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Where to be a ski bum?

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sky_steezy
Posts: 125 - Karma: 404
Sometime After college I'm thinking of becoming a ski bum in for a year, but I can't decide on what would be the best place. I was thinking maybe study abroad in Europe and settle somewhere for a year in the Swiss alps or something but that would be very pricy. I'd be fine with a good ski town in the U.S or Canada. What do you guys think would be a good place to be a ski bum.
Apr 27 2017 11:59AM
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VailValleySkier
Posts: 224 - Karma: 514
Somewhere that has skiing in the summer too like Mt. Hood or Woodward Copper, etc..
Apr 27 2017 12:10PM
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GeneralButtNaked
Posts: 7854 - Karma: 89
Vail is dope. Very inexpensive and good for being a bum.
Apr 27 2017 12:14PM
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VailValleySkier
Posts: 224 - Karma: 514
GeneralButtNakedVail is dope. Very inexpensive and good for being a bum.


Really easy to get a job with affordable housing included too.
Apr 27 2017 12:37PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8949 - Karma: 36,479
GeneralButtNakedVail is dope. Very inexpensive and good for being a bum.


i hear squaw is real great about it too...super cheap....and andy wirth lets you sleep on his couch if you dont have the money
Apr 27 2017 12:53PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Arizona Snowbowl, best pow in the west.
Apr 27 2017 1:59PM
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sky_steezy
Posts: 125 - Karma: 404
Profahoben_212i hear squaw is real great about it too...super cheap....and andy wirth lets you sleep on his couch if you dont have the money


Andy wirth?
Apr 27 2017 3:21PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
sky_steezySometime After college I'm thinking of becoming a ski bum in for a year, but I can't decide on what would be the best place. I was thinking maybe study abroad in Europe and settle somewhere for a year in the Swiss alps or something but that would be very pricy. I'd be fine with a good ski town in the U.S or Canada. What do you guys think would be a good place to be a ski bum.


Define your life as a ski bum.
Apr 27 2017 3:59PM
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sky_steezy
Posts: 125 - Karma: 404
Mr.BishopDefine your life as a ski bum.


Getting a small job just to survive, don't work to many hours and all you do is ski.
Apr 27 2017 4:00PM
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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,635
sky_steezyGetting a small job just to survive, don't work to many hours and all you do is ski.


Stay away from big resorts then, places need to have super cheap housing and living expenses. Work a job at the mountain a few days a week to get a pass and you're set.
Apr 27 2017 4:02PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9327 - Karma: 61,270
sky_steezyAndy wirth?


prez/CEO of squaw
Apr 27 2017 4:16PM
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iambusyskiing
Posts: 273 - Karma: 4,003
Depends on how touristy and affordable you want it. The further away from airports the less crowded it'll be.

Tahoe ski areas get busy with people from the Bay Area, squaw pays lifties $15/hr but it's because living there is expensive.
Telluride/Crested Butte/Steamboat are the least crowded in CO with super rad ski town vibes. Summit county is stupid busy... Don't go there.
Taos is a gem in New Mexico. It's more busy in the the summer than winter so it's really affordable but the town itself is so weird
Jackson Hole is SO expensive.
SLC is a huge city but Alta and snowbird are really close and rent is cheaper because there's more housing in general. Downside is that after huge storms the passes get closed down all morning for avalanche control.

Don't know much about Montana, Oregon or Washington ski areas. But if you're thinking of abroad why not check out Canada?
Apr 27 2017 5:19PM
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RousedWits
Posts: 387 - Karma: 894
I've heard Grand Targhee is a pretty sick place to bum for a winter or 2
Apr 27 2017 5:29PM
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iambusyskiing
Posts: 273 - Karma: 4,003
Oh woops totally realized you mentioned Canada in your first post. In that case yeah do Canada. Here's the towns I would move to if I could get that whole work visa thing down.

- Revelstoke
- Kicking Horse
- Fernie
- Red
- Maybe Lake Louise? Probs not
Apr 27 2017 5:32PM
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skLworks
Posts: 7 - Karma: 55
go to snowbird and call all the locals brain dead idiots
Apr 27 2017 6:24PM
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VailValleySkier
Posts: 224 - Karma: 514
emrenOh woops totally realized you mentioned Canada in your first post. In that case yeah do Canada. Here's the towns I would move to if I could get that whole work visa thing down.

- Revelstoke
- Kicking Horse
- Fernie
- Red
- Maybe Lake Louise? Probs not


I've heard good things about Fernie.
Apr 27 2017 6:25PM
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iambusyskiing
Posts: 273 - Karma: 4,003
VailValleySkierI've heard good things about Fernie.


Fernie made this really cool video last winter if anyone's bored and looking for something to watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRHOZcztZyE
Apr 27 2017 9:37PM
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Dddsz
Posts: 3042 - Karma: 7,326
Mr.BishopStay away from big resorts then, places need to have super cheap housing and living expenses. Work a job at the mountain a few days a week to get a pass and you're set.


emrenJackson Hole is SO expensive.


Can definitely make it work despite the housing situations. I got a job at the hostel in Jackson hole and my rent is $2 per day and I only work 25-30 hours per week in the winter. More like 40 in the summer. As for living expenses, I'll be rolling with that college diet and cheap beer. Anything is possible if you research the fuck out of it my dudes.
Apr 27 2017 10:55PM
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VailValleySkier
Posts: 224 - Karma: 514
emrenFernie made this really cool video last winter if anyone's bored and looking for something to watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRHOZcztZyE


Perfect, I was bored and needed something to watch.
Apr 27 2017 11:00PM
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,137
As a consideration, there are not many (any?) countries that will let you stay for a year. Visas and all that, ya know?

You did not specify if you plan to be a working ski bum or a bum ski bum. If a working ski bum, there are considerations about international work visas if you're going international.

What you are proposing is a lot more difficult than simply deciding to be a bum, especially if you leave the US.
Apr 27 2017 11:53PM
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Mattgeraghty3
Posts: 122 - Karma: 373
Literally anywhere is possible just depends how much you want to work. My friends have been ski bums in Whistler for the last two years but that just means you have to work a bit more but to be honest I think it would be worth it. Seriously considering moving out there for a season some of the best skiing around and the towns a bit bigger so you won't get cabin fever too much
Apr 28 2017 7:04AM
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nmw12
Posts: 17 - Karma: 65
A ski bum is in the heart and mind. Whatever mountain you land at, if you want to be a ski bum you will be. Also Dillon, CO is good too near A-Basin
Apr 28 2017 1:24PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Whatever you do, dont go where I'm going.
Apr 28 2017 4:41PM
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dan4060
Posts: 1458 - Karma: 847
I did my ski bum years in Squaw and I loved it. Absolutely insane mountain. It is not cheap, if you have experience waiting tables that is a good way to go, you can make good money and you work at night.
Apr 28 2017 5:28PM
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SkinnyPenis
Posts: 240 - Karma: 361
dan4060I did my ski bum years in Squaw and I loved it. Absolutely insane mountain. It is not cheap, if you have experience waiting tables that is a good way to go, you can make good money and you work at night.


Squaw/Tahoe is a good place to be
Apr 29 2017 12:51PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8949 - Karma: 36,479
SkinnyPenisSquaw/Tahoe is a good place to be


Oh yes....yes it is
Apr 30 2017 12:47AM
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