The Truth About Ski Town Affordability—and How to Ride Anyway
- mywickeddude
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
by Jordan Darcy
We all dream of the endless winter: wake up, shred pow, repeat. But behind the dreamy drone edits and ski bum hashtags is a harder truth:
Ski towns are expensive as hell.
Housing shortages, seasonal jobs, inflation, and resort-town gentrification are squeezing out the very people who make mountain culture what it is—riders, artists, creatives, and service workers.
Let’s get honest about why ski towns are breaking the bank—and how to still ride without selling your soul or your snowboard.
Why Are Ski Towns So Unaffordable?
1. Short-Term Rentals = Long-Term Wreckage
Airbnb and VRBO units are everywhere, turning year-round rentals into weekend cash machines. That’s great for property owners. Not so great for line cooks, lifties, or ski shop techs.
2. Luxury Developments for Non-Riders
New “ski-in, ski-out” condos keep popping up—for people who ski once a year, if that. They drive up prices but don’t feed the community.
3. Seasonal Jobs, Seasonal Pay
Many mountain jobs don’t offer year-round stability, benefits, or living wages. You’re expected to love the “lifestyle”—even if it means couch-surfing all winter.
4. Remote Work Boom
COVID shifted a ton of remote workers into mountain towns. The influx added tech money, higher bids for housing, and a loss of available rental stock.
5. Tourism > Locals
Towns prioritize tourists because they bring in dollars. Locals often end up second in line for everything—housing, healthcare, groceries, and even parking.
How to Afford Riding Anyway (Without Selling a Kidney)
It’s not easy, but mountain life is still possible with strategy, hustle, and a bit of sacrifice.
Get Creative with Housing
Split a house with 5+ roommates—messy? Yes. Cost-effective? Also yes.
Vanlife done right—insulated van, gym membership for showers, park respectfully.
Seasonal employee housing—apply early and expect the bare minimum, but it’ll get you started.
House sitting or bartering—offer dog-watching or house work in exchange for rent.
Pro tip: Local Facebook housing groups move fast. Have a post ready, with your vibe and references.
Work That Comes with Perks
Jobs with free passes or gear discounts are lifesavers.
Lifties, instructors, ski patrol = free mountain access
Baristas, bartenders, and hotel staff = tips + connections
Freelance remote work = ride in the AM, grind in the PM
Pick jobs with flexibility and perks over paycheck alone.
Thrift Your Gear, Not Your Stoke
Buy used. Seriously. Gear swaps, Facebook Marketplace, gear trade apps = treasure
Rent just what you need if you're starting out
Stickers, duct tape, mismatched gloves? That's authenticity, not lack
Ride in gear you trust, not what’s trending.
Build Your Crew = Share Everything
Carpool to the mountain
Swap gear and wax benches
Split Costco runs or communal dinners
Get a group pass or share multi-mountain passes where allowed
Community is your biggest budget hack.
Talk About It—Don’t Romanticize It
There’s this toxic narrative that if you really love skiing, you’ll sleep in a closet, eat ramen, and never complain.
Nah.
You can love the mountains and demand better.
That means:
Advocating for workforce housing
Supporting local businesses over chains
Calling out resort policies that push out locals
Uplifting BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and low-income riders who are already here, carving out space with grit and grace
Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Be Here
You shouldn’t have to be rich to ride. You shouldn’t have to own property to belong.
Mountain culture wasn’t built by billionaires—it was built by riders with duct-taped jackets, avalanche beacons, and dreams.
So keep showing up. Share what you’ve got. Speak up for your community. And remember: you belong in these mountains—affordable housing or not.
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