Work ski balance

[Canis_lupus]

New ankilla hate/love thread got me thinking. As someone who makes hourly as a ski patroller but will be graduating college soon I would love to hear insights from NS members on how they balance their career and ski life. Whether that's the minimum wage job route to maximize ski days or the corporate warrior earning more coin to be financially comfortable. Is there really a better choice or is there a good middle ground?

 

[GayWolf420]

Hard to say. But I turn 29 this fall and kind of yearn for that "stability" and to go back to just skiing for fun and not as a paycheck. I enjoyed being a patroller but it's not about the money and it gets tiring eating ramen every night. No college degree however, so its the blue collar route until something comes about

**This post was edited on Jul 7th 2024 at 11:18:37am

 

[Canis_lupus]

Hard to say. But I turn 29 this fall and kind of yearn for that "stability" and to go back to just skiing for fun and not as a paycheck. I enjoyed being a patroller but it's not about the money and it gets tiring eating ramen every night. No college degree however, so its the blue collar route until something comes about

**This post was edited on Jul 7th 2024 at 11:18:37am

Yeah real, I'm only 21 but I've been patrolling for a few years now and I'm already getting tired of being in ski boots both on and off the clock. Still love the job and it's great for being in school but I know I want something else in the future

 

[Farmville420]

I work a 9-5 and go to Ruby hill on weeknights and ski on weekends and once the mid season injuries start compounding that's beyond plenty

 

[Canis_lupus]

I work a 9-5 and go to Ruby hill on weeknights and ski on weekends and once the mid season injuries start compounding that's beyond plenty

What do ya do for work/ do you like it?

 

[Farmville420]

What do ya do for work/ do you like it?

Civil Engineering and I like it, my specific company isn't the best rn but like as a career path it's nice and getting a PE will be cool

 

[KungKalmar]

Something that pays semi well and has a flexible time schedule. There are some office jobs where it doesn't really matter when you are doing your job as long as you are not past deadlines. This allows for skiing during the day and working in the evening or weekends or whenever you are not skiing.

 

[1spliff2guinnies]

Something that pays semi well and has a flexible time schedule. There are some office jobs where it doesn't really matter when you are doing your job as long as you are not past deadlines. This allows for skiing during the day and working in the evening or weekends or whenever you are not skiing.

This would be the most optimal route I would say, or perhaps a job that offers a 4 on 4 off schedule (not sure how popular this is in the US) type of job. If you are a good content creator, you could try do a 'Van Life' type channel, but it is probably unrealistic. You could try and become an engineer or an electrician and work full time for a ski field as well, so you aren't in boots everyday but get to be in the mountains. There are so many variables it is hard to give a definite 'one-size-fits' all answer tbh. I'm sure you'll work it out holmes.

 

[KungKalmar]

This would be the most optimal route I would say, or perhaps a job that offers a 4 on 4 off schedule (not sure how popular this is in the US) type of job. If you are a good content creator, you could try do a 'Van Life' type channel, but it is probably unrealistic. You could try and become an engineer or an electrician and work full time for a ski field as well, so you aren't in boots everyday but get to be in the mountains. There are so many variables it is hard to give a definite 'one-size-fits' all answer tbh. I'm sure you'll work it out holmes.

I'll also add that having and employer who allows you to use your summer vacation weeks during winter is a nice thing to have. I hope I'll find one like that when I end up to the adult life.

 

[1spliff2guinnies]

I'll also add that having and employer who allows you to use your summer vacation weeks during winter is a nice thing to have. I hope I'll find one like that when I end up to the adult life.

Oh yeah, that would also be sick for the homie. I think it depends on what kind of business you are in and if they can sacrifice you over winter. Sucks that some of your busiest holidays are around Christmas and New Years,

 

[crimeenthusiast]

working construction on ski lifts give you off for months in winter. livable pay but you work 60 hr weeks during work szn and live at the mountain whose getting the lift.

 

[Non_State_Actor]

working construction on ski lifts give you off for months in winter. livable pay but you work 60 hr weeks during work szn and live at the mountain whose getting the lift.

A lot of trades/construction/landscape career paths that may not offer winters off entirely but where schedules lighten significantly in winter and sometimes have whole or multiple weeks off particular when the big snows hit can be a good balance/happy median type thing. If you want to settle down later move out of the mountains or transfer skills to an adjacent field with less seasonal work?

 

[BigPurpleSkiSuit]

Been doing tech sales for a little while now, and the flexibility is kind of unmatched compared to any job I had before my degree.

Yes I'm 'in office' 4 days a week, but I can work hard as hell on those 4 days and ski the other 3 with no worries and do well more than my quota which gives me even more flexbility if there's a pow day and I really want to go ski it.

I'd recommend getting a real job, and working hard enough at it to earn you the right to do it flexibly. There's a joke that remote work is just an option for people who make more than 200k a year, but the reason they make that much is usually because they're trusted to get their shit done. As life goes on, you eventually start to care about more than just skiing, and financial stability makes a huge difference in who will be interested in being in a relationship with you, and what you can do throughout life.

 

[Canis_lupus]

Been doing tech sales for a little while now, and the flexibility is kind of unmatched compared to any job I had before my degree.

Yes I'm 'in office' 4 days a week, but I can work hard as hell on those 4 days and ski the other 3 with no worries and do well more than my quota which gives me even more flexbility if there's a pow day and I really want to go ski it.

I'd recommend getting a real job, and working hard enough at it to earn you the right to do it flexibly. There's a joke that remote work is just an option for people who make more than 200k a year, but the reason they make that much is usually because they're trusted to get their shit done. As life goes on, you eventually start to care about more than just skiing, and financial stability makes a huge difference in who will be interested in being in a relationship with you, and what you can do throughout life.

Im blinded by the idea i can get a work from home job straight after college

 

[muffMan.]

Im blinded by the idea i can get a work from home job straight after college

Yeah it might take bit, I tried finding remote but it was just way too competitive.

Found a tiny startup, full in office but starting hybrid in a couple weeks. It’s not ideal but not horrible. Like my coworkers and job is fun.

Dream is to get into contract/freelance work after some experience. I will lighten my load around winter time to ski, and grind the other months. I know a guy who owns a tiny tech company managing Shopify themes, brings in almost 25k a month, and has only 2 employees.

But for now just weekends, and occasionally trip. Plus some Ruby hill days sprinkled in there

 

[STEEZUS_CHRI5T]

In my opinion, everyone is unique, so there may not be a universally better choice. However, generally speaking, skiing isn't something you can rely on for the rest of your life. You might find yourself at 40 living in a shared space, single, and broke. While there's nothing inherently wrong with that, it doesn't sound ideal to me. Personally, I feel happier focusing on family, career, and marriage. These aspects will continue to grow, support you, and will always be there. It's important not to put all your eggs in one basket; find a balance. Besides, you can still pursue this path and enjoy skiing on the weekends.

 

[weastcoat]

Civil Engineering and I like it, my specific company isn't the best rn but like as a career path it's nice and getting a PE will be cool

Wondering if getting a PE allows for more ski time / flexibility as such. I’m going for mine but part of me wonders if it’s even worth it. Not trying to sacrifice ski time and it’s so hard to take extended leave I feel like.

 

[partyandBS]

im satisfied where i am in my career path within ski resorts. the ski industry as a whole has a ton of mobility with the seasonality. even if you are full time year round you still have those down times where people seek other opportunities. so as far as establishing yourself in a career path with continued growth oppritunity, its gotta be one of the best i would think.

i would say get in with a small department, show up, use the lingo they use in training, and stick out. while there and establishing your reputation, you can see what departments have the best work life balance, what leaders are producing the highest amount of promotions, what skill sets you want to lean on or what do you want to develop and then move onto a position/department that aligns with what you want.

i would say that patrol by nature is tough to move through the ranks especially if union. often times it goes to who has been there the longest instead of you has the highest potential to grow the department. i see a lot of this at multiple resorts with departments that have high retention rates (maintenance world) which is of course a great thing for stability but making positive change in an industry that is rapidly changing seems to be difficult with people who are used to things being done a certain way for decades.

if you are able to engage with guests, grounds is a great entry point because a lot of the guys who sign up for grounds do not have that guest focus. its easy to stand out as someone who goes above and beyond by engaging and being as helpful as possible and should go noticed.

none of this matters if your boss is shit though. you can do all you want but if that goes unnoticed or is somehow perceived as threatening to your boss, its gonna suck and you should transfer/bail as quickly as possible lol

 

[STEEZUS_CHRI5T]

Wondering if getting a PE allows for more ski time / flexibility as such. I’m going for mine but part of me wonders if it’s even worth it. Not trying to sacrifice ski time and it’s so hard to take extended leave I feel like.

Getting your PE is just going to make you more valuable to the company and they'll probably expect more from you. Senior engineers are busy

**This post was edited on Jul 9th 2024 at 12:54:13pm

 

[weastcoat]

Getting your PE is just going to make you more valuable to the company and they'll probably expect more from you. Senior engineers are busy

**This post was edited on Jul 9th 2024 at 12:54:13pm

Been thinking that same thing. Seems like the guys that are working hella overtime. I’m gonna get my FE though since I just graduated in case I want that when I’m older to bring in bank. But man do I wanna live out my 20s a little more.

 

[Farmville420]

Wondering if getting a PE allows for more ski time / flexibility as such. I’m going for mine but part of me wonders if it’s even worth it. Not trying to sacrifice ski time and it’s so hard to take extended leave I feel like.

Depends. In the public sector you get a 3 day weekend basically every month, shit tons of PTO, and barely do any work at all and never stay late or anything. You cap out in terms of salary but you'll make decent money, mid 100k is generally what my friends are making rn.

In the private sector you work a shit ton more but can earn more than a living. My bosses at both jobs I've had were making upwards of $500k and yeah they didn't get to take big vacations and work Saturdays a bunch but $500k is generational wealth and as you get older you might see the value in that.

 

[eheath]

The unfortunate reality is that when you get older and pursue your career, you won't be able to ski 5 days a week. Sure, there are careers you can purse where you can ski more, but IMO I would not pick a career based on how much you can ski.

Work/Life balance is very important but most careers with future growth and livable salaries you will be working 5 days a week and you have to adapt to that. Making good money means more vacations, more opportunities, but you will have less time to do things you enjoy. You learn to prioritize your free time and appreciate your vacations. Quality over quantity.

If you work some low wage job your entire life, you might have more free time to ski but you will work longer in life and have less stability. Overall, pursuing a career with financial stability is far better.

 

[partyandBS]

The unfortunate reality is that when you get older and pursue your career, you won't be able to ski 5 days a week. Sure, there are careers you can purse where you can ski more, but IMO I would not pick a career based on how much you can ski.

Work/Life balance is very important but most careers with future growth and livable salaries you will be working 5 days a week and you have to adapt to that. Making good money means more vacations, more opportunities, but you will have less time to do things you enjoy. You learn to prioritize your free time and appreciate your vacations. Quality over quantity.

If you work some low wage job your entire life, you might have more free time to ski but you will work longer in life and have less stability. Overall, pursuing a career with financial stability is far better.

L take imo. work hard so you can retire early and play in your 70s?? or play while you’re youthful and able bodied and work in your 70s lol.

imma set myself up to retire at a decent age while playing through it all with continued 100+ ski seasons and 100+ bike days a year. you don’t need to be a weekend warrior in order to have a successful career and financial stability.

 

[Farmville420]

L take imo. work hard so you can retire early and play in your 70s?? or play while you’re youthful and able bodied and work in your 70s lol.

imma set myself up to retire at a decent age while playing through it all with continued 100+ ski seasons and 100+ bike days a year. you don’t need to be a weekend warrior in order to have a successful career and financial stability.

You don't need to be young and spry to travel the world and golf and chill on the beach and eat good food. Would much rather chill hard for two decades than kind of work and ski a little bit more when I'm young I feel like that's not a crazy thing to think lol

 

[eheath]

L take imo. work hard so you can retire early and play in your 70s?? or play while you’re youthful and able bodied and work in your 70s lol.

imma set myself up to retire at a decent age while playing through it all with continued 100+ ski seasons and 100+ bike days a year. you don’t need to be a weekend warrior in order to have a successful career and financial stability.

I never said you couldn't do that, I'm just saying in general from the perspective of fresh college grad, you shouldn't pick your job based on how many days you can ski.

I work a m-f, 9-5 job and I ski 30-40 days a year which I'm completely happy with, that's every weekend + weekday powder days. I golf 80+ times a year which is far more achievable as I can golf every day (same with biking).

Skiing is a tough one to justify doing daily to me, you'd need a flexible schedule and close proximity to a ski resort, both of which are rare.

This is all assuming you are single and have no other responsibilities in life other than going to work and going skiing. Add a wife, health/fitness routines, a couple of kids, then some unexpected life shit and you're not skiing or biking anywhere near 100 days.

Sometimes its hard to get our heads out of our skiing bubble, what you wish to achieve will be difficult, but I hope you do.

**This post was edited on Jul 9th 2024 at 1:33:17pm

 

[weastcoat]

Depends. In the public sector you get a 3 day weekend basically every month, shit tons of PTO, and barely do any work at all and never stay late or anything. You cap out in terms of salary but you'll make decent money, mid 100k is generally what my friends are making rn.

In the private sector you work a shit ton more but can earn more than a living. My bosses at both jobs I've had were making upwards of $500k and yeah they didn't get to take big vacations and work Saturdays a bunch but $500k is generational wealth and as you get older you might see the value in that.

That’s the only thing I was thinking of where a PE wouldn’t be that bad at all. Everyone I know who works at the state or federal level enjoys it because of that, plus it’s overall less stressful.

 

[partyandBS]

I never said you couldn't do that, I'm just saying in general from the perspective of fresh college grad, you shouldn't pick your job based on how many days you can ski.

I work a m-f, 9-5 job and I ski 30-40 days a year which I'm completely happy with, that's every weekend + weekday powder days. I golf 80+ times a year which is far more achievable as I can golf every day (same with biking).

Skiing is a tough one to justify doing daily to me, you'd need a flexible schedule and close proximity to a ski resort, both of which are rare.

This is all assuming you are single and have no other responsibilities in life other than going to work and going skiing. Add a wife, health/fitness routines, a couple of kids, then some unexpected life shit and you're not skiing or biking anywhere near 100 days.

Sometimes its hard to get our heads out of our skiing bubble, what you wish to achieve will be difficult, but I hope you do.

**This post was edited on Jul 9th 2024 at 1:33:17pm

lol maybe if i didn’t ski as much i wouldn’t have gotten a divorce ?

yeah if the white picket fence with wife kids and a dog is the goal then yeah, probably not responsible to risk injury all the time while skiing and biking. and that is totally a respectable pathway.

in response to OP you can totally prioritize your career AND skiing. you can develop leadership/trade skills along the way and if you need to pivot out for a new direction such as starting a family, you may need to reassess your career as you go. but i really don’t think you have to choose establishing your career OR skiing.

 

[GrandThings]

Skiing as much as you want

Having a successful career

Having a healthy social life

Pick two.

 

[eheath]

lol maybe if i didn’t ski as much i wouldn’t have gotten a divorce ?

yeah if the white picket fence with wife kids and a dog is the goal then yeah, probably not responsible to risk injury all the time while skiing and biking. and that is totally a respectable pathway.

in response to OP you can totally prioritize your career AND skiing. you can develop leadership/trade skills along the way and if you need to pivot out for a new direction such as starting a family, you may need to reassess your career as you go. but i really don’t think you have to choose establishing your career OR skiing.

You've been through plenty of what I'm talking about then so you get it haha. Life changes for sure, people change, im sure skiing wasn't the only reason you got divorced but hopefully it worked out for ya both.

For me skiing has just taken a couple steps down my priority list, but I get it that for some people, regardless of age/career, skiing is still #1. For a young fella out of college, its best to be fluid about your first jobs as it will change down the road, but in the end anything is possible.

 

[1spliff2guinnies]

I never said you couldn't do that, I'm just saying in general from the perspective of fresh college grad, you shouldn't pick your job based on how many days you can ski.

I work a m-f, 9-5 job and I ski 30-40 days a year which I'm completely happy with, that's every weekend + weekday powder days. I golf 80+ times a year which is far more achievable as I can golf every day (same with biking).

Skiing is a tough one to justify doing daily to me, you'd need a flexible schedule and close proximity to a ski resort, both of which are rare.

This is all assuming you are single and have no other responsibilities in life other than going to work and going skiing. Add a wife, health/fitness routines, a couple of kids, then some unexpected life shit and you're not skiing or biking anywhere near 100 days.

Sometimes its hard to get our heads out of our skiing bubble, what you wish to achieve will be difficult, but I hope you do.

**This post was edited on Jul 9th 2024 at 1:33:17pm

I resonate with the "head in the skiing bubble" mentality, and for a while it did affect what jobs I wanted to do. I've gone through a bit of a grieving process with skiing recently when it just sucks to feel like that it can't be a priority like it used to be. Some of my happiest memories are family trips & ripping with my old man. It used to be such a part of my core identity and I've been struggling to fill that void with something else that "scratches that it" (boxing is starting to fill it up).

I think that's the crux of it for a lot of people. Our gear is like our uniform to show that we are part of "that club" (especially park skiers) and we put so much effort into getting out there. When mine started hanging up in the closet a few more days than it used to, it felt like I was losing a part of myself.

I think for the majority of us we eventually get to that point. I think embracing the acceptance stage is actually quite liberating and allows you to think about other opportunities that are beneficial, i.e. moving somewhere father away from the mountains in order to get a better salary and work/ life balance, rather than the stress of trying to maximise the days on the snow and the arsenal of tricks you want to land, and from experience, crappy jobs catch up with you eventually. I'm happy with lofty 3s and sliding through mellow kinks.

 

[KungKalmar]

I resonate with the "head in the skiing bubble" mentality, and for a while it did affect what jobs I wanted to do. I've gone through a bit of a grieving process with skiing recently when it just sucks to feel like that it can't be a priority like it used to be. Some of my happiest memories are family trips & ripping with my old man. It used to be such a part of my core identity and I've been struggling to fill that void with something else that "scratches that it" (boxing is starting to fill it up).

I think that's the crux of it for a lot of people. Our gear is like our uniform to show that we are part of "that club" (especially park skiers) and we put so much effort into getting out there. When mine started hanging up in the closet a few more days than it used to, it felt like I was losing a part of myself.

I think for the majority of us we eventually get to that point. I think embracing the acceptance stage is actually quite liberating and allows you to think about other opportunities that are beneficial, i.e. moving somewhere father away from the mountains in order to get a better salary and work/ life balance, rather than the stress of trying to maximise the days on the snow and the arsenal of tricks you want to land, and from experience, crappy jobs catch up with you eventually. I'm happy with lofty 3s and sliding through mellow kinks.

You can always go back after you divorce and your kids are starting to grow up. I'm kinda thankful that I have someone at home who has similar interest and is living similar life where I'm aiming at. Instead of sport cars and other materialism my fathers mid life crisis consist of trying way too many action sports, everything from freeskiing, to water stuff to anything involving a chute of some type. He has kinda shown that you can have a real adult job in economics, have kids and do cool shit/ participate in more lifestyle based hobbies. Every single penny outside of living expenses and supporting my skiing goes to sports equipment and chasing snow, wind, waves, mountains and whatever. he has spent every single vacation week in the last 5 years for his passions, none at home. That is like 30 weeks of paid vacation alone, I would say it's a nice amount for an adult.+ being able to work anywhere has helped to achieve this.

So it is possible to stop being a man-child for a decade or two and become a man-child again.

 

[PeppermillReno]

Marine techs are impossible to find and hire in the summer and they have nothing to do but ski all winter. I've had a nightmare having my boat serviced and fixed the last few months. Those dudes all make bank and well over $50/hour. Go into that.

Midweek powder days are as busy as weekends and aren't just olds plenty of people have figured these things out. Seasons are only getting shorter plenty of time to work. Every construction company (another non winter oriented industry) is desperate for good younger workers too.

I'm not sure why people want to live near big resorts either if you have to work you can't ski more than 1-2 days a week aren't 2-3 killer fly to trips (flights are cheap in the winter) better than skiing once or twice a week and living somewhere expensive and shitty with no good jobs?

 

[skiP.E.I.]

I've just been busting ass in the summer and maximizing ski time in winter, working part time at resorts to get a pass and discounts on equipment. I've been skiing 60-100+ days a year since 2007.

I don't think this process is really going to continue to be sustainable for me as I age, so at this point I'm considering some other options.

 

[theabortionator]

I think of that quote(can't remember who said it)

"I got into the ski industry to ski more, I got out of the ski industry to ski more"

It depends a lot on the job the place the person. I run snowcats. When I worked grave shift I rode more but also depends on me personally, where I was living etc.

Also I've been working year round in the ski industry a decent amount of years with a few summers chilling in America. I think personally, skiing since I was 6 and snowboarding since I was 8(plastic board) and 10 real board at the mtn. It's been such a big part of my life and I'll always love it. I need other things now.

I have friends that lost it around college age and never ski anymore. I have other friends who are still die hards living in vans traveling through the season.

I know for me if I do it too much I'll burn out. I keep a decent pace but it depends where I'm at. Working at Crystal in WA I rode a shit ton. Last season at Mammoth I didn't ride that much. Was working a lot and kinda depressed. I'm back in Africa for the summer and riding a few days a week at least. When working night shift I think that's a good amount.

Fuck I worked a bunch today day time, went in the machine at 4pm to almost 2am, and then roling back slopeside at 8am to take care of some shit.

It's hard to put on my boots sometimes but I pretty much never regret it, even on the shittiest day.

I think priorities changes as we age. That's why many of my friends don't ski anymore really. I've mentioned this before but I picked up the guitar during covid and that's my thing now. I rarely go days without playing. It's how I used to feel about skiing and snowboarding. By not going out everyday though, I'm hyped when I take a few runs like I did today. Just mobbin in my tshirt in the sun. It was super fun.

I think it's both a mix finding the ability to ski as much as you want, but also recognizing where you're at on the journey. As a kid I was at the hill night skiing even when it was negative 30. Now I'm kinda a fare weather guy.

I still love the industry and building parks, but my slight separation from the sport is what keeps it good for me. I know I need time doing other things now. If I rode every day I would burn out.

Idk, I'm tired as shit in between shifts so no idea if that made any sense.

 

[theabortionator]

Also worth mentioning, wage varies heavily place to place, but the industry has gone up. Obviously rent is tougher and more spendy, but the wage has gone up more at least with employee housing.

I usually rock employee housing as I move a bunch so easier to find, but also it's generally fairly cost effective. Can do the van life dirt bag thing and then travel in the spring. Hit hood in the summer or whatever.

You'll never get rich in the ski industry, but you can sustain a decent life these days depending on where you're at. Also sometimes you'll hit a pay wall where the only way to move up is to take a better paying job elsewhere. A lot of good folks left the industry so they're desperate for good workers.

Also remote jobs are always good. Wild to me the amount of people that work remote and just stay at home and never travel.

Bartending pays pretty dang decent in ski towns if you have those skills. Idk really up to you but you can def carve out a decent ski bum life and still live okay.

 

[hi_vis360]

My farm job naturally slows down for three months in the winter so it works really well with skiing. I still always have lots of daily chores so it’s not like I’m skiing 5 days a week but my schedule is really flexible in the winter and I’m not working tons of hours, so it’s easy to go night skiing or street skiing before/after work. It’s not as strenuous as construction either, it actually keeps you in great shape so I’m confident I can do this for a long time. People will always need food so job security is good. Pay isn’t amazing so I’m not going on ski vacations or anything like that, but farms get tons of tax breaks and I get lots of free food, so living expenses are low. It feels like a real career with lots of room for growth, it’s always interesting, and I feel good about what I do.

 

[Casey]

I make enough money and have enough PTO to ski 3-4 days a week. But I have kids so I am broke and have no free time.

 

[roddy116]

I work full time and any waking hour where I am capable of going skiing I go.

Girlfriend cuts the days down by like four days a winter so its fine.

 

[mattytru]

Been thinking that same thing. Seems like the guys that are working hella overtime. I’m gonna get my FE though since I just graduated in case I want that when I’m older to bring in bank. But man do I wanna live out my 20s a little more.

get the PE, it's up to you what type of position you put yourself into after that. there are PEs in my office that definitely only work 40 hours and maybe even less. they take plenty of vacation and leave during the day for errands, etc.

i'm a surveyor - i work more than every engineer in the office, lol.

 

[Brule.]

I can’t really say shit bc I work at a ski shop in a busy ski town fitting boots. But with the way my schedule works out, I’m able to get at least two full days in, and maybe a day or two where I am able to get some laps in for my lunch break, per week. It works out bc I don’t like weekend or holiday crowds on the hill at all. At the end of the day I’m basically working just as much as I am skiing, with the exception of at least one day during the season where I’m trying out new products at an industry demo, which doesn’t even feel like work at all that day. In shorter terms, it’s a 50/50 balance for me.

Also there’s a severe lack of younger boot fitters in the ski industry as a whole, so if you’re in a spot where you’ll be able to spend most of the year focusing on skiing, definitely go that route. It’s one of the few jobs in the ski industry that I’ve noticed has a growing ceiling of opportunity. There’s even a potential of being able to do that job year-round, but I do blue collar shit in the summer months bc I value the need to take a break to reenergize myself for next season.

 

[hamsauce]

Best middle ground for me is night skiing. 9-5er with a family means most of my skiing this year will be after 3pm or before 10pm. Spring time is legit because it doesnt get dark until 7ish, so I can get a few hours of daylight if I start work early and head straight to the hill. a few dawn patrol tours and saturdays sprinkled in, and I have a career with a comfortable paycheck, time for family, and enough time for skiing.

 

[VTshredder69]

Pretty sad how my life went from skiing 30-40 days a year to now 4-5. But in all honesty I just found things to replace it that I can also enjoy.

Enduro is local and free. Gym is local and almost free. Both combat my 8 hour of nubmer crunching depression. Being active in general is one of the most important things for me personally. As long as i can keep up physical exercise i find i can keep myself happy.

I also can't do jack shit in the park any longer but at age 34 i shouldn't be trying anyways.

 

[mattytru]

Pretty sad how my life went from skiing 30-40 days a year to now 4-5. But in all honesty I just found things to replace it that I can also enjoy.

Enduro is local and free. Gym is local and almost free. Both combat my 8 hour of nubmer crunching depression. Being active in general is one of the most important things for me personally. As long as i can keep up physical exercise i find i can keep myself happy.

I also can't do jack shit in the park any longer but at age 34 i shouldn't be trying anyways.

you're still good for park at 34 just have fun with it

 

[VTshredder69]

you're still good for park at 34 just have fun with it

Thanks brother. One love!

 

[nCrow]

Working a government office job has been a pretty good middle ground for me so far. The works not interesting, but easy, work from home 1-2 days a week and pays decent for where I live. Long term benefits and job security really help too. Flextime schedule, can save up pto working extra hours, and pretty chill with taking time off. Was able to take 4 trips last season no problem and was one of the best seasons I’ve ever had. The weekend warrior grind definitely wears you down throughout the season, but there’s ways to minimize it if you’re smart. Having Ruby hill for after work is a huge plus as well.

 

[Rparr]

nd once the mid season injuries start compounding that's beyond plenty

Felt this one lol

 

[GayWolf420]

Skiing as much as you want

Having a successful career

Having a healthy social life

Pick two.

This has been fucking with me. Its accurate. I feel like im stuck in the ski industry/resort industry forever.

 

[Rparr]

I have a full time corporate job, but I also live 5 minutes from my shitty tiny hill. So it is very easy for me to sneak out for a couple hours at night on weekdays after a full day of work. It has actually revitalized night skiing for me

 

[Dlonetti]

this the type of thread that makes me grateful for newschoolers, so many valuable, different perspectives.

im 25 rn and got a job in state politics out of college (essentially secretary to a state senator) working for the state is great, tons of time off outside busy season, good benefits, enough pay. only problem is busy season is january-may and it was just killing me to lose so much ski time.

been working park crew part time at my local and planning on doing that full time starting in january. i have a decent amount of money for my age (definitely not as much as friends but enough) so want to try out resort work for awhile + spring ski traveling (hood, etc). feels like a good age to try it, i didn’t want to miss my window and regret it my whole life.

gonna get out of MN in the next few seasons and see where the industry takes me. eventual goal would be to settle in a ski town and build a sustainable life with skiing as the priority.

priorities can definitely shift, but as long as i’m still as obsessed with park skiing/skiing in general as i was when i was 16, i’ve got no reason to not pursue it. i’ve got a lot of skiing goals and it’s time to start getting after it

 

[Canis_lupus]

Finally got around to reading everyone's replies. Grateful that this thread blew up more than I thought it would. It's neat hearing everyone's perspectives outside the bubble of skiing. Big s/o to [tag=104058]@theabortionator[/tag] and [tag=38820]@eheath[/tag] for their insights and kind words.

Skiing for me is the source don't get me wrong, but I fear I'm growing up a little quicker and I'm starting to prioritize different aspects of my life (not necessarily a bad thing). Skiing has never been an all encompassing thing as compared to other "ski bums" as I've always seen the importance of relationships, other hobbies, and careers which is what this whole thread is about.

Regardless, I'll be skiing til I'm 80 and if reducing my amount of days on hill in exchange for an improved overall life/wellbeing is the answer then I'm totally fine with that. I'm glad I could hear others outlooks on how that can be possible.

 

[1spliff2guinnies]

Finally got around to reading everyone's replies. Grateful that this thread blew up more than I thought it would. It's neat hearing everyone's perspectives outside the bubble of skiing. Big s/o to [tag=104058]@theabortionator[/tag] and [tag=38820]@eheath[/tag] for their insights and kind words.

Skiing for me is the source don't get me wrong, but I fear I'm growing up a little quicker and I'm starting to prioritize different aspects of my life (not necessarily a bad thing). Skiing has never been an all encompassing thing as compared to other "ski bums" as I've always seen the importance of relationships, other hobbies, and careers which is what this whole thread is about.

Regardless, I'll be skiing til I'm 80 and if reducing my amount of days on hill in exchange for an improved overall life/wellbeing is the answer then I'm totally fine with that. I'm glad I could hear others outlooks on how that can be possible.

Good on you dude. As long as you prioritize staying healthy you can jump back into it whenever. Don't do what I did and neglect your fitness or mental health. It makes it much harder to get the motivation to get on the slopes if all you want to do is stay in bed and eat cheetos