In my 20's I lived in a snow cave that I carved our of the snow shed off the roof of one of the old lodges at Stevens Pass.  Luxurious?  hell no.  Warm and dry, tho. Lasted 2 months and showered in the employees change room since I was working 2 shifts a week in the rental shop for eats and a seasons ticket.  I doubt you could do that anymore.  In my 30's i took one winter and worked as a programmer for cash in switzerland and skied 80% of the day times for four months.  lived in my bosses house in the basement for free. Cash was king. When I was 47, I took a winter off and lived in Switzerland agaikn, this tkime on about $1k a month and lived in small one room apt in a large lodge.  I paid $500 a month for rent, and waited tables 4x a week for food.