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twin boys (12) and twin girls (9). They are not my biological kids, but are my kids in every other way. They all are good skiers, but one of the boys has really taken to it. He is the one on the ski team. Here he is ripping Headwall at crested butte:

I used to instruct at frost when I was in high school (snowmonsters program). It was cool as a kid because you make a lot of friends that like to ski and then you could go to boulder at night after work and hang out. The expectation was that if you were at the ski area, you would check in to see if they needed you to work. It was usually pretty easy to get at least half the day off to ski, but it was still a bit of a drag. Every once in a while, it would be really rewarding when the stars aligned for some kid who you just introduced to their new favorite sport (i.e., the best sport on earth), but more often than not, it was essentially glorified baby-sitting kids who couldn't care less about skiing. No way I would do that as an adult. However, I did take a side-gig this winter as a fill-in coach for my kids' ski team, (the all mountain free-ski team at Loveland). I skied with the team a few times last season and those kids eat, sleep and breath skiing. Free season passes for the whole family and a little bit of cash to ski with a group of little rippers that tear up the entire mountain. I'll do that any day.

i think it would depend upon the level of commitment needed to secure the pass. Since my buddies did this at Frost, i can tell you i would not put up with what they went through, but i have no interest what so ever in teaching skiing. There really was limited "free" skiing, due to an hourly check in. It seemed like if they were there, they needed to do this. There really wasnt, "im taking the day off to go skiing". Basically, you might have some friends on powder days....meaning, lessons dont really stop just because its snowing, and you wanna ski pow. I think Doms words were, "dont turn your hobby into a job".

Nestors

Tent sale wednesday. Gon git me sum sticks!

If all you are in it for is the pass, there are a lot of ways to earn $450 that would be much less of a drain on your fun time. To each his own though, let us know what you decide!

If you’re a ski instructor you’ll ski less. If you’re a ski instructor( a few dollars here and there, you have to buy jacket, training, classes, a lot of hours standing around in ski boots on flat terrain, free season pass, discounts on passes for family). If you’re not an instructor can just spend several hundred on season pass and really take advantage of your flexible schedule by skiing a lot. You live close enough to blue and camelback that you can ski if you only have a 2-3 hour window.

You're right. In addition to the teaching thing I also did the ski marketing thing. Same premise certainly applies I can’t have a job where everybody is having fun while I’m working. My job is great cause even if I’m having a bad day, my customers are having a worse day.

In theory it sounds like a great deal (free pass, paid to ski, discount passes for your family etc.) but in reality it, like anything else that pays you, is work. You have to be there at a certain time. Your name is on a schedule, there are shifts, tests, certifications etc. It becomes an obligation. Part 2 of the instructor thing is the whole technique and training thing. Sorry but for me spending time on the hill, when not teaching, to focus on ankle flex or whatever the hell technique related activity that was going on that day is not for me. I found it to be a very "hey look at me and my awesome form and this is what you need to do to look like me" vibe. Then there was the infamous whirlybird session day that actually had me rethinking my life. Lol Others may disagree and if you're cool with that then great. No judgement here. Truly. But my stupid ass just wants to get to the mountain without being on a schedule, ski until I'm ready to call it a day, not obsess about what I look like (granted I'm not trying to look like a shit head either), and have as much fun as I possibly can during that time. I don't regret it at all but I will say that I can't recall a day when I was busy with lessons or there as an instructor period, where I had that glow after leaving the mountain because of the ski day that was. It happens all the time otherwise.

Done with the gym; I've folded my share of towels for a lifetime. I'll be managing the ski school at Suicide Six this winter.

I'm gonna find out this season what it's like to work in the ski industry. So far the pros are: 1. 9-5 office job, but I can ski on my lunch break. 2. My days off will be weekdays, so no crowds. 3. Discounts on equipment plus free food at the lodge. 4. I'm f/t salaried with benefits, so I don't have to deal with the unpaid shiftwork bs that ski instructors do. Cons: 1. Relatively low pay (compared to my previous job) 2. ? Not sure what else yet.

Never done it so of course posting. Looked into it last year; there seem to be lots better, easier ways to get a season pass than instructing if that's what you're after. Unless you really love instructing, which many do. If I had the money I would NEVER work during ski season.