For some, skiing is a weekend activity, a seasonal pastime enjoyed between work commitments. But for others, skiing is life. These individuals aren’t just fans of the sport—they areski bums, dedicated to chasing fresh snow, perfecting their turns, and stretching every dollar just to afford another lift ticket. Whether posted up in a mountain town rental, living out of a van, or couch-surfing between storms, theski bum lifestyle is about one thing above all: maximizing time on the mountain.
The Essentials of Being a Ski Bum
While everyone’s ski bum journey looks a little different, there are a few universal truths about this lifestyle. If any of the following resonate, chances are you’ve got ski bum tendencies.
1. Prioritizing the Mountain Over Everything
The first rule of being a ski bum? The mountain comes first. That means jobs, social events, and even meals take a backseat to powder days. Need to be at work by 10 a.m.? That still leaves time for a dawn patrol skin up the mountain. Need to stretch rent money an extra month? Maybe it’s time to cut back on eating out—after all, the resort cafeteria’s ketchup packets and free crackers can hold you over.
2. Knowing the Best Gear Hacks
A true ski bum isn’t always skiing on the latest and greatest equipment—but they know how to stretch the life of their gear. Duct tape on gloves? Standard. P-Tex repairs done in the garage? A rite of passage. That old jacket with 10 seasons of wear? As long as it keeps the wind out, it’s good to go.
3. Mastering the Art of Cheap Lift Tickets
A season pass is the ultimate goal, but ski bums have a variety of tricks up their sleeves when it comes to lift access. Whether it’s working part-time at the resort, scoring discounted tickets through a friend, or even hiking up before the lifts start spinning, there’s always a way to get on the mountain.
4. Living in a State of Organized Chaos
Ski bums don’t have the luxury of sprawling gear closets or custom storage systems. Instead, their gear lives in the backseat of their car, piled in a studio apartment, or carefully crammed into a van. Boots, gloves, and goggles are usually within arm’s reach, and there’s always a layer of lingering ski wax and boot liners drying near the heater.
Keeping Gear in Check with Gravity Grabber
While the ski bum lifestyle thrives on organized chaos, even the most dedicated powder hounds need a way to keep their gear accessible and in good condition. That’s whereGravity Grabber comes in. Originally designed for ski and snowboard storage, it provides asimple, wall-mounted solution that keeps skis secure and out of the way. Instead of tripping over skis in a cramped living space, ski bums can hang them neatly while still grabbing them in a hurry when the next powder day calls.
The Heart of the Ski Bum Mentality
At its core, being a ski bum isn’t just about skiing—it’s about commitment, resourcefulness, and an endless passion for the mountains. It’s about embracing the unpredictable, chasing the next storm, and finding creative ways to make skiing the center of your life. Whether you’re rocking duct-taped gear or investing in smart storage solutions likeGravity Grabber, the goal remains the same: get as many days on the mountain as possible.
Because at the end of the day, a ski bum isn’t defined by what they own—it’s defined by how much time they spend on snow.
