Shazaaaaaam Ya’ll! Today is your lucky day because I’m going to bring you some of the most important info I could possibly think of to make your life as a ski bum more bearable, and it has to do with a mansion. Well at least a mansion in my mind….I mean…..well basically what I meant to say is that you won’t be sleeping in your car this time so pay attention! The Pad is by far the quintessential point of success in a world of ski bums and bunnies and you just scored a room for $150 US/month sharing a house with 9 other dudes and one girl you met at the farmers market this summer. SCORE! So what is a pad?

? Definition of a “Pad”: Slang: One's apartment or room.

I completely understand that you are overwhelmed right now. The fact that you don’t have to fall asleep with the odor of your ski boots, 3 day old socks, and the burrito you just ate from 7 eleven is quite the concept. Take a deep breath, relax and let’s begin the preparations necessary to make your new room into a humble abode for the winter.

These are the items you will need:

• Ski posters – inspirational tools hung and taped in random spots on your walls. If you can’t afford posters cutting out magazine pages will suffice.
• TV/DVD Player – To watch favorite videos from Falling Forward Films, The Powderwhores and Unparalleled Productions.
• Therma Rest – You are living like a complete king now…you must have a soft spot to snuggle on with your significant other that you met shredding the park or backcountry.
• Tuning Table – So you might not be able to afford a nice table with vices, who cares? Set up a piece of lumber between two chairs in the corner and you have got a place to wax.
• Alarm Clock – You gots to wake up on time to keep that dishwashing job at the lodge otherwise you lose your pass…and no pass means no POW.
• Extra Blankets – Always a key item to have, because spending more money on your heating bill means less money to spend on ski gear, food, and road trips.

It’s so good to share stuff like this with all you young schralpers out there…it seems like yesterday that I was just learning this stuff from other Gurus like myself, and it has paid off big. Face shots are what keep one happy all year long and these are the tips that will keep your mouth full of POW all the time. So until next time… “keep it cheap or get it free!”