Thoughts and comments on travelling circus article

It would be hard but so fun

It's not as big a leap as you might think....people do it every year.

Honestly, all that's required is 1.) the willingness to live below the standards of what many people deem acceptable and 2.) the willingness to let go of (or put on hold) other wants.

I took a huge pay cut and have a soulless job, I live in a small apartment with my gal (which makes it seem extra small at times), and I'm 2000 miles from my family. None of those things are deal breakers for me, and I get to ski 5 days a week at any one of a handful of the country's best resorts, and my season runs from Oct-July.

Anyone can do it, but it does take a little bit of courage/faith, and you have to be ready to be seen as a loser by some.

im planning on ski bumming sometime, but in the summer.

i could only imagine what living out of a car in the winter would be like.....

There are so many cheap housing options.

Off the top, there's a friggin' hostel in Taos, NM called the Abominable Snow MANsion that's a few minute hitchhike from the mountain. Ski bumming doesn't have to look like it does on TC, though it's a good blueprint!

Hey casual u have any tips. What do you do? Do you go in with any money saved? I plan on paying off school loans and then saving up maybe a few thousand and just going for it. My major is mechanical engineering so my othrer option is to just get a real job near a resort town. Im just not ready to be a "grown-up" and start making money for the government. I know if i never do this i will regret it forever.

I do, and I'd love to share. Just wanted you to know I saw your post and I plan on giving you a real reply in a bit.

Thanks just pm me or post it up here for anyone else that plans on living out their dream

I know this thread has been made several times, but I think it's always good to update it for people who might be getting the itch. I myself as someone who is relatively new (a few years anyway) to the "bumming" game would love to hear other people's thoughts on relocating to live out their skibum dreams. I'll just kick out some of the obvious ones for now.

I think saving up some money is really, really important. Sure, you could probably throw your shit in the car and drive off with just enough gas and beer money to get where your going, but only if you have your plan 100% dialed in ahead of time. It's cool to sleep under the stars in Hood River in  July, it's less cool to do it in November in Jackson.

Obviously amount is pretty variable depending on everything from the cost of a pass (sled, A/T setup....heli?) to cost of living in the area, to how you get where you're going. As a general rule of thumb, I'd recommend saaay......3 months rent and food (gas if you'll be driving/sledding a bunch). That's a guess off of the top of my head, but the idea I'm trying to get across is that you probably need MORE than you think you do, so keep that in mind. In the financial department, I'd just also say that if it's at all possible find a job before making the move and/or do your research as there's nothing worse than showing up in a seasonal/tourist town in an off month when NO ONE is hiring with no money in your checking account. If you don't have a checking account, you're too young to be reading this suggestion and if you're presently considering making a move involving skiing and becoming a pro or something, stop.

 I tend to see embarking on a ski migration as a private, solo act, but a lot of people pull a TJ and drag their less talented friend along and later get them avalanched upon. Obviously moving with a friend/lady has its advantages and is sort of a built in security blanket, but it also can go horribly wrong and/or hold you back from having the experience you're looking for. In other words, consider what sort of person you're potential roomie actually is, and more importantly what sort you are.

For a lot of people bringing someone along isn't in the cards by choice or not, but there's a ton (more) options for someone flying solo. Craigslist, local papers/classifieds, coffee shop bulletin boards, etc. are all good places to find roommates and/or rooms. Hell, call a realtor from the area and feel them out on what's available and what properties are going for and if there are better months to find places/get better prices, all that stuff, etc.

Going along with the research up front theme, REALLY figure out what you want to get accomplished. What I mean is this:

Are you moving to SKI? Or, are you moving to be able to ski more at a better resort whilst living your life outside of skiing/progressing towards some larger non-skiing related goal?

This might seem stupid to point out, but honestly this is one of those questions that will really shape your whole bum experience. It also may seem like I have a preconceived notion about which of those two types of "bums" above is the "right" one, and I really don't. The truth is that they're both great reasons to relocate; they're just really different animals. For those though that are really considering moving to basically live, eat, and sleep skiing I HIGHLY recommend STILL researching the area you're moving to HEAVILY as far as things you can do outside of skiing. Injuries happen, other things happen...it's good to be somewhere where you sort of have a plan b, or at least some other reasons/things to enjoy being there. For example, I really love live music, sporting events, museums/art, etc. so I live fairly close to a city that offers that. All I'm saying is don't move to a shack in the middle of nowhere to shralp pow only to blow a knee if you're the sort of person who likes to catch a late movie and eat greasy pizza at 2am.

That's all for now, I have to go to work (one of the many, many reason why ski "bumming" is sort of a misnomer for most of us).

thanks casual$ that was really cool and helpful

+ k

Dam great post thanks. Yea i think this thread became more about bumming and less about TC but very informative and just what i was looking for. I still have two years to plan and i im not ready by then i'll jusy be realistic and wait until i am ready. Id rather wait and be prepared than rush into it and have a bad time

I am actually taking a year off after highschool grad to go to New Zealand for the summer to ski then head back after season for them is over then do some TC around the states to Mount Hood, Bear mountain and Mammoth. Just going to work on the mountain for some months then travel again. Some of my buddies decided to tag along cant wait just 2 more years and I'm out!

Yeah it would be a great interesting experience. I am just wondering how hard would it be to get back into you old routine? It would be cool to talk to someone who has done this.

this is the thread to beat all threads.

the good thing is that you're already in a good place w a mech engineering degree under your belt. jumping back into the "real" world will be much easier for you than most. the job market for you is sooo much better than most.

i'll type up some stuff in the morning, but casual has mentioned a lot of key points. the money situation is a huge part, as is health insurance. as mentioned, calling local realtors is a really good idea. everyone that i've known that has lived in a pimp place for dirt cheap did this.

Dude new zealand has always been a top priority for me. The only tough part is the $1000+ airline ticket. But i was actually looking into moving there after graduation.