Oh the Wonderful People You'll Meet...

So there is something fascinating with the dominate culture(s) of ski resorts, specifically in contrast to the broader American culture that ski resorts set themselves up in contrast to. We always talk about "real jobs" or "when I'm done..." as a means of setting this time and place as separate from the rest of the culture, a counter voice to the scream head that can be American materialism.

Read the rest...
Here (e.g. ski resorts) there is an intentional focus on "play" and "fun" with the passing acknowledgement that such foci means a nominal pay check (maybe it should be called a "play check?). There is a continual understanding that we are all doing this for "fun" or "to feel alive" or "to feel complete and happy." But there are still a variety of reasons we find ourselves here.

Most of the people who work here fall into a couple of dominate mindsets... the first are the "uber-skiiers." These are the folks that came out here solely to ski- skiing is part of the reason all of us came out but these folks show a worshipful devotion to the sport. They find no greater joy than skiing that hard line (specifically when others cannot), becoming the best skiier possible, and pursuing as much of the white stuff as possible. Skiing is the be-all and end-all of life and their jobs here are simply ways to get to the purest form of that life (oddly enough sounds kind of like drugs right now doesn't it?) Needless to say that isn't why Meg and I are here. We like thinking too much and, to be honest, don't like skiing enough. I like skiing, I really do, but some mornings I want to sleep in or read a book... not something these folks think about.

In addition to the "uber-skiiers" are the short term drifters-the gap year folks. These people tend to include most of our international contingency (Aussies en masse, Brits by the bunch, and even some folks from South America-who knew Peruvians skiied as much as they do!). They are normally late teens and early twenties, seeking to find themselves in the world... though they more often find themselves in a beer bottle. They tend to be the dominate group here (the drones of the ski resort hive). Loud and voracious, they live in the moment, forgoing future responsibilities and concerns to pursue their dreams of... well they aren't totally sure yet.

Another group like these short term-ers are the long term employees/drifters. These folks find this work the pinnacle of their existence and their relationship to the mountain is similar to that of a lover. They have fallen in love (quite literally sometimes it seems) with the place, and like all lovers, they willingly forgo the unnecessary frills of life to be with him/her (a car, a house, a person to love them back) in order to be with their lover. These are the folks who put in 35 years at a resort because, for them, it is the utmost life has to offer. This group includes those who do back to back seasons in the USA and Australia/New Zealand. One of my co-workers has done back to backs for 8 years in a row now- that's 17 seasons... and 8 years of winter. wow.

Then there is a small, marginal group who don't fit quite so well into any of the above mentioned groups. This is where we tend to find ourselves. This last group tends to be later twenties to early thirties and previously held respectable jobs and positions only to leave for a variety of reasons. Those of us in this group are a bit more "normal" than the rest, as we've had to spend at least some time assimilating to society, and we are an ultimately short term designation. We either are trying this lifestyle out (at which point in time we begin to fall in love or out of love with the mountain) or are doing this as a break from our "other" lives.

Because of this vague and varied staff, the culture of this place is very open and accepting (as are almost all drifter communities) but it is also a culture that lacks direction. If I feel critical of dominate American culture for its zealousness in success, gain, and goal-driven mentality, then I am equally critical of this culture in its antithesis. While broader society seeks happiness in materialism or success, here happiness is found in fun or escaping from broader society. It strikes me that being aimless, goal-less, and hedonistic are as meaningless as being materialistic. Perhaps instead I can find meaning and value in a tempered middle, where work and goals are present but not the entirety of life and where there exists a counter-rhythm (seeking fun, exploring, relaxing) without becoming aimless.

But then again, maybe being content and finding joy in life runs separate to vocation and calling, maybe it's just the ability to be happy where I am... not worrying about what else I could be doing.