Where do I want to move next season?

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

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

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


Elaboration on what we're looking for...

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

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

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

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

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


So! Places I'm thinking about!

- Tahoe (Huge. Lots of people. Lots of scary. We know a lot of people down there.)
- France/Germany (we could get jobs in Edelweiss fairly easily, and one of his best friends is living in Meribel.)
- Nelson/Fernie (Duh.)
- Jackson Hole (I didn't like Big Sky... compare the two??)
- Mammoth (Never really heard much about the big mountain aspects down there?)
- Girdwood, AK (a little different than the rest... but we've talked about it.)


I'll add more as I think of it. Real responses seriously appreciated.