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KevskiIt's totally possible to work in a field that you feel passionately about. In that case, you could potentially be gaining as much fulfillment from work as from skiing, and maintain a balance of both (and anything else you like) in a generally rad life.
I moved out east from BC to do my masters in landscape architecture and couldn't be happier to dedicate my life to that field - even at the expense of a couple BC ski seasons.
When I do get on the mountain it's one of the best things in life, but I don't feel the need to give up the rest of the things in in my life to do it. And I've worked with plenty of people who go on weekly backcountry adventures, dedicate a working week's time to a creative job they love, and who have enough income to be able to think about raising a family. Personally I think that's more fun than working a shit job to afford skiing every day.
So really, I think it makes sense to just pursue what you love, trying to avoid limiting yourself in the future.
If you really care about what you're getting your degree in, then pay the money and you'll thank yourself when you're being paid for something you enjoy. A job will not prevent you from skiing if you actually want to go skiing.
On the flip side, if you don't really care about what you're learning in college/uni, then why pay for it at all? Go skiing until it's not the only thing that makes you happy any more.
jacktwemI did a gap year after high school and did a full season in Whistler. I went to university the following year. Being from Australia I would go skiing for at least 3 months every year while summer holidays were on. Deferred my studies twice to do another full season. Took me over 4 years to finish the degree but worth it for sure.
Now I have a real job and literally every day I think about this. Should I quit and just ski or work and ski every weekend down here in our winter then go for 4 weeks somewhere at the end of every year?
One day in Whistler I was in a cab and the driver was about 75 years old, long hair hippie looking dude. He told me he'd been a ski bum his whole life and it was awesome. He said but now his body is pretty banged up he definitely can't ski that much anymore and he has no money so he told me he'd be working two jobs until he dies.
Probably need to decide if you want to work now and chill later in life in retirement or have a life that is fun until you start getting old and all your friends have money and stop working while you work two jobs until you are dead.
mattwalkerI went to school one summer or fall every year for 8 years and got my business degree. Looking back, wouldn't have done anything different. Being able to ski all winter is what needs to happen while you've still got the fire. Find a school that allows you to do that.
BoaxDo what you want. I finished my degree when I was 21 but it was a waste of time, I knew by the start of year 3 that I'd never use it but finished it anyway, really I should have dropped out when I realised. I now earn about €12K per year, spend most of that on skis and bikes, and play in the mountains every other day. I'm very happy.
Friends in my hometown have well paid jobs but mostly seem miserable and bored. They'll maybe ski or bike every other weekend, do the family thing, etc. Most call me a dick for being so "lucky" with my lifestyle.
APunx176How do you live off of that amount of money? Any tips for living cheap?
APunx176So I am going to college next year and it has got me thinking about some stuff. I currently live in the midwest between 2 relatively small/sketchy hills. I have been thinking about going to a college near Woodward, Colorado, or Utah, because skiing really is my favorite thing to do by a longshot and the offseason absolutely kills me around here, but that would leave me in debt for a long time. So what is more important? Living life to the fullest or keeping your finances straight?
BoaxFind a cheap place to rent, that's pretty important. Then just figure out out what you need, what you don't need, what you want and what you don't want. Prioritise what you spend money on and don't let yourself go into debt, ever.
iLLbiLLyFeel like I've already make this reply in multiple threads but...
I got a CS degree and moved to jackson to work for a small web company (now TMBR). Couple years ago, switched to a "Consulting". All my work is 100% remote so I can live anywhere in the world (so long as there is decent internet).
Benefits:
+ $$$ (enough to live comfortably in Jackson and then some)
+ Live anywhere
+ Set my own hours
+ Unlimited vacation (would still get my base salary even if I didn't work a single hour in a quarter)
+ Ski pass, Insurance, etc
I'd say the CS degree is a good route for anyone who wants to make good $ and have lots of freedom. Not all jobs are going to be like mine, but the trend seems to be moving that way. Companies are realizing that its better to pay people based on "what they do" vs "how long they work". This means if your good at your job you can work very little and live comfortably.
BTW: We are currently hiring a "Tester" position. Need to have some programming experience (basic understanding of how software works), good communication skills, and ability to learn independently. If you're interested, PM me and I'll send out an application when we officially release the position.
Krotchs_BrotherI've really been leaning towards this kind of schooling lately.
Did you regret anything about doing school part-time over a longer time period?
Just looking for some insight from someone who's been through it.
APunx176So I am going to college next year and it has got me thinking about some stuff. I currently live in the midwest between 2 relatively small/sketchy hills. I have been thinking about going to a college near Woodward, Colorado, or Utah, because skiing really is my favorite thing to do by a longshot and the offseason absolutely kills me around here, but that would leave me in debt for a long time. So what is more important? Living life to the fullest or keeping your finances straight?
mattwalkerNo. If I had gone Pre Med or Engineering or something thats super intensive and builds upon itself, it would have been hard because you'd forget things, and you have to pass comprehensive tests to get your degree at the end. Business applies to everything, and to be honest, most of it is putting a name to common sense which you don't forget. Also, I skied all summer, hence the 8 years. If you only want to ski in the winter, you could still do summer/fall and be done in 4. You'd have December-April off.
As for whoever was talking about college being expensive. Move to Colorado, rent a spot for 12 months with your name on the lease, be a ski bum in Breck or Durango for a year and work somewhere for 12 months... then you'll have residency. I think instate tuition is like 8k compared to 27k out of state...
Holdenskier26Yo screw university/college...think off ALL the debt after. You wont finish paying it off until ur like 60. Yea u will have a great job but u wont get to ski. Im moving to whistler rght after high school. just ski all day party all night then repeat. if u work at the mountain u get discounted everything plus a free pass. Then u could also work all off season so u have money for the winter. Thats what im gunna do!
CherryClauseGo to school. Get a Snow Science degree. Work as an avalanche consultant and ski the rest of your life. Problem. Solved.
dbchilitrust me, I appreciate where you're coming from. I went to uni right after high school, and went to live/work in a large city far from skiing right after. I never did the ski bum thing, even though I'd always wanted to.
That being said, I couldn't be happier I didn't. After putting in a couple years at my job, I transferred to Switzerland with my company. Now I live near the mountains, get paid more, ski way more, and get to see Europe every weekend for the past 2 years. Plus, as you get older your priorities change, I still love to ski and I always will, but now I can doing cool ski vacations and buy a chalet eventually.
Lastly, no one I know who bummed for a year ended up doing any amount of serious school after, and had I have done it i'm not sure I would have either, and i'm in a way better position because I didn't.
I'm not saying a house in the suburbs and 3 kids is for everyone (stereotyping), but if you do the school and decide that's not what you want, at least you'll be able to opt out at will. You can't really do it the other way around. Put in the time now, it will pay off in spades.
APunx176Are you a senior this year? I might go to Whistler but more than likely Breck or Key
This does sound pretty nice
ben_southworthThink about your long term plans. I think this has been mentioned, but
ben_southworthI'm getting owned by the internets. Try number 3.
- Making
bradf001This isn't for everyone but its worked great for me:
Step 1: move close to mountains and get a degree in electrical, computer, or mechanical engineering (for example Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Denver). Engineering isn't easy, but there is usually an abundance of online classes and you'd be close enough to the mountains to get some skiing in. I have a friend who only took summer/fall classes and worked/skied in the spring semester.
Its obviously a really long term plan to pull off, but if you can commit to it eventually it works out amazingly.
bradf001This isn't for everyone but its worked great for me:
Step 1: move close to mountains and get a degree in electrical, computer, or mechanical engineering (for example Colorado School of Mines, University of Colorado Denver). Engineering isn't easy, but there is usually an abundance of online classes and you'd be close enough to the mountains to get some skiing in. I have a friend who only took summer/fall classes and worked/skied in the spring semester.
Step 2: get a job with the patent office in Denver (http://careers.uspto.gov/Pages/PEPositions/Jobs.aspx). Very flexible work schedule, basically make your own hours. Close enough to the mountains to get plenty of skiing in. Pays really well.
Step 3: after 2 years the patent office lets you work from home. You can work from anywhere in the U.S. that has an internet connection. Still get to set your own hours. Move to your favorite mountain and ski 100+ days a year (of the last three years I've spent two winters in Breck and one in Mammoth).
Its obviously a really long term plan to pull off, but if you can commit to it eventually it works out amazingly.
APunx176wtf is going on lol
ben_southworthBe careful to keep many options open for your future open. It is very difficult to say what you will want and what will be important as you get older.
APunx176So I am going to college next year and it has got me thinking about some stuff. I currently live in the midwest between 2 relatively small/sketchy hills. I have been thinking about going to a college near Woodward, Colorado, or Utah, because skiing really is my favorite thing to do by a longshot and the offseason absolutely kills me around here, but that would leave me in debt for a long time. So what is more important? Living life to the fullest or keeping your finances straight?
CabbyArrantI hear you. I live in Illinois where my home mountain is 2 hours away. I am on a scholarship studying engineering at the University of Illinois or I will be in the spring. I get where you are coming from and dont be afraid to put your foot out your front door because it will be one of the greatest adventures of your life. The only reason I didn't is because I would be stupid to not take free college. I'm sure as hell moving out west when I graduate though!!!
Btw where you from in the Midwest
tbayskierGreat thread everyone.
Over the last five years I have forest fire fought for the government every summer and made 25 ish grand each summer (April-september, pays really well).
BTW i'm now 23.
louie.miragsThe following is a section of the Alan Watts book, The Wisdom of Insecurity. I was just reading it and it seemed relevant to the topic.
"there is the anxiety that one may be missing something, so that the mind flits nervously and greedily from one pleasure to another, without finding rest and satisfaction in any... the frustration of having to pursue a future good in tomorrow which never comes, and in a world where everything must disintegrate, gives men an attitude of 'What's the use anyhow?'
Consequently our age is one of frustration, anxiety, agitation, and addiction to 'dope'. Somehow we must grab what we can while we can, and drown out the realization that the whole thing is futile and meaningless. The 'dope' we call our high standard of living, a violent and complex stimulation of the senses, which makes them progressively less sensitive and thus in need of yet more violent stimulation. We crave distraction- a panorama of sights, sounds, thrills and titillations into which as much as possible must be crowded in the shortest possible time.
To keep up this 'standard' most of us are willing to put up with lives that consist largely in doing jobs that are a bore, earning the means to seek relief from the tedium by intervals of hectic and expensive pleasure. These intervals are supposed to be in real living, the real purpose served by the necessary evil of work. Or we imagine that the justification of such word is the rearing of a family to go on doing the same kind of thing, in order to rear another family... and so ad infinitum.
This is no caricature. It is the simple reality of millions of lives, so commonplace that we need hardly dwell upon the details, save up to the note the anxiety and frustration of those who put up with it, not knowing what else to do.
Volkl_OneI have a slightly different take on this now that I am older than most of you.
While skiing may seem like the end all be all to you right now, it most likely will not be forever. Look at the demographic you see on NS, there aren't all that many old people hanging around. Eventually, (it happened to me, it happened to my friends, I see it on the hill) you WILL outgrow the love you have for skiing. It is the sad and honest truth. While you have this intense passion for skiing and think you want to do it for the 'rest of your life' go ski bum and live it up! After a few seasons re-evaluate and see if this is what you are going to do forever. Let's consider the following options,
1) You ski bum and love it and avoid college (and the debt associated with it). The only real cost here is opportunity cost of the years you will be making near minimum wage.
2) Go to college and ski while you are there and you achieve this thing in life we call balance. Work hard, and play hard. This while being an expensive option will most likely set you up in the future for success. Remember, there is short term happiness and long term, the goal should be to find a happy medium. There is a funny South Park where they discuss shooting up heroin all the time maximizes the short term and destroys the long term. Substitute heroine here for skiing and you should get my point.
3) You go to college, and cary a heavy debt, and decide you just want to ski. With your college degree you at least have the option to get a decent job in the industry. You pay off your debts over time and still in the long run come out ahead of the non-college option.
Personally, in hindsight I would have chosen a better major, skied a little less, and opened up my future a little more than it is. I chose the short term happiness over the long term happiness a little more than I would like, but hey that's life.
Good luck in whatever you decide!
Volkl_OneWhile skiing may seem like the end all be all to you right now, it most likely will not be forever. Look at the demographic you see on NS, there aren't all that many old people hanging around. Eventually, (it happened to me, it happened to my friends, I see it on the hill) you WILL outgrow the love you have for skiing. It is the sad and honest truth.
Gypsy_SkierI'm at Wharton right now in senior year. I went to high school in the mountains (french originally) and loved skiing everyday. Getting into this school was a blessing, and it's not costing me a dime thanks to the international transfer game, but I now see everyone getting recruited by Goldman, etc. and getting these absolute slave contracts, working 120 hours a week, no vacation, straight out of undergrad... fuck that.
I'm definitely going to take a couple years off and live the ski life while i'm still young enough to do it. Diplomas are unfortunately very important, so get your's and do it right. Maybe don't slum it in some bad school just to ski. I skied shitty parks for the last 2 years and still had a blast, you don't need to go to Breck to have fun skiing. You can still accomplish any academic goals you set without sacrificing skiing for sure, life is long and you never know how long skiing is going to last for you
californiagrownAllan watts teaches the pursuit of a hedonsitic self serving life, from what i have read of him. thats not neccessarily a bad thing if you also subscribe to that outlook on life.
For most people, raising their offspring will be the most important, fullfilling thing they ever do in their lives. Providing the best upbringing possible for these kids is something that becomes priority number 1, 2 and 3. without money, its becomes nearly impossible to do so.
IMO it is far too simplified and naive of an outlook to be usedful for the vast majority of people.
Volkl_OneI have a slightly different take on this now that I am older than most of you.
While skiing may seem like the end all be all to you right now, it most likely will not be forever. Look at the demographic you see on NS, there aren't all that many old people hanging around. Eventually, (it happened to me, it happened to my friends, I see it on the hill) you WILL outgrow the love you have for skiing. It is the sad and honest truth. While you have this intense passion for skiing and think you want to do it for the 'rest of your life' go ski bum and live it up! After a few seasons re-evaluate and see if this is what you are going to do forever. Let's consider the following options,
1) You ski bum and love it and avoid college (and the debt associated with it). The only real cost here is opportunity cost of the years you will be making near minimum wage.
2) Go to college and ski while you are there and you achieve this thing in life we call balance. Work hard, and play hard. This while being an expensive option will most likely set you up in the future for success. Remember, there is short term happiness and long term, the goal should be to find a happy medium. There is a funny South Park where they discuss shooting up heroin all the time maximizes the short term and destroys the long term. Substitute heroine here for skiing and you should get my point.
3) You go to college, and cary a heavy debt, and decide you just want to ski. With your college degree you at least have the option to get a decent job in the industry. You pay off your debts over time and still in the long run come out ahead of the non-college option.
Personally, in hindsight I would have chosen a better major, skied a little less, and opened up my future a little more than it is. I chose the short term happiness over the long term happiness a little more than I would like, but hey that's life.
Good luck in whatever you decide!
