Ski Bum-The Book.

A curated collection of the world’s best ski photography.

Fresh July 2024.

Ski Bum.

The new book from Sam Masters, author of “The Story of New Zealand Freeskiing”, “Ski Bum” comes from a parallel universe where everyone is friends on a powder day. A utopia where it makes perfect sense to be hopelessly addicted to something that falls out of the sky. A world where the truth never stands in the way of a good line…

There is only one suitable backdrop for the titanic trials and triumphs of the ski-bum lifestyle: a curated collection of the world’s best ski photography. Filled with shocking tales from the interplanetary snow bohemians and dedicated powder fiends propping up the bar in your local ski resort.

With Sam launching his new book on Saturday 27th of July, at the appropriately named location of Evil Genius, Ferry Rd, Christchurch, I peppered the man himself with dumb questions to find out more.

Order your copy here.

https://www.skibumlife.me.

"Being a ski bum is a calling, a vocation, a pleasure, and – at times – a desperate need."

What was the motivation behind publishing a second book on the skiing life?

Sam: Like any creative endeavour, making a book is one of the funnest things you can do. You can just dream up anything and make it real. Ski Bum started with me thinking: I wonder if I can convince my favourite ski photographers to entrust me with the cream of their life’s work? Most of them “got it” straight away – especially the ones who had been to New Zealand!

Was it hard to pry stories out of ski bums or were they just waiting for someone to listen?

Some stories demanded to be told – and I think their owners felt this even where the memories were painful or bittersweet. Others required a bit of midwifery – mainly because people were too modest and thought no one would be interested in their life.

One theme that emerged very powerfully was the Yin & Yang nature of a life spent in the mountains. There is always a measure of tragedy mixed in with the best of times… I started out writing a book about being a ski bum but I now realise it’s more about following your dreams, and the nature of being human. If that doesn’t sound too wanky!

As your second book, what learnings from your first book did you put to good use here?

Everything is changing all the time. I thought I knew what I was doing but had to change up my approach for Ski Bum from gathering the material (with a global audience), social media (going from photos to video), and sales & distribution. A steep learning curve.

It came to the surface pretty quickly over beers with Dylan (Designer), Alex (Kingswood skis) and Dean MacKenzie (multiple NZ photographer of the year).

Given the rising cost of living, do you think the ski bum existence is under attack?

It always has been. If it was easy everyone would do it.

Or has this prompted the development of more complex cons & scams in order to survive?

Simon Guthrie: “The best thing about social media is that I have a couch anywhere in the world.”

Maybe there is less scamming and more collaboration?

Is there an annual income upper limit when trying to qualify for Ski Bum status?

It’s a state of mind, not a number… Now, where did I put the keys for the Bentley?

The truth is always nice. But only for other writers.

Andreas Fransson (regrettably no longer with us) – the most interesting writer on skiing. Alex Guzman – me old mate and photographer who appears to have dropped off the face of the earth…

Champagne, books available for purchase, some nibbles, a short speech, giveaways, then dance the night away!

Will you be signing books, babies or fiveheads?

Anything by request!

Order your copy of Ski Bum here.

https://www.skibumlife.me/

Ski Bum would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsor http://monsroyale.com

$5 per book will be donated to http://edenprojects.org to help reforest Madagascar. $12,000 was donated from the previous book “The Story of New Zealand Freeskiing” which planted over 50,000 trees!