The "bum" part of "ski bum" is the part that makes it admirable. It's a person who makes sacrifices to live near the resort. There are no ski bums living in major cities, not in Denver, not in Minneapolis, not in any city anywhere in the world. They are living in 1980's conversion vans with a wood-burning stove, making "tomato soup" with hot water and ketchup packets they took from the food court. They are working the crap jobs that will give them a free ski pass and their days off. They forgo a family, a career, financial security, and more for skiing. It's this single-minded existence, their willingness to focus their lives on skiing to the exclusion of all else that makes us idolize ski bums. Even among the most fanatical of skiers, few of us have the courage, or commitment to dedicate our lives so fully to the sport. There's a bit of envy for most skiers of the ski bum's simplistic existence. And that is why so many skiers want to associate themselves with the ski bum, but if you're not a bum, you're just a skier.
Many great points. Was able to ski Zermatt and Chamonix as well as travel Europe…all to come back to my spacious Upper Peninsula home that has a mortgage payment less than the average one bedroom apartment in the US.
Having lived and skied all over the west (CO, UT, CA, OR, WA) I couldn't imagine being a ski bum in the mid west (I grew up in the midwest skiing MN, WI, and MI). There just isn't enough interesting and challenging terrain at most mid west resorts in my opinion. I currently live in central WA and have both Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge within 40-45 minutes (Leavenworth, Cashmere, Wenatchee, etc. all have great access to both). I was able to get 70 resort days and probably 20 backcountry days and I am not even a ski bum. The ski bum life is still doable out west if you find the right places.
I think you'd enjoy Mt Bohemia. The terrain is as technical as anything you'd find out west. It's too bad there aren't more spots as challenging. Most I get bored of after 2 days but boho is always worth hitting up.
@@JollyLamaCom I've skied Mt Bohemia and do really like it. I know it's often referenced as a more challenging mountain by midwest standards, but it definitely isn't as technical as anything out west.
The housing costs in WA are outrageous. I just got a 3000+ sq ft house in Upper Peninsula with 3 fire places in town on an acre lot for under $220k. My mortgage is less than a one bedroom apartment in Wenatchee!
I do the Indy Pass and get a bohemia pass, which gives me the ability to ride 100+ days a season at dozens of spots for under $500. Out west, you pay more for everything, drive further, and wait in longer lift lines to dodge more ppl on the slopes.
This is something that I’ve given a lot of thought to. After doing a lot of research, I think you’re 100% right that the Twin Cities would be great for all the reasons you listed. But there are some other factors too: the Twin cities have so many big parks within them (with natural woods, not curated greenery) that it makes the place interesting from a trail runner, mountain biker, fat biker, and cross country skier point of view. You can do all of these sports on a daily basis at a relatively decent level without taking a day off work to drive somewhat far. Also, Minneapolis is such a cool city in its own right, which is a plus. My brother currently lives there, and it’s fun to visit. But with that said, I personally found myself in late 2020 living abroad but securing a remote position (with a decent but modest salary). I immediately started researching ski towns across the Mountain West. With two kids and a wife, it would be impossible to live in any ski town without being a multimillionaire. Eventually I realized Utah is a gem, in that all of its population centers (SLC, Ogden, Cache Valley, Cedar City) are within 45 minutes of excellent skiing! As a native Coloradan, it somewhat broke my heart to admit Utah is better, but the proximity is just so much closer, and traffic is dispersed on so many roads, not just one road (I-70). But with that said, although Utah is awesome , it still is not quite as close as the Twin Cities, in which you could do a few laps after work, since even a 45 minute drive is somewhat considerable. There is also not great in-city cross country skiing, except for in Cache Valley, and one part of the SLC metro (Millcreek).
Well done! As a former midwest rider I love the work you do on this channel. I live in SLC now and I would argue it's the best western town for corporate bums. Way better proximity than Denver, cheaper, and less traffic. I'd be happy to show you around if you find yourself in Utah!
I work in a factory on the afternoon shift in Michigan. And i ride 2 - 3 days a week in the morning. 20 minute drive to the hill. Cant do that in denver.
I would argue that Echo/Ruby aren't far different from Midwest riding. While true touring can be done in the foothills, the point he is making is simple proximity vs. hours spent on I-70 enduring pass closures, avalanches, rock slides, traffic etc. I recall nights in my Avon home waiting for the Denver/springs group only to arrive 7 hours after their respective departure's. Z sums it up wonderfully in his closing and acknowledges it's not the most ideal compared to the mountain states, but for those that have close access, it is certainly the pro to a con.
@Multirado well said, and comprehended. I am a rare guy who chooses quantity over quality. I need to ride multiple days a week no matter what the conditions. with a day or 2 off in between for recovery. Midwest riding works for me.
@@maness2112 could not agree more! And for what it's worth, the sub-cultures beyond the mountains breed a unique enthusiasm that are often lost living in big mountain resort towns.
The "bum" part of "ski bum" is the part that makes it admirable. It's a person who makes sacrifices to live near the resort. There are no ski bums living in major cities, not in Denver, not in Minneapolis, not in any city anywhere in the world. They are living in 1980's conversion vans with a wood-burning stove, making "tomato soup" with hot water and ketchup packets they took from the food court. They are working the crap jobs that will give them a free ski pass and their days off. They forgo a family, a career, financial security, and more for skiing. It's this single-minded existence, their willingness to focus their lives on skiing to the exclusion of all else that makes us idolize ski bums. Even among the most fanatical of skiers, few of us have the courage, or commitment to dedicate our lives so fully to the sport. There's a bit of envy for most skiers of the ski bum's simplistic existence. And that is why so many skiers want to associate themselves with the ski bum, but if you're not a bum, you're just a skier.
GREAT take on it and I agree its the best in the Midwest! All the change in seasons is nice.
Many great points. Was able to ski Zermatt and Chamonix as well as travel Europe…all to come back to my spacious Upper Peninsula home that has a mortgage payment less than the average one bedroom apartment in the US.
Having lived and skied all over the west (CO, UT, CA, OR, WA) I couldn't imagine being a ski bum in the mid west (I grew up in the midwest skiing MN, WI, and MI). There just isn't enough interesting and challenging terrain at most mid west resorts in my opinion. I currently live in central WA and have both Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge within 40-45 minutes (Leavenworth, Cashmere, Wenatchee, etc. all have great access to both). I was able to get 70 resort days and probably 20 backcountry days and I am not even a ski bum. The ski bum life is still doable out west if you find the right places.
I think you'd enjoy Mt Bohemia. The terrain is as technical as anything you'd find out west. It's too bad there aren't more spots as challenging. Most I get bored of after 2 days but boho is always worth hitting up.
@@JollyLamaCom I've skied Mt Bohemia and do really like it. I know it's often referenced as a more challenging mountain by midwest standards, but it definitely isn't as technical as anything out west.
The housing costs in WA are outrageous. I just got a 3000+ sq ft house in Upper Peninsula with 3 fire places in town on an acre lot for under $220k. My mortgage is less than a one bedroom apartment in Wenatchee!
Cincinnati local here, primary resort is perfect north.
Great video! totally agree. I take two trips out west a year and couldn't be happier.
I do the Indy Pass and get a bohemia pass, which gives me the ability to ride 100+ days a season at dozens of spots for under $500. Out west, you pay more for everything, drive further, and wait in longer lift lines to dodge more ppl on the slopes.
What is an Indy pass?
Nice work MZ. If you love skiing there’s many great options in the Midwest to feed your need to ski and still have good living with the fam.
This is something that I’ve given a lot of thought to.
After doing a lot of research, I think you’re 100% right that the Twin Cities would be great for all the reasons you listed. But there are some other factors too: the Twin cities have so many big parks within them (with natural woods, not curated greenery) that it makes the place interesting from a trail runner, mountain biker, fat biker, and cross country skier point of view. You can do all of these sports on a daily basis at a relatively decent level without taking a day off work to drive somewhat far. Also, Minneapolis is such a cool city in its own right, which is a plus. My brother currently lives there, and it’s fun to visit.
But with that said, I personally found myself in late 2020 living abroad but securing a remote position (with a decent but modest salary). I immediately started researching ski towns across the Mountain West. With two kids and a wife, it would be impossible to live in any ski town without being a multimillionaire. Eventually I realized Utah is a gem, in that all of its population centers (SLC, Ogden, Cache Valley, Cedar City) are within 45 minutes of excellent skiing! As a native Coloradan, it somewhat broke my heart to admit Utah is better, but the proximity is just so much closer, and traffic is dispersed on so many roads, not just one road (I-70).
But with that said, although Utah is awesome , it still is not quite as close as the Twin Cities, in which you could do a few laps after work, since even a 45 minute drive is somewhat considerable. There is also not great in-city cross country skiing, except for in Cache Valley, and one part of the SLC metro (Millcreek).
Well done! As a former midwest rider I love the work you do on this channel. I live in SLC now and I would argue it's the best western town for corporate bums. Way better proximity than Denver, cheaper, and less traffic. I'd be happy to show you around if you find yourself in Utah!
🙏🙏🙏 agree- SLC definitely looks promising! I was surprised to see a cost of living comparable to most of the Midwest
not for long! people are flocking
I work in a factory on the afternoon shift in Michigan. And i ride 2 - 3 days a week in the morning. 20 minute drive to the hill. Cant do that in denver.
Obv never heard of ruby hill or echo or touring in the foothills
I would argue that Echo/Ruby aren't far different from Midwest riding. While true touring can be done in the foothills, the point he is making is simple proximity vs. hours spent on I-70 enduring pass closures, avalanches, rock slides, traffic etc.
I recall nights in my Avon home waiting for the Denver/springs group only to arrive 7 hours after their respective departure's. Z sums it up wonderfully in his closing and acknowledges it's not the most ideal compared to the mountain states, but for those that have close access, it is certainly the pro to a con.
@Multirado well said, and comprehended. I am a rare guy who chooses quantity over quality. I need to ride multiple days a week no matter what the conditions. with a day or 2 off in between for recovery. Midwest riding works for me.
🙏💯💯💯
@@maness2112 could not agree more! And for what it's worth, the sub-cultures beyond the mountains breed a unique enthusiasm that are often lost living in big mountain resort towns.
Artski doesn't fit in any of your ski bum categories!
Artski is in a league of his own! Super Duper Ski Bum
No it’s not