What is the first thing to come to mind when you hear “bum”? A down and out, dirty wino, warming his hands over a burning barrel, searching for the next meal and hoping to find shelter wherever he can? Often we hear “bum” to describe someone who is lazy or a freeloader. If this is what comes to mind, then what about a ski bum? Also one who searches for his/her next meal, sleeping on any couch, or floor that will allow, yet spends any free time or money on the slopes? How did this term come around, because most people that have earned the label as a ski bum are far from lazy? These are people who commonly work 2-3 jobs to make ends meet, so they can take advantage of what they love most when they are not working. They are so motivated by the mountains, that they will search out the jobs and careers that will maintain their mountain lifestyle. Are they really bums or successful achievers?

Dan Wycoff is a classic case of a person who has been crowned with this moniker but is the farthest from a bum. He is a clean shaven, put together, hardworking 43 year old, who caught mountain fever on a college ski trip to a snowy Jackson Hole in the late 80s. Like many Midwesterners or East Coasters who come out west for the first time see white (versus street side brown) snow, the feel the glide on powder after a life on slick slopes, and that the sky really can be blue in winter, Dan, now living in Bozeman, realized he “just wanted to ski.”

When Dan returned to Pittsburgh from Jackson Hole, there was nothing else on his mind but how to get back to the mountains. Before the times of being able to enter “best affordable ski town” into a Google search, Dan subscribed to Utah newspapers and rummaged through ski magazines to plan his next move. Dan relates, “I just realized I was going. When I got back I researched where in the US had the most snow and I found out it was Alta, Utah.” His family was luke warm about the idea, but his mom was fairly supportive having an adventurous spirit herself. Her one motherly request was he takes out a life insurance policy before making his journey to the hills.

With a crisp and newly printed insurance card in hand, Dan made the trip to Utah landing in Park City. It might be hard to believe this town was once labeled an affordable and livable town. He found and worked multiple resort jobs being ideal with their flexible hours and the ever so attractive season pass. The resort jobs allowed Dan to ski mid week, avoiding tourist crowd, and at the time was the perfect ski life. Dan spent two seasons in Park City achieving the goal he set out to reach, skiing as much as he could. In the summer he worked as much as possible to supplement his winter passion. He found a niche and lucrative living by selling concert t-shirts touring the country. This is no job for the weary – long drives around the country, all fueled by the motivation to have money for the ski season.

During Dan’s stint in Park City working as a bellman at a resort hotel, he met his future wife Joan. After their second season, it seemed like it was time to go back to Pittsburgh and to pursue more “steady” work and for Joan to finish her graduate work. That did not last long. One evening Joan came home to find Dan scouring the road atlas and he simply said, “I hear MSU has a great graduate program in school counseling.” In 1993 Dan and Joan moved to Bozeman and have been skiing as locals ever since.

“I have never had a day job in my life,” admits Dan as he reflects on how he made ends meet after moving to Bozeman. He knew he wanted his days free to be on the mountain. He started off working a variety of positions from local retail and pizza shops to finally, bartending. Dan has been the bar manager of the Dry Fly Saloon at Bozeman’s Holiday Inn for over 16 years. (How many bums, let alone other professionals, have held the same position for more than a few years, let alone 16?) Early in his Bozeman residency he would count his ski days a year. Long gone are those days, because he always loses count and now finds himself counting vertical feet. It is a good thing Dan’s Mom advised him on the insurance policy. When asked about any ski injuries or broken bones, Dan admits, “I have broken them all. I’ve broken 19 bones and dislocated my shoulder.”

Over the years Dan has found company with a circle of ski buddies who also work their careers around the season. They sport handles like Pork Chop and his pals will holler at him as Dano. They too work diligently in seasonal fields such as construction, cement, and summer guiding, to free up their winter to ski. Dan and his crew all realize they could double their earnings by working different jobs or work year round, but the freedom to ski is not replaceable.

Twenty some years after his decision to make a life out west, Dan still has family and friends that call him a ski bum. The mentality to work multiple jobs to accommodate a fixation is not just limited to the skier. Bozeman has its share of anglers, climbers, paddlers, and bikers that all too often get the label of bum though they all seem to have found the secret to success.

Becky Warren is a freelance writer but pays her bills working as a software professional. When she is not working she enjoys skiing, hiking, cooking and traveling, which are often topics of her written work.