Live in california for snowboard season (South Lake Tahoe, El Segundo: apartments, rentals, condos)

[Kman25]

Hey everyone!
So lately I've been having this crazy idea that I can't shake, the same one I'm sure a million young americans have had before. I want to leave massachusetts and live in California to be a ski bum all winter! Ive been a corporate IT guy out here for a couple years and I can't forgive myself for jumping right out of college and into work after working so hard all my life. I need to have an adventure. I visited Lake Tahoe a few months ago and loved it. From the limited research I've done, the Vail ski pass is quite obviously the best, so I'd like to live relatively near one of those resorts (Heavenly, Kirkwood, Northstar). I looked at some apartments and found some good prices in South Lake Tahoe, and one or two in Truckee, both close to one of those mountains so that would be ideal. Truckee is farther from Heavenly which I assume to be the best of those, so I'd rather go south lake tahoe. Also I saw some cheap stuff in Reno, but I heard not the greatest things about Reno.

My questions for you:
-The prices I saw on these apartments are obviously right at the end of ski season. Will any and all apartments skyrocket in price in October/November when alot of people want to head out there? How much should I expect to pay per month for a 1 bedroom? A 2 bedroom?
-Are the vail resorts my best bet? How about living in south lake tahoe? Do you have any suggestions for me?
-I dont need to live 10 minutes from a resorts. I can drive 30 minutes if it will save me a bunch of money in rent.
-I will have roughly 10 grand at the time I want to head out there. Is that enough? I would also look for a part time job, or full time if it's all I can get. I'm currently an IT guy out here but I don't think I'll find much in that field in the mountain areas. Will I have trouble getting a job? Ill basically do whatever as long as it gives me spending money. Also, my girlfriend will be coming with me, so that will cut some expenses.
-If I'm being crazy and I'm gonna fall flat on my face in 2 months, yell at me.
-I'm not bound to California. If you have done something similar in a different state or different area, let me know how it worked for you!

Any information or criticism is appreciated. I need all the help I can get on this subject.

[thelopez2]

California had a really bad snow season.

Mammoth created a DoS when they offered $200 off their season pass, maybe you can do some IT consulting for them? They are offering $100 off their pass now, with an upgrade you get 50% of a few other places such as Vail. There are a few mountains part of the "Mountain Collective" where you can get discount passes with your season pass.

You can stay in Bishop for really cheap.

Vail and Tahoe have much lighter and dryer snow, but Vail can get really cold. You'll have 2 feet of fresh powder over night with blue skies the next day.

I just looked up the EPIC pass, that is impressive, it is similar to the "Collective" but it is unlimited to the other mountains.

I think your best bet is get an IT job near LAX and fly out to a different resort every other week and follow the best snow.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by thelopez2

I think your best bet is get an IT job near LAX and fly out to a different resort every other week and follow the best snow.

I cannot think of a more miserable option. The hassle, the cost, the missed powder days! And you live in LA, near the airport to top it off. Imagine, drive to the airport, catch a plane to Reno, rent a car, drive to the motel ski the next day or three, then reverse the process to get back home. My guess is your LA IT boss is not gonna like you taking off like that on a regular basis for the five months of ski season. Good luck getting 10-15 days.
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The Tahoe area can't be beat. It is world class and has something for everyone.

One cannot be a proper ski bum unless you live where the resorts are! Live in the Tahoe basin or Truckee.

I live 40 minutes from a resort and usually get 35-45 days a year. This with a full time job.

As to the quality of the resorts: Of the ones you mentioned, Kirwood is the best. Heavenly is OK. North Star is a crowded intermediate hill. Check out Alpine. Homewood is a hidden gem. Sugar Bowl is good. There are like 10 resorts in the Tahoe area. There is no reason to not get well over 60 days in.

And if you want a job, do it right ski-bum wise. Work in a casino, restaurant, or even at a resort. Aim for working the weekends when things get busy, then ski midweek.

Good luck and do it! You only live once.

One final thing-make sure you have winter tires on your vehicle. All seasons don't cut it during snow season

[pretendingtowork]

Tahoe would be your best bet, I agree with Mr5150. Mammoth has been spotty last few years, might be a good or a bad season. Why not hit up some resorts in Colorado? I ski bummed one winter in Crested Butte and it was one of the best times of my life.

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by Mr5150

I cannot think of a more miserable option. The hassle, the cost, the missed powder days! And you live in LA, near the airport to top it off. Imagine, drive to the airport, catch a plane to Reno, rent a car, drive to the motel ski the next day or three, then reverse the process to get back home. My guess is your LA IT boss is not gonna like you taking off like that on a regular basis for the five months of ski season. Good luck getting 10-15 days.
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Spotty is being kind.

Who needs a boss working IT in LA, just do on call contracting work, they are looking for a career.

Share an apt in El Segundo, It'd be a 5 minute Uber ride, 1 hour trip to mammoth with shuttle service from the airport to mountain, a season locker is $400 and snowboarding equipment is given away in LA.

Another thing people do is share an apartment, some never come on weekdays and some never come on weekend due to high number of people

Even to Salt Lake you can fly and hit the slopes the same day with car service form the airport.

I just think it is a risk planning a move to be a snow bum with how unpredictable our last few seasons have been.

You could be a ski bum in Vail an easily fly out of Eagle too.

Also SLC has excellent shuttle service from the city to the slopes, that might be a good place too.

[DMenscha]

I spent my youth fighting forest fires in the summer and skiing all winter. I loved it! Go for it. Do Kirkwood, better mountain, fewer riders.

Sorry lopez, the idea of commuting to the mountains misses the mark. When the snow is right, you don't want to spend half a day getting to it.

[thelopez2]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

I spent my youth fighting forest fires in the summer and skiing all winter. I loved it! Go for it. Do Kirkwood, better mountain, fewer riders.

Sorry lopez, the idea of commuting to the mountains misses the mark. When the snow is right, you don't want to spend half a day getting to it.

I concede, I've just become accustomed to the 5 hour midnight drives.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

.

Sorry lopez, the idea of commuting to the mountains misses the mark. When the snow is right, you don't want to spend half a day getting to it.

Not to mention living the dream. The life experience of living in place like the Tahoe/Truckee area is so different than sharing an apt in El Segundo.

Beautiful Mountains, clean air, real weather, low crime and surrounded by like minded outdoorsy people.

And having your own apt...the OP did mention that he and his Girlfriend. The thought of sharing an apt in El Segundo is kinda unromantic.

[Kman25]

Thanks for the responses guys, keep em coming!

There is no chance I would live in LA. I want to be a ski bum living in a beautiful area, not in grey and smoggy LA. I would rather stay in Massachusetts and drive to Vermont than live in LA. Also taking a plane to go everywhere is not even close to ideal.

I have thought about Veil, but i Know nothing about that area and have heard it's very expensive. I would love to go there as well so if that fits my description and you know it, let me know your feelings on it.

Seems like you guys think Kirkwood is the best. Where would be a good spot for me to live for that? Also I haven't heard anything about South Lake Tahoe. That seems like a good location because its close to all 3 epic pass mountains. I would also probably buy the weekday Squaw pass and go there alot. I went there this winter and it was the best riding of my life. I actually went the last week of feb into the first week of march and it was dumping powder. Great luck for me. Just wasn't there long enough.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by Kman25

Seems like you guys think Kirkwood is the best. Where would be a good spot for me to live for that?

Live in Kirkwood. I'm sure there are condos that rent out for the winter.

See if these guys have long term rentals.

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