Member of the Month

theabortionator
April, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

What is a ski bum?

profile picture
Gfunkrussell
Posts: 230 - Karma: 1,074
I was just wondering, what the future holds for those who label themselves or are labeled as a ski bum. Who are the bums of this era and do they carry the significance/contribution to the world of skiing?
13 years ago
192 66
profile picture
foodbuffet11
Posts: 843 - Karma: 84
someone who skis and occasionally falls on thier bums, like asians. I love the asians who where those big tall pointy hats, and hold their kid with a rope while they scream piizza and other things
13 years ago
5 17
profile picture
Spiri7o
Posts: 2163 - Karma: 1,100
Someone who moves to a mountain and works just enough to ski and pretty much lives out of their car
13 years ago
6 0
profile picture
foodbuffet11
Posts: 843 - Karma: 84
that is very stupid and wrong.
13 years ago
3 20
profile picture
JibbaTheHutt
Posts: 2132 - Karma: 1,597
top 2 posts obviously didn't read original post...
13 years ago
7 0
profile picture
steve0
Posts: 1140 - Karma: 1,352

I would say a ski bum is someone that makes certain sacrifices in their life and career, mainly financially, in order to live a certain lifestyle and ski as much as they can.

I think in todays day and age with the technology and transportation that is avaiable the line between a weekend warrior and a "Ski Bum" is getting blurred. There are tons of companies that allow you to work four 10 hour days, work from home, answer E-mails from a Blackberry all sorts of things that would allow someone to work a normal job and ski 50+ days a year. It's hard to maintain a "Ski Bum" job at a ski resort year round, and I think more and more people are moving towards a flexible real job that both pays well and allows you to ski frequently.

13 years ago
4 0
profile picture
SkiBum.
Posts: 3609 - Karma: 3,981
Uh me.
13 years ago
7 0
profile picture
Skibumsmith
Posts: 5469 - Karma: 12,381
yo
13 years ago
4 0
profile picture
BROSEIDON
Posts: 3702 - Karma: 1,495
here's a nice ski bum
Click for larger image
13 years ago
37 0
profile picture
Skibumsmith
Posts: 5469 - Karma: 12,381
Click for larger image
13 years ago
10 1
profile picture
ChucklesNorman.
Posts: 1197 - Karma: 706
lives in a ski town, Night job or no job at all and skis hard everyday.
13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Gmart
Posts: 1634 - Karma: 273
Erik Olsson is he future of ski bumz
13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
50Kal
Posts: 2836 - Karma: 5,541
This is the best definition of a ski bum I could think of.

The Contribution (if at any) of a ski bum is not the advancing of a sport but the helping provide stoke for a lifestyle that is now on the verge of seeming ridiculous by general society. I know even back in the day ski bums were looked down upon, but in this day and age where kids would rather play on xbox or a PS3 then go out and enjoy the outdoors a ski bum is kinda good I think overall.

This doesn't just fall into skiing but the broad spectrum of the outdoors in general.

These supposed "bums" of society that are looked down upon in society even though they are extremely wealthy in knowledge of what they do and in experience.
A bum doesn't care if they give away a good fishing hole. They now your gonna be stoked when you catch the same fish they would of had they not told you.
They will tell you the secret pow stashes cause they want to share that feeling of pure bliss they receive skiing.

I know ski bums don't care about other people as much as it seems. Some can be down right terrible people. I've met those type. And others just want to ski with not carrying about any thing else in the world.
.
But I feel that ski bums as well as bums from all outdoors, contribute much more then people give them credit for.  
13 years ago
2 0
profile picture
foodbuffet11
Posts: 843 - Karma: 84
wow, my definition was wrong.
13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Gfunkrussell
Posts: 230 - Karma: 1,074
Some legit definitions and observations peeps, and some solid ski bums as well! Thanks for the insight- I was getting worried skiing was turning into something egotistical and becoming something under appreciated and taken for granted- cheers
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,223
Vanessa Aadland
too bad she lives in Costa Rica now
13 years ago
2 0
profile picture
Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
Ski bums are the guys who live for skiing and live a borderline povertyline lifestyle in order to ski as much as they can.

I ski 200+ days a year, and have given a lot of other things up in order to do this, but don't consider myself a ski bum, because my job (ski instructor) actually pays pretty well, and at some points I spend a lot of time working, rather than skiing for myself.

The bums are the guys that share rooms, work as little as possible and ski as much as possible. You can be a bum and an instructor if you avoid work as much as possible, but more common bum professions are barmen/chefs/ski techs/shop workers.

I am jealous of skibums a lot of the time, but on balance, think that having a decent mix between earning cash and skiing is the way forward for me.
13 years ago
1 1
profile picture
midwestpowhunter
Posts: 2198 - Karma: 189
Nono that is a gypski biggggg difference
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
AMcCraw
Posts: 845 - Karma: 703
that's one of the best definitions of a ski bum i have heard in a while. In terms of work / living situation, I would say I fall under ski bum definition - for example I work my ass off forest firefighting all summer so that when winter comes around I have enough cash to scrape by and not work a single day, and just ski! Most ski bums also live with multiple other people who shred so the stoke stays all day long , not just at the hill. I by no means am a bum though, I was able to afford a sled this year, and should be able to make it by fairly easily.

In this day and age, it is really hard to make it as past ski bums did. resorts like whistler are just way to expensive to afford living there without some sort of job. Revelstoke is one of the few legit options left and still not cheap. If you want to read about it read stuff about Charley Ager. Dude bummed hard in whistler for a long time, still does
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
50Kal
Posts: 2836 - Karma: 5,541
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9xXrYcWVdM

Here is a good video on Charley Ager. Made me laugh first time I saw it.

Also AMcCraw,  where you fighting fire ? Im BLM in gunnison.
13 years ago
2 0
profile picture
Skibumsmith
Posts: 5469 - Karma: 12,381
sadface
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,323
the "ski bum" is still very much alive and well. I've been straight ski bumming for over a decade now and not alone by a long shot.

The mentality of skiing varies drastically from place to place. I live in a region (the Kootenays) where the soul of skiing is still pure. You know the scene in All I Can with the old people skiing pow? That's the mentality of the Kootenays in a nutshell. In the media and the industry it might seam like the ski bum isn't around, but that's because we aren't in the limelight, we're off skiing somewhere enjoying life.

13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
finnafuckyobitch
Posts: 1647 - Karma: 864
make it a mission to ski everyday- the thought of not skiing 250 days a year doesn't even enter ones head. claim-fest but i shredded over 250 days between november and august by working a ballin fall job (winery gig) and busted ass 6 nights a week in park city and slc between serving at a restaurant and ski shop then mobbed to washington in april to shred another month. Lived outa the whip then mobbed to hood where i lived outa my car again may thru august driving a cat...now in cali stackin paper waiting for the snow to fall again and planning to do it all over again...bum is a negative connotation though as many people i know that do the same thing bust ass at their jobs but just work weird hours for little pay. It is a righteous lifestyle and if you love being in the mountains and skiing every day I recommend it...at least for a year, shit will change your outlook on life
13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,323
Oh, and those who say that ski bums live in poverty, sharing rooms in shitty houses and all that other shit either haven't actually been a ski bum, or they've got the wrong attack plan. I've lived in very nice living situations with enough money to do what I want, buy what I want, eat out a lot, and drink and party more than I should...

Working as a lifty or instructor is Ok, but it is very, very far from the ideal spot to put yourself in if you want to be a ski bum. Patrol is a pretty sweet gig if you have to work on the mountain. Myself, I work my ass off all summer banking coin so I can live a comfortable lifestyle and be unemployed all winter with no agenda but skiing. That being said, I choose to stay away from the 'Whistler's' of the world so I can afford to do such things.
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
panojibber.
Posts: 1041 - Karma: 683
Somebody embed this because I am too much of a n00b:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9xXrYcWVdM
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
AMcCraw
Posts: 845 - Karma: 703
im helitac up in northern manitoba based outta Wekusko falls. nice to see another forest firefighter that shreds!
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
TheMEXICAN
Posts: 241 - Karma: 29

13 years ago
13 0
profile picture
TonyTheTiger
Posts: 863 - Karma: 68
Just like an addict, a ski bum will do whatever he can to support his needs.
13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
3mania
Posts: 2647 - Karma: 10,797
I've racked up about 4,000 days in the last 30 years or so. Click for larger imageClick for larger imageMaybe I'll grow up one day and get a real job.... but i doubt it.
13 years ago
15 0
profile picture
Granby_killdozer
Posts: 2487 - Karma: -13,992
hell yeah! Just keep on keepin' on, never let the man tell you how to live your life.
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
GavinW
Posts: 574 - Karma: 89
best kind of ski bum

13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I'd consider myself a ski bum.

I've worked in a ski chalet, as a snowboard instructor, as a ski instructor, as a an outside sales rep, as a marketing coordinator, as a front desk agent for a hotel owned by a ski resort at 4 different ski areas. Have worked in a snowboard shop and a ski shop.

I haven't worked a non temporary/seasonal job aside from the hotel thing.

I have a college degree that I don't use at all. In college I started a ski team at my university. I'd skip class when I knew there was good snow. I worked at the resort even though it was 120 miles round trip.

Now I make websites/do digital media stuff and am doing it more and more for smallish ski companies and athletes. I make enough money that I only work about 15 hours a week.

I live in a 1 bedroom apartment in a ski town. I don't own a car but I'm a 3 minute walk to the gondola. More than 50% of what I own is ski gear.

My parents have come to terms with the fact that this is what I do now and are just really happy that I'm happy.
13 years ago
3 0
profile picture
smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
Click for larger image
13 years ago
5 0
profile picture
Clark_Griswold
Posts: 1283 - Karma: 49
That sounds like the life I'm starting to live. I have never worked a winter in my life. I always work summers to make a ton of money to ski all winter. I am currently in college and literally have no plans to use my degree. Honestly I'd be happy working in a ski shop waxing skis for the rest of my life. My parents are having trouble accepting the fact that the only thing I've done with my life was skate through school and ski. My senior year of high school I think I went to class once a week during winter. Skiing has been the only thing to bring me true happiness in my entire life and I have no problem with that. I just need to find a wife that is okay with the lifestyle I am choosing. That or I'll just live the single mountain life forever.
13 years ago
3 0
profile picture
Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
I just don't think you're bum enough, no offence! For sure skiing sounds like your life, but if you make decent money, Iive in a nice apartment and don't eat ramen more than 2 times a week, you're not really a bum. If you work hard all summer, to not work in the winter, maybe that could be a bum, but not if you have a steady job that just lets you ski a lot.

Maybe we need a new term for people that get it more dialled than your average floor sharing, dishwashing, ski bum.
13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I don't know. I don't think a ski bum needs to be poor. Like I said, I work about 15 hours a week. My income for last year was only 22k. For me that's a solid income cause that's all I need.

To me, ski bumming is dedicating your life to skiing as much as possible for the sake of enjoying life when you may have otherwise been a productive member of "common society."

I had straight A's through highschool. Have a BS in Archaeology and instead... I chose to have everything I own (less my skis) fit between 2 big storage bins and a suite case.

I watch my friends get real jobs and high salaries. I go to sleep happy at night knowing they will wake up to an awful alarm and my alarm will be the sound of avalanche blasting.

A season or 2 doesn't really qualify a ski bum. But consistent dedication through many years to ski as much as possible... yeah, that's pretty much it.
13 years ago
2 0
profile picture
AnthonyWalsh
Posts: 1571 - Karma: 1,302
its what i want to be when i grow up
13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Rosbif
Posts: 2543 - Karma: 930
I guess we just have different definitions of 'bum', which is after all the point of this thread. I just think 'bum' has connotations of poverty, but obviously if you want to identify yourself as one, that's fine.

Maybe a distinction could be made between working in the off season or going on holiday, I spend the 4 months a year that I am not skiing, travelling, not saving, maybe the bums have to work so they can ski even more in the winter.

I do fully agree with you about how great leaving 'common society' behind is, I haven't really done much else apart from skiing for the last 6 years and it's taken me to a bunch of places that I otherwise wouldn't have gotten too.
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Dibs
Posts: 496 - Karma: 86
oh my god that charlie ager video made my day, possibly week.
13 years ago
0 0
profile picture
Drail
Posts: 14045 - Karma: 10,323
this.

I don't think how ghetto poor you are or aren't has anything to do with being a 'ski bum'. As I said earlier in this thread, there really is no need to be poor dirtbag stealing the peanut butter from the day lodge at the hill to survive.

You do what you have to do to insure that on that epic pow day there is no excuse for not being at the front of the lift line. For me, it means I only work from May-October.


Besides, nobody likes ghetto poor people so why would you want to be one? Conveniently showing up at your house just before dinner is on the table, drinking your beer on you, never able to do anything or go anywhere because they have no money, sleeping on your couch well over their welcome without even doing the damn dishes! Trying to get in on apres-ski beers without ever buying. The list goes on and on.

Skiing is a lifestyle, if anything a "true" ski bum is one who can afford to not work on a pow day, have apres-ski beers, and have enough money to have the freedom to party and travel, not some poor dirtbag sleeping in a parking lot mooching off of everyone. Just saying.
13 years ago
2 0
profile picture
RanAdini
Posts: 1 - Karma: 11

Here's my take on who's a ski bum

http://www.facebook.com/notes/a-ski-bums-diary/a-ski-bums-diary-introduction-who-and-what-is-a-ski-bum/169274153114400
13 years ago
1 0
profile picture
smurphdog
Posts: 16 - Karma: 11
threads
12 years ago
0 0
profile picture
JahLiam
Posts: 2322 - Karma: 7,831
Just look at the traveling circus
12 years ago
1 0
profile picture
slaagmaster
Posts: 129 - Karma: 63
these days everyone is a ski bum. the mere idea of ski bum has become an item to be ckecked off a todo list!! used to be ski bum was lifestyle. anymore pros call themselves ski bums. please!!! the only way to find a true ski bum is to find someone that goes by the label dirtbag. however the hipstas have encroaching on this lately!!! over time i will attempt to convey some of this lifestyle but for now i will offer this pic as food for thought!!!!!!


Click for larger image
11 years ago
1 3
profile picture
JahLiam
Posts: 2322 - Karma: 7,831
Click for larger image
11 years ago
1 3
profile picture
SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,126
#SKIbumsSKI
and spend their time and energy in pursuit
Click for larger image
#BUMSskiBUM
and spend their time living in squalor and spendin a whole bunch of time and energy
trying to convince others how fuckin ski bum core they think they are
your killin it that reguard
bro

11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
slaagmaster
Posts: 129 - Karma: 63
bitchazz n haterz b ererwhere!!!!! hey flapsagger - diged dem d your mom or sister take that pic?!! ne who i bagged dem both while you wuz playin wit timmy!!!!!!!!
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,126
bwhhaaa nice imagination
#Uaintbeenlaidsincethe70's
Click for larger image
#whiteroombitch
hows your play fort?


11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
slaagmaster
Posts: 129 - Karma: 63
dood!!! suck my oh, ah, damn!!!! forgot how fast you telemarketers can drop to yo knees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAArrrrrrrrRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
11 years ago
1 0
profile picture
Barefootin_Fiend
Posts: 7618 - Karma: 4,727
lol, i wish this was the real, legit Slaag Master because that dude is a fucking legend.
11 years ago
0 0
profile picture
cool_name
Posts: 4295 - Karma: 3,136
Naw it's a bum that's really strong, skiers usually get them because skiing works that muscle hence why it's nicknamed a ski bum
11 years ago
1 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 4:16AM