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Sustainable ski bumming

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EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
Would it be possible (/enjoyable/endurable) to ski bum, for the rest of my life? I will squat, backpack, tent, hike, sleep in cars, couch surf, bunk with a dozen guys, work my ass off all summer (ONLY if need be), hop borders, shoplift, dumpster dive, etc, in order to ski 150+ days until Im old and dying.
Anyone experienced (like, in years) in bumming? I read the newest news feature, and Im fucking inspired. I want to go to college, and then... chase winter
Nov 20 2009 8:05PM
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Deletedtoday
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 398
dumb idea, go to college first so you have something to fallback on
Nov 20 2009 8:07PM
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EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
should have read the OP. I said, "I want to go to college, and THEN ski bum"
Nov 20 2009 8:07PM
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Deletedtoday
Posts: 4060 - Karma: 398
ok i should of read it. well i say go for just always have a back up plan
Nov 20 2009 8:10PM
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LiamMcKinley
Posts: 865 - Karma: 2,771
goddamn id love to do some ski bumming..
Nov 20 2009 8:30PM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
look into wildland firefighting.  After a few years you could make it onto a hot shot crew and make 30-40k in 5 months.  Live off that for the winter. I make $21/hr and imagine going on a fire and getting 100hr of overtime a week.  It adds up..
Nov 20 2009 8:33PM
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rocktheLPs
Posts: 2095 - Karma: 14
fuck college. go move right next to a mountain, find some friends and a night job, then SHRED. ive done it since ive been out of high school. i live for this shit.
Nov 20 2009 8:38PM
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072

Seasonal Jobs are the key.   fortunately I'm able to ski all winter long as a ski instructor because of my summer job, but I don't have kids and I'm not married.

If this is a serious question then I would reccomend trying to find a stable summer job that pays very well.

Nov 20 2009 8:49PM
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Download-My-Apps
Posts: 5069 - Karma: 1,017
if you're planing on chasing winter whats the point of going to college? You'll have degree which wont go to use, a debt and less skiing.

Thats just my opinion.
Nov 20 2009 8:51PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
what happens when he turns say 30 realizes he lives paycheck to paycheck. doesnt have a family,probably isnt married, and is flat broke..

then he might want a "real"  job. keep your options open.
Nov 20 2009 8:55PM
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tinkytwinky
Posts: 2450 - Karma: 1,566
my dads friend finished college and ski bummed, drove a limo around for ppl for $, then he bummed it up and lived it up for like 4 years, then started a company,, made lots, and now owns red mountain in BC
Nov 20 2009 8:57PM
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rocktheLPs
Posts: 2095 - Karma: 14
yeah two kids and a picket fence right? fuck that, im gonna be flipping burgers at 30 getting face shots while youre putting your tie on and getting in your sedan.
Nov 20 2009 9:10PM
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shredables
Posts: 647 - Karma: 19

ski bumming isnt really a skill mastered by asking how to do it online.. just live near a ski area, get a job, and ski all winter. you'll do what it takes

Nov 20 2009 9:14PM
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skiminnesota
Posts: 9093 - Karma: 429
if youre happy with that, then thats awesome for you..

all im saying is, in my mind its worth the couple of years to at least accrue a college degree. it will keep doors open for you in the future. just in case when 30 actually comes, you have the option of changing what youre doing with your life.
Nov 20 2009 9:15PM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
no its not possible, nobody does that, you sir are crazy. how about you do something with your life.

up until a few decades ago families lived in a big house with like your WHOLE FAMILY grandmother and shit. people were livin outside on minimal rations wishing they had a sweet tent. seems like only now that people buy massive houses for 2 people and mercedes and bitchy wives and shit and thats what life is to the people that tell you to get a job and go to school

been on my own, 'bumming' for like 6 years. no college, no intent of college anytime soon. i have a decent car and a couple sweet jobs (even a buisness kind of) . and i have a ton of gear that helps me enjoy outside recreation (just dropped like 2gs in winter camping/mountaineering gear) . and well i can usually do what i want every day of the week winter and summer. and because i dont have a real job i can disapear for a few weeks a few times a year and go to some sweet places. i usually do what i want and usually thats chill in the mountains all day.

i always had this attitude to play the cards you are given and not just sit on em. so play your cards and things will probably work out, no matter what you do. 
Nov 20 2009 9:31PM
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epic_line
Posts: 929 - Karma: 32
Do what my dad did marry some rich chick, he ski bummed 170+ days a year. He was a ski instructor lifty all kinds of things, And during the summer he would just camp. Now he owns a house in whistler and building another house with no job and still making money$

He was on the whistler news talking about cut backs with the whistler water place were he use to work.
Nov 20 2009 10:34PM
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fouldsys
Posts: 7404 - Karma: 39
my uncle ski bummed whistler in a school bus. probably the most legit thing ever.
Nov 20 2009 10:42PM
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Samckoy
Posts: 381 - Karma: 66
Go with the flow. Pointers:
1.Find a ski resort that's a diamond in the rough. Ex. Revelstoke, BC, used to have cheap apartments, houses and lots with a nice mountain and one slow chair. They developed it and it's amazing, those who bought before it got developed have increased values to their properties and an awesome resort to ski on. Make sure to listen in on conversations on possible development or some just starting on a mountain because it's a lot cheaper to get an apartment then in the summer, wait a little and you'll have the mountain to yourself. But remember, location, location, location.
2. Friends; splitting the rent helps big time and you'll have a companion to ski bum with and keep possible depression at bay during times when you think you should have done something with your life. Besides, Company is always nice
3. Live to the fullest, take up opportunities, forget the luxuries and remember the essentials: food, shelter, and to be happy.
4. Another option, learn to be a ski guide, take avalanche courses, buy a camper, live out of that and that way you can visit any place you want and you can ski for money as a guide in some nice places cat-skiing heli-skiing or touring. Taking the lifeguard courses pays out too for a summer job. 19-25 $/hour at a pool should pay for that rent so you can ski the winter.

My 2 cents.
Nov 21 2009 12:18AM
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rocktheLPs
Posts: 2095 - Karma: 14
i feel yeah on that. but i work with people with mba's and shit. and im making more than them. at a fucking sandwich shop. a shitty job is just as safe as a desk job in this day and age.

i think the best way to live right now is through trades not related to the average populations employment. (ie: plumber : everyone needs their toilets to work, and fabricator : theres always something that needs to be made)
Nov 21 2009 12:32AM
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Pinguu
Posts: 1581 - Karma: 49
I agree, I'm getting my education first. To the people who say that the education is worthless, it is nothing close to worthless. You do learn a lot if you put your mind to it in college. Also, you can get a degree in something that you will love doing once you are done ski bumming, Or while you still are ski bummin it. I think an education is something that opens your life to new possibilities and greater knowledge. You can ski a TON in college still... and have a career in mind if you ever need it for yourself, or your family.
Nov 21 2009 12:47AM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
how much of college are you actually going to remember after a couple years of drinking smoking and having zero responsibilities......at least you will have that diploma though.
Nov 21 2009 12:50AM
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willy_baller
Posts: 1622 - Karma: 693
this is very good advice...
Nov 21 2009 12:52AM
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smuggs
Posts: 6561 - Karma: 1,375
doesnt 80 precent of the country live paycheck to paycheck. most of the country spends money it doesnt have. and some people are better off not married.
Nov 21 2009 12:53AM
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bigbuds
Posts: 651 - Karma: 41

Priceless... This shit had me cracking up!

I'll let you know how sustainable it is in a few years...

Nov 21 2009 12:56AM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
after basically ski bumming the past 3 years, im going to have to say its all about commitment. i was so committed those first two years, then by the end of the year last year and 150+ days of skiing each year i made the decision that it wasn't for me. so im back in school. i want kids, family, house, and money to vacation to badass places. articles like the ones on the front page right now about south america make me want to go back.

the problem w/ going to school now and then bumming is school loans. if your parents pay for it. your lucky and should take advantage of that. a diploma is worth so much these days. if not, think about how your going to pay off your loans while ski bumming. not easy, but doable. you have to have so much commitment and never turn back. people that have that 110% commitment are the ones who eventually get a decent job when they're 30-35+ and then your living the dream life. its hard, going to suck more than anything sometimes, but its definitely doable.

and everyone talking about how there dad did this, or someone they know did that. the times are completely different now. ski resorts are different, ecomomys different, culture is different. its not as easy to do the dream life thing as it used to be. the generation that is 45-60 right now are the ones who grew up in the 70's....right when ski resorts starting appearing everywhere. thats why so many of them have some sick jobs w/o any schooling. they were at the right place at the right time and stuck w/ it. these are the people around resort towns w/ the most badass job ever. its going to be different in 10-20 years.

dont know how much a rambled, hope it makes sense.
Nov 21 2009 1:11AM
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selkirks
Posts: 1978 - Karma: 59
I had to log in to correct this inaccuracy. Unless you're working at an exclusive country club (which are really hard to get a job at anyway), you're not going to earn nearly that much lifeguarding.

FOR EXAMPLE:
 in Spokane, WA Parks & Rec.:

Lifeguard: $9.00/hr. (next year: $9.25)
WSI: $9.75/hr. (next year: $10)
Pool Manager/Supervisor: $10.00/hr. (next year: $10.50)

Sorry I went off on a wild tangent. You're just not going to make nearly that much lifeguarding.

OP: Most of the key points have been hit already. The key, I think, is going to be finding a resort that is what you want to ski, but at the same time affordable. That's going to be difficult, especially in this economy, but I think it can still be done fairly easily.
Nov 21 2009 3:43AM
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daveNZ
Posts: 163 - Karma: 4

the idea will be great untill you get old an have athritis from skiing your hole life, and cannot ski. and no job or anything, and then will be in serious trouble.

Nov 21 2009 4:29AM
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Holte
Posts: 10740 - Karma: 7,814
Ski instruct. My parents managed to ski 200+ days a season when they were first married by traveling and ski instructing.
Nov 21 2009 4:36AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51644 - Karma: 162,252
The idea that college is for everyone is retarded.

There are a good amount of people going just because it's what they're "supposed to do".


I know plenty of ignorant people who have 4 year degrees, as well as people who are successful because of school.



Nov 21 2009 5:35AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51644 - Karma: 162,252
Did you ever think that maybe some people are happy like that?

They don't mind living paycheck to paycheck. And scraping by.


There are people who work 24/7 for their whole lives and never really get to use the money. Or plenty of people that just have the money that aren't happy.


Theres freedom in it. Making your own path through life. You might not do everything right but it's an experience. I'd rather have that than be another ignorant  slave to a 9/5 for my life.

I can live cheap and still be happy
Nov 21 2009 5:39AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51644 - Karma: 162,252
Gave you 10/10 karma. That's the way to live right their. If you can get by, and do what you live as much as you can, that's how you should roll.
Nov 21 2009 5:41AM
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EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
Thats a really good idea. There are lots of career type jobs where you work your ass off 24/7, live at work, with a crew, eat their food, smoke their weed, and leave with a huge fucking check; Logging, Fishing, Firefighting, manly stuff like that
idk how a queer vegetarian kid would do up there but Ill do anything to ski
Nov 21 2009 8:36AM
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EastCoast315
Posts: 3136 - Karma: 137
10/10 k
Thats amazing advice; what mountains would be in this "developmental" position in 3-4 years? Revy is gonna grow, but what about sun valley/wolf creek/cb/bc heli operations and shit like that thats gonna get big, where should I go?
Nov 21 2009 8:39AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3344 - Karma: 5,748
30 is not old. It better not be 'cause I'm getting close.

If you really want that lifestyle the best way is to just go grow a bunch of ganga in Cali, or Colorado (where it is more legal) and you can do whatever the eff you want to do.
Just keep your head on your shoulders.
Nov 21 2009 8:49AM
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304NordMan
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 525
what do your parents think of this? haha
Nov 21 2009 9:09AM
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Samckoy
Posts: 381 - Karma: 66
Where do you get this information? Yes I was ball-parking pretty high, but it's not that low. At least not in BC, Canada. You can make 10$/hour working at a Hardware store or washing carts at a Golf Course. Besides, lifeguards have to be capable of swimming a certain amount of laps, able to conduct CPR and advanced first aid. This is more than just what you said. I just looked it up and it's between 15-20$/hour in most places in canada. Although there is fluctuation with seniority as a lifeguard, location, etc.

As for what is developing OP... I don't know, I'm not on top of these things, it would be a good thread to ask newschoolers about.
Nov 21 2009 11:04AM
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waxyvolklskier
Posts: 85 - Karma: 21
yah it sseem like a good idea be a waiter or start a ski shop on a sweet mountain and ski on the sweet days
Nov 21 2009 11:24AM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311

howard?

Nov 21 2009 11:32AM
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jca
Posts: 4171 - Karma: 6,311
thats crazy, in Canada you definitely start off at $15/hr and work up to $20+/hr.
Nov 21 2009 11:35AM
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gbalkman
Posts: 605 - Karma: 4,171
I met a guy at PC last year who is 50 yrs. old, and has been ski bumming since he was 18. he only stays at one resort for up to 2 yrs, then finds a new one. he's never been in a real relationship, and his highest paying job was being the director of a ski school.

He is the usually the 1st one on the lift in the morning and last one to get off the hill. I respect the guy for his passion, but I don't think I could live that life.
Nov 21 2009 11:48AM
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apcaipse
Posts: 2168 - Karma: 25
I can't believe no one has mentioned this. BARTEND!! At a nice bar in a city, especially a ski city, you can get huge ass amounts of money. You only work at night, and you get to pick up drunk chicks when your shift is over.
Nov 21 2009 11:51AM
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LMPJibbin
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 17
thats cool and all but starting a new resort isnt likely for our generation
Nov 21 2009 11:57AM
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ATLskier
Posts: 8203 - Karma: 406
it sounds great until you get hurt or knock some girl up and have a kid to support, or meet some girl you want to marry
Nov 21 2009 12:54PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
i'm sorry, but i am having a really hard time understanding a lot of your thoughts on life.

why do a lot of you seam to think that you need to go to post secondary in order to get married, have kids, buy a house, etc. what the fuck does college have to do with getting married?

and as smuggs said: almost everyone on this continent is living paycheque to paycheque... you really think going to school is going to change anything? sure, if you actually get a job in the field you went to school for and manage to make a lot of money (and pay off all those debts you got to get that job), I can almost guarantee you, you're living costs will go up, and you'll be just as poor as before, just with more "stuff" to surround yourself with, and probably more debt, less freedom, blah blah blah.


I'm not one to say "don't go to school, it's retarded". But unless you are fully set on school and have a very specific thing you want to get out of it, there is, in my mind, absolutely no reason to go. Going to school and getting a degree/large debt just to be a ski bum for a decade afterwords? How does that make any sense?
Nov 21 2009 2:19PM
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EMK
Posts: 1632 - Karma: 669
I'm sure its possible, i work with a ski tour operator in the winter and i earn next to no money but its enough. I don't intend to do this for ever, I know people of various ages that work in bars or other permanent jobs on resort and have homes and wives and still rip it up everyday.
On their website it has a thing where it says Mike who owns Surface has a wife, kids, a business, a shop... basically a lot going on in his life but he skis 150+ days a year, if its what you want to do you'll find a way.
The bit at the end of this trailer pretty much sums up my way of thinking when i eventually made major life choices, some people would say i'm a fuck up, but I love skiing so its what i do.
Nov 21 2009 2:41PM
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Cincher
Posts: 3403 - Karma: 535
MyThreads, I was planning on something like this, and I wanna read it later.
Nov 21 2009 2:47PM
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miketheskier88
Posts: 749 - Karma: 66
Cheers for the video!
Nov 21 2009 3:00PM
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nathanielstyza
Posts: 1638 - Karma: 38
threads for later

Nov 21 2009 3:56PM
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Thenowhereman42
Posts: 5682 - Karma: 65
Buy a book called Evasion.

I believe the publisher is called Crimethinc.

that is all.
Nov 21 2009 4:07PM
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pounds.
Posts: 837 - Karma: 55
damn i make $7.40 lifeguarding.
Nov 21 2009 4:14PM
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antwone
Posts: 1352 - Karma: 157
but with all that time u wont even remember a thing from what u studied and wont be able to get a job
Nov 21 2009 4:31PM
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