This is a good read on depression in ski towns -

http://adventureblog.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/16/why-are-ski-towns-suicides-happening-at-such-an-alarming-rate/

Used to think it would be the life to be a ski bum. Skied 100+ days/year while competing in high school and took a few winters off from college. Now I just finished my PhD and am really happy I kept on the career track. Get a lot of fulfillment out of having purpose in my research that, as much as I love skiing, I could never get from it. My two cents anyways.

E__Hell yeah dude! How long have you been there? I want to live at least 2 winters and a summer. How’s the visa length for Canadians there?

Bout 2 years all in. Working holiday visa is 1 year for Canadians I think but I'm married to a local so that's not a problem anymore.

ben_southworthThis is a good read on depression in ski towns -

http://adventureblog.nationalgeographic.com/2016/05/16/why-are-ski-towns-suicides-happening-at-such-an-alarming-rate/

Used to think it would be the life to be a ski bum. Skied 100+ days/year while competing in high school and took a few winters off from college. Now I just finished my PhD and am really happy I kept on the career track. Get a lot of fulfillment out of having purpose in my research that, as much as I love skiing, I could never get from it. My two cents anyways.

What's you PhD in?

Spent all the money I had in the world to go to college.

Now in my 7th season of Ski Bumming.

Taos has less than 24" of snowfall so far this year I still don't regret it.

I don't make great money but I live comfortably ski year round and never have answered a work email.

Livin' the dream fo sho!

Oh ya I clean toilets for a couple runs a day.

Can't deny passion.

About halfway through my first season. I've always been really obsessed with airplanes, its probably my main passion( built tons of models, got my pilots lisence, yadda yadda yadda). I started high school with the goal of earning a degree in aerospace engineering, and joining the air force. Found out I was complete shit at math, so that didnt work out. Anyways, by the end of grade 11, I was completely burned out. (Around this time I got heavy into freeride, and joined ns). By the beginning of grade 12 I'd figured out I wanted to do at least one season out west to recharge before college. Got my CSIA 1, and taught at my local hill that winter.

This past fall, I was hired as an instructor at targhee. Dream come true. Moved out there in november, and it was incredible. Id heard about the killer targhee vibe, but never figured it was legit. Boy was I wrong. Almost everybody I met was chill and down to earth. As for the job, the pay and hours were shit, but I loved it. The cool thing about instructing is that the people who do it are really doing it because they love it, not because they just want to pay rent and get a pass. I know it sounds like cliche bs, but being able to pass my stoke on to other people, and help them improve their skiing was one of the coolest things ive done with my life. I went into that job knowing that I was never super good with little kids, but figured it would just be something I'd have to learn. And for the most part, I did. But there were a few parents here and there that didn't agree with my teaching style. I'm a friendly, but unttalkative dude, and can seem kind of scary/angry at times (mad rbf). Every so often, I'd get a complaint. As soon as they started rolling in, I started trying to fix my traching. I read instructional handbooks, watched stuff online, and talked to folks I knew who were working in child care. I even got my boss to run a "teaching children clinic". The clinic is tonight. I can't attend, because last friday, somebody complained. 2 days ago I got fired.

I've been offered a job as a liftie, and I'm probably gonna take it, and probably gonna hate it, but at least it means I can stay out here. Doesn't change the fact that I feel like complete shit, and can't figure out how to fix it. Feels like Ive gone from living the dream to living in hell. Shit it doesn't even feel like I'm living anymore, just exhisting. Lord knows what I'm gonna do.

Crispy.What's you PhD in?

Applied math

SendyMcSendyfaceAs soon as they started rolling in, I started trying to fix my traching. I read instructional handbooks, watched stuff online, and talked to folks I knew who were working in child care. I even got my boss to run a "teaching children clinic". The clinic is tonight. I can't attend, because last friday, somebody complained. 2 days ago I got fired.

They probably cut you out of ski school because there arn't enough tourists getting lessons this time of the season, I wouldn't take it personally.

StaticThey probably cut you out of ski school because there arn't enough tourists getting lessons this time of the season, I wouldn't take it personally.

Nope, they are pretty understaffed, and are actually still hiring instructors

I would just encourage taking the path of personal development, while you pursue the dream of skiing, or career advancement, or whatever else. Carol Dweck wrote a book called, 'Mindset.' She illustrates the concept of fixed vs growth mindsets. In short, as it pertains to this thread, a fixed mindset views everything as binary, either or. In this case, either broke ski bum, or corporate slave. In reality, we live in the most flexible, dynamic age of commerce, economy, business and world view that has arguably ever existed. If it is of importance to you, you can have it all. I will agree that it's not likely you will get a traditional 9-5 that provides you salary, benefits etc and truly live the total immersion outdoor lifestyle, and I also agree that you won't be able to fuck off completely, ski and drink every night and create any sort of vision for yourself beyond that. But I do think that if your intention and expectation for your life is that you want both.. you want to ski your face off and you want to do something with upside and a future, the world is that of abundant and rich opportunity and you will manifest that. Skiing all day everyday still only occupies 40-60 hrs of time including commute. There is more than enough time inside of the 168 hours we are all given per week to work to pay the bills & work to create something more for yourself, and ski, if you demand it of yourself.

SendyMcSendyfaceAbout halfway through my first season. I've always been really obsessed with airplanes, its probably my main passion( built tons of models, got my pilots lisence, yadda yadda yadda). I started high school with the goal of earning a degree in aerospace engineering, and joining the air force. Found out I was complete shit at math, so that didnt work out. Anyways, by the end of grade 11, I was completely burned out. (Around this time I got heavy into freeride, and joined ns). By the beginning of grade 12 I'd figured out I wanted to do at least one season out west to recharge before college. Got my CSIA 1, and taught at my local hill that winter.

This past fall, I was hired as an instructor at targhee. Dream come true. Moved out there in november, and it was incredible. Id heard about the killer targhee vibe, but never figured it was legit. Boy was I wrong. Almost everybody I met was chill and down to earth. As for the job, the pay and hours were shit, but I loved it. The cool thing about instructing is that the people who do it are really doing it because they love it, not because they just want to pay rent and get a pass. I know it sounds like cliche bs, but being able to pass my stoke on to other people, and help them improve their skiing was one of the coolest things ive done with my life. I went into that job knowing that I was never super good with little kids, but figured it would just be something I'd have to learn. And for the most part, I did. But there were a few parents here and there that didn't agree with my teaching style. I'm a friendly, but unttalkative dude, and can seem kind of scary/angry at times (mad rbf). Every so often, I'd get a complaint. As soon as they started rolling in, I started trying to fix my traching. I read instructional handbooks, watched stuff online, and talked to folks I knew who were working in child care. I even got my boss to run a "teaching children clinic". The clinic is tonight. I can't attend, because last friday, somebody complained. 2 days ago I got fired.

I've been offered a job as a liftie, and I'm probably gonna take it, and probably gonna hate it, but at least it means I can stay out here. Doesn't change the fact that I feel like complete shit, and can't figure out how to fix it. Feels like Ive gone from living the dream to living in hell. Shit it doesn't even feel like I'm living anymore, just exhisting. Lord knows what I'm gonna do.

I'm going off topic, but did they really fire you because you're not talkative ? Like people complained that you weren't friendly enough with the kids ?

Do you feel like shit for that reason (being fired) ?

KneesSalsasI'm going off topic, but did they really fire you because you're not talkative ? Like people complained that you weren't friendly enough with the kids ?

Do you feel like shit for that reason (being fired) ?

I'm pretty sure. They wouldn't tell me the exact nature of the complaints, even when they were warning me. (Can't fix it if you don't know what to fix)

And yes, thats why I feel like shit.

I spent about 2 years immersed in the ski world (living in Breck and summers in hood, not really 'bumming' per se) about 2008-9. I ended up going back to medical school and worked my ass off for the subsequent decade... I often think about what it would have been like to continue working odd jobs to ski, which I was strongly considering at the time.

Two things I didn't appreciate - 1. a good career can give you a sense direction and (ideally) of accomplishment that is hard to find in skiing and 2. a decade (or a lifetime, for that matter) is a really long time. It's tough to predict what you'll be interested in down the road. I used to be singularly focused on skiing. Now I probably get around 40 days skiing (and still get the same kick out of occasionally learning stuff in the park, etc.), but I also get as much joy out of rock and ice climbing, mountain biking, travel, etc - I wasn't really interested in any of that back then. At least for me, I think the diversification has been a good thing for keeping the psych high.

Threads for a few months from now.

SkiBum.I read a good article a few months back about sucides in ski towns. I forget where, maybe a google search will show it. Was eye opening, for me anyway. I've been pretty fortunate with my lifestyle in ski towns about half my life. Never really knew or thought of the level of depression and suicide.

I read that same article....I think it totally depends on the individual if ski bum lifestyle would be positive or not. Everyone is different and will look at the situation differently. Get a good town and plan and go for it, especially if you like to travel and check out other areas. I would say it is definitely a positive experience. It teaches you how to be responsible and make good choices on your own. A lot of people never move out of their hometown and I think thats a bummer. Too much out there to see.

Just took a weekend trip to Bridger bowl and realized how much I fucked up bumming in Jackson instead. Everybody was so fucking chill in Montana and the inbounds terrain was actually like butt-puckering six foot wide steep chutes with low traffic. Jackson gets tracked out before it opens to the public and everyone was the cocky "I'm going to get signed by tgr" attitude.

eljefeI would just encourage taking the path of personal development, while you pursue the dream of skiing, or career advancement, or whatever else. Carol Dweck wrote a book called, 'Mindset.' She illustrates the concept of fixed vs growth mindsets. In short, as it pertains to this thread, a fixed mindset views everything as binary, either or. In this case, either broke ski bum, or corporate slave. In reality, we live in the most flexible, dynamic age of commerce, economy, business and world view that has arguably ever existed. If it is of importance to you, you can have it all. I will agree that it's not likely you will get a traditional 9-5 that provides you salary, benefits etc and truly live the total immersion outdoor lifestyle, and I also agree that you won't be able to fuck off completely, ski and drink every night and create any sort of vision for yourself beyond that. But I do think that if your intention and expectation for your life is that you want both.. you want to ski your face off and you want to do something with upside and a future, the world is that of abundant and rich opportunity and you will manifest that. Skiing all day everyday still only occupies 40-60 hrs of time including commute. There is more than enough time inside of the 168 hours we are all given per week to work to pay the bills & work to create something more for yourself, and ski, if you demand it of yourself.

This is accurate, going 120% full ski bum is pretty much the most awesome dead end ever. I was broke as shit living in Leadville for two years and Glenwood Springs for a year, ate like shit, smoked a pack a day, was insanely broke but yeah sure it’s all good because I was fucking ripping 24/7 right? But... It also turns out I’m an alcoholic and living that lifestyle would’ve ended up killing me, I was insanely drunk at all hours of the day and didn’t realize I needed help until my second trip to the hospital when my family wouldn’t pick me up unless I went straight to rehab after. Did that whole song and dance, came out and immediately picked up some bourbon, and went to jail a week later for spitting on a cop during a different hospital visit a few months prior... I don’t even remember doing it.

Now I’ve basically been forced to re-evaluate the concept of centering my life on being a ski bum- I used to think it just meant having no money but that’s okay because I have drinking and I shred every day. Basically I had to ask myself: realistically, is this completely insane considering the way the world works right now? I had to reconsider my entire life, it revolved around the ski industry but I started to wonder why my depressive episodes would get so severe in the summer (I would take any shitty little job I could get an interview for and would just stay plastered the whole time like a good employee). Last year I decided to totally overhaul everything and started working my ass off 36hrs a week detailing cars while also going to school to become an ASE certified mechanic, and I’ll be graduating in November and get to work on cars and be very satisfied with what I do for a living at the end of the day. Now with this new work-study-life balance I have enough dough to actually to get a pair of skis or bindings when I break my shit, enough to pay rent/buy food, and on top of all that I can actually remember what the hell tricks I did the day before (seven months sober). It’s all about balance- my life still revolves around skiing but my quality of life is abundantly better in all other aspects as well. I pour my valuable time into many different arenas, not just going ALL IN on skiing and partying.

PS love this thread. We gotta keep each other on the up and up

g_lectrolyteThis is accurate, going 120% full ski bum is pretty much the most awesome dead end ever. I was broke as shit living in Leadville for two years and Glenwood Springs for a year, ate like shit, smoked a pack a day, was insanely broke but yeah sure it’s all good because I was fucking ripping 24/7 right? But... It also turns out I’m an alcoholic and living that lifestyle would’ve ended up killing me, I was insanely drunk at all hours of the day and didn’t realize I needed help until my second trip to the hospital when my family wouldn’t pick me up unless I went straight to rehab after. Did that whole song and dance, came out and immediately picked up some bourbon, and went to jail a week later for spitting on a cop during a different hospital visit a few months prior... I don’t even remember doing it.

Now I’ve basically been forced to re-evaluate the concept of centering my life on being a ski bum- I used to think it just meant having no money but that’s okay because I have drinking and I shred every day. Basically I had to ask myself: realistically, is this completely insane considering the way the world works right now? I had to reconsider my entire life, it revolved around the ski industry but I started to wonder why my depressive episodes would get so severe in the summer (I would take any shitty little job I could get an interview for and would just stay plastered the whole time like a good employee). Last year I decided to totally overhaul everything and started working my ass off 36hrs a week detailing cars while also going to school to become an ASE certified mechanic, and I’ll be graduating in November and get to work on cars and be very satisfied with what I do for a living at the end of the day. Now with this new work-study-life balance I have enough dough to actually to get a pair of skis or bindings when I break my shit, enough to pay rent/buy food, and on top of all that I can actually remember what the hell tricks I did the day before (seven months sober). It’s all about balance- my life still revolves around skiing but my quality of life is abundantly better in all other aspects as well. I pour my valuable time into many different arenas, not just going ALL IN on skiing and partying.

PS love this thread. We gotta keep each other on the up and up

Congratulations on your sobriety. I didn't get into my story much at all, but my personal development path and desire to have a life where I could have a future & shred involved leading to my sobriety. I've been sober 7 years now and it has been one of the single handed best decisions/directions I've taken.

SendyMcSendyfaceI'm pretty sure. They wouldn't tell me the exact nature of the complaints, even when they were warning me. (Can't fix it if you don't know what to fix)

And yes, thats why I feel like shit.

Hm that sucks! If you are not talkative kids teaching may not be the best kind of job for you, but I am talkative and super social, yet I would probably be bad at it too... Just find something that you like AND that doesn't involve stupid complaints. Good luck!

I ended up getting my nursing degree a few years back, and now i'm working in the ER, trauma & cardiac ICUs.....working 12 hr shifts but only 3 days a week - which leaves 4 days off a week - which averages around 16 days off per month..........and depending on the season, i spend the majority of those off days skiing, mountain biking, fishing, or golfing