A life on the edge...

[Kadagar_AV]

YAOUWZA, and hello

As some might know, who has followed my posts over the years, I have a background primarily as ski instructor in the Austrian alps.

Some years ago, I gave that up to... well... grow up. I shaved, cut my hair, and took a job as a private school teacher at one of Sweden's finest schools. Shirt and tie every day, polished shoes... Oh how I hated it. I swear that putting on the tie felt like putting on my own hanging snare, each and every morning...

I just couldnt stand Stockholm, Sweden, anymore. After having spent so much time in the sunny alps, where people THRIVE, it was impossible to go back to a grey and boring lifestyle.

In Stockholm, everyone stressed around, mainly with depressed faces. People were only dressed in dark earth colours. Immigrant gangs roaming the streets, citizens walking around them with their eyes down, afraid that this is the time they get robbed.

Really, the whole atmosphere just brought me down... Down down down...

So, I gave the whole thing up. Also meant I had to break up with the love of my life (and fiance to boot!), shit happens huh?

Anyway, the eagle has landed.

Two days ago I arrived back in the town where it all began. The town that saved / ruined me forever, depending on perspective.

I mean to have this thread to update you, share some photos, answer questions about the skibum lifestyle, and maybe do a dare or two, who knows?

So basically, if you have any questions about this type of life that I live, then fire away.

I am located in one of Europe's cooler resorts, and have a pretty damn good insight in just about everything that happens in town. I am one of the most experienced ski instructors in town, and known to be one of the best skiers in town. And you know, this is Austria (SPARTA!!), it says something. People around here give babys skis as birth gifts, my friends baby already has 7 pairs of skis, and he isn't even 3 weeks old.

Anyway, as I said, I know how most things around here operate. The travel reps, hotel owners, bar owners, russian mafia, yugoslavian mafia, whore house... Over the years I have grown contacts into pretty much every branch of the town. This is because I as a private ski instructor often get asked to also function as local guide, or even "fixer".

Some things I will of course have to be "in general terms" about, but I am running my life 100% legal. Just so we got that clear.

Ok, 95% legal, I do walk across the road even if the sign is red

BTW, prostitution is legal here. Deal with it.

Anyway, here we go!

First impressions:

I arrived in town, and my place is a dump. It wasn't what was promised, at all. The place is under construction, and my bit still was a construction site.

Anyway, booked a hotel for 3 nights (know people there and got a really good price), and decided to deal with it.

Buuuuut... things are looking up. I have a small plan to turn the room into something really cool, with a projector and white screen, full surround sound, so I can watch films and play PS3 like in a movie theater.

Yeah, it will be SUCH a bachelors flat, but hey, it's only for 6 months, and I just plan to ski and have fun anyway.

Work...

I thought I would work at the usual place, but 3 more ski schools have opened up in town, and 2 of them are run by former colleagues of mine.

Yesterday actually made me quite happy, as I met two of them, and they both started to "fight" about who could give me the best deal. I am bragging now, but you must understand, in Austria you NEVER get told that you do a good job.

I know I am a good instructor, but to see these hardcore Austrian veteran instructors argue who would have me... I don't know, it made me proud. These guys do NOT tolerate Swedish guys who think they can ski, so to say. So to get respect from them as a foreigner is BIG.

Anyway, all for now!

Lifts will open friday, I plan to hit the slopes then. Will try and keep you updated, fire away with the questions if you have any.

This is a rather different lifestyle, and not many people have insight in what goes on behind the scene at a winter resort. I thought some of you might find it interestind, MRD's thread gave me the inspiration...

[Fragony]

I want these pics, imho you are not all that sexy at all judging from your posts, there has to be more to you than your total-autism in social skills and your unpleasant nature in general. Read as 'I want to see hot babes'

[Kralizec]

Not a decision that I would have made, but I'm usually indifferent towards life decisions made by grown adults as long as they don't affect me. More power to you, I suppose.

What's your age? I've always imagined you were in your early thirties or something, is that about right?

[Major Robert Dump]

I'll be curious to see if things have changed much with the world economy in a slag.

Also, even if you don't have to pay for it, I expect a market summary of the price schemes of the working girls in a PM

[Fisherking]

I take it, you are in Tirol?

[Kadagar_AV]

Quick update as I am about to go get my hair cut.

MRD, I can write down the rates here, official and unofficial, but I wont have time till later. About world economy, it is actually quite interesting here. Good question, I will go into depth about that later, as it has affected us in different ways than I think most would expect. Way easier for me to get a job, as an example. More tonight.

Fisherking, I wont disclose my location more than Austria. I will probably write some stuff that could offend people around me.

Kralizec, well, my life is mine. I was utterly depressed in Sweden living the ""normal" life there. I need the atmosphere that I have only found here, to make MY life worthwhile. Don't get me wrong, I am sure living on ~1500€ + tips isn't for everyone in their early thirties (as I am), but hey, if it floats my boat..

Here, I wake up with a big smile, excited about what the day will hold. What more can you expect from life, really?

[Andres]

I think it's great that you made this decision. Most people would simply stick to their current (boring) lives for a variety of reasons. You just brushed all of that aside and decided to go for what Kadagar_AV wants in live. And since you don't have a wife or kids (not that you know of... ), why wouldn't you leave Sweden and go chase your dreams? Who knows, perhaps within this and a few years, you have your own ski school, just like some of your former colleagues, a good Austrian wife who found a way to tame you and put you on a leash and a baby with 7 pairs of skis.

[drone]

I take it, you are in Tirol?

My guess is that he's in Lech, violating the female nobility.

[Kadagar_AV]

World economy and the valley:

2 factors together are working for us. First of all, ski vacations are generally the last thing people skip. I have found that people used to go on ski vacation once or more per year prefer to, say, give up the family's second car than cancel the ski trip.

The second factor is that Austria, thanks to the Euro plummeting and Austria being smart, are now pretty damn cheap compared to Switzerland or France, our two main competitors. Many families and groups who switch country from year to year, this year pick Austria as it is comparatively cheaper.

Basically, this town is experiencing a mini-gold rush.

3 more ski schools have opened just this vinter! That is... massive...


My day:

I shaved and went and got my hair cut. I feel that the world has changed a little, and not everyone accept a long haired ski instructor. I can always turn them to my side, but I don't feel like starting a lesson on minus, so to say.

I spent the day checking up the street credential of the 3 different ski schools I consider working for. I am down to 2 options:

1) The biggest ski school in town, where I have worked since 2001.
+ Used to it.
+ Well paid.
+ I know the unofficial boundaries.
+ I have a base of private guests.
+ Monthly paid.
- Been there done that.
- I have learnt all they have to teach me.
- Much work.

2) Smallest ski school in town, newly starting to accept instructors.

Basically, this ski school was run by a guy with a ski school license, but he was the only one working for himself. Now he wants me and maybe one more guy along, to start to expand. Also, he is getting older (60+) and possibly want someone to pass on his private guests to.
+ New challenge.
+ I can extend my list of private guests.
+ I think this guy has some things to teach me, he has spent his life on the mountain.
+ Opens up new connections in town.
- Possible loyalty issues with old work place?
- Possibly less paid as I get paid per hour I work, not per month. So my own ability to get guests will play in.
- Will lose some connections connected with former work place.

Hmmmm... Tricky tricky... I lean towards option 2 though. I mean, I AM winging my life anyway... Might as well go all in.



I also helped out at one of the ski rentals, renovating it. Or, well, helped out... I was Spotify DJ and sat in a couch drinking beer as they worked. Hey, it's not like I got paid. But yeah, I did help some when needed... These guys are great though, gives me super deals on equipment and help me look after my gear. I haven't sharpened the edges or waxed my own skis since 2001, my first year here.

The owner is getting the newest Go Pro Helmet Cam, so I will buy his old one (50€, a bargain!). So, expect a first person perspective from a ski run later!

I have yet to sort a camera, so pictures will have to wait...

I was down at the biggest bar in town today, DAMN one of the new bartender girls are hot. Dark hair, porcelain skin... Swedish BABE, and just soooooo cute...

Yeah, it took me all of 5 min to have her go with me on a private lesson as soon as slopes open... So yeah, odds are we'll play Twister. The owner of the bar will be furious though, me having sex with his bartenders have become more or less a tradition, and I promise him pretty much constantly that the last one was the last one. I'm not sure he believe me much any longer. In all fairness, it's not MY fault that he and I obviously have the same taste in girls. I'm not joking, every single year he hires someone that just make me... Whatevs ;)

Oh, and btw, this girl had a bad crash skiing when she was young, but now want to get back into it. As a professional ski instructor I will of course help her overcome her fears. On the mountain, I will be her safety net, the calm in the storm, her safety line... And yeah, when she comes down from the last run she will have a big smile on her face, and she will again have learnt to love skiing.

Just if anyone wondered just how interested she could possibly be in playing Twister.

Now it's soon 23:pm local time, time to hit the night life!