It turns out that in Canada there are fewer openings for full-time heli-guides than there are applicants, so for the enterprising ski or snowboarding enthusiast who wants to eat, sleep and breathe the mountain, the list of potential jobs is long (snow maker, cat driver, lift operator, cafeteria chump…) but not necessarily distinguished.
That is, unless you are the all-expenses paid Snow Bum at British Columbia’s Sun Peaks Resort or the Powder Highway Ultimate Ski Bum in BC’s legendary Rocky Mountains.
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. British Columbia, home of some of the best skiing and snowboarding terrain on the planet, is offering not one but two mind-blowing opportunities to be a ski bum for three months in BC this northern winter, and is calling for applicants.
OPPORTUNITY A:
Sun Peaks, BC’s second-largest ski area (where the Austrian Olympic ski team train), has launched I Want To Be The Snow Bum, a chance for snow lovers to win an all-inclusive stay in BC’s interior mountains for the 2009/2010 Winter Season. The Snow Bum will spend three months decked out in new outerwear and equipment skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowmobiling, even dogsledding, and finding ways to spend food vouchers and flash his/her VIP and backstage passes to all resort events and functions—all whilst sleeping at the finest hotels in the area, of course.
• Who need apply: Anyone 19+ years of age
• Skills required: Intermediate snowboarding or skiing skills
• The fine print: The winner will be expected to brag—er, blog to the world about their “job” through a variety of social media outlets (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, and the official Snow Bum blog site)
• How to apply: A 60-second video is all it takes. Visit www.snowbumcanada.com before 15 November
OPPORTUNITY B:
The dream continues in BC’s Kootenay Rockies region with The Powder Highway Ultimate Ski Bum Blow Your Mind Contest. No agenda, no job, just snow, mountains, alpine lodging, and a road that links seven resorts, the highest concentration of snowcat and heli operations anywhere, endless glaciers, peaks, tree stashes and bowls all together. You’ll even be given a vehicle and petrol to get you around it all. This contest is global, but if an Australian become the Ultimate Ski Bum, s/he can take a mate to join in the fun for 10 days skiing or boarding at Panorama Mountain Village.*
• Who need apply: Anyone 19+ years of age
• Skills required: Must have valid drivers license
• The fine print: No fine print. Seriously, how cool is this opportunity?
• How to apply: An up-to 90-second video is all it takes. Visit www.powderhighway.com before 22 November
* “Take a mate” deal valid for Australian residents only who enter a youtube.com video that mentions Ski Tours Canada will be eligible to win. Applicants must enter the competition via www.skitourscanada.com.
For more information on travelling to BC visit www.BritishColumbia.travel.
