Gary has taught skiing off and on for over 30 years, at first while a student at the University of Washington for Husky Winter Sports, then for Ingrid Simonson at the Alpental Ski School. He has taught for Ishikawa Pro Ski School in Nagano Japan. He owns a place in Whistler BC and has spent 12 seasons skiing 100+ day seasons in Whistler. He currently holds designations as PSIA Level 2 Alpine, Level 1 Telemark, and CSIA level 2. Gary’s self -designation is not just “Ski Instructor” but “Ski Bum Instructor,” and is proud to have corrupted many friends and colleagues to join him in the ranks of those who find the pursuit of the perfect powder day in good health far more appealing than a bigger paycheck. When he’s not skiing or riding his bike he manages rental properties for Windermere Property Management. We are drawn to the mountains, where we travel faster, see farther and are capable of extraordinary things.  To share that experience and build authentic friendships is why teaching skiing is the best minimum wage job I’ll ever have. Places to ski. Alpental: Steeper is better, and Alpental delivers. Just 50 minutes out of Seattle with the best night skiing in North America bar none.  One can ski at Alpental until 10pm. Chamonix:  All Ski bums need to flock to Chamonix for a season. Affordable accommodation is plentiful, the local bus is free to season pass holders. The local gastronomy will take all the money you have but the street vendors will keep your ski bum budget on track. Whistler: Gary will retire in Whistler and hopefully teach for the Whistler Blackcomb ski school until he moves into geriatric care. Whistler has the best of groomed hills, awesome back country, après ski culture and fine dinning. . Exotic Ski Vacation Recommendation: Gary has found himself in Verbier with friends and clients in multiple seasons over the last 20 years. Verbier never fails to deliver in amusement. One passes through Verbier on the Haute Route, a hut-to-hut tour that extends from Chamonix to Zermat. Nagano Japan: Not for extreme skiing but for a mind-blowing experience. The snow monkeys sit under the chair lifts, if you’re not careful they will climb hotel window, turn on the water, eat your food and then shit in your bed—all while you are skiing.Gary taught skiing in Nagano for Ishikawa Pro Ski School in 1999 Niiseko Japan Famous for its powder tree skiing. There are several resorts Risutsu and Hirafu being the best, they actually have an air nozzle for you to blow the powder off your clothes before you go into the lodge. Go with Gary in February to catch the Sapporo Ice Festival.