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July, 2025

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When is too old to trying to ski alllll the time and get a real job

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dh1028
Posts: 435 - Karma: 216
So im 28 I went out west last winter had a blast...  I came home tried to get a real job like shirt and tie ya know.. well I cant do it I just wanna be outside...But yesterday I got a job at a marketing firm and there is a lot of potential to grow there and to move to a part of the country i desire but not for a about a yr and a half .. so Im asking if you were me would you quit your landscaping job which i get paid well at and go for this real job or keep landscaping and head back to A BASIN in the fall again for one more yr ... this may be my last chance to do this again I dont want to regret it forever Thanks for reading
13 years ago
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EmperorKuzco
Posts: 6660 - Karma: 256
Ski.
13 years ago
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ski0
Posts: 2321 - Karma: 5,370
where would the marketing job be based out of?
13 years ago
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skicowboy
Posts: 775 - Karma: 873
I'm in the same boat at the moment. I did two seasons in Revelstoke, BC and I've been trying to find work in my field and it looks like I'll be working in Toronto, ON. I know I have Blue Mtn and MSLM pretty close, but coming from Revelstoke, anything in the east is just painful and a joke. Let's both say fuck it and just go back!
13 years ago
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
I'd say it depends on how much landscaping pays. Because if you don't struggle with that... I mean I would keep doing what you're doing until other factors force you to quit
13 years ago
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dh1028
Posts: 435 - Karma: 216
Its In West Hartford Connecticut about forty minutes south of where I currently live..
13 years ago
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dh1028
Posts: 435 - Karma: 216
Hell ya dude.. I would kill for the BC pow but Summit County was good too....its sooo damn expensive though the temptation to not live like a bum anymore is a nice thought hah but skiing is better then anything lets be honest here
13 years ago
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dh1028
Posts: 435 - Karma: 216
Landscaping pays well but its not gonna be around forever there is a huge break over the winter except for occasional plowing but I would have to find a job anyway...if i continue to landscape its bc Im going back to Co...Just dont know if I can survive in Summit County shit is expensive there
13 years ago
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seanahue.
Posts: 2142 - Karma: 3,374
never

/thread
13 years ago
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seanahue.
Posts: 2142 - Karma: 3,374
seriously though, if marketing is your thing go get a marketing job in the ski industry, and never stop skiing as much as you want to. chances are, if you're actually smart and have some drive, you'll be more successful than most of the half-baked loonies that surprisingly run a majority of companies (been to SIA?)

i've lost too many chairlift buddies to the shift mentality you are describing and it kills me, especially considering i've only just graduated college :(
13 years ago
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 10,090
if you didn't go to college you need to, there is absolutely no way that you can get a comfortable job without a college degree. If you want to do something in the ski industry here are a few choice that some people in your spot would persue
Ski engineer, Design the technology that goes into skis
ski designer, Design topesheets
Mountain manager, Manage a mountain there are many colleges that you can major in mountain management like lyndon state
photographer, be the man behind the camera and film ski movies
THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN BE SUCESSFUL AT ANY OF THESE IS TO GO TO COLLEGE, START AT THE BOTTOM AND WORK TO THE TOP, AND SET GOALS TO BRING YOU TO YOUR HIGHER ASPIRATION
13 years ago
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edai
Posts: 4995 - Karma: 4,701
Keep skiing, CT fucking sucks, especially WH where the only skiing is at Sundown unless you're driving 2 hrs to mt snow.
13 years ago
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Piste.Off
Posts: 11586 - Karma: 1,860
Facepalm... its not that easy.
13 years ago
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Wood_Wizard
Posts: 805 - Karma: 899
forgot to add make sure you know how to suck a dick
13 years ago
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dh1028
Posts: 435 - Karma: 216
no kidding ... its nearly impossible to go to school and hld doiwn a job that pays my bills...its hard enough without school im exhausted when i get out of work... sorry but i cant just go back and live with my parents ..besides most people I know that went to school can barely afford to pya back their loans and 90% arent even in their field of study...I wish I could go to school I was going to try to get my EMTB so I could patrol but with the drive and studying its just not possible...life get tough man and im just trying to make my way through and enjoy my expensive passion...
13 years ago
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dh1028
Posts: 435 - Karma: 216
very strange response..dude maybe you should stop pushing ur skills on other people.. to each his own do u ..go suck dick sounds like u enjoy it...weirdo
13 years ago
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skibum_mark
Posts: 515 - Karma: 567
here in whistler your never too old
13 years ago
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skibum_mark
Posts: 515 - Karma: 567
here in whistler your never too old
13 years ago
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25444 - Karma: 13,857
It's your call, nobody else can tell you what makes you happy. If skiing makes you happy, and you love being broke all the time, it's a great future. It means sacrificing all the material things in life, you probably won't travel the world, own a reliable car, or a nice home. There are many ways to have happiness in your life, and you can have a normal life and ski a little bit too. It's got to be your call at the end of the day.
13 years ago
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Jaggy_Snake
Posts: 2287 - Karma: 1,418
I have no idea where you pulled that bullshit from.

Probably Your ass...


As for the OP. In my opinion, do whatever you feel happiest doing.
13 years ago
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50Kal
Posts: 2838 - Karma: 5,605
Work the mountains man. Your never too old to stop trying to ski all the time. Ask Clause Obermeyer how he does it. I see nearly everyday at Buttermilk when I work lifts.
13 years ago
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LittleFoot
Posts: 1667 - Karma: 57
Lol at just naming all the obvious jobs. There are a million other jobs behind the scenes if you absolutely want to work in the ski industry. You also don't absolutely need to go to College, that's a lie. I'm in College because it's probably going to be easier to get a descent job it's by no means necessary.
13 years ago
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snowfinder
Posts: 2946 - Karma: 34,940
man your going to have a tough time the working world if you think college is going to help you out that much. Dont listen to your high school teachers/parents about college is the greatest way to find a great job it isnt. Maybe back in the 90s and 80s it was but times have changed it is really hard to find a good paying job with benefits after college. plus after college you have LOANS! they suck they want a bunch of your money each month and i mean a BUNCH! Unless your some rich kid that parents that will pay for all your schooling or your smart and get all your gen eds at a community college and transfer to a good college for your degree.  I wish someone told me these things before i went to college.
13 years ago
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

Hahaha such an old fashioned approach. I have a very comfortable job (/claim) in the IT sector and I've never even looked at College.

13 years ago
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Poikenz
Posts: 1622 - Karma: 5,007
.. Does not require a college degree, usually the reverse if you ask me as I wouldn't have a college arts student do work for me, same stuff but charge more.

Anyways, if you like marketing go for that, if you like landscaping go for that, you aren't giving anything in terms of salary, but it will play a factor. Yes, landscaping is seasonal but it will always be around, so consider that as well. I would say that you should go with the marketing given that you say your winter season would be iffy for living conditions and assuming that you like marketing more.

1 winter skiing, no guaranteed job vs. the rest of your life, which you could probably fit skiing into. What do you want more?
13 years ago
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dh1028
Posts: 435 - Karma: 216
I just want to enjoy my life and ski. I dont want to wear a tie everyday and advertise and market things I would love it if it was skiing related but its not and its far from the mountains so I choose mountains I have enough experience in sales and finance without college...i have a two yr degree and id wished i never spent the money.. I can talk and Ill find something out there and if anything I work at the mountain then get a serious job in Denver.. at least thats closer then MASS.. but thanks everyone for the input.. helps out a lot...I need to make cash and thats what im doing now why change I can always come back and get this marketing job they found me not the other way around so I've def got something they want.. and I dont want to live around here anymore... I feeeel most alive when Im in the mountains thats where I want to enjoy life
13 years ago
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Session
Posts: 5411 - Karma: 22,592
I'm in my 30's, work 40-60 hours a week, live 60 miles from the mountain and still manage to get about 60 days a season in. So if you really want it, you can make it happen.
13 years ago
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Rain.
Posts: 54 - Karma: 38
go for the real job but ski all weekends and if theres night skiing go for that and just any chance to get on snow do it
13 years ago
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5478 - Karma: 12,473
well this is an easy one
you don't want to work at a marketing firm. do you really want to go to work everyday knowing that your job exists to make companies more profitable? there's no satisfaction in that.
you don't want to live in Connecticut do you?

but you do like skiing
13 years ago
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Wood_Wizard
Posts: 805 - Karma: 899
Homophobe much? And to get any were in life you need to do some "dick sucking" because even if you have a good work ethic you will still be behind some one who "sucks dick", because lets face it every one likes their "dick sucked" 
13 years ago
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Age
Posts: 591 - Karma: 179
This hasnt been brought up yet, and I dont know if it applies to you, but do you want kids/a house? That was one of the major factors in my decision of leaving the snow industry after 10 years of back to back seasons. I left and now Im studying a Bachelor of Law. I discovered that whilst I loved skiing, I didnt want skiing to be the thing that was holding me back from having a family, a house and a normal, stable life. I figure I can work my ass off during the week and then hit up the mountain on the weekend- I will be twice as stoked because I wont be around snow 24/7.
13 years ago
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Sameface
Posts: 138 - Karma: 139

This is a really good point, especially the last two sentences.

I've never gone to University (College) and I work in IT for the Government earing a deeeeelightful salary. Sure, I don't get to ski every day but my mates and I make a concerted effort to get to the slopes as often as possible. I use about 80% of my annual leave on trips to the mountain every year and probably get 50-60 days on the hill.

I guess my point is this, you can ski more working on the mountain but by having a 'proper' (ie office) job you gain the means to ski AND have a life outside of the snow season.

At the end of the day mate its your life, do what makes you happy - but still have some thoughts for the future.

13 years ago
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2388 - Karma: 2,087
Not true. I would say it is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT to get a comfortable job without a college degree.


I have NO college, and my job is very stable and solid. Put it this way, it pays well enough that i can take January through April off work and ski everyday. In addition to my apartment, i rent a condo trailside to my mountain for the whole winter.


No, i don't sell crack. It's a matter of setting your priorities, being smart with your money, a good work ethic, and driving for your goal. Mine, was to ski as much as possible.
13 years ago
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TimRiley
Posts: 1873 - Karma: 1,327

My input is you can do both. I sacrificed a lot to get to this stage of my life. I lived in Aurora, CO for 7 years in a not so desirable area to get to a point where I can travel and ski. I used to commute 2 1/2 hours each way to ski on the weekends just for the love of it. After getting my career to the point I wanted to achieve I have a comfortable life; and I can now do more of the things I enjoy. I moved closer to the mtns in a nice area of Denver, set my own hours at work so I can sneak up for 1/2 days during the week, and during the ski season rent a place in Vail. It's worth the hard work at first cause you know what you’re working towards. (Sorry for the rant but you can do whatever you set out to achieve in life.)

13 years ago
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SurfaceHoar
Posts: 311 - Karma: 240
I think step one would be to get to the mountains.


13 years ago
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SurfaceHoar
Posts: 311 - Karma: 240
Always remember that what you make of yourself, is up to you. Yes, life is hard. But bitching about it gets you no where.

Set a goal. Develop a plan, execute.


13 years ago
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adamlukowski
Posts: 3676 - Karma: 311
DUDE... DUHH JUST GO TO SKI FUNDOWN? BIGGEST MOUNTAIN ON THE EAST COAST? 500 FEET VERT? EVER HEARD OF IT?
13 years ago
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Abc567def
Posts: 8756 - Karma: 802
Right now I'm working for an outdoor apparel company and wanting to move into their marketing devision. I am also planning on working one day a week as a ski instructor at my local mountain. So yes I will be working 6 days a week but I will be happy doing it.

Life is all about balance so you will just have to find out what is right for you.
13 years ago
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selkirks
Posts: 1980 - Karma: 63
Why choose? Take the higher paying, stable job and ski on weekends and vacations. This seems like a no-brainer...
13 years ago
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SwitchMisty540
Posts: 1862 - Karma: 629
good for you dude.  don't follow social conventions, just do what makes you happy.  life is too short to spend 80hrs a week in an office...unless of course settling down and having a family, financial stability, etc, etc, etc, are what makes you happy.  cuz then you should probably get a job.
13 years ago
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,788
I really wouldn't say there's an age that you need to sacrifice skiing for a "real job", but that it just kinda happens when it happens. If you're contemplating it, it's probably time to take the job opportunity. If you truly hate yourself for not keeping up the ski lifestyle, there really won't be anything stopping you from going back to it. But once the fire kinda starts dying down, it'll probably continue to (that's if it even does; I'm kinda jealous of all you older dudes who still have the same passion as when you were younger).

Personally, I'm only 20 and I'm really not willing to make the sacrifices I used to to go skiing. Skiing is still a huge part of my life but other parts of life have become more important. I would confidently take a "real job" that I truly enjoyed, even if it meant minimal days on the mountain.


13 years ago
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dh1028
Posts: 435 - Karma: 216
without my passion for skiing I wouldnt be me I want to make a change of location and I loved Colorado...Summit was great..Its very hard to sustain tho I feel like i can take the winter to work at the mountain and grab a job at night maybe at one of the outlet stores..While looking for a job closer to denver maybe a sports marketing job. Bc there is one thing that will kill my motovation over time and thats being interested in what I do. And as far as kids no not really right now. Id like to have a chic to shred with but i Do not want children at least right now..problem is summit county is lacking a lot of girls that is for sure...keri Herman is hot hahah ne way I just want at least one more season shredding on my new JJs before life starts...since I have come back from colorado I have never beeen sooo stressed and miserable.. I may be "old" but it comes quick u guys will see Ill be 28 this season and its just not that old if now isnt the time then when is?
13 years ago
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4mica
Posts: 1017 - Karma: 60
will be in the same boat with graduating college this year.... then come the loans, then come the kahkis, then come the real job..

scares the shit out of me
13 years ago
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asfdfads
Posts: 1010 - Karma: 279

 i would get a landscaping job at mt hood, shred there all summer, then work as a lifty at any nw resort during the winter. do what makes you happy man, life is too short to be unhappy!
13 years ago
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 10,090
what im saying is that if your want a job doing what you love you have to go through some bullshit jobs first
13 years ago
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STEEZUS_CHRI5T
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 24,013
when you graduate college. That IS when you get a REAL job.
13 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,103
working a 9-5 and living the ski life is possible, you just have to work a little harder for it. when filming for after dark I worked a 9-5 at an engineering firm, you just need to have the drive to work long hours mon-thurs, take half the day off on friday and go shred fri-sun. also make good choice when taking your vacation time, taking three days here and three days there over a weekend gives you 10 days of shredding rather than 6.

it's all about recognizing that you want a little more out of life then washing dishes and skiing. but hey if that's what does it for you, then don't take the new job and just go ski bum, which is just as awesome.
13 years ago
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25444 - Karma: 13,857
Nice article on Powdermag by the way.
13 years ago
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ndye
Posts: 3756 - Karma: 7,094
Many many people are successful without college degrees.... like for example, there's this guy bill gates who didn't get a college degree and has done very well
13 years ago
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asfdfads
Posts: 1010 - Karma: 279
well said, spoken like a true pro.
but really, shouldnt you be drilling for oil or something?
13 years ago
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 10,090
yeah but that was years ago in today world it is impossible to get a career without a degree
13 years ago
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