Where do I want to move next season?

Mama.

Mama.

Active member
I've lived all over, I've skied all over. I want to do a season somewhere else, and I need convincing as to where it should be. It's my second season at Baker, and I absolutely love this place. But, I think it might be a permanent home in the future, and I'd like to do some more traveling before I pick a place for good! My boyfriend feels the same way, however, he's only lived in Washington. We're trying to pick a place that will be good for both of us in terrain, jobs and culture.

I've lived all over Washington and Oregon, and I spent half the season in Montana last year. I've skied Whistler, Park City/Canyons, Big Sky/Moonlight, Jackson/Targhee, Bachelor/Hood, Baker/Stevens, Schweitzer, and a number of tiny areas in the Northwest as well.

Now, don't get offended, but neither of us really want to live in Colorado or Utah. Too many people, and we grew up in the NW.... too big of a park scene out there for these hippies. We want big lines, deep snow, and a group of hootin' and hollerin' locals that would be keen on acting like idiots all day, every day, no matter what the weather.

Elaboration on what we're looking for...

- Steep/scary real mountain terrain. We need to have the option of scaring ourself every day. The tram at Big Sky was good for this, but I don't want to live there again. We need to be able to walk into the ski area opening day saying 'holy shit, I dunno if I can do that!'

- Jobs. Resort jobs or otherwise. He's got restaurant experience, I'm a kick-ass barista and I've worked a lot of retail jobs as well. Unfortunately, somewhere with more of a tourist base might be better. We're tired of being SUPER broke. Just broke is totally fine.

- Culture. Are there ski movie premieres and snow related events? Is there live music on a regular basis? Are the locals doing more than just sitting in the bar every night because there is nothing else to do? Does the town have more going on than just skiing and ski bums?

- More of a big mountain scene, rather than park. He skis park. I don't even consider it anymore. If theres no new snow, he'd rather there be something fun to jib around on. But considering we are living at Mt. Baker, I think any park will be an improvement.

- We're seriously goofy people. We play a variation of GNAR almost every single day. We need to be in a place where people will appreciate the crazy, not tell us to be quiet because we're disturbing the peace.

So! Places I'm thinking about!

- Tahoe (Huge. Lots of people. Lots of scary. We know a lot of people down there.)

- France/Germany (we could get jobs in Edelweiss fairly easily, and one of his best friends is living in Meribel.)

- Nelson/Fernie (Duh.)

- Jackson Hole (I didn't like Big Sky... compare the two??)

- Mammoth (Never really heard much about the big mountain aspects down there?)

- Girdwood, AK (a little different than the rest... but we've talked about it.)

I'll add more as I think of it. Real responses seriously appreciated.
 
I can't speak for the others, but I've lived in mammoth since 07 and am still constantly scared shitless. There are a lot of big mountain skiers here, less for the mountain, more for the fact that the entire town is surrounded by hikeable/skinable terrain that is steep and stable. Similar going towards tahoe, but elevation is higher so we typically get more snow and it dries out a little bit more.

Although this year hasn't been great so far since the entire country is pretty dry.

My list of livable resorts contains mammoth, squaw, jackson, chamonix, and zermatt. Based off videos, personal travels, articles, and friends stories.

There are of course other places I love and will gladly travel to. Big Sky was rad. I'd love to spend a week/month at Baker/Crystal. I have plans to spend some time in Silverton this winter... and so forth. Those are the places that I would actually live at for extended periods of time... Although, I'm not the hugest Truckee fan, but I could deal.
 
Well I can only speak for the places in the US.

I think it's really between Jackson and Tahoe. With that being said jackson is my favorite mountain but I call Kirkwood home and couldn't be happier. The terrain is absolutely amazing. I know coming up from Colorado I struggled to find terrain where I could constantly scare the shit out of myself. Kirkwood it's literally right off the lift. Squaw is great but it gets crowded. Alpine is amazing and the hubby would love the park as it's the best out of the big mountain resorts in Tahoe. The snow fucking sucks right now but it will come eventually.

Mammoth is great but the terrain you're looking for is probably more Tahoe oriented.

I don't even know where to start with jackson. If you have bc experience I would almost choose jackson. One thing to consider is cost of living. I don't know if you guys were planning on buying a season pass but Jackson is outrageously expensive for a season pass. Of course if you were lifties or worked there I'm sure you could get some sort of deal.

The thing about all the places (exception france and nelson) is that you are naming mountains. Tahoe has a shit ton of "resorts" that are world class. People often forget it's not a single hill like mammoth and jackson and for that reason it's why I love this place. I also love 750" seasons.

Let me know if you get down here. Btw bellingham is probably the prettiest cities I've ever been to.
 
unless u have a tits bartending job or high end server job, you arent making any money in any ski town aside from salt lake.

salt lakes got cheap rent, cheap food, cheap supplies, and you might just learn you dont need to drink beer all day long.

ski bumming is cool but i dont get how people do it when their rent is 700 a month and gas and food are expensive as hell because its a ski town.
 
Salt Lake isn't a ski town, sorry. I'm not even remotely fond of it, either.

I'm not saying we want to make a bunch of money. Just enough to pay rent. There's two of us, which makes living in a $700 studio decently do-able. Currently, I'm sharing a room with a 17 year old when I'm in town, and sleeping in a car when I'm at the mountain for a few days in a row. He lives in employee housing and works about 25 hours a week. I'm unemployed with a seasons pass and a TINY bit of money in the bank. Any full time job is gonna be an improvement for both of us. :)

We don't drink beer all day long, either, FYI. We're ski bums to the core. Our list of expenses is rent, food, gas, car insurance and skiing. That's it. We share most of those things, too.
 
And why is that? Why would you go to mammoth over the other places? Because of their park? Did you bother reading anything she said?

Just because you see a bunch of Tom Wallisch edits from a mountain doesn't mean it's what she's looking for....
 
Hahahaha. That alone is a reason that Mammoth is only sort of on the list. I've heard it can be a great place for big mountain style skiing, but I've never seen anything to convince me of this. All you ever see from Mammoth are massive park shoots. No thanks.

I said Tahoe in general, because I wasn't sure which mountains would be best for what we want. Kirkwood, Squaw and Alpine are at the top of the list for sure. I think as far as places in the states, the Tahoe area is what we are most interested in. Jackson was fun, but I'm not sure I want to live in that area of the country again.
 
secure employment, then move.

good luck getting a job in canada (assuming you don't have canadian citizenship). I have heard it's very, very, difficult for americans.
 
Double post. Sorry.

Whistler maybe, but neither of us really want to live up there, and it's pretty close to home at the moment. You can get there in 2.5 hours from Bham with no traffic. I have friends here who ski Whistler every weekend. We want to experience something a little further away.
 
what about Silverton? I've never been but it's definitely far from the CO park scene. and it sounds like a sick fucking place.

ashley can i just have your life?
 
I told you to move here....

I think we would get bored in Silverton, honestly. Not necessarily terrain wise, but town/people wise.
 
dont know if it hasbeen sai yet but check out Taos in new mexico

images


iv skied there once when i was little and remember looking up and seeing people shred those lines and thats all i wanted to do.
 
4 resorts all within half an hours drive, Kicking Horse is 2 hours away, and really great nightlife, tons of bars and great shopping. Pretty pricey place though, a very big tourist town. and only about an hour from Calgary. Really dope place though, and tons of great skiing. Not that much big mountain, but tons of pow and decent parks.
 
I used to live in Banff its fun, more chill than Whistler but the skiing isn't amazing. Its good terrain but the snowfall isn't huge. And if you lived in Baker don't bother going to Whistler, it will just seem crowded and Disneylandish, don't get me wrong I love Whistler I'm moving there in a few weeks once I get my degree, but if you don't care for park there are much better options than Whistler in BC.

If you want good lines, pow and small crowds consider Fernie, Whitewater, Red Mountain, Kicking Horse or Revelstoke. If you want really deep snow and no crowds, then Powder King, but there is only two lifts that are open 4 days a week and the terrain isn't that steep.
 
It sounds like jackson would be perfect for you. Its got tons of sketchy inbound terrain not to mention the back country gems. Although a lot smaller than places you've been in the past there is definitely not a shortage of things to do in season as well as summer. ie mtn bike, raft, hike, kayak, fish plus it has a lively town which sees even more rowdiness in the summer. Ive never skied big sky but I have ridden whitefish which is close and Jackson definitely has more crazy shit from my experience. good luck with the search.
 
Not gunna elaborate a lot on why its so great but if you're interested pm me,

Aspen/Snowmass seems to fit you perfect your only problem might be is affordable living but hit me up with questions.
 
Salt Lake City may not be a ski town but in the foothills around little and big cottonwood canyons are heavily populated by skiers and snowboarders and is a very cool place to live (very hippie friendly). seriously move to Salt Lake City and get a job at Alta or Snowbird and you will not regret it. both mountains have gotten over 650 inches of snow in each of the past 4 winters, the terrain will scare you shitless and the skiers there kill it on the daily, the backcountry is world class and easily to access. great place to live work and ski
 
Nelson has everything except for the "shit your pants" terrain you're looking for. It's there, you just have to tour to find it.
 
Mama you gypsy.

Try canada, aint lived there before right?

Nelson is very cool place. Maybe not so much going on but iv never lived there just visited. I think its around 40,000 people to give you an idea.

Vernon? My family literally almost moved there. From my many visits it seemed like a sweet place.

The guy who suggested norway has the right idea if you got the funds. Living in norway is pricey. But you get very well for even a waiter/waitress job. Like 18 bucks an hour or something.

Norwegian locals also would not be as crazy as baker locals. But they are VERY friendly people as a whole.

Id say if you can get the funds go to europe. Visit dougies friend(take the sweartshirt he wanted to buy from me with you!)

 
I would have to throw in a vote for Jackson or Revelstoke.

I have been skiing the Sky the past few years and it doesn't even compare to those to.

Both Jackson and Revy are littered with cliffs and the terrain is much bigger and more cohesive for skiing than here at Big Sky.

If you can't decide, just get a sled.. Terrain is always better that way.
 
By we, he means HE LIKES THEM. I like trees. Pillows are scary.

But food. Must have good food. Amazing food, please.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top