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November, 2024

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Where to be a ski bum at 23?

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yzzid
Posts: 125 - Karma: 150
Tips on becoming a ski bum?

How can I become a ski bum at 23?

I am 23 years old and want to be a ski bum so so bad. I grew up in WA and have bee in skiing my whole life. I am a strong skier but have only ever skied in bounds. I see so many videos online of people skiing deep back country pow, amazing conditions and insane terrain a something I have never experienced but deeply long to. What resorts have the best snow conditions in the US? How can I teach myself how to navigate backcountry? How do you meet friends who want to do the same thing? I envy so many skiers who have videos of them shredding online…I just sit there thinking “how did they find that line…how did they create a life where they can ski everyday and explore safely…how?” I want to live this life for me before I get too old. I’m not sure if I should go to Utah, Wyoming, Montana, or Colorado? Are there best resorts that have places to live super close to the resort? Staff housing? I plan on trying to work on the mountain as a lifty or in a restaurant in a town somewhere. I have no idea where to start. I want to immerse myself in ski culture.I have $17,000 saved up and want to move so bad. Financial advice? What should I do to get there? Can anyone help point me in the right direction to make this happen? What should I be researching? I plan on moving and seriously doing this in summer of 2023. Any input in how you made it work would be much appreciated. Salt Lake City seems like a great place because of the close proximity to multiple resorts. Grand Targhee, Bozeman…not sure at all where to go. I just want good skiing. I don’t care so much about about night life, but do want to make friends. Any advice appreciated.
Dec 29 2022 3:42AM
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BigmoneyMatt
Posts: 1545 - Karma: 1,198
The problem with it is that it's not fun. I got my drivers license at 24 because the only thing I cared about was skiing, I mean yeah I'm a good skier now and the people in the industry are usually grade A humans. But the pay is miserable the living conditions are miserable eating miserable. You will not be able to save money.

Why be a ski bum when you can become a ski plug. Sell drugs bro, fuck the clear cut path.
Dec 29 2022 4:22AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
save up and buy a fat and light bc setup. then jackson wy is the answer. try not to die.
Dec 29 2022 10:17AM
11 1
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hi_vis360
Posts: 5104 - Karma: 51,835
Work in construction and be a weekend warrior. You will make good money and learn a skill that will guarantee steady employment for life.
Dec 29 2022 10:17AM
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C.R.E.A.M
Posts: 2988 - Karma: 4,581
I'm in my early 30's and I ski more, in cooler places then I did when I was in my mid 20's growing weed because it "gave me flexibility to do what I wanted".


Spend the next two years learning an invaluable skill and apply yourself, then you can ski anywhere in the world you want for the rest of your life. Get a corporate job (or some kind of white collar job) with unlimited PTO or a work remote setup and spend all your monies on skis and travel. You'll still make plenty of great friends and you will have the unintended upside of having resources to do more then just ski too.
Dec 29 2022 10:49AM
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isaacwrong
Posts: 2304 - Karma: 17,784
C.R.E.A.MI'm in my early 30's and I ski more, in cooler places then I did when I was in my mid 20's growing weed because it "gave me flexibility to do what I wanted".


Spend the next two years learning an invaluable skill and apply yourself, then you can ski anywhere in the world you want for the rest of your life. Get a corporate job (or some kind of white collar job) with unlimited PTO or a work remote setup and spend all your monies on skis and travel. You'll still make plenty of great friends and you will have the unintended upside of having resources to do more then just ski too.


This is fax now...the working remote life seems wicked chill and the flexibility has created a whole new way to "ski bum" without making minimum wage at a resort or the surrounding area
Dec 29 2022 10:54AM
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C.R.E.A.M
Posts: 2988 - Karma: 4,581
isaacwrongThis is fax now...the working remote life seems wicked chill and the flexibility has created a whole new way to "ski bum" without making minimum wage at a resort or the surrounding area


Yep, and now that I think about it being able to go to physical therapy and sports med doctors because I have health insurance is also nice.
Dec 29 2022 11:00AM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6680 - Karma: 70,690
Bro just have rich parents


Also don't work at a ski resort. people iN tHe iNdUsTrY don't ski as much as you'd think and because they've been sold the dream you're dreaming, they get paid peanuts.

Work a white collar job in DevOps or some shit out of a van or truck and chase storms.
Dec 29 2022 11:17AM
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SurfaceIsdurable
Posts: 190 - Karma: 1,598
Move to Colorado and live in a van or reconstructed bus that’s ur home now.
Dec 29 2022 11:24AM
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muffMan.
Posts: 2795 - Karma: 26,414
Bum it in Durango and ski silverton, or even live in silverton.
Dec 29 2022 11:43AM
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IsaacNW82
Posts: 769 - Karma: 6,693
Actually if you are interested in backcountry, specifically skiing steep stuff in the backcountry, WA is a great spot for that.

Colorado and the rest of the continental snowpack areas frequently have high avy danger until spring, maritime snowpacks tend to be more stable. So yes, there is excellent backcountry access there, but you will spend a lot of time avoiding avy terrain mid-winter because the snowpack is so unstable.

I live in Taos, which has a similar snowpack to Colorado and I very infrequently ski big backcountry objectives before March or April, when the warmer temps and deeper snowpack heal and become more stable.

Regardless of where you go though, the focus to get into the BC should be on avy gear + knowledge, the best quick way into it IMO is to make friends who have backcountry experience and get your AIARE level 1
Dec 29 2022 12:05PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51745 - Karma: 163,541
Have you ever ridden Crystal my dude?!? If you live in WA. There's some good stuff here, Baker, Alpental.

Sure move to a place, road trip, by a van or camper for a truck. But just saying you live closer to real ass skiing than a lot of people on this site.

Also a lot of places it's getting increasingly harder to even park a camper or van overnight. Northwest has all the snowparks which make it pretty damn accessible. Start local go to some of the legit mountains. Meet people, ski some cool lines, go tour with said people. Also road trips are fun as hell.

Also when they open, Beartooth Basin WY/MT is friggin sick in the early summer. Small spot but some good touring and rowdy ski bum vibes.

23 isn't old. But yeah if you want to send it somewhere do it. Just saying the northwest has some pretty good stuff
Dec 29 2022 1:38PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4814 - Karma: -704
I would wait until Thanksgiving and see where has a lot of snow and good long range forecast. Everywhere has employee housing and jobs.

It would really suck to be somewhere with no snow.

That doesn't exist in the Western US this year though everyone for the most part is getting it.
Dec 29 2022 2:42PM
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270on420out
Posts: 7514 - Karma: 51,162
hi_vis360Work in construction and be a weekend warrior. You will make good money and learn a skill that will guarantee steady employment for life.


This is what im currently doing and i now average less days than i did in middle school. Ive also come to learn that the money is pretty hit or miss.
Dec 29 2022 11:10PM
1 0
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AlmostCooler
Posts: 584 - Karma: 3,631
yzzidTips on becoming a ski bum?

How can I become a ski bum at 23?

I am 23 years old and want to be a ski bum so so bad. I grew up in WA and have bee in skiing my whole life. I am a strong skier but have only ever skied in bounds. I see so many videos online of people skiing deep back country pow, amazing conditions and insane terrain a something I have never experienced but deeply long to. What resorts have the best snow conditions in the US? How can I teach myself how to navigate backcountry? How do you meet friends who want to do the same thing? I envy so many skiers who have videos of them shredding online…I just sit there thinking “how did they find that line…how did they create a life where they can ski everyday and explore safely…how?” I want to live this life for me before I get too old. I’m not sure if I should go to Utah, Wyoming, Montana, or Colorado? Are there best resorts that have places to live super close to the resort? Staff housing? I plan on trying to work on the mountain as a lifty or in a restaurant in a town somewhere. I have no idea where to start. I want to immerse myself in ski culture.I have $17,000 saved up and want to move so bad. Financial advice? What should I do to get there? Can anyone help point me in the right direction to make this happen? What should I be researching? I plan on moving and seriously doing this in summer of 2023. Any input in how you made it work would be much appreciated. Salt Lake City seems like a great place because of the close proximity to multiple resorts. Grand Targhee, Bozeman…not sure at all where to go. I just want good skiing. I don’t care so much about about night life, but do want to make friends. Any advice appreciated.


Work at Alta. Liftie or one of the lodges, recommend GMD
Dec 29 2022 11:37PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37547 - Karma: 121,693
Uhhh start working in a ski town at 14 or something idk
Dec 30 2022 12:42AM
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ridgetop
Posts: 34 - Karma: 109
If you are going into the mountains make sure you get there before the season opens to look for work. Come up with a plan so that you are investing your money in your future while getting yourself into the life you want, not just spending it to do nothing. Try to get some of that into the stock market slowly over the next year. Index funds are proven to outperform active stock strategies so just hunt for the lowest fees ... schwab SCHB or Vanguard VOO. Reinvest dividends, set it and forget it. Skip Bozeman, not enough going on there long-term but shoutout to Bridger Bowl. Probably not Aspen. Summit County more likely if you are going to CO. Bartenders and fine dining servers make big bucks in Eagle county during the season FYI. Salt Lake is probably best because there will always be work there and you are not isolated from the world up in the mountains and skiing is still close. Have fun, find a girl, try not to spend all of your money and when you do spend, try to spend it wisely when you get there because once you make that leap and go wherever... the money will drain 2x faster than you think until you get a job and get the funds flowing the right way again. If you really dont care if you are up in the mountains and isolated and kind of prefer that... see if you can find work in Telluride. That is top notch skiing, tons of snow, but very little work.

...You'll want to find some roommates, first priority. GL
Dec 30 2022 2:57AM
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yzzid
Posts: 125 - Karma: 150
Bozeman is actually very high on my list. Any other reasons I should avoid it besides it possibly not offering a lot besides the outdoors long term? I don’t really care about finding a career there do that’s what you mean. It’s a college town, I’ve heard the skiing is great at Bridger. Should I send it or avoid it?
ridgetopIf you are going into the mountains make sure you get there before the season opens to look for work. Come up with a plan so that you are investing your money in your future while getting yourself into the life you want, not just spending it to do nothing. Try to get some of that into the stock market slowly over the next year. Index funds are proven to outperform active stock strategies so just hunt for the lowest fees ... schwab SCHB or Vanguard VOO. Reinvest dividends, set it and forget it. Skip Bozeman, not enough going on there long-term but shoutout to Bridger Bowl. Probably not Aspen. Summit County more likely if you are going to CO. Bartenders and fine dining servers make big bucks in Eagle county during the season FYI. Salt Lake is probably best because there will always be work there and you are not isolated from the world up in the mountains and skiing is still close. Have fun, find a girl, try not to spend all of your money and when you do spend, try to spend it wisely when you get there because once you make that leap and go wherever... the money will drain 2x faster than you think until you get a job and get the funds flowing the right way again. If you really dont care if you are up in the mountains and isolated and kind of prefer that... see if you can find work in Telluride. That is top notch skiing, tons of snow, but very little work.

...You'll want to find some roommates, first priority. GL
Dec 30 2022 6:10AM
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Whaddup
Posts: 105 - Karma: 586
If you can work remote and live in a van, that helps.

Employee housing at resorts can be trash but fun just lock your shit up so it doesn't get jacked

Apply/show up mad early if you're going to work at the resort/need housing

Resort servers and bartenders make good money, and you can meet hella locals that way, while you're working

Don't spend all your money on partying and Jordans and stuff

Research the shit out of your gear, and talk to people who have experience with it so you don't buy some crazy $$$ setup and decide you don't like it by the end of the season
Dec 30 2022 8:19AM
1 0
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Farmville420
Posts: 4796 - Karma: 61,546
Be a bum in ur 30’s. I skipped 4 years of skiing to get an engineering degree and now I have job security for life and good money, and I feel like despite only skiing on weekends or hitting street at night, im a better skier than I’ve ever been in my life
Dec 31 2022 6:51PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 5,412
Its easy to be a ski bum, hard to have a stable, sustainable career and house when your in your 30s +.

But if one was to be a ski bum I would say work super hard and save during the summer then find a ski town you want to live in /can afford to move to. Buy pass or AT setup and ski your face off.

Or just find a job in a ski resort town that offers housing with work. You do ski less with this option cause you have to work in winter time.

Here is my opinion on skiing in the states:

Utah: Great snow and terrain, super crowded in the front country.

Wyoming/Idaho: Great snow and terrain, less development of ski resorts outside of Jackson Hole and sun valley (cheaper?).

Colorado: Good snow and amazing sunshine/terrain, pretty crowded in the front county and huge resort development (lots of jobs), still some hidden gems (wolf creek, silverton, CO Hut system).

Montana:Good snow and terrain, only crowded in three main areas Boze, Missoula, Flathead. Lots of mom and pop ski resorts.

Alaska: Amazing coastal snow, endless terrain, no crowds (you can have a literal mountain to yourself) unless your waiting on helicopter drops. Need your own modes of travel (AT, snowmobile, plane). Only a handful of resorts. Fucking huge state.

(Didn't include Washington and Oregon cause I haven't spent alot of time in those states skiing. I hear La Grande has a good hut system)
Jan 1 2023 10:11AM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4814 - Karma: -704
hi_vis360Work in construction and be a weekend warrior. You will make good money and learn a skill that will guarantee steady employment for life.


I met a boat mechanic in the lodge that worked maybe 20 mins from where my boat was this winter. He refused to winterize it for me and replace a part it was lame 'no I live up here its the winter and I don't do work on the side.'

But yeah if you know boats you make a lot of money and don't have shit to do in the winter.
Jan 1 2023 8:35PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
50KalColorado: Good snow and amazing sunshine/terrain, pretty crowded in the front county and huge resort development (lots of jobs), still some hidden gems (wolf creek, silverton, CO Hut system).

EDIT: Colorado: okay snow. dangerous avalanche conditions Nov-April. endless terrain. lots of people in certain places
Jan 1 2023 11:24PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37547 - Karma: 121,693
I'm 27 now, I grew up in the midwest but somehow wound up in Utah as a kid with my family. Rocked the dishpit at 14 at some shitty pizza place and worked at the resorts in PC doing all sorts of stuff after that and now I currently patrol in PC. Its a tough grind but I've met some amazing people who I call homies for life and have learned so much about stuff. Like yeah, the paychecks could be better and living situations aren't always ideal, but fuck an office job at this point yo.

My advice? Trades that pay decently. The work sucks but you'll meet some homies for sure. I used to do landscaping and also met some cool homies doing that too. Something about dogshit work conditions brings people together ya know? Also EMS/Fire/Wildland Fire. That opens many other doors besides just skiing too.
Jan 2 2023 12:14AM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
Going on my 6th season in bozeman... go somewhere else. Housing is fucked if you don't have an in. All the service jobs don't pay a live able wage. The place is getting taken over by remote tech workers. I'll be priced out of here in the next four years if I don't get on my knees and put on a tie
Jan 2 2023 12:46AM
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crimeenthusiast
Posts: 770 - Karma: 3,354
i got a job bussin tables and ski bummed for 2 years while i lived with some friends. shit was tight. worth doing for a little bit to see how it is but eventually life gets real hard if you dont have a way to make real money :(. id ski silverton if i were you.
Jan 2 2023 11:18PM
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Whaddup
Posts: 105 - Karma: 586
I work at Alyeska serving tables and living in employee housing and it's totally worth it
Jan 2 2023 11:21PM
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iced
Posts: 3070 - Karma: 17,972
get a job that pays within area of a resort and stop asking the internet about life altering decisions
Jan 3 2023 1:43PM
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mountaindewgirl
Posts: 2288 - Karma: 20,815
Gain a skill that guarantees you steady employment and do it alongside the ski bumming. Way more fun when u have money
Jan 4 2023 5:13PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
signtimeGain a skill that guarantees you steady employment and do it alongside the ski bumming. Way more fun when u have money

I fully disagree.
at 23, bum it full on for 5 years. Then get into work and ski when you can. That's kinda what I did, and nailed a job opportunity and worked my way up. Now I make more than I care to share and live in a ski town, in a house we own.
~ dream
Jan 4 2023 7:14PM
3 1
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Farmville420
Posts: 4796 - Karma: 61,546
snomasterI fully disagree.
at 23, bum it full on for 5 years. Then get into work and ski when you can. That's kinda what I did, and nailed a job opportunity and worked my way up. Now I make more than I care to share and live in a ski town, in a house we own.
~ dream


Imagine making entry level money at almost 30 years old. Come on man, that fucks you for life. Stash money in a retirement fund for your entire 20’s and you can fuck around for all of your 30s and figure it out later AND retire. And also have experience to fall back on when you start working again in your 40s. Your 20s are the best years to ski I get it, but it will be way more fun in your 30s when your friends have money to ski with you as well
Jan 4 2023 7:32PM
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4814 - Karma: -704
WhaddupI work at Alyeska serving tables and living in employee housing and it's totally worth it


You make it into the new employee housing they built this year?
Jan 4 2023 8:20PM
0 0
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butterflywatcher
Posts: 151 - Karma: 708
yzzidTips on becoming a ski bum?

How can I become a ski bum at 23?

I am 23 years old and want to be a ski bum so so bad. I grew up in WA and have bee in skiing my whole life. I am a strong skier but have only ever skied in bounds. I see so many videos online of people skiing deep back country pow, amazing conditions and insane terrain a something I have never experienced but deeply long to. What resorts have the best snow conditions in the US? How can I teach myself how to navigate backcountry? How do you meet friends who want to do the same thing? I envy so many skiers who have videos of them shredding online…I just sit there thinking “how did they find that line…how did they create a life where they can ski everyday and explore safely…how?” I want to live this life for me before I get too old. I’m not sure if I should go to Utah, Wyoming, Montana, or Colorado? Are there best resorts that have places to live super close to the resort? Staff housing? I plan on trying to work on the mountain as a lifty or in a restaurant in a town somewhere. I have no idea where to start. I want to immerse myself in ski culture.I have $17,000 saved up and want to move so bad. Financial advice? What should I do to get there? Can anyone help point me in the right direction to make this happen? What should I be researching? I plan on moving and seriously doing this in summer of 2023. Any input in how you made it work would be much appreciated. Salt Lake City seems like a great place because of the close proximity to multiple resorts. Grand Targhee, Bozeman…not sure at all where to go. I just want good skiing. I don’t care so much about about night life, but do want to make friends. Any advice appreciated.


stay at a hostel at first or something cheap, become a lifty and ski for low cost inbound at least.
Jan 4 2023 8:54PM
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Whaddup
Posts: 105 - Karma: 586
PeppermillRenoYou make it into the new employee housing they built this year?


Still not open yet. I'm in off-site housing behind the brewery on Timberline, $750/mo. The old housing is 400-550/mo
Jan 4 2023 9:59PM
1 0
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yzzid
Posts: 125 - Karma: 150
I’ve decided on
living to SLC, is that the move? I’m nervous, I was also looking at Bozeman but it seems like too much of a college town and there’s less abundance of skiiing.
snomasterI fully disagree.
at 23, bum it full on for 5 years. Then get into work and ski when you can. That's kinda what I did, and nailed a job opportunity and worked my way up. Now I make more than I care to share and live in a ski town, in a house we own.
~ dream
Jan 5 2023 2:26PM
1 1
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yzzid
Posts: 125 - Karma: 150
Does Aleskya have good conditions? Alaska seems amazing. What is the majority demographic of people there? Are there a lot of people in their 20s?
WhaddupStill not open yet. I'm in off-site housing behind the brewery on Timberline, $750/mo. The old housing is 400-550/mo
Jan 5 2023 2:27PM
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tutipups
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 10,564
snomasterEDIT: Colorado: okay snow. dangerous avalanche conditions Nov-April. endless terrain. lots of people in certain places


if you think colorado snow is "okay" you need a reality check
Jan 5 2023 3:32PM
2 1
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4814 - Karma: -704
yzzidDoes Aleskya have good conditions? Alaska seems amazing. What is the majority demographic of people there? Are there a lot of people in their 20s?


Not to answer for that dude bc he knows better than me but the resort is at sea level its 2 separate mountains higher up its always snowing and usually fresh powder. Bottom where the terrain isn't anything special it can be rainy but you get a good run in before the changeover. The mountain should be three times the size it is most of what you see on the trail map is never opened because Patrol doesn't feel like it and its so big and hard to cover.

Alaska has by far the coolest people Alyeska was the chillest place I've ever been to most people were young way less pretentious than any lower 48 ski town and Girdwood is dope there just isn't that much to it.

I was there the last few days of March into April so plenty of daylight no clue what Dec/January is like.
Jan 5 2023 6:28PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
tutipupsif you think colorado snow is "okay" you need a reality check

I grew up in NH. skied southern VT in college. moved to Jackson Hole and got spoiled AF with pow. Sent a season in Utah too. I've been on the front range of Colorado for a few years, and now live in Breck. Oh and I've been to Japan. CO is aight, but it's no Jackson, and also not Japan. But it's better than the east coast. Call me jaded, but my reality is real. Check
Jan 6 2023 1:06AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
yzzidI’ve decided on
living to SLC, is that the move? I’m nervous, I was also looking at Bozeman but it seems like too much of a college town and there’s less abundance of skiiing.

You're going to be stoked with your decision. Just do it.
Jan 6 2023 1:07AM
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GrapeHunter
Posts: 2403 - Karma: 8,718
go chase that deep pow in the backcountry, bro, its all u need in life bro, i promise u will feel so fulfilled when u finally get those powdery turns in man, but also dont know what ur doing and dont have a beacon and go by urself, start and avalanche and die so that my taxes dont go to paying for your bum van tickets
Jan 6 2023 1:29AM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9791 - Karma: 72,407
My $0.02. Find a career that gives you the time and money to ski. Live within 30min from a ski resort (doesn't have to be a big name place). This doesn't necessarily mean you need to go to college for a degree as trades are perfectly fine and can be quite lucrative, but if a degree ends up being the route, don't pay for it yourself (tons of companies will).

A lot of people work to fund their habit, myself included. You can find jobs where you work 7 on 7 off, other jobs working 3 12's a week, etc so having a career and skiing 100 days/yr is totally plausible if you live near a mountain. You don't need to be a Monday-Friday worker and weekdays are better anyway to ski. Also if you are single or with a like-minded person, your skiing time will be amplified.

Or you can do what some on here do and have a job that's only during the warm months. Literally work 80+hrs a week for 5-6 months. Then you can ski all winter long. This requires some money management skills but it's definitely the way to maximize ski days.

I wouldn't voluntarily go be a bum, scraping by, just to ski. Being broke sucks.
Jan 6 2023 3:57AM
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