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SKI BUMMING 101

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Living the Dream in Snow-Country

Greetings fellow snow-riders. If you want to know all the secrets of how to live in snow-country this lens is for you. If you dream of leaving the cities or mo-hills behind for big mountain adventure and deep-powder sessions, keep reading. This lens will focus on what you need to know to find your spot towards the front of the line!

1. Getting mentally ready for the journey of a life time.

2. Gear! What to get, saving money and staying organized.

3. Research your Snow-Zones.

I feel grateful for many years of deep and gratifying turns, crazy adventures, cute ski-bunnies and great friendships. This is my way of giving back to anyone who has considered going big and moving to a snow-zone. It's not as hard or expensive as you might think and hopefully this lens will help you get the face-shots your craving. Thanks and Git Some!

This is the first in a series of Ski-Bum 101 lenses I am preparing. So enjoy and let me know what you think. My plan is to go in-depth on every issue, question and topic that's important to prospective ski-bums and seasoned veterans.

Pow skiing starts with snow

...some stoke for your day

Welcome to the Wasatch Mountains of Utah.
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Shedding Doubt

Be confident in your passion.

MIneral Basin...Fun awaitsIf you're considering moving far from friends and family it must be for a good reason, right? Of course it is! Have you ever been first on a ridge overlooking 2500 vertical feet of untracked chest deep pow? Do you dream of first chair when its been snowing for ten days straight? Are you hooked on the surge of adrenaline that comes from pushing yourself further, faster, higher and deeper? Do you miss the blissfulness of apres ski with fellow riders after a sick day. Are you always planning another trip or have your nose in a ski mag?

Leaving everything behind is never easy, so stay focused and be confident. Often people lack the ability to listen to their inner voice, suppressing it with logic and what is expected of them. What you feel in regard to skiing and boarding is real and more important than any of societies quotas. This guide will help fuel your ideas and show you tricks to saving money and being first to the pow. Ultimately, this is the beginning of an adventure and as such will require tenacity. Stay focused and do not stop until you're fanning the stoke atop a mountain!

Gear for the journey

Stay organized and keep it simple stupid.

Having the right gear is key! Remember, less is more. The more stuff, the more headaches. Think about what you will use the most and forget everything else. Here are a few things to get you started. Remember, staying organized will make your life on the road much easier regardless of whether you have a vehicle or become a passenger.
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The Gear List

An outline of the important stuff!

These catagories should help you take inventory and get an idea of what you need. Budgets vary, so the point here is to be creative and resourceful.
  • 1Boots! Your most important piece of gear by far. Get a professional boot fit and custom insoles. Otherwise, you may be sitting out and spending big bucks retro-fitting too large a boot. Trust me here; I was a professional boot-fitter for a season.

    More on this in another module titled Boot-FIt 101.
  • 2Boards: Have two sets, period. It's ok if the back-ups are beat-up, use them as early season rock-boards.
  • 3Bindings: Same deal, have back-up pair. Look for high quality durable binders with DIN 16 at a minimum. Salomon and Rossignol are my choice brands.
  • 4Goggles: Many to choose from. Smith are my personal fav's. Reliable, home-grown company from ID. Fit and performance are superior, and you can get them at a reasonable cost.
  • 5Clothing: So much out there it is daunting. Here is basic advice: Have layers available in your bag and make the decision when booting up at car. A solid shell (without a liner), so you can layer up underneath it. Buy one size larger for this purpose and if your going to spend a few extra bucks this is the spot

    #1 mistake is to overdress and overheat
  • 6Helmet: Pretty silly not to have one I think. One good rock, tree or another skier to the head and you could be pushing up daisies. I have seen it happen and have worn mine since 1994. It saved my life in 2001. Lots to choose from these days: look for ventilation and good fit.

Hot Tip

Warranty that Expensive Gear!!

Hot TipSay you need that expensive shell but no dough. Find a used gear store or buy a used shell made by a notable company (North Face, Patagonia, Sierra Design etc). I have found nice shells in thrift stores for $10 dollars. Wash it, use it and abuse it. Chances are, it will need a new zipper soon (wink, wink) . Now, sit down and write a nice letter to the warranty department telling them how much you use and stand behind their product; keep it professional for best results. Spell out the problem without directing blame and ask for support. Make sure its typed out using MS office and sign it. If you don't get a new jacket I will be surprised. Worse case, they fix all the problems and you have a functioning jacket for $10 plus shipping.
~Your welcome.

**Don't abuse this privilege and make it mutually beneficial by talking up what a great co they are to your friends.

Key Gear Recommends

My personal picks

There is lots of gear out there and I have played with a lot of it. Here is some of my favorite picks. Feel free to ask me why.
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Goggles Rule

...vote on your favorite

1

Vote Up
Vote Down
Smith I/O Goggle (Ignitor Mirror, Black Foundation)

Smith I/O Goggle (Ignitor Mirror, Black Foundation)

Smith's sleek, rimless design matches up nicely wi more...1 point

2

Vote Up
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Spy Targa II Snowboard Goggles

Spy Targa II Snowboard Goggles

A standard issue that is leaps and bounds above th more...0 points

3

Vote Up
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Oakley Unisex-Adult Crowbar Snow Goggles(White,Fire)

Oakley Unisex-Adult Crowbar Snow Goggles(White,Fire)

Strap on the Oakley Crowbar Goggle and get prepare more...0 points

Picking a Snow-Zone

Here are the basic guidelines to keep in mind

Keep these points in mind. More details to come in Snow-Zone 101.
  • 1Annual snow-fall matters: I would not consider areas that fall below 300 inches per year. You will spend a lot of time wishing for snow. Above 400 your looking at consistently good skiing. 500 up you must be living in Salt Lake or BC.
  • 2Terrain: Steep and Deep, Park, Glades, Groomers...every resort and snow-zone will have options. Once you find the answer to the above point, find a zone.
  • 3Distance: You must be able to live within striking distance of the zone. Striking distance should be no more than 1 hour max in bad weather. More later on how chop down distance to 30 min or less.
  • 4Working: If you must work asses your options. Working for the resort is an easy option but kind of like hanging out with your drug-dealer...sketchy. Research your closest town and where you will live. More on work, money, and not working during the season later.
  • 5Transportation: You don't need a car, it'a a matter of convenience. But, you do need to know how your getting to the zone if your not located at ground-zero. Don't rely on others entirely..the true ski-ninja always has a back up to get the powder first. Learn public transport including buses, shuttles, trains and hitching.

The White Room

Share your ideas, comments, questions

  • skier_chick Mar 28, 2011 @ 11:55 am | delete
    Which module are you using to get the large bullet points like those in "picking a snow zone"? I'm pretty new to this squidoo stuff still and want to start using all of the cool modules i'm seeing on others lenses.
  • GEARGUY Mar 28, 2011 @ 12:18 pm | delete
    Yes, I'm pretty new myself. It was an option under the list or text category. I believe it reads "new" big bullets. Best of Luck!
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GEARGUY

I grew up in NJ skiing the Adirondacks of PA, upstate NY and Vermont. My ahahaa moment was on Camelback Mountain in PA. In my mind it still looks huge... more »

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