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June, 2025

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How to Be a Ski Bum and Not Tank Your Life

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jackspice
Posts: 8 - Karma: 86
When I graduated college I wanted to keep skiing but also have a career at the same time.

Last season I ended up working remotely in digital marketing and was able to ski a bunch. I’m going do the same this season.

I’m curious are any of you in the same boat? How are you continuing to ski a lot and build a career at the same time?
5 years ago
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chris.goodhue
Posts: 946 - Karma: 6,214
I'm running a video production business rn, i guess you could say freelancing....i had no time last year as it was my first year out of school. My plan this year is to schedule things around skiing and hopefully take a month off to travel around the west.

To me if you make it a priority, it'll happen. That being said, unless you live in a mountain town or close by t's definitely hard to ski 3/4 days a week if your really focused on growing in your career. Maybe it's just me and everyone in Boston is only focused on money
5 years ago
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Do it now if you can because....................."The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said: “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health."

No guarantees in life. You could die anytime. If you wait until you can "retire" with money, your body might be spent already.
5 years ago
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GrandThings
Posts: 3323 - Karma: 34,386
One of the few silver linings of COVID is that many company's, major organizations include, were forced to quickly adopt a more WFH oriented workforce. Now that people have gotten a taste of it, many employee's are going to resist the traditional "in-office" culture/expectation and remote-work is going to become much more commonplace, meaning you could live in Montana/Alaska/Northern Vermont/whatever is your cup of tea, and still work for any company you want no matter their phycial location. (I know this is something I'm looking forward too in the next ~5 years)
5 years ago
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Liam_j10
Posts: 513 - Karma: 2,466
DominatorJacquesDo it now if you can because....................."The Dalai Lama, when asked what surprised him most about humanity, he said: “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health."

No guarantees in life. You could die anytime. If you wait until you can "retire" with money, your body might be spent already.


Yeah it's funny how so many people save up all their money for the time in their life when they can't physically fulfill their passions anymore (or start new ones)
5 years ago
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,209
Are the good skiing opportunities anywhere that also has good aerospace engineering or car design careers?
5 years ago
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Str8Chedda
Posts: 163 - Karma: 1,254
Looking to jump into this realm this winter and for my future. Been stuck thinking I need an awesome career and to keep growing and make the most money.. but when it all comes down to it, I just wanna go skiing. Just not sure if I can find a decent job to pay the bills while also skiing as much I want
5 years ago
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Str8CheddaLooking to jump into this realm this winter and for my future. Been stuck thinking I need an awesome career and to keep growing and make the most money.. but when it all comes down to it, I just wanna go skiing. Just not sure if I can find a decent job to pay the bills while also skiing as much I want


Get yourself a good mate with a huge trust fund. Works every time. Good luck.
5 years ago
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Str8Chedda
Posts: 163 - Karma: 1,254
DominatorJacquesGet yourself a good mate with a huge trust fund. Works every time. Good luck.

Vail? Is that a good place to find this mate? I’d assume that’d be the place
5 years ago
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2481 - Karma: 30,046
It’s impossible
5 years ago
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brownetown
Posts: 502 - Karma: 4,963
would definitely look into the Everett / Seattle / Bellingham area if you want good skiing and jobs in aero engineering. I’m in Seattle but have homies who work for Boeing or blue origin and who ski at baker, Stevens, or crystal. Definitely some opportunities around here
ConesForBreakfastAre the good skiing opportunities anywhere that also has good aerospace engineering or car design careers?
5 years ago
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Str8CheddaVail? Is that a good place to find this mate? I’d assume that’d be the place


IDK, but could be. It's helps if said mate with huge trust fund also loves skiing! :-)
5 years ago
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jackspice
Posts: 8 - Karma: 86
Str8CheddaLooking to jump into this realm this winter and for my future. Been stuck thinking I need an awesome career and to keep growing and make the most money.. but when it all comes down to it, I just wanna go skiing. Just not sure if I can find a decent job to pay the bills while also skiing as much I want


Yeah man I'm right there with you. Building a career, paying the bills, and skiing can be tough to manage. Have you thought about trying to work remotely? Shameless plug but check out this blog I wrote. It details what I did last winter, it might be useful to you too: https://mtbskiingandfitness.com/how-to-be-a-ski-bum-this-winter/
5 years ago
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Done_and_done
Posts: 181 - Karma: 649
jackspiceWhen I graduated college I wanted to keep skiing but also have a career at the same time.

Last season I ended up working remotely in digital marketing and was able to ski a bunch. I’m going do the same this season.

I’m curious are any of you in the same boat? How are you continuing to ski a lot and build a career at the same time?


Quality of life>money and material possessions.

Ski patrolling, not buying new gear every year and enjoying winter before the earth is too hot > Getting caught up in the rat race of making more to buy shit you don’t need only to ski full time when your body is shot and snow is scarce
5 years ago
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DjDougieT
Posts: 195 - Karma: 163
chris.goodhueI'm running a video production business rn, i guess you could say freelancing....i had no time last year as it was my first year out of school. My plan this year is to schedule things around skiing and hopefully take a month off to travel around the west.

To me if you make it a priority, it'll happen. That being said, unless you live in a mountain town or close by t's definitely hard to ski 3/4 days a week if your really focused on growing in your career. Maybe it's just me and everyone in Boston is only focused on money


Your right about the part about the people in Boston, hehehehe MASSHOLE GANG
5 years ago
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MoneyMakerMike
Posts: 1254 - Karma: 5,764
I've just accepted that I'll probably become a weekend warrior after college.
5 years ago
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broken_skier0
Posts: 132 - Karma: 288
Find a job, which let's you WFH and there's no reason you can't live at a ski resort. Seriously, COVID has been awesome in terms of getting employers to allow remote work.
5 years ago
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kbrando
Posts: 1208 - Karma: 904
careers are overrated, if you really want to be a ski bum you need to move to a mountain town, work a shitty job for little money and ski as much as possible with people who are also doing the same thing. once you run out of money or your body breaks down from skiing 150+ days per year, then you go get a real job
5 years ago
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Stuuuuuuuuuu
Posts: 380 - Karma: 2,080
I'm in school for computer science right now. My career plan is to get a decent job programming where I can work remotely/ on a flexible schedule and then live in a mountain town. Hopefully ill be able to make it happen
5 years ago
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,126
after 2 decades of bummin
best i can tell ya
git up go skiing
the rest will work itself
5 years ago
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freestyler540
Posts: 13237 - Karma: 20,482
Im an marine engineering officer. Im actually typing this from onboard my ship! Best part of the job is being a seasonal worker. I sail from May to November with a month off to bike and keep my social life alive. I can clear 60-70G a year. Then, I have 10 grand to work with for 5 months where I can ski everyday without the office calling me.
The company pays for my travel expenses, so I get to live anywhere I want and they will cover the costs to get me to work.

I get to travel and see new places with shore leave. Been in the arctic for the last 5 years. This year we went to Pangnirtung and now Im planning to travel there to ski or hike. What I saw is amazing terrain and huge mountains to ride.

Last season I skied 127 days and Competed in a few competitions. Its been a great choice.

5 years ago
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CLQ
Posts: 2709 - Karma: 11,271
Liam_j10Yeah it's funny how so many people save up all their money for the time in their life when they can't physically fulfill their passions anymore (or start new ones)


My case against that.


5 years ago
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
Dude! That's super awesome. Not many will be able to do what you have, but it can be done. Go for it kiddos!

I know a few the crab and fish, then get the winter off pretty much.
Like what you are doing, it's hard work, long hours, but not all year.

I had some similar situations in the produce shipping industry for several years.
Never made much money, but I have enjoyed my years so far.
freestyler540Im an marine engineering officer. Im actually typing this from onboard my ship! Best part of the job is being a seasonal worker. I sail from May to November with a month off to bike and keep my social life alive. I can clear 60-70G a year. Then, I have 10 grand to work with for 5 months where I can ski everyday without the office calling me.
The company pays for my travel expenses, so I get to live anywhere I want and they will cover the costs to get me to work.

I get to travel and see new places with shore leave. Been in the arctic for the last 5 years. This year we went to Pangnirtung and now Im planning to travel there to ski or hike. What I saw is amazing terrain and huge mountains to ride.

Last season I skied 127 days and Competed in a few competitions. Its been a great choice.

5 years ago
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freestyler540
Posts: 13237 - Karma: 20,482
DominatorJacquesDude! That's super awesome. Not many will be able to do what you have, but it can be done. Go for it kiddos!

I know a few the crab and fish, then get the winter off pretty much.
Like what you are doing, it's hard work, long hours, but not all year.

I had some similar situations in the produce shipping industry for several years.
Never made much money, but I have enjoyed my years so far.

The life isnt for everyone. Ya work 7 days a week, 8-10hr days. Internet sucks, no phone service (depending where you are) and the TV craps out a lot. Its hard to get a significant other because you are gone half the year.
Its a creative job. I can do my own plumbing, wire my own place and do renovations without having to take a trades course because my job implies all that. There is a good deal of troubleshooting and rigging involved, so you gotta have smarts to make it out there.

So, I never miss a day of skiing because of all the work I put into the summer in order to get my winters to myself. When Im off, I wake up around 5am and pass out around 8pm in order to live hour of every day because I will be missing that life when Im in jail (on board)
5 years ago
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.FRY.
Posts: 5760 - Karma: 22,395
have rich parents
5 years ago
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DominatorJacques
Posts: 11247 - Karma: 76,550
freestyler540The life isnt for everyone. Ya work 7 days a week, 8-10hr days. Internet sucks, no phone service (depending where you are) and the TV craps out a lot. Its hard to get a significant other because you are gone half the year.
Its a creative job. I can do my own plumbing, wire my own place and do renovations without having to take a trades course because my job implies all that. There is a good deal of troubleshooting and rigging involved, so you gotta have smarts to make it out there.

So, I never miss a day of skiing because of all the work I put into the summer in order to get my winters to myself. When Im off, I wake up around 5am and pass out around 8pm in order to live hour of every day because I will be missing that life when Im in jail (on board)


I hear you. I was raised on a family vegetable farming operation. We worked 7 days a week most of the time.
Learned to fix and do all kinds of stuff, because that's what you had to do. I started working at 5 years old. After school and all summer long. It was a bitch, but it was good too in retrospect.
Respect.
5 years ago
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Loud710
Posts: 58 - Karma: 320
I do online class and sleep on a friends couch in breck. It's amazing
5 years ago
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MXmx
Posts: 345 - Karma: -155
Keep your expenses low and don’t have tons of stuff.

I’d love to be a ski bum but I could never afford to do so with the bills I have.

Aldo, it’s just a hassle to move with all the stuff I have?

Anyone want to buy a never ridden 2019 canam renegade 4x4 atv? It’s sitting in a storage unit.
5 years ago
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Jpurd
Posts: 3196 - Karma: 3,555
It's a paradox.
5 years ago
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GayWolf420
Posts: 38199 - Karma: 130,992
honestly learn a trade or skill like that and get good at it. ive been around ski bums my whole life who have owned/operated construction, concrete, landscape construction companies etc., even became golf course superintendents which is a science-backed trade, and all live pretty happily and get to go about winters however they'd like.

**This post was edited on Sep 19th 2020 at 11:29:53am
5 years ago
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12715 - Karma: 120,273
StuuuuuuuuuuI'm in school for computer science right now. My career plan is to get a decent job programming where I can work remotely/ on a flexible schedule and then live in a mountain town. Hopefully ill be able to make it happen


make sure to get programming socks to maximie your efficiency. its an equipment career
5 years ago
2 1
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jackspice
Posts: 8 - Karma: 86
StuuuuuuuuuuI'm in school for computer science right now. My career plan is to get a decent job programming where I can work remotely/ on a flexible schedule and then live in a mountain town. Hopefully ill be able to make it happen


Totally doable dude. Comp Sci is in such high demand. You could even work as a contractor and control your own hours.
5 years ago
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2481 - Karma: 30,046
freestyler540
[/b]
I am ze Captain now
5 years ago
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CalP
Posts: 12 - Karma: 51
ConesForBreakfastAre the good skiing opportunities anywhere that also has good aerospace engineering or car design careers?


Connecticut is one of the homes for the aerospace industry. Two to Four hour drive to Vermont and New Hampshire ski areas. Some of the big companies are Pratt and Whitney and Collins.

Massachusetts is big in the medical industry.

Nothing automotive in New England though.
5 years ago
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broken_skier0
Posts: 132 - Karma: 288
ConesForBreakfastAre the good skiing opportunities anywhere that also has good aerospace engineering or car design careers?


There's tons of aerospace jobs in Colorado.
5 years ago
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Obama_care
Posts: 581 - Karma: 2,759
Wanna do the same thing and live as cheaply as possible and invest hella
5 years ago
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,209
broken_skier0There's tons of aerospace jobs in Colorado.

Not moving back to the front range unless it's to work at Lockheed
5 years ago
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,209
CalPConnecticut is one of the homes for the aerospace industry. Two to Four hour drive to Vermont and New Hampshire ski areas. Some of the big companies are Pratt and Whitney and Collins.

Massachusetts is big in the medical industry.

Nothing automotive in New England though.


Meh i dont think I could ever 'downgrade' to east coast skiing. Nothing against yall who rip out there, just not at all interesting to me. Im trying to become less of a park rat, not more of one.

Honestly I was thinking more about Europe or elsewhere in the world, outside of the US. Airbus and the ESA are doing pretty cool things and many euro car companies catch my interest far more than any shitty American ones
5 years ago
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broken_skier0
Posts: 132 - Karma: 288
ConesForBreakfastNot moving back to the front range unless it's to work at Lockheed


What's wrong with the front range?
5 years ago
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MXmx
Posts: 345 - Karma: -155
There are automotive suppliers in New England.

Freudenberg is a huge supplier for the big 3 and nearly all of GM products seals come from them.

They are in Bristol, NH and other cities in the lakes area. I used to do programming there when they upgraded their plant.
CalPConnecticut is one of the homes for the aerospace industry. Two to Four hour drive to Vermont and New Hampshire ski areas. Some of the big companies are Pratt and Whitney and Collins.

Massachusetts is big in the medical industry.

Nothing automotive in New England though.
5 years ago
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Poikenz
Posts: 1579 - Karma: 4,649
ConesForBreakfastmany euro car companies catch my interest far more than any shitty American ones

Which ones? The ones that cheat emissions, own American car brands, or have poor reliability?
5 years ago
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bennwithtwons
Posts: 1773 - Karma: 17,660
In my opinion, trying to sustain the pure ski bum lifestyle year after year gets old. The novelty just wears off after a while. I had a ton of fun in those years but I eventually a job where I could make enough money to buy a modest place in a ski town, buy new gear when needed and also enjoy my summers just as much (if not more). I think for the majority of people, chasing the all day, everyday approach will become unsustainable after a couple years. At some point you get sick of finding a new place to live every six months and scraping together enough for some new skis or fresh liners. A little compromise goes a long way towards making you happy and appreciative. Just work hard and make yourself irreplaceable at whatever you do and you’ll be surprised how many doors open up.
5 years ago
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,209
broken_skier0What's wrong with the front range?

Too many people, too much development. Idk i think its a good thing for the state and cities, we have a very good economy, relatively, and a pretty diverse and inclusive culture which is great. (But then you look at the environmental effects, especially watershed, and it's bad).

I'm proud to be from there and always will love it but it feels like a completely different place to me. I want to explore the world more anyway

**This post was edited on Sep 19th 2020 at 8:57:58pm
5 years ago
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,209
PoikenzWhich ones? The ones that cheat emissions, own American car brands, or have poor reliability?


Eh i don't really care about that stuff. What I am interested in is making beautiful cars which imo is definitely centered in Europe. I must say i love the new r8 corvette and the gt350r. But my focus is on aerodynamics and I want to blend beauty with efficiency. Design with perfect balance in mind.
I'm much more interested in aviation rn though
5 years ago
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ReturnToMonkey
Posts: 6448 - Karma: 70,209
PoikenzWhich ones? The ones that cheat emissions, own American car brands, or have poor reliability?

Lol that's so true tho
5 years ago
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sqeellicbic
Posts: 421 - Karma: 3,357
brownetownwould definitely look into the Everett / Seattle / Bellingham area if you want good skiing and jobs in aero engineering. I’m in Seattle but have homies who work for Boeing or blue origin and who ski at baker, Stevens, or crystal. Definitely some opportunities around here


How easy is it to get a good engineering job out there? Specifically mechanical or aerospace?
5 years ago
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vibecheck
Posts: 3112 - Karma: 15,206
Get a loan
5 years ago
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ColoradoDogfart
Posts: 2481 - Karma: 30,046
Sounds expensive
vibecheckGet a loan
5 years ago
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ChangeCashMoney
Posts: 311 - Karma: 1,318
I’m not going to be able to do it forever but I bartend, and I have tons of time to ski during the winter.
5 years ago
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MXmx
Posts: 345 - Karma: -155
I think it’s the one that burns oil, needs new head gaskets, has a wack ass CVT, 90s style infotainment, cliche with the REI crowd, has a rats nest of a engine bay, cheap interior and if you need to do engine work, you have to take half the engine apart.

oh wait, that’s Subaru.
PoikenzWhich ones? The ones that cheat emissions, own American car brands, or have poor reliability?
5 years ago
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Emma_Watson
Posts: 4491 - Karma: 6,798
jackspicebuild a career

am i reading this thread on linkedin
5 years ago
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