Some thrive in a life lived outside. Take thru-hikers, who spend months living off the pack on their back, with the simple goal of walking from one place to somewhere else much farther away.
Winter has come to an end, and with it, much of the ski and snowboard season. That also means a particular type of person goes into a sort of hibernation: the "ski bum."
A "ski bum" is a skiing fanatic, typically in the sport's hotspots, such as Colorado and Utah. But more than that, it is a lifestyle and a culture, one of couch surfing or living out of a van and working for ski resorts or shops to get deals on passes and gear. Overall, a ski bum’s goal is simple: to ski as much as possible for as little money as possible.
On the surface, that lifestyle may have a deep appeal and draw to some. For me, it does. I have been interested in van life for the past few years. It is not a new idea; my dad had an early dream of working as a ski lift operator for the chance to ski every day.
But as the climate changes and the costs of living and gear have skyrocketed, the traditional "ski bum" lifestyle is less and less attainable for most. Even the idea of van life is out of reach for many.
The first and most obvious reason for this dying subculture is a warming climate. The ski season is simply getting shorter and shorter each year. According to the National Ski Areas Association, or NSAA, "Climate change is the number one threat to the snowsports industry."
From coast to coast, the nation's top ski resorts can expect at least 25% fewer days with below-freezing temperatures within 20 years, according to the Climate Impact Lab. Especially for east coast resorts, such as Brandywine between Cleveland and Akron, decreasing snowfalls and days below freezing are causing a shorter season. Brandywine closed for the season March 3, while its neighbor Boston Mills closed March 17.
The other major issue with the "ski bum" subculture is cost, including the cost of living and gear. Take Breckenridge, Colorado, where the cost of living index score is 144.9 compared to the national standard of 100. The average home costs over $1 million, and the average rent of a one-bedroom apartment can hit close to $1600.
Even the idea of living out of a van is becoming increasingly expensive, with the high end of van dwelling costing around $3000 per month, not including the initial expenses of purchasing the van and renovating it if one chooses to go that route. For those who work for a ski resort and make somewhere between $16-$22 per hour, those costs, along with food and other necessities, become more out of reach.
That does not even include ski gear itself, which can cost over $2,000 in total to own and more to rent. Even with discounts on gear and resort passes available to employees, items such as clothing and helmets are a significant cost.
With the climate changing, costs rising and wages not reflecting them, the idea of living for skiing and snowboarding is becoming more of a dream than a reality for most. Personally, I would love to live that sort of life, but I know that getting a career and other life responsibilities would impede the time needed to spend my days on the slopes.
To quote former "ski bum" Heather Hansman from her book "Powder Days: Ski Bums, Ski Towns, and the Future of Chasing Snow," "Ultimately, you see the heart of skiing's myth is barely beating, and where it is, its remaining open arteries are quickly stiffening.”
Ethan Herx is a freshman studying media arts production and photojournalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Want to share your thoughts? Let Ethan know by emailing or tweeting them at eh481422@ohio.edu or @ethanherx.
