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Ski Town Living.

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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
Looked at some other threads, no one seems to be looking for what I am though.

Currently live in Mammoth. Live a 4 minute walk to the Gondola, 3 minute walk to the bus stop. I don't own a car nor do I want one. Park is fun but not a priority. I pay $800 a month which includes my utilities.

Wondering if there are any ski towns out there where I could have a similar situation. I've now had 5 season in Mammoth and 1 in summit county. Looking for a change.

I guess my only 2 real needs are that the place has super convenient public transit (preferably free or with a season pass) and that the focus is more on big mountain than park.

I can realistically live anywhere. I work off my computer so I don't need to find a job. Checked out Revelstoke, but it sounds like I'd be spending like $8 a day on public transit (unless there is a pass I don't know about). Thought about Whistler, just seems too tourist crazy. I could probably do Europe, just have no experience with cost of living in ski towns. Lived in Luzern for 6 months, but I'm pretty sure that's nothing like Laax.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

I want to get this figured out soonish so I can look at early season pass rates, visa's and so forth.
Feb 3 2013 12:59PM
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BrewskiJr
Posts: 5738 - Karma: 1,478
Laax as far as a town kinda sucks. Very boring. I don't really know where you could find a place that close to a good mountain thats $800 a month including utilities. IMO you should just stay where you are. It sounds like a decent situation you have.
Feb 3 2013 1:05PM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
If you're gonna do Europe, I might suggest Innsbruck. I constantly hear that the life there is incredible - a few minutes walk (possibly bus drive?) to gondolas, student nightlife, just a generally great place to be. They get dumped with powder also and there is plenty of terrain; similarly you will find lots of parks, although I am sure that backcountry overrules.
Feb 3 2013 1:07PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
i wouldn't discount whistler be cause it's 'too tourist crazy'...especially because it fills your guidelines in damn near every war. every ski area is tourist crazy. it's why we're in business.
Feb 3 2013 1:13PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I just through Laax out there. It was the first ski resort I thought of. I only know city prices in Switzerland and rent prices in Paris. Everything else is up in the air and looking up every ski resort town would take forever.

In Luzern I was paying $840 USD including all utilities and was living in the heart of downtown in a 2 room apartment (1 bedroom) by myself. That was entirely doable. Would a 3 room (2 bedroom) be a similar price in say Innsbruck or Saas fee or Zermatt or ... no idea?

Also, just found Revelstoke has $45 month bus passes. How is the transit system? Cost of living? so forth. Other Canadian towns?

I'd even look at places in the US, but I think I'm down to Jackson, Telluride, and maybe PNW if anyone knows of a super convenient spot that's not crazy priced.
Feb 3 2013 1:24PM
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MrSafety
Posts: 30 - Karma: 14
Revy's busses are regular, reliable and cost $5 for a return trip, free if you live in one of the places that offer free shuttle or about $150 for a season pass. It's on the website. Revy is sick.
Feb 3 2013 1:32PM
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MrSafety
Posts: 30 - Karma: 14
http://www.revelstokeresortshuttle.com/passes.html
Feb 3 2013 1:34PM
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yojimbo
Posts: 3631 - Karma: 27
move to cottonwood heights, acquire snowbird pass.
Feb 3 2013 1:35PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I know I cant fully disregard anywhere yet. Whistler isn't entirely off the list. It just seems like such a destination place and so done up. What's the seasonal population like?

I'm open to any suggestion provided it's not summit county (already did that).
Feb 3 2013 1:36PM
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flatland
Posts: 726 - Karma: 77
Cost of living in Canada, specifically BC is likely higher than what you're paying now. Not rent specifically but food, gas (not an issue if you don't have a car, duh), and especially liquor. Cheese is priced similar to gold and 12 of your average beer will cost between $20 and $25.

To give you an example: A few weeks ago gas was 99.9 c/Litre in Banff Alberta. 150km to the west in Golden, BC gas was $129.9 c/Litre. Higher taxes in BC along with how remote a lot of places are drives the cost up, even in a place like Revy which is on the trans-canada.

I'm not trying to discourage you since you'll find a lot of what you're looking for, just letting you know what's up. Revy is rad though, especially if you're willing to tour.
Feb 3 2013 1:43PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Can I ask why you don't consider getting a car an option? If you get away from the Mammoth/Summit County/Whistlers of the world your rent will go down to less than half of what you are paying now. Put this money towards a car and you are no longer limited to live only in towns that have free transit to and from the hill - which tend to be the expensive busy ones previously mentioned.

Feb 3 2013 1:44PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 5,397
Aspen ski life is pretty nice. work for the mountains and get 4 mnt pass(Snowmass, Highlands,aspen,buttermilk). Plus 2 day passes to most other resorts in CO (vail corporation sucks).
Also the mountain collective now allows 50% of at squaw, JH,alta.
Employee housing in Snowmass village (550 month with utilities and all furnishings). RFTA buses are free between the 4 mnts. Snowmass village and aspen bus are free (I pay nothing for transport unless I leave the general area). Side jobs are easy to find if you qualified ( ski techs, bartenders, ect). Im lazy and like to ski so I just work lifts at Buttermilk. Work the occasional extra event for overtime (xgames and snowmass open).
To be completely honest, I thought I was gonna work one season and move cause I thought I'd hate working for the super rich. But the skiing and riding community is so strong that I'm here on my third season. I'm considering other resorts for a season or two but I do enjoy this place and will probably come back.

Feb 3 2013 1:53PM
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rickroller
Posts: 2468 - Karma: 483
best place on earth
Feb 3 2013 1:59PM
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Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1843 - Karma: 1,923
Revy is pretty easy for rent. Hundred dollar resort shuttle season pass or $2 a ride. You can get a ride hitchhiking pretty much anywhere. There is a shuttle that drives you home for free from bars on weekends. Awesome place. Town is nice and bars are decent. Rogers pass. Nuff said.
Feb 3 2013 2:04PM
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maximiliaan
Posts: 7711 - Karma: 2,857
True that, innsbrooklyn is pretty awesome! And offcourse the best footballteam wacker innsbruck!
Feb 3 2013 2:04PM
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schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
if you throw out the car option, or are willing to hitch hike, Whitewater & Nelson should for sure be something to look into. Theres a reason why they won the best ski town competition, but i'll let you figure out why.
Feb 3 2013 2:09PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
I like to travel too much to own a car. It's actually a lot easier not having one. I can pick up and leave to anywhere and not have to worry about what I will do with it. Also gives me a lot more freedom in how much money I have for travel. When I really need a car, I rent. I was spending upwards of $500 a month between gas, insurance, and repairs and so forth. Stay home for 2 months and all of a sudden I have an extra $1000 to spend on travel costs that I wouldn't have had otherwise.

So I basically have a $6000 transportation fund every year. I've been carless for nearly a year now and have done Mammoth - LA 2 or 3 times, moved to Switzerland in which I traveled around europe quite a bit. Went to Colorado for a bit, then back to LA, then to Mammoth, then back to La, now I'm in Colorado again and will spend another week in LA before going back to Mammoth in which I'll probably make it to Baker or maybe even Europe again before my full year is up. I don't know many people that have funds to travel like that. If they got rid of their cars they would probably be a lot closer. Selling my car was the best decision I have made in a long time. Sure it limits you a bit on where you live if you're in the US, but you just need to get creative.

Feb 3 2013 2:17PM
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maximiliaan
Posts: 7711 - Karma: 2,857
reminds me of:
Feb 3 2013 2:22PM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
ok so i did a quick check and i found this in 20 seconds:

Click for larger image
Click for larger image

room with balcony, garden, gas heating, internet access. costs 150€ / month

location:
Click for larger image

seems like there are definitely cheap places available. i can give more info if you want it!
Feb 3 2013 2:24PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
thank you so much. so so much for sharing that. tears running down my face.

Green is not a creative color.
Feb 3 2013 2:28PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
Jackson would be absolutely awesome. Granted, that is from a visiting point of view, but I've had a blast everytime I've been in that town
Feb 3 2013 2:30PM
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deleted5
Posts: 14507 - Karma: 13,507
Breckenridge you don't need a car you can take the bus everywhere.
Feb 3 2013 2:30PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
That's DIRT cheep. Wow. I had spoken to the downday's people once about trying for an internship or something.

Interesting....


Any other good european options? canadian options? Personal experience with living in Jackson or Telluride or big sky or anywhere like that?

You guys are doing good here. Keep it up. Certainly I'm not the only one learning here.
Feb 3 2013 2:33PM
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TechnoPotamus
Posts: 11626 - Karma: 3,522
I was out in Telluride this past winter for vacation and that seems like a pretty cool place. It's definitely on the smaller side, but the public transportation is free and everything is located very close to the gondola that takes you right to the mountain.

price wise i'm not so sure about that but I'm sure if you're interested you can figure that out. Just throwing out another option for you! Absolutely gorgeous place, and everybody was so so nice
Feb 3 2013 2:39PM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Some info about Revy.
I have a car here, drove from Quebec, and I love to have my car. Better for groceries, going out, going at the pass and whatnot. But I was 10 days without it and it was fine, the shuttle system works great and you can hitchhike easily depending on where you live.

For me, I have an appartement with 2 of my homies in columbia park, the thing is pretty sweet, 3 room, a place to dry the gear, a room for skis, parking place and it's like 900$ per month, cost me 345$ with utilities, which is not that bad.

The mountain is sick, even if we don't have to much snow around this time. You have some good run but you always have to take a traverse to get back to the stoke which suck , or you have to go to the ripper and do the same fucking traverse to get back to the stoke which suck too. The lower mountain, like kill the banker and all the nice spot around that are really sweet tought. But Revy look way nicer and bigger in paper, first day I was here I was shocked by how bigger I tought it was. But still very a sick mountain.

If you have a touring set-up you will have a good amount of fun, the cat ski area is nice and you can have some good line with fresh powder. The Highway bowl is fucking sick. All the chute/couloir are nice too, brown short, door 1,2,3,4. The big advantage that I found here is the fact that roger's is close and roger's is the shit

They have a rail park too, 4 rails.... not bad, you can ski it till 8pm.

Might have forgot many thing btw, I'm hangover

BTW, I'm considering coming back next year, but I would like to change for anothr resort in BC, some suggestion? RED? KH?



Feb 3 2013 2:49PM
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m@tty
Posts: 332 - Karma: 89
When I was out in Revvelstoke I hitch hiked to and from the hill nearly every day. Not sure if the public transit issue was what put you off from there, but getting too and from the mountain was never a problem, for me anyways.
Feb 3 2013 2:54PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13110 - Karma: 18,927
If you want to consider Nelson ski town... but for 850 a month I get a huge 1 bedroom apartment furnished. Its a 30 minute ride to the hill, but someone is always ready to drive you up.
Feb 3 2013 2:56PM
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casualfiasco
Posts: 662 - Karma: 10
I'm currently living in Jackson and it's pretty much exactly what you're looking for.

Paying less than 300 a month. 1 minute from a bus stop that brings me to the mountain free with my seasons pass. And if you haven't been here, just watch some TGR shit, the terrain is ridiculous.
Feb 3 2013 2:57PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
Exactly this, i moved a few months ago and didn't bring a car first time in years I haven't needed one and i have to say its pretty amazing, i miss driving but not worries about insurance, gas, breaking down, getting stolen, repair bills, gas, parking...its amazing
Feb 3 2013 4:02PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
Exactly this, i moved a few months ago and didn't bring a car first time in years I haven't needed one and i have to say its pretty amazing, i miss driving but not worries about insurance, gas, breaking down, getting stolen, repair bills, gas, parking...its amazing
Feb 3 2013 4:06PM
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Kooky_Lukey
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,966
Bozeman/Big Sky.

If you get a place close to town everything is in walkable distance and they have a free shuttle that goes to Bridger and a shuttle that goes to Big Sky that you can get passes for like 11 round trips for thirty bucks which i think is a pretty damn good deal.

I would recommend getting a Big Sky pass just because its so freaking awesome. The do have a pretty nice park, nothing like summit county or anything but i like it. Pretty much all their focus is on Big Mountain, mainly because they have the Lone Peak tram that takes you all the way to the tippy top.

Rent is pretty cheap too. I looked real quick on craigslist and just found a nice little 1 br apt for $350 a month.

Maybe Im a little biased but Bozeman seems like the perfect place for you.

Hope this helps and the invaders you sold me are working out pretty damn nice. If you have any other question too feel free to PM me.
Feb 3 2013 4:13PM
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whoa-dere
Posts: 10596 - Karma: 7,105
wow you travel a shit ton. i would like to do this
Feb 3 2013 4:14PM
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 254
Jackson is absolutely rediculous. Go there.
Feb 3 2013 4:41PM
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shocker611
Posts: 2599 - Karma: 423
and I also second the terrain. Its ridiculous, I've lived in Utah for 3 years and was still blown away by Jackson. One thing I will say though is that it has been cold as balls every time I've been there
Feb 3 2013 5:03PM
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nagger
Posts: 1576 - Karma: 883
big white is sick if you have a lot of money
Feb 3 2013 5:14PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Well, I'm not going to say you're wrong, because there is no right and wrong. Heck, I have a friend who said fuck it this winter and he's travelling around without paying rent anywhere AND doesn't have a car. I think he's crazy, but he's loving life, so you know.

That being said. Living in the Kootenays of BC, I have never paid more than $400/month all in, the norm is around $300 for my own place. If you move to a ski town where rent is comparable, you're saving $500/month, which is what you claim to be the cost of running a car for the winter. Again, I'm not saying you have to do it this way, I'm just saying that there ARE options.

I will say that getting away from the 'resort' type ski areas might be right up your alley. Cheaper living, less crowds, rowdier terrain (as long as you pick it right), and a more mature, 'core' crowd. It might not be on your radar, but I'd look into Bozeman, MT (Bridger Bowl), but without a car I have a feeling you will feel very limited there.

Tough call. Fernie, Whistler, and Rossland in BC are very friendly places for people without a car. Revy and Golden are doable as well. Don't know much for real details for most American towns so I won't even bother trying.

Whatever you end up doing I'm sure you'll have a good time, you seem to have a good understanding about what you want/need.
Feb 3 2013 7:31PM
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Caspaaa
Posts: 4830 - Karma: 1,466
i think when i'm older i'll end up keeping my car but rarely using it and instead doing something like what you do
Feb 3 2013 7:33PM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
Revelstoke is in 1st with Jackson and Innsbruck in second.

I did however just submit my application to volunteer for the entire winter/para olympics. Sounds like it would be all of February and March. Could be interesting.

Spend Nov - Feb in Innsbruck or Annecy or something then Russia for Olympics and then April - June back in Mammoth. Could work. Or just back to whatever european city.

If I don't get accepted as a volunteer I'll probably do Revelstoke or Jackson.
Feb 3 2013 11:52PM
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Shark.
Posts: 3158 - Karma: 270
threads since I want to move outta summit
Feb 4 2013 12:02AM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
I wouldnt really recommend bozeman without a car. Awesome town within your budget and there is a way to do it without a car, but its a pretty big hassle. Living up at big sky is a much better option-good transit system, not ridiculous rent, pretty good skiing based on what you're looking for. Small town but its a pretty sweet place.
Feb 4 2013 12:12AM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,664
i have two friends living together in tahoe. they each pay 300 a month for rent. they work at heavenly at received free tahoe epic passes. the free bus stop is a 20 second walk from their front door and they are in reasonable walking distance to several grocery stores i believe. maybe 10-15 minute walk.
Feb 4 2013 12:17AM
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Rachy
Posts: 4355 - Karma: 2,761
thanks, but tahoe isn't on the list. I already live in Mammoth and the only place I'd consider living is Squaw which doesn't actually have a town.. so it's sort of out of the question. I was considering moving there last year when I still had my car. Now it's a no go.
Feb 4 2013 12:23AM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,664
word, good luck!
Feb 4 2013 12:25AM
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GEORGEzimmerman
Posts: 1473 - Karma: 440
tahoe is a shit fest. the amount of travelers coming from the bay area is getting out of hand its way too overcrowded during the winter and summer its fucking bs.
Feb 4 2013 12:25AM
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broto
Posts: 9039 - Karma: 25,664
i went and stayed with my friends for 6 days and rode heavenly. skied the sun/mon of MLK weekend. never had a lift line of more than like 4-5 minutes (normally we skied right on) and we had the park basically to ourselves on perfect bluebird days.
Feb 4 2013 12:29AM
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Chron_Rabbit
Posts: 988 - Karma: 1,567
Did you even read the thread?
Feb 4 2013 12:30AM
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GEORGEzimmerman
Posts: 1473 - Karma: 440
i live in tahoe. i put up with traffic, people everywhere all the time, crowded stores, its no longer peaceful. its loud and crowded. its turning into a city and if thats what you want ok but i lived there since i was a little kid and im used to the quiet little bum my ski town and it isnt that anymore which is why im moving away once i graduate haha. love the land though and always will
Feb 4 2013 12:32AM
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Forest.
Posts: 329 - Karma: 500
Put down another vote for Jackson, its my home town. I'm sure you can find a place for cheap, and even if your not right in the village the start bus can take you anywhere for a max of like 2 bucks and free if you have a pass. Sidecountry, The pass, backcountry, tons of hiking/boating in the summer, as well as tons of in bounds big mountain make it a truly amazing place to live.
Feb 4 2013 12:35AM
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Kooky_Lukey
Posts: 1002 - Karma: 1,966
How is Bozeman not good without a car? the streamline goes to literally every part of town throughout the whole day. And the best part is, it's free.

I think you should really think about bozeman, it even has the male to female ratio similar to one probably very much like mammoth which you are used to.

Don't be a dumb Canadian, unless you already are then I apologize.
Feb 4 2013 1:50AM
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Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1843 - Karma: 1,923
Just go to Revelstoke and quit being a loser.
Feb 4 2013 2:00AM
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sweet_caroline
Posts: 255 - Karma: 71
I want your life
Feb 4 2013 2:29AM
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