Where can I afford to ski bum?

There is a reason its called a rich mans sport. Put your degree to work. Move to a town ex Denver, SLC, San Fran, etc closeish to the mountains and become a weekend warrior. Do you want to continue living like you do now? Or make a decent living and ski weekends / holidays / days off.

I'm sure the ski bum life is fun for a couple years but how do you expect to support a family making $10 an hour...hell even if you max at $25 an hour it isn't particularly a lot of money.

KravtZThere is a reason its called a rich mans sport. Put your degree to work. Move to a town ex Denver, SLC, San Fran, etc closeish to the mountains and become a weekend warrior. Do you want to continue living like you do now? Or make a decent living and ski weekends / holidays / days off.

I'm sure the ski bum life is fun for a couple years but how do you expect to support a family making $10 an hour...hell even if you max at $25 an hour it isn't particularly a lot of money.

Easier said than done. Higher paying environmental jobs (if they even exist) in desirable cities = 10000x the applicants. I've applied to hundreds of jobs since graduating a few years back. For reference, an entry level environmental gig (science, not so much engineering - I have a science degree) in Denver, expect pay around $30-40,000 MAX and it's common for 300+ applicants.

That's what I've wanted and have given it valiant effort with no luck.

Well if you're expecting not to work during ski season you're gonna need a rich auntie or something. Most locals work 2 jobs during the season. Yea it's a bitch living somewhere the pay is low and the cost of living high but no one is forcing you to prioritize skiing.

I would try to wait tables at night. That can pay pretty well, and allow you to ski during the day. I would say try to be a bartender, but those jobs are very hard to come by.

Most of the people I knew who did not wait tables, and did not work in the winter, worked their asses off in the summer doing construction. The money starts low, but if you get a trade it can be pretty good. I knew guys who did roofing who made a pretty good living. They worked like dogs all summer, then worked 2-3 days a week in the winter, and never when the snow was boot deep. This is not always possible though, some companies are different than others, my buddies were just lucky enough to find a company that allowed them to do that. I should add that they worked way more than 40 hours a week for the 7.5 months they worked in the offseason. It is a tough gig, but they made it work.

It really is a shame your job does not pay well, as that would be a great ski bum situation otherwise. You also have to ask yourself if you want to be a ski bum, or you want to do it one year. If you want to do it one year, quit what you are doing and wait tables in a mountain town. When the season is done, try to find a permanent career.

live outta your car. get a job on mountain for a free pass. find some roommates to split rent with if you're renting. I'm planning on doing the same thing as you after college. if the TC guys can do it, i think anyone could.

the best advice i can give you as a previous coach at woodward and living in summit county, is you have to work your ass off all summer in order to even get by in the winter up there. i payed 400$ a month in summit and that is a damn good price, while pulling in barley 10$ at woodward (it didnt matter i loved my job). land a solid job in the summer starting in may work through october and put it all away dont be an idiot on spending money. yeah it sucks for the most part but you can have fun. then the winter, its all play and the job just goes towards gas, weed and beer. boom.

You really gotta find a better job. Servers and bartenders at high end restaurants can make serious cash ($20-$40+/hr tax free). When I first moved to summit I landed a driving job making $10/hr + tips averaging around $22/hr.

The second part is housing. This part is hard because you really have to know someone or get lucky, but don't get trapped into paying crazy rent. If you are moving from far away with no connections you probably have to suck up high rent for a season or full year until you stumble upon that golden opportunity.

I would also recommend that you start in a place like summit where jobs are plentiful and rent is relatively cheap. Jumping into a place like Aspen, Telluride, Jackson, etc with exorbitant cost of living is obviously going to much more challenging.

tittyboiEasier said than done. Higher paying environmental jobs (if they even exist) in desirable cities = 10000x the applicants. I've applied to hundreds of jobs since graduating a few years back. For reference, an entry level environmental gig (science, not so much engineering - I have a science degree) in Denver, expect pay around $30-40,000 MAX and it's common for 300+ applicants.

That's what I've wanted and have given it valiant effort with no luck.

Try harder, network, do whatever it takes. I competed with 6000 applicants for a previous job and won it through networking. No excuses man.

Sacrifice more. You either want it bad enough or you don't.

Don't try to li

Don't try to live in the expensive popular resorts. Ex: break, park city, whistler. No one can afford these towns - they just make it work.

Smaller towns have cheeper rent, less competition (kind of), and generally cheeper everything.

I'm a ski bum in the west kootenays and I genuinely don't understand who people can afford to live in big cities like Vancouver. Keeping your rent down is the easiest way to afford anything else you may want in life.

The secret is to Build up huge amounts of debt, and then let a stolen identity take the fall for you by transferring the debt to the stolen identity. Sure, Its super illegal, but do you want to shred or not?

On a real note I've heard of people couch surfing, but that only works with people who have a giant network to go off of. I know this may be an obvious recommendation, but if you go on a Job website like Glassdoor.com or something like that, you could in theory find a high paying, short term job in any field. Don't just limit yourself to your degree. You could take a CNA course (2 weeks give or take) and be making anywhere from 10-15 an hour doing office work or grunt work in a hospital (And if you get injured, you can realistically get free medical attention if need be).

Its hard, but not impossible. Just always have a bottom line and always have about 2 weeks worth of pay as emergency money in case of whatever. Also try a type of Couch surfing website where people would let you stay for dirt cheap (if they do charge). And some colleges will rent out rooms during winter break to anyone willing to pay (for the cheap).

Keep your head up man.

you can ski bum and still be very successful in a ski town man. Its a matter of finding good friends to share a decently affordable place and get a full time job working nights, grooming, lodge cleaning, hotel front desk, taxi or shuttle driver, etc. If you are passionate about skiing you just make it work.

OP, just try and learn as you go. Pick up as much as you can. Always be on lookout for better housiing situations, etc.

If you don't work at a resort and have employee housing, best thing is get in EARLY. Split place with a few people. Throw up a craiglist ISO room etc. Sometimes people are even sharing a room if it's a good size. If you want to save anything, going out every night isn't the best choice, but you can find some discount beers certain nights or maybe even every night at certain bars and go there. like $2 pbrs.

As far as the winter. Find a job serving, bussing tables, doing dishes. ANYTHING to start you out while you look for a better gig. Maybe delivering pizza's. Apply to everything and try and lock down something good. IF you like the area and return, keep with a gig you like if you find one.

I've lived a lot of my life under $10 an hour. Honestly crazy how hard I've worked for so little at some places but I loved my job.

For more ideas, Ive got several friends working at a hotel in Alta. They shred all the time, get their place to live through the hotel(and it's non ski area so options do exist for non resort employees)

Anyway they keep going back and one friend is always posting when there are openings.

Basically it can be tough, nobody at least for the most part, is getting rich working these jobs living in these towns. That said, if you do it right it can not only be sustainable, but an awesome way to live.(depending on your needs and goals)

It's possible that for now with your current work there is no real setup for you to meet your needs and make you happy. Maybe you need more. Idk, There's bum in ski bum, so anything up from ramen is a huge victory in my book.

As far as jackson, most of the resort employees even live in Idaho I believe. For tahoe look into housing in reno as a possibility. Things like this. If you're looking for a place to live right at the base of a mountain for cheap, you're going to have to get stupid lucky. Broaden your range, hopefully meet people to carpool with, split rent. Most places have reasonably affordable living within 45 minutes it seems like.

Best of luck

KravtZThere is a reason its called a rich mans sport.

Meh, not this again. For the person who goes a few times a year and takes ski vacations to major resort destinations sure, otherwise definitely not.

Get a season pass pr better yet a job at the mountain, pack a lunch, get your gear from previous years new or used from people around you, and shred it up.

I'm not saying it's as cheap as skateboarding where all you need is a skateboard and some pavement or concrete, but it's extremely doable even on a ridiculously tight budget.

you do realize being a bum is half of the part of being a skibum right?

I lived in my truck all summer. Worked my ass off. Saved every cent I could. Now I'm living in Jackson at a motel. Working full time as a night baker from 3-10 am. But I ain't complaining. I love my sport I make it work. I get to ski seven days a week.

The best (although not the most appealing) way to ski bum goes like so: save a small amount all year and get the spring pass at timberline; drop all responsibilities in life; buy a costco amount of noodles, jerky, gallon waters and other things you would desire if you were about to be homeless for a few months; drive to the magical place that is Mt Hood and proceed to camp in the woods. Make sure you check ahead of time that you're allowed to stay in the area you choose, keep the duration of the stay low-key as it's a grey area thing with the forest service, if you respect the land, pack in pack out, ect ect nobody should give you a hard time. Eco-conscious and cost effective way to ski daily. So basically just save and struggle through the year then run away from everything in the spring.

What specific field are you in? From what I've seen, to get out of the hole of temporary positions in our line of work, you really need a masters coupled with experience. Is that something you're willing to do? How long have you been doing temp work? Check out USAjob.gov. There are a lot of opportunities if you are willing to move. I know it sucks though.

elm.live outta your car. get a job on mountain for a free pass. find some roommates to split rent with if you're renting. I'm planning on doing the same thing as you after college. if the TC guys can do it, i think anyone could.

They actually get ski stuff from sponsors, and Andy seriously works during the summer. Also, Will sometimes gets money from Level 1.

This is my 4th season as a full time ski bum. I live in Breckenridge Colorado and have very little parents help (I'm under 23 so my parent's have me on their insurance and I dont pay for my phone bill) otherwise I am 100% independent.I am attending CMC to also couple my education with my passion. Personally the way that I have done it (you REALLY need to be OK living in close quarters with people, or be fine splitting a room) is to go in with a ton of people (craigslist if you don't know anyone in the area) and get a place with a ton of people. I would highly recommend applying for the respective mountain at first just for your first season (Its a shitty job, and resorts treat you like 3rd class citizens, but you get pretty nice discounts on the mountain, and a free pass so I couldn't complain). Also pretty much every MAJOR resort has some form of housing for their employees, sometimes its shitty, but you practically live on the mountain and its generally the most reasonably priced living. I would recommend this life experience to anyone, it is beyond words to describe what it's like to shred 50-100 days a year and live in such a unique area. If you have any more questions on the process feel free to message me!!

but you do need about $1000-$2000 saved up because initial housing costs and early season hours are what send half the people home before the snow even really gets here (except for this season. . . Brecks already gotten a few good storms haha)

AK_I get to ski seven days a week.

So every day?

You make it work. It's not rocket science.
You need three things in a ski town. Pass, housing, Job. If you have those three things your set. Then it's just managing your life to what you can afford. You can be in any ski town in the States doesn't matter where.

Sell Meth??

drugs man

I live in Jackson.
Bartender at a resort in the village.
This year I am working somewhere new, (for me), last year I bartended, skied almost every day and made great money! $11 an hour, plus tips. I would average between $200-$500 a day.
Discounted season pass.
Live in town at a motel- $700/ month.
Get fed at work, so only meal I have to worry about is breakfast.
Take the bus everywhere, so I don't really drive my car. (Gas)
This past summer I had to go home for family reasons, which ended up working out ok, because I worked at an amazing steakhouse in the city, made amazing $. Saved most of it, and now I'm back in Jackson.

It's defiantly doable, do you research on where you want to live and figure out how to plug in to your surroundings!

DBack1321What specific field are you in? From what I've seen, to get out of the hole of temporary positions in our line of work, you really need a masters coupled with experience. Is that something you're willing to do? How long have you been doing temp work? Check out USAjob.gov. There are a lot of opportunities if you are willing to move. I know it sucks though.

Conservation, with a lot of field experience in fisheries.

USAJOBS is the most fucked hiring system. I've applied to probably 75 jobs on there in the past two years and have never got an interview.

tittyboiConservation, with a lot of field experience in fisheries.

USAJOBS is the most fucked hiring system. I've applied to probably 75 jobs on there in the past two years and have never got an interview.

Yea tell me about it haha. You fuck up one thing on your app and the computer says you're unqualified and a human never even gets to see your app. The good thing for me is they automatically put veterans on the top of he list. Like with any job, it's who you know man. They get bombarded with applicants so do you do anything to stand out? Call who's hirering, go there in person?

Are you willing to go to grad school?

DBack1321Yea tell me about it haha. You fuck up one thing on your app and the computer says you're unqualified and a human never even gets to see your app. The good thing for me is they automatically put veterans on the top of he list. Like with any job, it's who you know man. They get bombarded with applicants so do you do anything to stand out? Call who's hirering, go there in person?

Are you willing to go to grad school?

Yeah it's the worst website and I've given up with Fed jobs because of that haha.

Yup my 2-3 year goal is to go back to grad school, and once I'm there I will never leave the academic realm. I absolutely loved college and took higher level classes as an undergrad (even worked for a few grad students and professors).

What I really need is that one good, permanent job that actually boosts my resume and confidence so I can get into a solid program, whether a Master's then Ph.D. or fuck it all and get into a Ph.D. if I have experience to substitute for an intermediate Master's. Most of my coworkers look at a Master's like a chore just to get a stamp so they are in line for a Biologist job that pays $30-40k max a year. I really dig learning and academics, where a higher degree to me isn't a necessity but a natural progression to really learn more.

Plus, why not have some fun with this field and getting out to travel before it's time to grow up! It's just a shame that the pay is so ridiculously low, jobs are ultra competitive to get, and once you get a job you are treated like a field slave solely capable of collecting data.

tittyboiUSAJOBS is the most fucked hiring system. I've applied to probably 75 jobs on there in the past two years and have never got an interview.

I've gotten lots of job offers through usajobs. If anyone wants tips or advice on that site I'd be willing to help.

50KalI've gotten lots of job offers through usajobs. If anyone wants tips or advice on that site I'd be willing to help.

Please share haha

live in utah, cheap rent compared to most places. work at a ski shop night shift so you can ski in the morning. reap benefits of cheaper ski gear through the shop and a lot of shops have passes to the resorts. been doing it for 5 years now.

DBack1321Please share haha

Be WFR cert, S-212, red carded, or have a degree is something and you should be getting job offers. Pm me if you need more help. If you have none of the things posted above pm me and I can give some hints how to get some work/experience to get those jobs.
Disclaimer: when I say usajobs I speak of wildfire jobs or department of interior jobs. Not the Washington political posted jobs.

50KalBe WFR cert, S-212, red carded, or have a degree is something and you should be getting job offers. Pm me if you need more help. If you have none of the things posted above pm me and I can give some hints how to get some work/experience to get those jobs.
Disclaimer: when I say usajobs I speak of wildfire jobs or department of interior jobs. Not the Washington political posted jobs.

PMed you dude

Ah now that you have that degree, you can work a food service job!yay!

Dude learn your snow, get some avy education, drop the cash on a touring set up. And don't hang around yuppie over populated places like COLORADBRO or California

don't tell anyone, but living in govy/welches is pretty fuking cheap

don't tell anyone, but living in govy/welches is pretty fuking cheap

The way I did it was by saving up and cutting down as much as I could on all my expenses.
I just obtained my master's degree in the summer of 2014 and saw the perfect opportunity to move out to Revelstoke for the following winter.
I myself live in the Netherlands, a tiny country with no mountains in any form. I allways saw Revelstoke and B.C. in ski and snowboard movies which fueled my dream of moving out there and experiencing it first hand.

Before moving out to Revelstoke I knew working there would be near to impossible. First of all the working holiday visa is really hard to get as a Dutchie. There are only 200 spots available, they don't tell you when subscription will open and as soon as it does the website can't handle it, so it just comes down to luck to obtain that visa. And even if I could get one finding a job in Revelstoke during the winterseason would be a pain in the ass.
That's why I decided to take on an extra job after I graduated from university. Working both in construction and as a bartender made sure I slept little to none, but this would all lead to me skiing all winter without a care in the world.

Before I flew out to Canada I moved out of my house and stored the few possessions that I have in a storage box. The only fixed expenses I had to worry about at that point was my insurance.

I got lucky when hitchiking to Revelstoke, to have met someone who hooked me up with finding an affordable place with some really chill people. And it was just one big stupid grin from ear to ear from that point onwards.
Simple things like cooking from scratch and eating with everyone in the house, or bringing your own lunch instead of eating at the hill relieves a lot of pressure on your budget.
The only thing that I found really expensive as an European was the beer. Not as bad as the Scandinavian beer prices, but it did make a serious dent in my budget.

There are many ways you can make the ski bum life work for yourself. And no it will not be beneficial for your financial position. Wheter it would be doing a job for less or not working at all during the winter. For me that is just one sacrifice I'm eagerly willing to make just to be able to play around in the mountains everyday.

I went back home with just a little bit of money left, I started working like crazy again and as soon as the temperatures here in Europe will drop and the alps get hit by snow, i'll be out there.
If it is your dream to ride big mountains out west, just go for it. For me those sacrifices I had to make because of it were well worth it