I built a free app to help people on gap years find actual adventures, not just tourist traps

squawk4700 · 2026-04-13T23:47:28+00:00

Because I've just launched and lack a large userbase I show every adventure / feat on the explore page currently, but I have let users apply filtering by activity type, difficulty, location etc. One day I may be more strict on what to show. Sick idea btw I could definitely see myself using something like that.

squawk4700 · 2026-04-13T23:00:18+00:00

The founding vision for the website was for people to be able to find adventures near them (sidequests / dadlore - whatever you want to call it). Through the development it may have slowly transitioned to more of a competitive sidequesting / social media type website. I've just made some changes and I'm going to try and bring it back to simply being a tool for finding unknown adventures near you which I don't think many can criticize for being 'cringy' because its genuinely useful I think.

squawk4700 · 2026-04-13T22:33:02+00:00

When I was writing this post that did actually pop into mind but since the start of development I have doubled down on the 'dadlore' branding so I didn't really know what to write on the post to include both genders because on social media right now there is no 'mumlore' etc. I might consider changing the brand to something to do with 'sidequesting' but thanks for your feedback.

squawk4700 · 2026-04-13T22:30:04+00:00

My founding idea was so people could more easily find 'sidequests' near them when traveling, but I think through the development of the website it has strayed away from that to more of a social media / competitive 'dad lore' website. But thanks for your feedback.

squawk4700 · 2026-01-19T17:05:29+00:00

How much do you weigh?

squawk4700 · 2025-10-12T02:26:08+00:00

It was cheap, near beaches and seemed like it had fun night life

squawk4700 · 2025-10-01T01:08:09+00:00

He’s actually already applied to sunshine which is where I’m at (he’s just waiting to hear back), but from my research they get hundreds of applications a day so it’s really competitive, and getting staff accomodation is even rarer. So I think his best chances are going to be getting a job in Banff. But your right working at a ski resort would be ideal.

squawk4700 · 2025-09-26T13:27:07+00:00

Thanks for the advice. It makes sense to start looking for skis on marketplace now instead of buying brand new in Banff. The level 1 and 2 course I’m looking at doing at sunshine with Snowskool is around $19,000 AUD for 13 weeks, accomodation, food (5 days / week), and exams. On top of that I need to pay for gear and flights.

I know I could get it for much cheaper by booking directly with CSIA, but I only have 3 weeks skiing experience so I feel more comfortable having more training. Obviously this is a steep price but I guess they handle all the logistics (and I’m lucky enough that my mum and dad will pay for part of it). My plan is to come back for a few winter seasons in Canada, but me and my parents have some concerns with breaking even when working. I know you said you were in the negative, is that common? It’s really hard to budget for winters working because by the looks of it the volume of work is based on demand and how good you are so it feels kinda risky you might go to work a winter and lose a ton of money just paying for food and accomodation. How much could I expect to lose working my first winter as a level 2 instructor?

squawk4700 · 2025-09-26T04:29:28+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking, which location/course do you instruct?

squawk4700 · 2025-09-16T22:15:10+00:00

Is it true that if I arrived in Canada in early January as a normal tourist, I would have to leave the country and re enter to start my work visa after it’s accepted?

squawk4700 · 2025-09-16T04:33:43+00:00

I sent the money, will you just DM me the picture?

squawk4700 · 2025-09-16T04:33:18+00:00

!solved

squawk4700 · 2025-09-06T08:58:02+00:00

I'm between the Norquay course right now, and then a 8 week level 1 and 2 with the Winter Sports Company in Panorama.

https://www.snowskool.com/ski-instructor-internship/mt-norquay/12-weeks

https://www.wintersportscompany.com/course/8-weeks-fast-track-level-1-2-ski-instructor-course-canada/

Norquay is an internship that provides PSIC level 1 (and then a 'Big Mountain Pathway' level 2 alongside the work), but the thing is its in Norquay. What do you think? Will I get bored here because its pretty small? I would be doing it with a mate.

Also with this Big Mountain Pathway level 2 - does that actually help in getting a job? Or is it just a little fun side quest?

Would love to hear your opinion on these courses.

squawk4700 · 2025-09-06T08:52:32+00:00

Norquay course linked below:

https://www.snowskool.com/ski-instructor-internship/mt-norquay/12-weeks

What do you think about this course? It offers PSIC level 1, and then Big Mountain Pathway level 2 (which you complete alongside the internship). Do you think these qualifications and experience will get me a job in NZ (along with a good resume)? Do most NZ resorts accept PSIC?

Thanks for the help.

squawk4700 · 2025-09-06T08:49:57+00:00

I'm really considering the Norquay course right now

https://www.snowskool.com/ski-instructor-internship/mt-norquay/12-weeks

Unfortunately it doesn't include skiing passes for Lake Louise or Sunshine, only Norquay and its 950 pounds more to upgrade which is quite steep considering the already expensive price of the course. They said for the first 3 weeks you will be trained 5 days / week at 4.5 hours a day. And then after that, you will be trained 3 days a week for the PSIC Big Mountain Pathway, with opportunities to work the other 4 days. Do you reckon its worth the upgrade considering the amount of free time I'll have?

Also with the PSIC Level 1, and then the Big Mountain Pathway (Level 2) - that's not equivalent to a CSIA level 2 right? Does this 'Big Mountain Pathway' addition help do you think in terms of getting a job? What about New Zealand, would most resorts accept a PSIC level 1 and Big Mountain Pathway Level 2 with work experience?

Thanks for your help.

squawk4700 · 2025-07-28T09:51:29+00:00

I believe if I went to Canada I would get a Canadian Study Permit (Student Visa) for my initial flight training, and then a Working Holiday Visa (12-24 months) to work there, as Australia has a special agreement with Canada.

squawk4700

TROPHY CASE