Important Things to Know Before Moving to a Ski Town

Moving to a ski town can be one of the most exhilarating things a person who enjoys winter can do in life at any age. The crisp mountain air, opportunities for fresh tracks when the rest of the world is still trying to make their way into town in the morning on a powder day, and the ability to get in some runs before or after work daily are immense draws for any skier or rider. While making the move to a ski town can be well worth it, potential transplants should be aware of some of the unique prospects living in a ski town comes with.

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The first aspect movers will need to keep in mind is the severe affordable housing shortage many ski towns are struggling with. While many communities have recently built or are in the process of building income restricted housing and limiting or outright banning short term rentals, most ski towns boast exorbitant real estate prices and high rent relative to local earning potential. If you are employed by the ski resort, you may qualify for employee housing. Employee housing conditions vary, but during the ski season most employees can expect to share a bedroom with at least one or more roommates.

On the note of ski seasons, everything in a ski town revolves around the weather. Ski season is of course the busiest time period, bringing in an influx of both tourists as well as foreign workers. The population of popular ski towns has been known to quadruple during peak winter weekends such as on Christmas and Presidents Day weekend. When the snow begins to melt, the tourists stop coming and the majority of the foreign student workers leave, ushering in a period known as “mud season.” During mud season, most of the bars, restaurants, and ski resorts close temporarily. When summer sets in, a new group of student workers come in and tourism takes back its place as the driving force in town. Before the snow starts to fall again, there is typically a second mud season in the fall where non-essential operations are paused.

Along with securing a place to live, finding a job that allows you ample time to ski and snowboard is also essential. Many ski resort jobs require you to work when the resort is open, leaving little time to actually get to enjoy what you’re moving there for. The most desirable jobs are the ones that you can work in the evening, leaving ample time to chase the powder during the day. Working at the ski resort generally gets you a free ski pass, as well as amazing discounts on gear, lodging and food. Some positions offer opportunities to ski both on and off the clock. Regardless, midweek days off are the norm and one can easily find themselves alone on the mountain when all the tourists have gone home to their daily routines.

Ski towns are inherently expensive. Many ski towns are located a distance from a major metro area, making shipping costs higher. Ski towns also cater to tourists that come in ready to spend money, so your trip to the grocery store or gas station will come at a premium. Many ski town residents will make weekly or monthly trips down to a larger city in order to stock up on non-perishable supplies in an effort to combat the tourist prices. 

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On the subject of transportation, many ski towns offer extensive (and often free) public transportation. Having a car provides the freedom to roam, but when a winter storm hits and drops 2 feet of snow over the course of a night the bus or shuttle very well might end up being the better option. Some ski towns can also be hours away from the nearest hospital, airport, or other big city amenity.

While having the ability to ski daily and live and play in the mountains is certainly a blessing, the isolation and lack of evening activities can be challenging for some used to a faster pace of life. Many ski resorts are not open in the evening, leaving a lack of activities outside of bars and restaurants in many small ski communities. Creating a strong social structure and embracing the outdoors outside of resort operating hours is a remedy for many ski town residents. 

Ski towns tend to be transient places, with many residents only staying for a few months at a time. While this can lead to difficulty in creating long lasting relationships, the turnover allows for opportunities for rapid job growth and the ability to learn from and make new friends constantly. While most people think of ski towns as sleepy laid-back places, the lifestyle attracts people with a zest for life and adventure. The ever changing nature of these places can create the illusion of time moving at lighting speed and standing still all at the same time. One thing’s for sure, though—there’s no place else like a ski town.