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Optimal ski bum set up

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TheMoostafian
Posts: 4504 - Karma: 9,438
I've decided that starting next summer, or winter at the latest, I want to go off grid and just focus on nothing but skiing and hunting for a couple years. I have a good amount of money saved up but my plan is to work on a wildland fire crew in the summer and then work part time during the winter at a mountain (ideally Baker).

My budget for living situation is about 60k.

If you were going to live completely off grid and had 60k to spend on a camper, van, bus, or whatever, what would you choose and why?

Some important details are:
- I already have a full size pickup thats pretty new (crew cab w/ 8ft bed)
- I will have a large dog with me (110lb Akita)
- I would like to be able to bring a decent amount of tools with me (I'm a general contractor and might want to pick up some side jobs throughout the year)
- I would like to be able to take hot showers (dont care if its inside or outside, as long as I have hot water)
- I will be living in this setup for at least a full year, maybe 2 or 3
- Would be nice to have room for 2 people so my gf can come stay with me for a few days here and there
- It has to be mobile

Tell me what your idea of the dream ski bum setup is!

If anyone has any advice about the best winter jobs that would allow me to work only 2-3 days a week, that would be cool. I'd really like to get a patrol job but I haven't looked into it much yet.

Any other relevant advice from those with experience doing this would be great!

Thanks
Dec 17 2020 8:45PM
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elm.
Posts: 1474 - Karma: 13,338
GrandThingsLol Austin Smith is a famous professional snowboarder (and co-founder of DrinkWater)


Yeah that guy. Talk to him
Dec 21 2020 4:47PM
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TheMoostafian
Posts: 4504 - Karma: 9,438
I'm pretty sure I've seen that guy at baker a few times, ill see if I can chat with him next time I see him.

Right now I'm leaning towards buying a 6x6 military truck for around 15k and doing the conversion myself, or just towing a camper with my truck.
Dec 21 2020 8:08PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9091 - Karma: 3,016
TheMoostafianI'm pretty sure I've seen that guy at baker a few times, ill see if I can chat with him next time I see him.

Right now I'm leaning towards buying a 6x6 military truck for around 15k and doing the conversion myself, or just towing a camper with my truck.


15k would get you a small call b rv that's ready to go w a toilet, kitchen, bed, storage, insulation etc
Dec 21 2020 8:12PM
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Notaskibum
Posts: 849 - Karma: 4,005
Don't live off the grid, get an apartment. Spending your time trying to find hot water is miserable and will distract from the stoke
Dec 21 2020 8:18PM
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TheMoostafian
Posts: 4504 - Karma: 9,438
onlytempDon't live off the grid, get an apartment. Spending your time trying to find hot water is miserable and will distract from the stoke


Lmao yeah ok ill buy an epic pass and move to Bellevue while I'm at it.
Dec 21 2020 8:27PM
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Notaskibum
Posts: 849 - Karma: 4,005
TheMoostafianLmao yeah ok ill buy an epic pass and move to Bellevue while I'm at it.


Bellevue is great tho, top their suburb

All I'm saying is spending 60 large to "ski bum" is straight up larping
Dec 21 2020 8:54PM
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elm.
Posts: 1474 - Karma: 13,338
TheMoostafianLmao yeah ok ill buy an epic pass and move to Bellevue while I'm at it.


You could live in glacier with 60k for a few seasons easily. You might even be able to buy a little bit of property. Then keep the truck and get a smaller canopy/topper for trips.
Dec 21 2020 9:40PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5065 - Karma: 42,823
elm.You could live in glacier with 60k for a few seasons easily. You might even be able to buy a little bit of property. Then keep the truck and get a smaller canopy/topper for trips.


This. Adventuremobiles will always be there, and they're only going to get cheaper as supply in the states goes up. Real estate on the other hand will last you. Get in somewhere good while you can, stretch that money for a while instead of blowing it on something that could realistically be totaled in the blink of an eye as you try to "storm chase" in it.

But if you're set on the vehicle: nothing else will ever be as livable as a true RV, and nothing will ever be as capable as a pickup truck. So you need to figure out where on that spectrum you lie. My friends with kids are shopping for those ridiculous lifted 6x6 RV things, my other friends who don't mind roughing it had a 350 LB aluminum popup camper built on their Tacoma flatbed. Both work great for different things. That Taco will get places no RV based system will ever go, and those RVs have creature comforts that you'll never be able to haul around in a truck.
Dec 21 2020 9:50PM
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drifts
Posts: 586 - Karma: 4,324
TheMoostafianI'm pretty sure I've seen that guy at baker a few times, ill see if I can chat with him next time I see him.

Right now I'm leaning towards buying a 6x6 military truck for around 15k and doing the conversion myself, or just towing a camper with my truck.


dude give up on the 6x6, they are sick but if that's going to be your only vehicle its going to suck ass. they get shit for mileage, they suck to drive, tires are expensive as fuck, maintenance sucks balls and you are going to be on your own fixing it because most shops aren't going to touch it with a 10 foot pole, good luck getting a tow when it breaks down on the side of the road, and finding places to park that massive hunk of shit will leave you pulling your hair out

**This post was edited on Dec 21st 2020 at 9:59:06pm

**This post was edited on Dec 21st 2020 at 10:02:46pm
Dec 21 2020 9:56PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9091 - Karma: 3,016
driftsdude give up on the 6x6, they are sick but if that's going to be your only vehicle its going to suck ass. they get shit for mileage, they suck to drive, tires are expensive as fuck, maintenance sucks balls and you are going to be on your own fixing it because most shops aren't going to touch it with a 10 foot pole, good luck getting a tow when it breaks down on the side of the road, and finding places to park that massive hunk of shit will leave you pulling your hair out

**This post was edited on Dec 21st 2020 at 9:59:06pm

**This post was edited on Dec 21st 2020 at 10:02:46pm


and theres basically no room in the back. Maybe enough to sleep and then a small spot to stand. I kinda wanna see this guy blow 60k on a 6x6 and then realize he enjoys being even slightly comfortable
Dec 22 2020 3:51PM
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TheMoostafian
Posts: 4504 - Karma: 9,438
Yung_Gnarleyand theres basically no room in the back. Maybe enough to sleep and then a small spot to stand. I kinda wanna see this guy blow 60k on a 6x6 and then realize he enjoys being even slightly comfortable


I will be sure to post videos to my YouTube channel so you can revel in my discomfort.
Dec 22 2020 4:25PM
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Yung_Gnarley
Posts: 9091 - Karma: 3,016
TheMoostafianI will be sure to post videos to my YouTube channel so you can revel in my discomfort.


Ah! Wouldn't be complete without the youtube channel. Make sure to factor an instagram marketing budget into your 60k also ;)
Dec 22 2020 4:58PM
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TheMoostafian
Posts: 4504 - Karma: 9,438
Yung_GnarleyAh! Wouldn't be complete without the youtube channel. Make sure to factor an instagram marketing budget into your 60k also ;)


FUK

At this point i should just go post in r/roastme
Dec 22 2020 5:53PM
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SlitherySnake
Posts: 1168 - Karma: 8,606
TheMoostafianFUK

At this point i should just go post in r/roastme


OOOOOOOOFFFFFFF
Dec 23 2020 12:21AM
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mrk127
Posts: 1733 - Karma: 15,679
@TheMoostafian what did you end up doing?
Nov 14 2021 6:27PM
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TheMoostafian
Posts: 4504 - Karma: 9,438
mrk127@TheMoostafian what did you end up doing?


Realized how impractical my idea was and got a house. Have a camper for my truck for several week long ski trips, hunting and timber falling on fires.
Nov 17 2021 12:12AM
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