Working up at the mountain for the last month has been lots of hard work with some good fun mixed in. There are some quite good things about working up at the mountain like the amazing view, learning to snowboard for free and working with some really cool people from all over the world. Unfortuntaly the work itself, the long hours and the pay can’t be added to this list! So when I found out that I was working every day from my birthday right through the Christmas period I decided, well I decided not to! As a present to myself.
I don’t like quitting anything and over the last year I have quit a couple of things on my search for some sort of direction in my life. So yesterday as I was cycling to work at 6am in the dark (during a blizzard) I was thinking about why I was over here and what I wanted to achieve, which was to try different things and hopefully find that direction. I realised that on the days I was working I was out of the house for over 12 hours a day and getting paid minimum wage for only 7 of those hours due to the long commute and unpaid hours on lunch and waiting for busses. Plus working at the mountain was leaving me physically exhausted for all of the time I wasn’t working. So during that scary cycle to work my mind was made up – I should quit.
No complaints about the view!
People who get the most out of working up at the mountain and do it season after season (and alternate hemispheres “winter hopping” to do so) seem to live and breathe the job. They do it for the season pass and working seems to be all they do while they aren’t riding. As much as I enjoyed learning how to snowboard I was never going to get into it to that extent. I was trying to save money for a big roadtrip next year but doing it like this was sacraficing my enjoyment of the present.
So yesterday was my last day working at the mountain. I am now really looking forward to spending the holiday with my housemates and Richard’s family, who have kindly invited me to spend Christmas with them. As my first Christmas away from home I shall be missing my friends and family but feel so lucky to have good friends over here who have made me feel so welcome. And after my stint at the mountain I now have more friends to add to that list.
After Christmas I will start looking for another job and start the next chapter in my Canadian adventure.
morehawes
Thanks Charles, happy Christmas to you and Anne too!
Joe
First and foremost, I wanted to wish you a very Happy Christmas (and birthday). Secondly, I am full of admiration for you quitting the job and deciding to think again about what to do out there.
I very much hope that 2013 brings inspiration and excitement in whatever direction you take from here.
Love
Charles
Thanks all, though I shall miss some aspects of being up at the mountain.
CoO, I was surprised at how well I was picking it up so I hope to be back up there and one day be able to keep up with my friends – I have just been going solo while I learn so far. I tried cross-country skiing a couple of years ago and I found it hard and the most exhausting thing I have ever done. I don’t think my legs are meant to be in skis! Good luck!
I spent almost two seasons attempting to snowboard. At the end of it, my ‘more experienced’ ‘friends’ had abandoned me, so I abandoned snowboarding. That said, it does take practice. By the end, even I could turn and not fall on my arse every few seconds. There is hope for everyone.
I intend to try cross-country skiing in January, maybe even some snow shoeing. eXtreme-style.
Lovely to speak to you yesterday. I’m sure you are doing the right thing in quitting (while you are ahead, as they say!) Shall miss you like crazy on the 25th but hope you have a super time with your friends. love, Grnadma’
Good choice! š
Happy Christmas