Ski Bum Redux: Aspen Snowmass (and Crested Butte Thanksgiving)

 11/20

Today we drove to Snowmass, with a stop along the way to check out Avon/Beaver Creek where Lucas and I had ski bummed many moons ago. Actually as we were driving we still weren't entirely sure whether we were going to be taking a job in Beaver Creek with Village Transportation or a job at Snowmass with EastWest's Collective. We had been offered many jobs, but those 2 were the 2 that made our final cut, but we were having a hard time deciding. Both gave us the schedule we wanted (3 days completely off to ski, plus the rest of the days with mornings off to ski, nearly free housing, same schedule as each other, season pass to 4+ mountains. In the end we went with Snowmass, partly b/c they had offered us the job first and we were impressed with Sarah, the manager.

We arrived to our place that they gave us, called the Snowmass Inn. It's an old ski lodge, so our room has 2 queen beds, a bathroom, tv, microwave, toaster oven, mini fridge, and 2 sinks. We were able to secure another mini fridge, and Elisha brought some hot plates for cooking. Our housing and work is actually in a small town called Snowmass Village, which is about 8 miles from Aspen. For our first night we drove down to Aspen to eat burgers alongside the town ice rink.

11/21

We explored a bit around Snowmass. My parents drove in to drop some stuff off tha we couldn't fit in my car. We had take-out Hawaiian food with them

11/22

We met our new boss Sarah. We hiked up the Smugglers Trail for views of Aspen and the resorts.

11/24

First day of work. We are working at a place called the Collective, owned by EastWest. It has a bar, restaurant, game lounge, selfie den/museum, and outside a patio with fires and an ice skating rink. Our job is to manage the game room/selfie den 2 days a week and the ice rink 2 days a week. Due to covid, they were delayed opening, so we were mostly helping set up the selfie den, which involved a lot of interior decorating, including painting.

For the ice skating rink portion, we hand out skates to people, keep the ice shoveled, and make sure things don't get too out of hand on the ice. The ice skating and skate rentals are free, so we make pretty decent tips.

11/25 Opening day skiing at snowmass!

11/26 Drove to Crested Butte for Thanksgiving. Kebler Pass was closed for the season, but with not much snow in the past week (and year), we decided to drive over it because it drastically saves us on time. It was a bit hairy on the last final switchbacks b/c of soft snow (caused by snow mobiles) on a steep road, but we made it.

Skied backcountry (Coneys) with Bro and M-Nugget. Yummy Thanksgiving turkey dinner with bro, M-nugz, and the parents. We played several fun games afterward. We're staying at a really nice condo with my parents, that has a great outdoor hot tub.

11/27

Went cross country skiing to Lily Lake with mom and dad. My favorite turkey leftovers and more games

11/28

Zach, M-Nugz, Elisha, and I skied backcountry (Snodgrass). Nepalese take-out for dinner

11/29

Sike a really awesome backcountry run with bro! Secret Stash delicious take out pizza!

11/30

Back over Kebler Pass early in the morning. Then shopping in Glenwood, and then skiing at Snowmass.

12/1

Interviewed with Arizona Game and Fish. Then skiing at Snowmass

12/2

About 4" of fresh powder skiing at Snowmass

12/3

Skied snowmass. We were models for Basecamp Bar and Grill photoshoot. Included free drinks and delicious meal.

12/4

Skied snowmass in the morning and Aspen in the afternoon

12/7

Snowboarded Snowmass

12/8

Snowboarded Snowmass

12/9

Snowboarded Snowmass. Soaked in Penny Hot Springs, an undeveloped hot springs along a river. Made gingerbread houses

12/10

Skied snowmass, then xc skied at Ashcroft, up Castle Creek

12/11 

Skied snowmass. 6+" of pow!

12/13

Skinned up to the top of Big BUrn, then had very first tracks down. Then skied the lifts of the big burn area. Another 6" of pow

12/14

Skied snowmass

12/15

Skied snowmass. Powder day. Participated in a photo shoot. Work bought us drinks. PHotos of Elisha and I drinking in the game lounge. I filmed the comedian event that we attended. The collective has free weekly comedians.

12/16

Skied snowmass. Free comedy event. Beforehand we went out to 1/2 off ice cream from some coupons that we got.

12/17

Skied Ajax (Aspen Mountain). Had hot cocoa in this cool igloo thing

12/18 

Pow day ski at Snowmass

Offered the job with Arizona Game and Fish. So now a really tough decision

12/21

Skied at snowmass