The only people thinking about skiing in August are skiers and snowboarders. Becoming a ski bum is a dream for most but it can be very rewarding. And let me tell you it is some kind of FUN! Speaking from experience I have a some hint and advice for first time ski bumming folks.
First thing you need to do is make the decision to pack up and go. Its much easier once you understand everything including the pitfalls.
How much money do you need to be a ski bum is probably the most important question. You will need money wherever you go. Resorts cost lots of cash to survive in. Ski resorts are just like any tourists destination once you learn your way around you find the best places to eat, sleep etc.
You need money to get by the first month to two months upon arrival at a ski town. Work at ski resorts does not usually start until late November. The consequence of this is you will need to arrive 4 to 6 weeks prior to find a job. Also remember that when the economy is down local people apply for the resort jobs too. In short you should have as much money as possible. Just a estimate of my experiances 4K is a good start if you want to be comfortable. I have seen younger ski bums arrive with much less though.
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After a decade plus of Ski Helmets being on the slopes Vail Resorts will make them mandatory for employee's. Vail will need to buy over 6400 Ski Helmets to provide with uniforms during the 2009-2010 ski season. Vail Resorts will be the first resort in the USA to require helmets in any way.

As part of the resort saftey awareness program mandatory helmets for employee's will set a example for guests. If a ski instructor is wearing a Ski Helmet then the guest will likely want to wear one aswell. In theory. Insurance could have a lot to due with this decision too.

Along with employee's ski school kids will be required the wear a Ski Helmet if they are under age 12. Ski Helmets will be part of children's ski rental packages in 09-2010.

Vail owns or operates  6 resorts. All will have the same requirement of mandatory helmet. The resorts Vail runs are Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, A-Basin and Heavenly Valley in Lake Tahoe CA.

A ski Helmet won't save your life if you hit a tree at 40MPH, but they will keep you from having a bad day if you fall and bump your head. The recent death of Natasha Richardson is a great example. Not just skiing, but any sport head injuries are a concern. All it takes is a little bump on the head and anyone can have a bad day or worse.

When I was young ski areas would pull your pass for jumping or building ski jumps. Today the Ski Resorts themselves are building huge jumps and half pipes. Whats changed? Who knows. Maybe the disclaimer skiers and snowboarders agree to when purchasing a ticket. Along with the growing popularity of tree skiing a Ski Helmet is highly recommended. A Ski Helmet is one of the first pieces of Ski Equipment to be purchased.

Look for other Ski Resorts to follow suit promoting the use of ski snowboard helmet.

Vail and Beaver Creek have been getting Snow ! Over the last 2 days the weather has turned cold and snowy.

In Avon were I am we have had consistent flurries and a accumulations of snow. The locals have reported Knee deep snow on top of Beaver Creek and the snow guns are cranking on Birds Of Prey World Cup and Strawberry Park Express areas.

Skiers and Snowboarders have been riding Arapahoe Basin and Loveland ski areas for more than a week know. After talking to some riders over the last couple days the conditions sound good but temperatures are where warm up on top of the Rockies. One Snowboarder told me he didn't weir gloves all day.

Today it's only 20 degree's and this east coaster is freezing. According to local weather erports temps will rise to the 50's and 60's by the weekend.

Free Epic Ski Pass

Get One Free

 This is way cool. A Epic Ski Pass will be given to organizer/contact person on any rental over $6000 booked and paid for before Nov. 15! Read the rest of this entry »