
shhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Mar 15 2009 2:18AM
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Bob_Gnarley
Posts: 1583 - Karma: 0
good luck.
Mar 15 2009 2:48AM
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yellav
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 1,217
have you ever been to utah?
Mar 15 2009 3:13AM
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farmskier
Posts: 935 - Karma: 120
Seriuosly guys.  SLC is not that bad at all.  It's not that strange, and is insanely close to a retarded amount of skiing (park, ridiculously accessible BC spots, and a ton of crazy in bounds terrain)

Get over the booze thing.  The beer sucks.  But just go drink liquor.  Or get over it.  You'll only save money.  You can definitely get wasted if you want to, it's not tough at all.  Sure it's not like some other states, but it's not that bad by any means.  And the EPIC skiing makes it completely worth while in my opinion. 

And oh ya, the cost of living here is much lower than almost every spot listed so far.  For someone right out of college without a lot of money (and doesn't have mommy and daddy's credit card,) the choice should be easy.    SLC all the way.

Crested Butte/Gunnison is rad for sure, but unless you work at the mountain there doesn't seem to be a lot of job opportunities.  Definitely stay away from Boulder/Denver if you want to ski, and the I-70 corridor sucks for skiing anyway, you can do a lot better for wayy less money and you don't have to put up with the shitty traffic every day.  It's a really chill vibe down there though for sure.

Whistler is rad, but moving out of the US to Canada can be tough to stay for an extended amount of time, but def. look into it.  Living in Whis must be insane.  Tons of parties and the mountain is unmatched no doubt about that.  Place is crazy large.  And tons of BC nugs up there.  If you're into that.  But still expensive overall.

For accessibility, job opportunities (you could get a REAL job here with your degree and still ski a bunch), and a lower cost of living for a recently graduated college student, Utah definitely gets my vote. 

And I'm sure the 10-15 kids I went to college with that moved out here after graduation would back that up 100%.   We've all been here for about 2-3 years.

Just my $0.02 on that.

Mar 15 2009 10:34AM
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farmskier
Posts: 935 - Karma: 120
What's so different?  Please elaborate on that.  He's looking for suggestions.  Not just a comment and nothing to really back it up.

If it's not the mormons you're referring to, then what is it?  The booze?  Don't move to ski somewhere based on the booze.  Move based on the snow quality and terrain.  Other than those two things, it's no different than anywhere else.  And does have some of the most EPIC skiing in the world. 

Mormons do SUCK at driving though.  All doped up on anti-depressants and never paying attention.  That is the shit that pisses me off most.
Mar 15 2009 10:47AM
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noj1080
Posts: 355 - Karma: 69
^^ thats a great description of utah, it sounds like a good spot to me

anyway here is my 2 cents worth of experience.  I graduated from school in December of 07 and moved to Avon, CO (Beaver Creek/Vail).  Living here has been great so far.  Last winter I skied everyday except for three days.  In the winter I work on the park crew and in the summer I was a supervisor at a construction company.  Neither of these jobs utilize my degree (mechanical engineering)  but with the construction gig in the summer I earned enough money to not make much in the winter and be able to ski everyday.  It is a manageable life style, nothing to fancy but not scraping the bottom of the barrel.

The party scene here is not as crazy as Breck but if you need a fix its under and hour drive to summit county.  Be aware also that there is a limited quantity of local girls but during the winter, spring breaks, holidays there is plenty of action to be found. 

As of right now I am hooked on living here and will be here for at least another year.  I am sure that a day will come when I will want to get a better job and that will mean I will have to move somewhere.  Not sure how that is going to come about but we will cross that bridge when we get there

hope that helps, enjoy your ski bumming next year!
Mar 15 2009 1:14PM
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yellav
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 1,217
the booze arguement doesnt even hold any sort of merit considering you can get beer with full alcohol content at any of the dozens of liquor stores in salt lake.

also theres a big movement right now abolishing the whole 3.2 percent thing.


keep hating on utah we don't want you here.
Mar 15 2009 1:58PM
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farmskier
Posts: 935 - Karma: 120
It is pretty expensive to buy "real" beer here in SLC, even at the liquor stores (which aren't as numerous as you make it sound, but do exist).  And the liquor store prices them per beer (weird).  Not too cool, but whatever.

 But you're right, they are starting to see the light and there is a lot of talk about changing the liquor laws (fingers crossed).  The biggest thing I saw recently, is that they're trying to do away with the private clubs and requiring memberships at bars.  That's huge for me, and honestly is the main reason I don't go to bars too often.  If that happens I'll be stoked.
Mar 15 2009 2:14PM
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king.tubby
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 122
ftw.
its got grocery stores, gas station, bars, etc, but is not a big annoying city. and the skiing, well. its pretty fun, i guess
Mar 15 2009 4:52PM
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farmskier
Posts: 935 - Karma: 120
Those things are cool and all.  But are there jobs?  Seems to me it's in the middle of nowhere, and there really aren't a lot of jobs except for the mountain.  Bozeman is pretty close though I guess.  I really like that area for sure, Big Sky looks gnarly!
Mar 15 2009 5:11PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Did you go to college at U of U by chance?  What sort of grades do I need to get in there? 

As a Jr. College transfer student though, so the requirements will be considerably lower than for a highschool student. 

In California all of the UC schools have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 to even apply, same at UofU?
Mar 15 2009 5:21PM
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adanac_360
Posts: 135 - Karma: 10
man move to BC! the interior has numerous mountains and its not that expensive to live , and if your looking for a full time job and all that jazz its a good place to be right now, with lots of employement opportunities goign on right now
Mar 15 2009 5:30PM
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s.bishop
Posts: 665 - Karma: 26
thank you for a good answer, 1010
Mar 15 2009 6:08PM
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s.bishop
Posts: 665 - Karma: 26
oh, FARMSKIER, is there transportation to the mtns, (planning on snowbird), and how is public transportation, there is a possibility i might not have a car when i move
Mar 15 2009 6:10PM
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_ice
Posts: 88 - Karma: 10
I've been to Utah many times before, and I loved it. SLC is great, I would move their now if I could.
Mar 15 2009 6:14PM
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kiwisdontbounce
Posts: 663 - Karma: 12
Thanks everyone for their input.  especially farmskier. Sounds like Utah and BC are the top choices right now, and of course it depends where i get a job.  What about places like tahoe, vermont (obviously not top choice), washington, jackson hole and other legendary spots.  I will definitely look into BC and utah (going to career services tomorrow to check on internships and interviews).
Mar 15 2009 8:31PM
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kiwisdontbounce
Posts: 663 - Karma: 12
bump
Mar 16 2009 12:51AM
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farmskier
Posts: 935 - Karma: 120
There's a great public transportation system within the Salt Lake Valley, and buses that regularly run up and down Big and Little Cottonwood all winter long.
Mar 16 2009 1:35AM
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farmskier
Posts: 935 - Karma: 120
I've looked at stuff in Jackson Hole and it seems to be pretty expensive (from what I saw online), and is a pretty small town, so maybe not too many jobs?  Not 100% on that though.  Definitely somewhere I'd like to check out.

Tahoe seems expensive as well from what I've heard from friends who live there and what I've seen online looking around.

Burlington, VT is an awesome little city and is located very close (by New England standards) to the best skiing in the Northeast.  I'd definitely recommend it for sure, cost of living isn't too much either, and has a lot more job opportunities than a town that doesn't have much but a resort going on (ie J Hole or Big Sky)
Mar 16 2009 1:43AM
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gnarrr
Posts: 823 - Karma: 12
Whistler is fucking amazing. Mountain is open november till june, and the glacier is open till july. accommodation is hard to find and expensive. theres also a lack of employees here so there are alot of jobs avaliable.
Mar 16 2009 2:55AM
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Tbrody
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 685
Here's my favorites: SLC, Tahoe, Brek/Dillon.

I live in SLC and don't want to live anywhere else (really).

Tahoe seems like a really dope place to live because there is so much skiing, passes are cheap, and although it's pretty "resort townish", north shore or Truckee seem liveable.

And if you are a diehard park rider and don't need anything but skiing (and can afford it), Dillon seems like the place to live.

Anywhere else the skiing to living ratio is too far off for me. Whistler could be dope though...


Mar 16 2009 3:14AM
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DJTwiztid
Posts: 51 - Karma: 10
Utah Baby! We got the best snow and ladies here. And you can get to brighton, solitude, snowbird, and alta within 15-20 mins. And Park City and the Canyons are only 30 mins away. I wouldn't live any other place. Alot of people picture Utah like being Wyoming where its all fields and horses and mormons. NOT EVEN CLOSE! UTAH IS POPPIN! Utah has a party scene just like any other popular city. And everyone I have met that has never been Utah, doesn't wanna leave.
Mar 16 2009 3:56AM
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