How to Move to the Hills and Snowboard Every Day

So, you’ve decided that you really like snowboarding. You’ve been riding at your local resort/mountain every chance you get and you want to take it to the next level. You may have just finished school or you are working, in any case you have winter break and want to ski every day. Here’s how you do it.

where to?

One of the big decisions you’ll have to make right away is where you’re going to move, if you’re not already living in the mountains. This article assumes you’re moving to the ski resorts, since there are several other snowboard options every day, but that’s a topic for another day.

First, you must decide whether you want to travel to another country. If you’re in a place like Australia, where there happen to be a lot of traveling snowboarders, chances are you’ll be traveling. That’s not to say Australia doesn’t have ski resorts. Below is a list of some popular snowboarding countries and what they have to offer.

Canada

Arguably, the best snowboard in the world. Canada’s cold temperatures and typically humid climate make it a winter wonderland. The peaks of Western Canada have some of the deepest powder snow on Earth, and you have many great resorts to choose from, all of which receive more than 12 meters of snow a year! . Canada’s mountain communities are used to travelers from abroad coming to their homes for work and play, so you’ll find it easy to make friends and meet other snowboarders. If you’re looking to get to an event location, you might choose to live and work in a resort like Whistler or the Big White Mountain. However, if you prefer something quieter and the powder stays fresher a little longer, you might want to try Whitewater or Kicking Horse. If you’re thinking of biking in Canada make sure you’re well dressed because it’s going to be cold at first but once you get used to the cold you’ll start craving it which means better snow conditions!

United States

There are many great resorts in the US that are similar to Canada because they are located in what could be called the same mountains (some run through both countries). Further south, the climate is warmer, but comparable in altitude. Some mountains in the western United States also receive annual snowfall in the range of 12 meters. There are plenty of things to do at some of the resorts here due to the large tourist and local population. Jackson Hole, with its huge annual snowfall and great nightlife, is a great place to ride. The resort typically hosts over 500,000 skiers per year! Alta Ski Resort in Wyoming is a high altitude ski resort with a lot of snowfall and is one of the oldest ski resorts in the United States! If you choose to cycle, there are many great resorts in the US to choose from.

If you want to ski all winter, there are plenty of other countries to go to, but we won’t cover them in this article, just do a quick Google search for the area you’re interested in.

Ok, now that you’ve chosen the resort you want to live in, let’s talk about some of the other choices you’ll have to make.

how much money do you need?

Ski resorts are expensive places to live, they are resorts, so they have to charge extra for everything in order to squeeze as much money as possible out of all the tourists and families that visit each year. That doesn’t mean you can’t be a savvy snowboard fanatic and live on a budget that will allow you to ride more fresh piste than most people can only dream of. The lifestyle you choose will ultimately determine how much you ride. Let’s look at some key points.

lift ticket

That’s the whole reason you’re going. If you want to ride a lot, you need a season pass, and you have a few options. You can buy one for $750 to $2200, depending on the resort you choose, and ride it to your heart’s content. Your other option is to work for the resort. Most places will give you a season pass that is gradually paid out of your salary throughout the season. It’s kind of like a payment plan for people who can’t pay cash and plan to work there. The only problem with this option is if it snows 30cm and you call in sick to slash pow they will suspend your pass for the day and you will be stuck at home while your friends enjoy theirs.

Season pass = $1000 (regular smaller resort pass price)

housing

You might rent a room in a large log cabin or mountain lodge with a group of other traveling snowboarders. It’s the only way most people can afford to live at a resort full-time, since renting out your own place can cost thousands of dollars a month. Typical rent for a room in these share houses is around $500 per month. Some places you’ll pay another $50 for utilities, so let’s call it $550. Assuming you’ll be staying the entire season, you might show up in mid-November and stay until mid-April.

5 months x $550 per month = $2750

food

Another annoying thing that is essential to human survival. The food on the hill is overpriced like everything else. There are usually small grocery stores, but they cost twice what you would pay for the same products in the city. If you find a ride to a city closer to your mountain, you can get cheaper food there, but usually you’ll be paying resort prices for groceries, and if you eat out a lot, you can say goodbye to your bankroll pretty quickly . You can save a lot of money if you live off boxes of instant noodles, but let’s say you want to eat a balanced diet while crashing your body and skiing every day. Groceries for one person will usually set you back about $75 per week.

20 weeks x $75 per week = $1500

go out

Although it doesn’t look like it, this could be your biggest expense. You live in a resort, where people party, not to mention, everyone is transient, so people are more willing to step out of their comfort zone. You’ll be living in a house full of new friends, and there’s always something going on. You have to choose your nights wisely, as this one factor can be the deciding factor in how much you have to work hard instead of cutting fresh pow. A typical evening out will set you back around $100 if you drink at home first and don’t get too excited. Some weeks, you might have two of these nights, and some weeks, one. Let’s take an average and assume 1.5 nights out per week.

30 nights out x $100 per night = $3000

These are just the necessities and there will always be unexpected costs, but this will give you a good idea of ​​what it takes to live at a mountain resort and ski area on a daily basis.

Total for 5 months = $8250

Now that we know the numbers, we should talk about your two most obvious lifestyle choices, as they will be the biggest factors affecting your season. While not for everyone, the one that will give you the most fun and freedom is to deposit $10,000 to cover all your expenses and have enough free time to do what you want. That means riding when you want, getting out when you want, and most importantly never miss a Pow Day! When you live in the mountains, it’s all about the dust days. Things can be tracked out pretty quickly, and it’s really bad when it snows and you have to go to work. Watching friends and all the other random people having the time of their lives while you can’t participate gives you a burning sensation like no other.

This brings us to another option for you, the one most people would choose. Find a temporary job at the resort you are moving to. This has its perks too, like meeting new people, earning money, and maybe learning a new skill. Not all businesses on resort land will be part of the resort itself. However, if you are going to work at the resort, you don’t have to worry about buying a pass as the resort will provide you with one. Usually this will be in the payment plan and they automatically deduct it from your paycheck. Remember, if you get a “free” pass at work, they’re in full control. Any powder day that you decide to call in sick will see your pass suspended for that day, so you won’t be able to ride anyway.

Many of you can’t save that much money and will be forced to find a job if you want to do something like this. In this case, the job you choose can also have a big impact on how much you ride. Night work is great because if you can get up, you can ride during the day. You can take cheap lessons and become a ski/snowboard instructor; then you get paid to go to the snow. It’s just, you’re not going to do what you want to do or play where you want to play, and you’ll be teaching beginners the basics all day long. Just make sure you choose wisely, some of the best jobs are the least popular.

Many people spend most of their time, if not their entire lives, living and working in ski resorts. This is just a short guide and a pinnacle of this lifestyle, there is much more to be written on the subject. If you do, even for just one season, you won’t regret it. This is something you will remember for life. You’ll meet amazing people, make great friends, and party like a rock star and snowboard every day. If this sounds like one of your dreams, what are you waiting for?