Meant to post this is ski Gabber, admins..... go!

Growing up I could afford to ski only because my parents worked for the resort and got us free season passes. We never really ate at restaurants, went to football games, went to the movies, etc.

Got a job when I was 15 then I started being able to afford any gear I wanted

DIRTYBUBBLEGot a job when I was 15 then I started being able to afford any gear I wanted

This, I grew up in a very frugal family and only got to a handful of times a year, but I still considered it my passion, after I was too old to get the free passes in colorado skiing taught me to set goals and save my money to buy a pass and season rentals, then I got a job in high school and was able to work hard to earn my gear. Now I'm a fuckin broke ass college student with over 4 grand sunk into my gear and passes over the past 4 or so years, but I still make it work.

Passion for skiing is more powerful than some rich kid getting a new setup from mommy and daddy every year.

I think rich or poor, you can have the same opportunities. Just have to make sacrifices and take chances. I will agree though, that if you (your parents) have money, you will pretty much get everything you want without having to lift a finger.

I fund my skiing and gear purchases by creating sham GoFundMe pages. I've found the happy medium for people "sponsoring" me is to make the "cause" not specifically about me and something that tugs on people's emotions such as saying that a friend of mine fell and injured his neck thus hurting his ability to ski and afford textbooks. I try to make each "campaign" appeal to the forum(s) to which I'm posting it.

I was rich. So more than likely I'm a better skier. Sorry.

Income has a lot to do with it in regards to $100+ day passes, but location has just as much to do with it as well. If you are living in a resort town close to the mountain chances are your parents enjoy skiing and make it a priority each season. If you are from a more urban area the cost of gear, travel and passes can be prohibitive. The best skiers I know grew up in the mountains and are the product of teachers, carpenters and other service industry workers. The parents worked hard to get the kids on the hill and were raised to appreciate the time they had on the mountain. The rich kids may travel more but the Mountain Kids lived the lifestyle.

snowpocalypseIncome has a lot to do with it in regards to $100+ day passes, but location has just as much to do with it as well. If you are living in a resort town close to the mountain chances are your parents enjoy skiing and make it a priority each season. If you are from a more urban area the cost of gear, travel and passes can be prohibitive. The best skiers I know grew up in the mountains and are the product of teachers, carpenters and other service industry workers. The parents worked hard to get the kids on the hill and were raised to appreciate the time they had on the mountain. The rich kids may travel more but the Mountain Kids lived the lifestyle.

Though I do totally agree with what you're saying, it is definitely a fact that snowsports for the large part are a rich persons sport.

I dont think being rich has anything to do with how good you are - but the average person who isn't the tiny minority raised in a mountain town need a fair amount of family income to ever get on the mountain. It's a huge problem with the sport appealing to the masses.

Even when we talk "poor skiers" we're really talking about middle class people. You dont see actual poor families "making it work" to get out to the hill 99% of the time.

something that is probably under looked is the fam's ability to cover medical expenses if you get hurt. It is a lot less risky to send it deep when you know mommy and daddy's insurance will cover your medical costs and your entire recovery including living costs will be paid for by them.

More risky to send it deep when you can't afford good insurance and if you get hurt your ability to go to your job so you can pay rent and eat food is significantly hampered.

Park_Rangersomething that is probably under looked is the fam's ability to cover medical expenses if you get hurt. It is a lot less risky to send it deep when you know mommy and daddy's insurance will cover your medical costs and your entire recovery including living costs will be paid for by them.

More risky to send it deep when you can't afford good insurance and if you get hurt your ability to go to your job so you can pay rent and eat food is significantly hampered.

ehh I highly doubt a teenager, rich or poor, is going to think " wow my parents have good insurance which means I can send and hurt myself"

Mr.BishopThough I do totally agree with what you're saying, it is definitely a fact that snowsports for the large part are a rich persons sport.

I dont think being rich has anything to do with how good you are - but the average person who isn't the tiny minority raised in a mountain town need a fair amount of family income to ever get on the mountain. It's a huge problem with the sport appealing to the masses.

Even when we talk "poor skiers" we're really talking about middle class people. You dont see actual poor families "making it work" to get out to the hill 99% of the time.

I agree.

Not at all trying to implicate with this thread that kids who are better off financially are better skiers than those who have less, wanna make that clear.

BUT

What you are saying here is visible and very evident in the industry... lots of kids without the means to get to bigger hills or even buy gear to shred locally....

My mom worked at our local hill so that's how I got into it. Started working there when I was 14

Most of the reason i got to ski this much was that my parents worked at a resort when i was born and that got me started and as soon as i turned 14 i got a job at a mountain as a ski instructor and thats where ive been ever since. Its the main reason i ski so much now

My parents never skied. I first went skiing on a school-sponsored trip when I was 13. After that I loved it but didn't have the money or mechanism to go on my own. So I started organizing trips when I was 14. I got a teacher in my school to be the "official" sponsor. I booked all of the kids . If I could book 30 kids on a bus the teacher and I would ski & travel for free. We did that for my full 4 years of high school. I can't even count how many trips we did. Day trips, weekends, whole vacation weeks.

If you want it you can do it.

My parents have money and I still suck at skiing

Checkmate.

Yeah I remember one time me and my homies actually had a serious conversation about syria or poverty or some shit and then we got off and went back to being privileged white boys who only have to choose which smoke hut to ski to. On a tuesday.

If nick goepper made it... anybody can. My family was good friends with his family before he blew up and before i even knew how to ski. That family wasn't exactly full of money, Especially with his sisters being gymnasts. Plus his dad went unemployed for a few years which really hurt.

jjdsteezeI will agree though, that if you (your parents) have money, you will pretty much get everything you want without having to lift a finger.

Salty

DeezySalty

eh not really, i can see how that comes off as salty. It's simply the truth though.

quesadillaI agree.

Not at all trying to implicate with this thread that kids who are better off financially are better skiers than those who have less, wanna make that clear.

BUT

What you are saying here is visible and very evident in the industry... lots of kids without the means to get to bigger hills or even buy gear to shred locally....

.

jjdsteezeeh not really, i can see how that comes off as salty. It's simply the truth though.

Not for my family. My dad racks in around 200k a year but i pay every penny of my skiing except my pass ($300). I have bought all my outerwear, boots, bindings, and skis. That is all money that I have earned by working. I don't really understand why though because my sister was a gymnast and that's easily over $2,000 a year. I need new skis cause I finally broke my first edge this year but my parents won't budge.

jjdsteezeeh not really, i can see how that comes off as salty. It's simply the truth though.

Sure they will give more opportunities than most, but going as far to say they get everything they want without lifting a finger is definitely a stereotype and, quite frankly, it's bad parenting.

DeezySure they will give more opportunities than most, but going as far to say they get everything they want without lifting a finger is definitely a stereotype and, quite frankly, it's bad parenting.

I can agree with you there. It's definitely a stereotype, and bad parenting, but it does happen. I'm sure lots of other variables are involved as well.

DIRTYBUBBLEGrowing up I could afford to ski only because my parents worked for the resort and got us free season passes. We never really ate at restaurants, went to football games, went to the movies, etc.

Got a job when I was 15 then I started being able to afford any gear I wanted

Exactly my situation. Everybody thinks I'm a rich kid, but I get free season passes and I have been working 30+ hours per week since Freshman year. Even paid my own phone bill throughout highschool and bought my own Subaru.

So fuck em, I will irresponsibly buy brand new skis and outerwear whenever I want. Lazy kids get jealous of those who have dedication.

Get a job (at the mountain if you want a free pass) and pay for your own gear, refer to the sleep in your car thread, couch surf or find some rich friends /thread

snowpocalypseIncome has a lot to do with it in regards to $100+ day passes, but location has just as much to do with it as well. If you are living in a resort town close to the mountain chances are your parents enjoy skiing and make it a priority each season. If you are from a more urban area the cost of gear, travel and passes can be prohibitive. The best skiers I know grew up in the mountains and are the product of teachers, carpenters and other service industry workers. The parents worked hard to get the kids on the hill and were raised to appreciate the time they had on the mountain. The rich kids may travel more but the Mountain Kids lived the lifestyle.

I would agree with this. If you don't live near the mountains a xmas break ski vacation to Vail or somewhere could cost a family of 4 8k, and that is being conservative. Skiing is obviously expensive, but there are middle class people in places like Denver or Salt Lake or Seattle who make it work. Season passes tend to be very affordable these days. If we are talking about spring/winter break week long trip, THOSE are the people who really need to have serious money. I would say that someone from Texas who skis 10 days a year has to be a whole lot wealthier than someone from Sacramento or Seattle who skis that much.

Growing up I was fortunate enough to have a dad who is absolutely stoked on skiing. But as soon as started working, I was totally on my own. Now I spend half my income on ski gear each year. lucky i love skiing!

Let's just say that I have to pay for 99% of things skiing related and it sucks. I don't have a job yet but once l so I'll be all set. Idk how some kids just get whatever they want. But in the real world some day, that's how it's gonna be.

I do think that prices for passes are very overpriced. But the thing is, especially when you are growing up, most all places you can order your pass a few months in advanced and you pay less than $300 for some places when your under 18, and that is for the entire season! So realistically one may think it is impossible to go skiing especially if you love it so much but it is just to expensive, really is still possible. Just work a few weeks and you already got $300 to spend for the pass. Now when you pass over that your off in college anyways and trust me it's not that bad I am still finding great ways to supply my addictive habit of skiing. So, ya may be easier for a more wealthy and well off family to go and shred, but I mean hey at least they worked for what they earned

ZennanI do think that prices for passes are very overpriced. But the thing is, especially when you are growing up, most all places you can order your pass a few months in advanced and you pay less than $300 for some places when your under 18, and that is for the entire season! So realistically one may think it is impossible to go skiing especially if you love it so much but it is just to expensive, really is still possible. Just work a few weeks and you already got $300 to spend for the pass. Now when you pass over that your off in college anyways and trust me it's not that bad I am still finding great ways to supply my addictive habit of skiing. So, ya may be easier for a more wealthy and well off family to go and shred, but I mean hey at least they worked for what they earned

At my mountain a pass is $469 if you get it before Halloween

robbinJAHoodAt my mountain a pass is $469 if you get it before Halloween

Mammoth is $700 if you buy it early.

dan4060Mammoth is $700 if you buy it early.

My mountain has an elevation of like 1200 ft lol

robbinJAHoodMy mountain has an elevation of like 1200 ft lol

Telluride is about $300 18 and under and like $500 from 19 to I wanna say somewhere in the 23 age area... Same kinda thing about for other areas in the rado

The cost of skiing relates to the level of the service.

Want free Wifi?

Want nice grooming?

Want an updated park?

Want fast lifts?

Want avalanche patrol? (cost of explosives have skyrocketed in the last 10 years according to Silverton)

Lower what the skiing experience is, and the price can drop.

The.FishNot for my family. My dad racks in around 200k a year but i pay every penny of my skiing except my pass ($300). I have bought all my outerwear, boots, bindings, and skis. That is all money that I have earned by working. I don't really understand why though because my sister was a gymnast and that's easily over $2,000 a year. I need new skis cause I finally broke my first edge this year but my parents won't budge.

First of all you only broke an edge, you dont need a new pair of skis.

Second, there are plenty of kids that pay for their own ski stuff, but they might not have to pay for car/gas/insurance/college/etc so working any part time job will give you plenty of money for ski gear, not to mention probably have a "safety net" if shit really hits the fan. Not saying parents shouldnt help there kids out or anything but just because you buy your own ski gear doesnt mean much. Also when ever i say "you" i dont necessarily mean you.

I think location is a bigger factor than $$$. Obvioulsy being able to go to windells tor 800 weeks a summer and have coaching and stuff helps but location is huge.

If youre un the northeast there are so many mountains its more accessible.

As a few people mentioned, a lot of people get a job at a ski area for a pass and money for gear.

Beaing frugile goes a long way. If somebody is really dedicated and wants it, location is really the only barrier to me.

Honestly, the only thing I have ever disliked about skiing is accessibility to the general public. Any other arguments about issues within or about skiing simply seem frivolous, when you think of the fact that most the population either live somewhere with no skiing, or can't afford to go skiing.

Anybody can pick up a ball and have the opportunity to play soccer, but very few will ever be able to ski (especially on a regular basis). I feel like many skiers take this for granted, and I for one feel incredibly grateful to have the means to enjoy the sport that we all love.

I pay for my skiing and my skis. I have a job. My parents don't pay for anything.

This is the most sorry excuse I have ever seen. Not just skiing related, if you want something bad enough in life you will find a way to make it happen. Don't make excuses, just do it.

TOAST.First of all you only broke an edge, you dont need a new pair of skis.

Second, there are plenty of kids that pay for their own ski stuff, but they might not have to pay for car/gas/insurance/college/etc so working any part time job will give you plenty of money for ski gear, not to mention probably have a "safety net" if shit really hits the fan. Not saying parents shouldnt help there kids out or anything but just because you buy your own ski gear doesnt mean much. Also when ever i say "you" i dont necessarily mean you.

Well how long can i get by with my edge separating underfoot and having like 7 edge cracks on it? I actually like my skis.

McNocheI was rich. So more than likely I'm a better skier. Sorry.

Fuck you asshole, we all had to work for our shit, I worked all summer to get a set of new skis, look pivot bindings and full tilt boots. Your so fucking white privileged

iFlipI fund my skiing and gear purchases by creating sham GoFundMe pages. I've found the happy medium for people "sponsoring" me is to make the "cause" not specifically about me and something that tugs on people's emotions such as saying that a friend of mine fell and injured his neck thus hurting his ability to ski and afford textbooks. I try to make each "campaign" appeal to the forum(s) to which I'm posting it.

I'm sure that's a lot less fucked than it seems

itsJacobFuck you asshole, we all had to work for our shit, I worked all summer to get a set of new skis, look pivot bindings and full tilt boots. Your so fucking white privileged

Chillllll. Saying "we all had to work" is a crazy overgeneralization considering the majority of kids on this site are like 12

Lol at everyone that "worked all summer" to buy their own gear. You aren't buying your own anything if you are being subsidized the other 9 months out of the year. And the fact that you are even in college in the first place makes you solidly middle if not not upper middle class to begin with. I just felt like this point needed to be made because it sounds like NS's idea of "not rich" is still pretty wealthy. The median household income in the US is like 50 grand a year.

itsJacobFuck you asshole, we all had to work for our shit, I worked all summer to get a set of new skis, look pivot bindings and full tilt boots. Your so fucking white privileged

woaaaaah dude calm down it's all good, someone still had to work for those things, and at least his parents are probably working their lives off, because you can't really make good money without doing that.

>tfw your dad only has like 5 million.

I'm lucky enough to have 2 parents who love skiing, but my dad still works his ass off to get my family passes and equipment, and since I work at a mountain I get myself a free pass and buy my own equipment.

wrichmondThe cost of skiing relates to the level of the service.

Want free Wifi?

Want nice grooming?

Want an updated park?

Want fast lifts?

Want avalanche patrol? (cost of explosives have skyrocketed in the last 10 years according to Silverton)

Lower what the skiing experience is, and the price can drop.

I will add one more and it's a doozy. Insurance. If people in the U.S. were not so litigious ski resorts could charge less and still be profitable. Of course, in many ways it comes down to economics: Resorts in general, particularly big corporate ones, will charge as much as they can. If they are private equity or publicly traded they are here to maximize profit, so if they can charge 150 (or more) they will. I am just glad for the cheap season passes out there. It would really suck for me if my Mammoth pass went from 700 to 1200. I ski Mammoth about 30 days a year, so I break even on the 5th day, give or take. I only pay about 23 a day for my season when all is said and done. Cheap passes give resorts guaranteed revenue, we don't get that money back even if the resort does not open. Most people on this site should be glad they can get a pass for cheap and don't have to worry about expensive day passes unless we travel. I don't live in Mammoth so I need a ski lease for the season, which pretty much ruins my travel budget. I should get one Tahoe trip this year because my buddy has a place up there.

The.FishWell how long can i get by with my edge separating underfoot and having like 7 edge cracks on it? I actually like my skis.

If you're strictly using the skis for park, Years.