The title says it all.

Every time I meet someone new the conversation always goes the same way:

Person: 'So, how long are you here for?'
Stu: 'Oh, I'm here for the season then doing a road trip through the US.'
Person: 'Okay, so what are you doing here?'
Stu: 'I'm snowboarding.'
Person: 'Yeah, but what sort of work are you doing?'
Stu: 'No, I'm just snowboarding.'
Person: 'I don't understand...'

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Since quitting work in September I haven't worked a day, and I can safely say, it's better than you can imagine. The feeling of getting up whenever you want and having absolutely nothing you have to do that day, it's really liberating. I can't think of a more stress-free lifestyle in the world, and when you combine it with something you love - snowboarding - it makes for an awesome existence.
I'm just past 40 days on the hill for the season, and while the conditions may have been less than ideal in recent weeks, it's still fantastic up there and the desire to ride every day hasn't waned at all. Progression is what keeps it interesting, learning a new trick, bombing a tree run that previously took ages to get down, getting the nose higher on a shitty tail-press, as long as you keep improving it stays fresh and fun.

The obvious downside is the hit to the bank account, and anyone in Revelstoke will attest that work is nigh on impossible to come by, even halfway into the season, which makes for an interesting trip. But the cost of living in the town is so small - riding on the hill each day, all you pay for is a sandwich in the backpack and the petrol (gas) it takes to get to the hill and back, and if you want to rock it super cheap, get the free shuttle instead.

Everyone makes sacrifices to ride a full season, whether it's working a shit job in town, putting your normal life on hold for six months or watching the bank account take a massive slashing; but the end result, if you love snowboarding like everybody here does, is definitely worth it.