Ski Bum Savings - Summer Job

M

m1k3vb

Member
SO it is that fateful time in many skiers' lives when they find themselves labouring intensively, bravely navigating financial turmoil, testing the limits of their strength and dedication all in the pursuit of radness next season.

I was wondering if any of you have any interesting/devastating summer jobs lined up. I'm heading up to northern Ontario soon to go tree-planting for the summer so I can head out west and ski next season. First time tree-planting, should be some grueling shit but I'm looking forward to the challenge, and stoked for next season!!!
 
I wouldn't say 'gruelling' is the word to describe tree planting.

I guess, if you are a city kid who has never done physical labour or done much camping you could consider it 'gruelling', but if that's the mentality you are going into it with, you might just end up quitting.

They don't pay you enough in Ontario. Northern Ontario, Alberta, and Northern BC (north of Prince George) are all shitty places to plant money wise. Prince George is OK, but the further south you go in BC the higher the price/tree.

Don't expect to make a ton of money this summer is what I'm saying I guess. Have fun, take it for what it is, don't let the black flies get to you, and stay focused on the end game of moving out to the mountains come July.
 
12960610:Drail said:
Don't expect to make a ton of money this summer is what I'm saying I guess. Have fun, take it for what it is, don't let the black flies get to you, and stay focused on the end game of moving out to the mountains come July.
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This... Making money your first year tree planting is a pipe dream at best especially if your planning on moving west without a job come winter.
 
Some rookies will walk away with a ton of cash, some with not so much. Most will walk away with fairly moderate amount of cash and the skillset to make a lot of money the next planting season. They say the first season of planting is an investment, that's because rookies usually don't make the obscene amounts of money that people hear about, certainly not at first. In the beginning, you won't make hardly anything, then as you figure it out your numbers will climb. By the the end the contract, most rookies are able to put in a solid number everyday, with some able to keep up with the vets. Those last few weeks are where most rookies make the most money, evening out the first few slow weeks, although for many people, when its all said and done the earnings from their first year won't be insanely more than what they would've made working a moderately paying job in the city.

All in all, the first year you won't necessarily make the obscene amounts of money that you hear about. (I'm sure you've heard epic stories), but there is still plenty opportunity to get a solid pay check. Just be serious about it, and don't waste all the money you make on partying during the contract. Don't get too discouraged the first few weeks either. It may seem easy to put a tree in the ground, but its pretty difficult to figure out how to plant fast and pass quality those first few weeks.
 
Going back to Denali national park to work for era helicopters flight seeing. I don't make enough to live off but enough to get back to the slopes with some new gear.
 
If you don't make enough money you can use what you made to help get a place and then work during the season. If you work at a mountain you can snag a free pass and possibly ski while you work depending on what it is.

That said I'm trying to get a job doing anything for the next couple months so I don't have to sell my drumsets and other stuff.

I like working at mountains though, I've done it for 11 years and have seen no reason to change. Some falls I was pretty broke going into the winter and free pass $ getting paid to ski was clutch.

My goal is to use my park crew job to pay for getting set up at my other park crew job and use that to pay for getting set up at the og job. And if I need to work the corner in between so be it.

PS: Ya'll better tip if you want some love

Here's a recent pic of me to drum up the hype.

images
 
12961045:theabortionator said:
If you don't make enough money you can use what you made to help get a place and then work during the season. If you work at a mountain you can snag a free pass and possibly ski while you work depending on what it is.

That said I'm trying to get a job doing anything for the next couple months so I don't have to sell my drumsets and other stuff.

I like working at mountains though, I've done it for 11 years and have seen no reason to change. Some falls I was pretty broke going into the winter and free pass $ getting paid to ski was clutch.

My goal is to use my park crew job to pay for getting set up at my other park crew job and use that to pay for getting set up at the og job. And if I need to work the corner in between so be it.
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12961104:Twandos said:
Question, is tree planting code word for what I think it is, or are you actually planting trees?
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Yeah, I'm planning to get a job on the mountain as well, but the tree-planting will be a good start. and yes, I'm actually planting trees.
 
12961256:m1k3vb said:
Yeah, I'm planning to get a job on the mountain as well, but the tree-planting will be a good start. and yes, I'm actually planting trees.
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Word you should be fine then. worst case live on a super budget for a while. I know some people don't enjoy working in the winter.
 
12961045:theabortionator I like working at mountains though said:
Try to snag a job that'll guarantee you a spot the next season, the technical term is job attached status, then you can get that sweet unemployment in the off season.
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I have a job as head of park crew on my mountain for the next season. Also, once I get done with baseball I think I'll be developing a small video game to make some money. I'm also making some stuff for minecraft right now that'll get me a little cash. I also might be getting a job at a grocery store, but that's a pain since i don't have a car and it's too far away to walk/ride to.
 
12961336:JakeSmith said:
What actually is tree planting?
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Exactly as it sounds. Logging companies cut em down, we go in after and plant trees. There are two main sides to the forestry industry. Logging and silviculture. Logging is what you would think it is - putting in roads, surveying the land, block layout, and cutting them down. Silviculture is the regrowth and maintenance of the forest. Tree planting, brushing, slash pile burning, spacing. Making sure the forest grows back with optimal efficiency.

Canada is the best in the game for tree planting and it's done as piece rate Xcents/tree. In Ontario you're getting around .10/tree, in the west kootenays of bc we get an average of about .22/tree. Typically it's around a $300-400/day average.
 
Ah, I see I was thinking it was like working on those tree farms with the long rows of trees.

So how do you keep track of how many you plant so you get paid fairly?
 
12961369:Drail said:
Canada is the best in the game for tree planting and it's done as piece rate Xcents/tree. In Ontario you're getting around .10/tree, in the west kootenays of bc we get an average of about .22/tree. Typically it's around a $300-400/day average.
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Shit that is a least over 1000 trees per day. How the fuck do you do that and how many days a week do you work?!

I know I probably sound pretty dumb right now, but how can you not be all set for winter doing that for a summer. Please note that I am only 17 currently and maybe make $200 week in the summer.
 
It's some what of an honour system, you keep track of your numbers, the boss knows how many trees were brought out and how many are left at the end if the day. If there is a discrepancy in the numbers, they usually figure it out pretty quick.

The season in bc goes from as early as February till October, but the bulk of the work is April till August. Ontario/Alberta planters have to put in 3000+ a day to make bank, in the mountains of bc it's around 1500-2000 trees a day. Small trees for the most part (about a foot tall on average - you can fit on average around 300 in you at a time depending on the land and size if the trees).

I personally work from April till November and make around $30 000/ year after taxes at an average of around $375/day. Some crews do 3 on 1 off, others do 4 and 1s, 5 and 1s, I work Monday to friday but it's rare in the industry.
 
12961282:Static said:
Try to snag a job that'll guarantee you a spot the next season, the technical term is job attached status, then you can get that sweet unemployment in the off season.
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I wish. I have a friend that works real hard in the winter at a mountain then she goes on unemployment fish tour. I think it's hilarious. I think I applied for it once when I was broke but couldn't get it or something cause of the seasonal aspect.

This year I'm rocking out 2 winter jobs in a year. Also a summer job if I can find any work the next two months. I wanna build some more grind barz at the one mountain but they're saying the budgets tight and I really don't want to do anymore free work at the moment. Especially when I'm a few k short for moving to winter job number to. So I'll probably borrow a few bucks, sell myself on the corner, and sell my possessions. YOLO

12961298:CalebTheKillian said:
I have a job as head of park crew on my mountain for the next season. Also, once I get done with baseball I think I'll be developing a small video game to make some money. I'm also making some stuff for minecraft right now that'll get me a little cash. I also might be getting a job at a grocery store, but that's a pain since i don't have a car and it's too far away to walk/ride to.
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Park crew 4 lyfe. Only way to live. If I'm not building shit, I'm thinking about building shit. An advanced case of terrain park syndrome. The doctors there is isn't likely to be a cure found in my lifetime. When they told me that is was tough, but I'm slowly learning to cope.
 
12961428:theabortionator said:
I wish. I have a friend that works real hard in the winter at a mountain then she goes on unemployment fish tour. I think it's hilarious. I think I applied for it once when I was broke but couldn't get it or something cause of the seasonal aspect.

This year I'm rocking out 2 winter jobs in a year. Also a summer job if I can find any work the next two months. I wanna build some more grind barz at the one mountain but they're saying the budgets tight and I really don't want to do anymore free work at the moment. Especially when I'm a few k short for moving to winter job number to. So I'll probably borrow a few bucks, sell myself on the corner, and sell my possessions. YOLO

Park crew 4 lyfe. Only way to live. If I'm not building shit, I'm thinking about building shit. An advanced case of terrain park syndrome. The doctors there is isn't likely to be a cure found in my lifetime. When they told me that is was tough, but I'm slowly learning to cope.
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why dont you go to a mountain that needs somebody to build rails for them
 
12961428:theabortionator said:
I wish. I have a friend that works real hard in the winter at a mountain then she goes on unemployment fish tour. I think it's hilarious. I think I applied for it once when I was broke but couldn't get it or something cause of the seasonal aspect.

This year I'm rocking out 2 winter jobs in a year. Also a summer job if I can find any work the next two months. I wanna build some more grind barz at the one mountain but they're saying the budgets tight and I really don't want to do anymore free work at the moment. Especially when I'm a few k short for moving to winter job number to. So I'll probably borrow a few bucks, sell myself on the corner, and sell my possessions. YOLO

Park crew 4 lyfe. Only way to live. If I'm not building shit, I'm thinking about building shit. An advanced case of terrain park syndrome. The doctors there is isn't likely to be a cure found in my lifetime. When they told me that is was tough, but I'm slowly learning to cope.
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why dont you go to a mountain that needs somebody to build rails for them
 
12961540:PULL said:
why dont you go to a mountain that needs somebody to build rails for them
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I am. One of the things the guys said when I got called for a park job at Turoa this summer was they were looking to build some rails. We didn't talk deetz but hoping to be able to build a little this and that and pimp things out. If my visa situation doesn't work out beaver creek and some other places are doin summer/fall rail builds and hiring for that. But it's unlikely I could do that and work at oak this next winter.

Oak has plenty of rails to get by but I want to build some new stuff because you can never have too much. Also want to build a wood park before I leave. Might end up saying fuck it and going free labor on that bitch. If a little more free labor keeps the ball rolling fuck it.

I swear in a thread on here I asked if anyone wanted a mini ramp. Wanted to build something so bad I was ready to drive to someones house and build them a mini ramp (If they had the wood and a couch I could crash on). Honestly still would do that. I just want to build shit 24/7. Also haven't built much with wood in years.
 
12961423:Drail said:
It's some what of an honour system, you keep track of your numbers, the boss knows how many trees were brought out and how many are left at the end if the day. If there is a discrepancy in the numbers, they usually figure it out pretty quick.

The season in bc goes from as early as February till October, but the bulk of the work is April till August. Ontario/Alberta planters have to put in 3000+ a day to make bank, in the mountains of bc it's around 1500-2000 trees a day. Small trees for the most part (about a foot tall on average - you can fit on average around 300 in you at a time depending on the land and size if the trees).

I personally work from April till November and make around $30 000/ year after taxes at an average of around $375/day. Some crews do 3 on 1 off, others do 4 and 1s, 5 and 1s, I work Monday to friday but it's rare in the industry.
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Whats to prevent you from just throwing two plants in a hole or something similar just to up your numbers? Sounds like a pretty brutal and repetitive job though.
 
12961599:Sir_SkrillALot said:
Whats to prevent you from just throwing two plants in a hole or something similar just to up your numbers? Sounds like a pretty brutal and repetitive job though.
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There is a certain density we have to follow. Usually 1200 stems per hector. So if you get a two hector piece (2400 trees) and you claim 3000 it's going to turn some heads. I've seen it a few times and in the end, the person gets caught.

It is repetitive in its nature, but that's why I hate flat fast ground at a low price. I work in the mountains and navigating mountainous terrain is in itself a challenge and takes the repetitiveness out if the job. When I'm back at my laptop in the morning I'll put some pictures up of the kind of terrain I plant vs the 10 cent ground.
 
I ski instruct in Chile in the summer, pays well and get to ski some sick terrain. Not easy to get into and only a 3 month long season though. Going to do my kite surf instructing qualification so I can live in Spain/Brazil teaching kiting in between skiing.
 
Here's a little tip for you that you should learn sooner rather than later: there's more to life than winter. What are you going to do for fun while planting trees in Ontario?
 
12961630:Rosbif said:
I ski instruct in Chile in the summer, pays well and get to ski some sick terrain. Not easy to get into and only a 3 month long season though. Going to do my kite surf instructing qualification so I can live in Spain/Brazil teaching kiting in between skiing.
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I wish I spoke better spanish. Didn't really start with spanish until 10th grade. Was too late for me.

12961650:Boax said:
Here's a little tip for you that you should learn sooner rather than later: there's more to life than winter.
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Nans. Winter FTW.
 
Find a state/job you can work minimum wage and also get tips. By far the best summer job I have had (still have start in a few days) is working as a server in Oregon. Minimum wage is $9.10(?) and I get tips. So a 10 hour day I'm making $75 after taxes in wages plus $100 - $200+ in tips. Your not going to make 30k over the summer but you still making a decent amount of money, and combine this with part time job in the winter your set.
 
12961650:Boax said:
Here's a little tip for you that you should learn sooner rather than later: there's more to life than winter. What are you going to do for fun while planting trees in Ontario?
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Tree planting is fun.
 
this is one of the harder blocks I've done in the last few years. If I remember correctly the price was 25 cents/tree. In an ideal world it should have been around 30 cents, but such is life. I think I only put about 1000 trees in a day on this bitch.

315333_10151793139505752_394459207_n.jpg


not the best shot of the land, but I'm putting this picture here because this kind of view is an everyday thing while planting trees in BC.

564630_10151793144155752_84673595_n.jpg


Here is a picture of some of the easier ground I see in the kootenays. 18 cents a tree, flat, open and not rocky. This ground is 2000+ trees a day kinda stuff.

945587_10151487765723402_915222804_n.jpg
 
I work in the worst place on earth for 7 months a year (ft. Mac). Then say fuck this when its -40 for the winter and go ski. Not gonna lie my life is pretty shitty while im working but it pays off in the winter not working at all. If you dont mind selling your soul to oil its huge $$$ to go ski with.
 
im also planting trees, started the other day and hopefully will do a month or so of planting then trimming and tree care over the summer and fall. difference is im doing christmas trees in massachusetts hahah little different than british columbia.

also working as a cart attendant at private course, chillest job ever and you get fat tips from all the rich members. and doing yard work for a neighbor. should have a decent amount of dinero by the fall, pretty stoked
 
caddie at a private golf course...i usually average 80 per golf bag with people paying up to 140 per bag (you carry two). so you can make up to 280 in around 4 hours, and double that if you end up looping twice in a day. Many days you make your money and are done work before noon. Pretty ideal schedule for the amount of money there is to be made.
 
12962341:cmo said:
caddie at a private golf course...i usually average 80 per golf bag with people paying up to 140 per bag (you carry two). so you can make up to 280 in around 4 hours, and double that if you end up looping twice in a day. Many days you make your money and are done work before noon. Pretty ideal schedule for the amount of money there is to be made.
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damn dude, i caddied for the past two years and the most i ever got for a round was $80. never did a double bag, although that seemed hellish running back and forth across the hole to get to each guy and his ball. I did a lot of forecaddying which is ridiculously easy and usually you make more because each guy in the group will throw you some cash. the best was during tournaments youd be assigned a hole to forecaddie on and you could just chill on the same hole all day and as each group came through, theyd give you a couple bucks, or more if you found their snap hook into the trees.
 
12962307:skiskate said:
I work in the worst place on earth for 7 months a year (ft. Mac). Then say fuck this when its -40 for the winter and go ski. Not gonna lie my life is pretty shitty while im working but it pays off in the winter not working at all. If you dont mind selling your soul to oil its huge $$$ to go ski with.
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Psssh "worst place on earth". What do you do up here?
 
If you want to save money get a camp job in the north with an exploration or resource extraction company. You make better money than tree planters and do less demanding and more interesting work. On top of that all your necessities are paid for.
 
12961867:theabortionator said:
I wish I spoke better spanish. Didn't really start with spanish until 10th grade. Was too late for me.

Nans. Winter FTW.
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You can always learn as an adult, I spoke none until I did an intensive course when I was 26.
 
12962992:Rosbif said:
You can always learn as an adult, I spoke none until I did an intensive course when I was 26.
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Word I feel if I lived some place where people spoke it for a while I could learn. I have learning problems. Our school didn't have a spanish teacher, we did online spanish until I went to highschool in a different area. Didn't learn shit from the online and was way behind in high school.

I know there's online courses for adults but I can't learn from them. If I have a reason to move to a spanish speaking country for a while I'm down though. I speak enough broke spanish I could get by until I picked it up.

How did you learn btw? Like what kind of course was it?
 
12962995:theabortionator said:
Word I feel if I lived some place where people spoke it for a while I could learn. I have learning problems. Our school didn't have a spanish teacher, we did online spanish until I went to highschool in a different area. Didn't learn shit from the online and was way behind in high school.

I know there's online courses for adults but I can't learn from them. If I have a reason to move to a spanish speaking country for a while I'm down though. I speak enough broke spanish I could get by until I picked it up.

How did you learn btw? Like what kind of course was it?
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The first time I learnt I knew I wanted to work in S America, so I went down to Venezuela and did a month of school, 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, living with a family there. That got me enough to get by, then picked up more from working down there, and I went back to school in Spain for a few weeks last year.
 
12962378:METH-CANCER said:
Psssh "worst place on earth". What do you do up here?
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Engineering tech, quality control. You cant deny the towns an armpit. Im currently out in conklin though.
 
12963357:skiskate said:
Engineering tech, quality control. You cant deny the towns an armpit. Im currently out in conklin though.
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If fort mac is an arm pit then Conklin is the tender piece of skin between ball sack and asshole, what a shithole. was there 12 years ago when it was a hell of a lot less busy
 
I do back to back winters, NZ - Austria. usually do some travel round europe at the end of my austrian season currently chillin in the UK. But between seasons (nz seasons short as) I work at a builders Labourer or drive loaders. always get mad hours and live at home between seasons so its not too hard to put away all some decent coin. Work on the mountains for the winter. I've worked for enough people now to get my jobs back for 1,2 sometimes 3 months at a time. all you gotta do is work super hard ask to work weekends and people dont forget and actually look forward to you coming back for how ever long suits. Still far from rich but have enough to pretty much live the dream
 
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