Unless you are a ski town employer on an exceptional powder day or the significant other of a dedicated skier who may choose skiing over spending time with you … I would have to say no.
A “ski bum” is really just someone that has chosen a lifestyle that includes a whole lot of skiing. Instead of skiing around their work schedule, they tend to work around their skiing. Often working extra long hours during the summer, and night jobs and/or part-time jobs during the winter; they spend as much time as possible searching out and passionately enjoying good snow. It is simply a lifestyle choice, and after a decade of living in the mountains, I would honestly have to say that they are just about the happiest people I know.
I look forward to reading Instant Karma: The Heart and Soul of a Ski Bum after reading some great reviews.
One thing I did find amusing in the product description …
“Wayne Sheldrake examines his place in the close community of ski bums, people who give up normality to live on their own terms”.
If someone can fill me in on what defines “normality”, I would really love to know.