What should I do at 17 to set myself up to be a prosperous ski bum
- Thread starter zanga
- Start date
Yukon_Cornelius
Member
Prosperous? Go to college somewhere that lets you ski while you're in school. Major in something that lets you work remote after you graduate. Live wherever you want to live and work from a laptop on or near the mountain.
swaggrandpa
Member
Weed, and lots of it
muffMan.
Active member
Fuck no don’t be an instructor.
Start serving pronto, mountain towns are hiring like crazy cause no one wants to be a restarting staff. Work crazy hours in the summer, you’ll get cardio from running around plus free food wherever you work most likely. Live cheap and don’t get a dog, makes renting 10x harder.
Save up and once ski season starts only work weekends and night shifts, you’ll be working less but just enough to stay afloat.
tell your parents you need a gap year to find yourself and you’ll probably keep insurance, phone bill too.
Start serving pronto, mountain towns are hiring like crazy cause no one wants to be a restarting staff. Work crazy hours in the summer, you’ll get cardio from running around plus free food wherever you work most likely. Live cheap and don’t get a dog, makes renting 10x harder.
Save up and once ski season starts only work weekends and night shifts, you’ll be working less but just enough to stay afloat.
tell your parents you need a gap year to find yourself and you’ll probably keep insurance, phone bill too.
Graham0596
Member
14434784:Coleg55 said:
^^^
DONT GET A DOG
AndrewGravesSV
Active member
I'd work a serving/ bus boy job through the summer with a few nights during the winter to save enough for a gap year in a ski town. Ideally do it with a few homies to split rent. After that learn to code through a comp sci degree if you want to go to college or do one of those bootcamps. Coding jobs will allow you to work remote and after a job for experience you can freelance.
Yukon_Cornelius
Member
14434830:TOAST. said:
Experiences may vary, I guess!
maddecipher
Member
move to a remote ski town only accessible via chairlift//gondola. problem solved
skiP.E.I.
Active member
Tree planting, construction or landscaping in the summers are good options if you like being outside and active, and having a chill winter with lots of time to ski. Whatever you do, learn as much as you can about it and do good work.
[tag=16430]@freestyler540[/tag] is an engineer on ships and he gets like half the year off.
[tag=16430]@freestyler540[/tag] is an engineer on ships and he gets like half the year off.
Shitswitch
Member
Figure out how to make money online and you’ll be set for life. Copywriting, coding, marketing etc whatever the fuck it is you can easily learn it online and do it part time via indeed.
May require some resume fibbing but if ur not retarded it’s easy
**This post was edited on May 6th 2022 at 7:24:12pm
May require some resume fibbing but if ur not retarded it’s easy
topic:zanga said:
**This post was edited on May 6th 2022 at 7:24:12pm
switchlip2
Active member
14434784:Coleg55 said:
Considering this
IsaacNW82
Member
You gotta define what "prosperous" means to you first.
If your goal is to ski 24/7 and push it as far as it can go, work as much as you can in the summer and consider night jobs like bar-tending/serving/etc. Ski instructing or patrolling keeps you on the mountain constantly but you won't be freeskiing most of the time, and you might be tired/feet hurt in the boots by the time you want to.
If you want a more balanced life, look for careers that tolerate remote work (programming, engineering, marketing, you have to do your research here) or have a large presence in a city with good skiing (slc, seattle, denver, bozeman, santa fe, portland, etc). Don't destroy yourself with student debt though, nothing wrong doing what you have to to keep it cheap (living with parents, community college then transfer, whatever). Another option is full time jobs with considerable time off, like working on ships at sea. I seriously considered this but it is not for everyone, ship is full-time, away from friends and family, for weeks at a time. I was at sea in the Asia-pacific region for two months, trust me, it gets boring. Hope you like lifting weights.
The final thing you should do is TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Eat well, don't drink too much, do the full rehab for injuries, exercise regularly throughout the year and you can still be skiing at a high level into your 30's.
If your goal is to ski 24/7 and push it as far as it can go, work as much as you can in the summer and consider night jobs like bar-tending/serving/etc. Ski instructing or patrolling keeps you on the mountain constantly but you won't be freeskiing most of the time, and you might be tired/feet hurt in the boots by the time you want to.
If you want a more balanced life, look for careers that tolerate remote work (programming, engineering, marketing, you have to do your research here) or have a large presence in a city with good skiing (slc, seattle, denver, bozeman, santa fe, portland, etc). Don't destroy yourself with student debt though, nothing wrong doing what you have to to keep it cheap (living with parents, community college then transfer, whatever). Another option is full time jobs with considerable time off, like working on ships at sea. I seriously considered this but it is not for everyone, ship is full-time, away from friends and family, for weeks at a time. I was at sea in the Asia-pacific region for two months, trust me, it gets boring. Hope you like lifting weights.
The final thing you should do is TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Eat well, don't drink too much, do the full rehab for injuries, exercise regularly throughout the year and you can still be skiing at a high level into your 30's.
Michigan_Sucks
Member
Go to a college that allows you to ski a bunch and get a good career at the same time. Good career = a lot of PTO plus the money to spend on gear and trips. Anyone that says the above isn't possible just hasn't done it. Also, if you want to ski when you are 50, go into engineering and dedicate your career to problems that will solve climate issues.
Graham0596
Member
14434846:Coleg55 said:
Dude for real, love my dog. Wouldn’t take a thing back but it’s a definitely a limiting factor.
Jacobthesadskier
Member
Either get a job, work like fuck through the year, save up a LOT, then go skiing as much as you like, or, have rich parents that pay for everything, then pretend you're a poor ski bum like most people on NS.
LOOK_at_me
Member
buy 189’s
hoodratz47
Active member
I don't do this. But Wildlands firefighter. Work all summer get unemployment in the winter.
Definitely think about the balance of life. And remember. Most girls don't dig stinky van guys. Just saying.
.
I've done the van thing I've done the employee housing thing. Done the live in Leadville and hitchhike to copper for work thing. And now I am a weekend worrier. But thankfully they are gonna open this closed ski area that has night skiing so I can go after work. But as someone who was a ski bum and bummed it really hard and got all sorts of fucked up I do enjoy a nicer place to live. A better car and better gear. And a girlfriend.(she don't ski but it's whatever)
Also. Don't smoke cigs. For real. Don't drive drunk (people will make you do it and then not give a shit if you get a duii). Learn this now. There are tons of fucking toxic people who will steal and use you. Watch for the leaches. And don't become a leach yourself.
Definitely think about the balance of life. And remember. Most girls don't dig stinky van guys. Just saying.
.
I've done the van thing I've done the employee housing thing. Done the live in Leadville and hitchhike to copper for work thing. And now I am a weekend worrier. But thankfully they are gonna open this closed ski area that has night skiing so I can go after work. But as someone who was a ski bum and bummed it really hard and got all sorts of fucked up I do enjoy a nicer place to live. A better car and better gear. And a girlfriend.(she don't ski but it's whatever)
Also. Don't smoke cigs. For real. Don't drive drunk (people will make you do it and then not give a shit if you get a duii). Learn this now. There are tons of fucking toxic people who will steal and use you. Watch for the leaches. And don't become a leach yourself.
hoodratz47
Active member
And be honest with people. Like if you make some freinds and you stay a bunch. Offer to pay rent for a couch. Do the dishes. Clean the house. When I was 18 I moved to government camp and lived in employee housing above the brewpub. I had so many fucks staying over some were awesome. Some scraped my pipes and smoked my resin. Some stole my shit. Some brought me things. The MTN lifestyle can be so much fun and you can just shred. But also it's gross. Scummy and many other things. And don't let the employer fuck with you. They probably can't do it as bad as when I was starting as they don't have tons of people waiting to fill an empty spot.
I know it sounds silly. Make a list of things you want to do and have in the next year and then figure out how to balance it out.
Don't forget to drink water and wear sunscreen ...
And one day. Please leave. You don't want to be a 36 year old guy partying with 18 year olds.
I know it sounds silly. Make a list of things you want to do and have in the next year and then figure out how to balance it out.
Don't forget to drink water and wear sunscreen ...
And one day. Please leave. You don't want to be a 36 year old guy partying with 18 year olds.
Don't be an instructor or any sort of on-hill job. Look for a restaurant job (preferably serving) where you'll make twice as much and only have to work in the afternoons. This allows you to ski literally every day if you want and you end up making more money. I did this for a year and got about 200 days of skiing, way better than being an instructor or lifty or any sort of on hill job.
Colingarnes
Member
You want to be the bartender of the locals bar, not an instructor. That is how you will both prosper and ruin your life at the same time. Enjoy!
freestyler540
Active member
14434863:skiP.E.I. said:
There are 2 paths to lifelong skiing; being a minimum wage “gig” worker at the hill, or take a career that is well paying and seasonal. Im going to focus on not being caught in the minimum wage trap in my post.
Sailing is a dope job, if you can stand being away from everthing and everyone for 4-5 months straight. The pay off is 5-6 months of vacation to ski, covered by unemployement! Its a 3-4 year college level trade. From there, starting salary was 60,000$ for 8 months work. I live 25mins away from the ski resort and my company pays for all my travelling around the country.
OP, get a post secondary education first and use your parents money to invest in your future. We all heard that school is dumb and its nothing but debt, but thats not true; they just did the minimum effort, then complain when they dont like the jobs offered. The secret is to find a career that has demand and you dont mind doing until something better shows up. Go to school to get the certificates and compentancy related to the field, then commit to the job while remembering that when the snow falls, you are out of here.
Skiing at this time of your life is a luxury. I still skied, taught skiing and rock climbing, but only on my time, like 2hrs a week. You should sacrifice the next 4-6 years for the highest education possible.
Its a far better life to make a bunch of money, then ski without worrying about losing your roof, or skipping supper due to being broke.
teamdummy
Active member
A smart friend of mine is trying this path. Hes an accountant whose been able to work remotely and does pretty well. He lives in Frisco CO down the road from Breck. He says it’s super rad being there and riding tons. But the rent just keeps getting heavier every year. To the point where he’s questioning if 100 days in CO are worth it compared to somewhere cheaper/ maybe not as good of skiing? The ski-bum life is a tough go these days.
Rosbif
Active member
Lots of anti instructing sentiment, which is fair because in general US resorts treat their instructors really poorly.
But, I have been an instructor for a scarily long time now and if you can find somewhere where you can work for yourself (Europe/Japan) it's epic. Also not many other jobs let you move around so much, I have instructed in the US, Chile, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and NZ. Sure I have missed out on some pow days teaching beginners, but I have also got paid really well to go heliskiing, so there's ups and downs.
But, I have been an instructor for a scarily long time now and if you can find somewhere where you can work for yourself (Europe/Japan) it's epic. Also not many other jobs let you move around so much, I have instructed in the US, Chile, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and NZ. Sure I have missed out on some pow days teaching beginners, but I have also got paid really well to go heliskiing, so there's ups and downs.
Skibumsmith
Active member
14434772:Yukon_Cornelius said:
This is the smart 'long term' decision. But don't underestimate the value in being a broke ass dirtbag for a few years in your early 20's. I was a lifty for 3 years before getting my engineering degree. I make good money now and can still ski like 50 days a year and skip work on powder mornings but I wouldn't trade anything for those 3 years I spent working and living at alta. Remember, any degree that's worth getting will require a level of commitment that would disqualify you as a real ski bum. Go tree plant or firefight or landscape for a few years and ski your face off during the winter. You have the rest of your life to think about a career.
Marry somebody rich
wasatch_rat
Active member
don't be an instructor. nothing sucks the joy out of skiing quite like PSIA, crying 4 year olds, fat tourists, and wearing your knees out doing wedge turns on a powder day.
snomaster
Active member
There are many paths ... I think Scott Gaffney is someone to look up to as a model at the highest level...
For me, ski bumming starts as a lifestyle, and then continues as a mindset. I agree to get your secondary education wrapped up first. Choose a major you can tease along but don't have to fully commit to until you're closer to 30. Finance management would be an example. Mine was environmental studies and policy. I'm probably pretty lucky but besides a state education, I started with jack. I went from -$5k in leftover med bills when I was done ski bumming full time to owning 2 decent houses in 7 years (in Breck and Lakewood CO).
Ski during school but get your shit done. Then go full on into bumming not just on lifts, but learning backcountry. Start humble and grow. Having the freedom to ski anything you want because you have the knowledge, experience and skills is the jam for the rest of your life.
So many jobs can get you there as a ski bum. I was server, hotel night auditor, bellman, tram operator, liftie, mover, media logger, painter... And I had volunteer shit that kept my resume relevant until I moved to Denver and dove into aggressively building wealth. Helpful hint: Choose the raddest partner to crush with during your next chapter before you leave the ski town.
For me, ski bumming starts as a lifestyle, and then continues as a mindset. I agree to get your secondary education wrapped up first. Choose a major you can tease along but don't have to fully commit to until you're closer to 30. Finance management would be an example. Mine was environmental studies and policy. I'm probably pretty lucky but besides a state education, I started with jack. I went from -$5k in leftover med bills when I was done ski bumming full time to owning 2 decent houses in 7 years (in Breck and Lakewood CO).
Ski during school but get your shit done. Then go full on into bumming not just on lifts, but learning backcountry. Start humble and grow. Having the freedom to ski anything you want because you have the knowledge, experience and skills is the jam for the rest of your life.
So many jobs can get you there as a ski bum. I was server, hotel night auditor, bellman, tram operator, liftie, mover, media logger, painter... And I had volunteer shit that kept my resume relevant until I moved to Denver and dove into aggressively building wealth. Helpful hint: Choose the raddest partner to crush with during your next chapter before you leave the ski town.
IsaacNW82
Member
14435320:snomaster said:
I agree with this, but I feel the need to point out how significantly the housing market has changed in the last 5-10 years. Remote work is here to stay, and ski town housing costs reflect that accurately (among other driving factors). We can debate fruitlessly on thin evidence what the housing market will do in another 10 years, but I'm just here to say that what worked 5-10 years ago could have totally different results now.
People (like me) with white collar STEM jobs can afford ski town rents/mortgage payments on surprisingly thin margins, I honestly have zero idea how the ski bums can afford it nowadays
maddecipher
Member
17 is pretty young. i'm 30
i think i could offer a couple warnings about the ski bum path.
i got a couple significant concussions at 20. which slowed my progress in finishing my college degree ( eventually finished my 4 year in 2019: ba humanities)
if you're talking about being a strict ski bum, be prepared for a very competitive environment: ski bumming is all about the experience of being in the mountains and having the freedom to ski as much as you'd like.
i did an 80 season back in 2012, and i realize now, that my pre-planning was missing a more longterm perspective.
so, you should ask yourself:
how can i ski 50 days minimum for the next 10 consecutive winters? by that time, you will be 27, and facing a new set of life choices. also, the glamour of professional skiing will be tempered by years of dealing with prepubescent ranting on newschoolers. and you may be so jaded by the world at large, that skiing no longer provides you with that same freedom you once would sacrifice everything in order to be a part of.
otherwise, invest in some camp time and work on that dub 10 and tha' switch 14 to be prepared for the next olympics
i think i could offer a couple warnings about the ski bum path.
i got a couple significant concussions at 20. which slowed my progress in finishing my college degree ( eventually finished my 4 year in 2019: ba humanities)
if you're talking about being a strict ski bum, be prepared for a very competitive environment: ski bumming is all about the experience of being in the mountains and having the freedom to ski as much as you'd like.
i did an 80 season back in 2012, and i realize now, that my pre-planning was missing a more longterm perspective.
so, you should ask yourself:
how can i ski 50 days minimum for the next 10 consecutive winters? by that time, you will be 27, and facing a new set of life choices. also, the glamour of professional skiing will be tempered by years of dealing with prepubescent ranting on newschoolers. and you may be so jaded by the world at large, that skiing no longer provides you with that same freedom you once would sacrifice everything in order to be a part of.
otherwise, invest in some camp time and work on that dub 10 and tha' switch 14 to be prepared for the next olympics
Something I haven't seen yet here is getting IT certificates. It's waaay easier than comp sci/software engineering and where I'm at in California you can get a cushy job for the county doing sysadmin stuff counts as being a CA state employee (meaning wicked pension, paid vacation etc.) and in Mammoth you'll be able to afford to live, not just survive.
I started waiting tables cause that gives you the most ski time by far, but if you want something stable and cushy, IT or realty (I've heard dope things about real estate photography) is probably the ticket. Also fuck everyone who works remote and lives in town and eats up the housing supply with 6+ figure salaries. If you wanna work it tech in a mountain town at least do it IN TOWN.
I started waiting tables cause that gives you the most ski time by far, but if you want something stable and cushy, IT or realty (I've heard dope things about real estate photography) is probably the ticket. Also fuck everyone who works remote and lives in town and eats up the housing supply with 6+ figure salaries. If you wanna work it tech in a mountain town at least do it IN TOWN.
Non_State_Actor
Active member
I did not read through all these responses but I'd say learn to code if you are at all adept. Learn a few languages and get certified. If you're good you can dictate the terms of your employment to work wherever whenever as long as you produce and you can earn a strong salary right out of the gate.
Another option is get a trade. 4 years, only have to school for 2 months a year. work super hard in the summer and then take dec-april off every year. At your age you may think that the next 4 years are going to be the end all of skiing, but they aren't. Once you are a J-man you can make great money in the summers and ski all winter. I suggest industrial because it usually pays the highest. Plus you have something to fall back on and you never know what you can achieve with your skill.....
14435756:mcswizzle said:
Also easy to find sodework or a real job. Even if you work a different job, having skills you can fall back on is great. And there are options everywhere.
Also for people wanting to ski bum, be careful if you go to college. Nothing makes ski bumming less possible than massive student loan debt. It csn be one of the most crippling things. Not saying don't go to college, but if you do, do it for a good reason, learn something. Also going to a cheaper school can be a great option.
It's hard enough to afford to live in many ski towns. If you're paying off student loan debt forever It's going to be nearly impossible unless you have a high paying job.
animator
Active member
14434784:Coleg55 said:
The dog part is actually such good advice. My GF and I have 3 cats and it makes trying to find a rental a nightmare. We love our pets and I’m not saying don’t ever get one, but it absolutely does make renting a fever dream sometimes. That, or pay to get that bitch support certified and you can say fuck you to anyone and bring that homie everywhere.
Schoess
Active member
14434772:Yukon_Cornelius said:
THIS>>>>
I am currently doing this and absolutely loving life at 27 going on 28. Skiing now more than ever, having more fun than ever and contrary to what [tag=1388]@skierman[/tag] fantasizes about at night, it's allowed me to be in great shape and hit a lot of jumps
**This post was edited on May 11th 2022 at 11:26:12am
RobKatz
New member
Here at Vail Resorts, we strive for excellence in our premium products. This includes our legendary Epic Pass which will allow unlimited skiing to more than 40 different properties across the United States, Canada, and Australia. We now offer near year round skiing with our offerings which will be perfect for the aspiring skier like yourself. Flights, lodging, and food not included.