Pro skier definition

[jackstraw]

I have several friends that competed in pro skiing events like the pro mogul tour, but they sure as hell didn't make enough money to survive on that alone, but they were certainly professional skiers.

Probably like many in here, other friends were in ski flicks and they didn't make shit either. I'd say they were never considered "pro" because they didn't compete and had day jobs. I'd say more "spansered" than "pro".

Very few have pulled off the pro ski gig without competing. Plake may be the guy who's gone or went the longest.

[Brownski]

In the old days it would be easy. People that appeared in that year’s major ski movies were the pros, right? It’s all diffused now with influencers and wannabes. I think anybody with major sponsorship who makes enough to ski full time all winter deserves to be called a pro. A summer job doesn’t have to disqualify. But it’s probably like being the boss. If you have to declare that you’re in charge, you’re not.

[dunfree]

If you get any kind of compensation, just once in the year, for being rad you are a pro.

[Harry]

When MiCol was cleaning out his Big Sky condo he gave me an old, beat to shit OG Freeride Systems jacket from his early days. Value = priceless. I think since I received something of great value in exchange for being a fun guy to ski with, that makes me a brofessional skier.


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[MakersTeleMark]

Is a pro patroller a pro skier? What about someone on the national team?

[The SnowShow]

Do pro skiers have a 401k? What the hell do they do after 30 when it’s on to the next?

[JayPowHound]

For a legit answer I would look to the pre Dream Team olympic standards that required Olympic athletes to be amateurs.

Tyson and Holyfield were in the '84 Olympics as "amateurs" and then quickly went "Pro" and were no longer eligible.

Is it about the money you make, or the circuits you compete on?

My guess is a combo of both.

FWT = "Pro" Freeride skiers.

WC = "Pro" Ski Racers.

If anyone is making a living filming and not working another job I would also consider that "Pro".

Then you have "Pro" patrolers, instructors, etc. These people are paid to ski full time, but most have summer jobs.

I understand this is a distinct difference in Europe among these categories.

[XXX-er]

IME skiing is different than working while on skis

[Buzzworthy]

Who else has a ski flick poster autographed phUnk?

[ötzi]

It all comes down to spancers.

[muted reborn]

This is not hard.

If you get income from skiing for entertainment. Even if it is partial income. You are a professional.


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Well, it must be hard to figure out because IMO you are wrong.

I think I read somewhere (probably here) that even most of the "pros" one idolizes in the movies, actually pay to be featured in said ski movie.

Basically outside of the Shiffrin's, Olofson's and Hall's of the world, outside of some free gear and some modest competition money, most are being funded by sponsors otherwise known as Mom and Dad.

This isn't right. Sponsors pay for their athletes to be in movies, not the skiers themselves. And most are not being funded by Mom and Dad, although some are.

I’m today’s world of skiing (and snowboarding), if you signed a contract, make more than a couple thousand dollars a year, and are NOT an Instagram influencer, you can be considered pro.

In the old days it would be easy. People that appeared in that year’s major ski movies were the pros, right?

Not at all. If your profession is skiing (aka as a 'professional' your 'profession' is skiing) and that's it, you are a pro. If not, you are semi-pro. In other sports you would be called an amateur. I kinda like how skateboarding use to (maybe still does?) make a big deal going from amateur to pro. Skiing is a blurred line on who is who. In the big picture it really, really doesn't matter but it's weird how the general ski public thinks anyone who gets a free couple pair of skis must be a pro.

[CarlMega]

Guy I know was a pro skier. Never raced. He did magazine covers, photography and a bit of writing IIRC. He was an OG, maybe an outlier of his times.

In the old days, I'd be thinking along the lines of someone who makes their money racing pro-level/endorsements but I think those horizons are significantly broader nowadays. Good on for anyone who can make it work, unless you kill homeless people. That seems excessive and unnecessary.

[Garbowski]

Is a pro patroller a pro skier? What about someone on the national team?

I guess it's semantics of 'Pro' vs professional and if steeze is a factor. If that's your primary job and you make it work supporting yourself, then I say you can call yourself pro. National team racer living with Mom and Dad no. Living in the parking lot wrangling toddlers on skis yes. Made your money shredding your knees on film and own a brewpub now, yes.

[Aldo]

Ken Quackenbush was a pro, the previously mentioned woman, not so much.


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[SumJongGuy]

So you're not a professional barista if your Starbucks job doesn't pay a living wage and you have to tend bar a couple hours a week too?

I don't think full self sufficiency is/should be a requirement. If you're paid to do what you do because you are good at it, better than many at it, you're a professional at whatever that is.... even if you're only doing it part time or take a season or three off.

[MakersTeleMark]

So you're not a professional barista if your Starbucks job doesn't pay a living wage and you have to tend bar a couple hours a week too?

I don't think full self sufficiency is/should be a requirement. If you're paid to do what you do because you are good at it, better than many at it, you're a professional at whatever that is.... even if you're only doing it part time or take a season or three off.

Agree. See snomo/raft guides. My old buddy used to say that he was a professional recreationalist.

[SumJongGuy]

And what kind of payment/swag makes a college athlete ineligible and considered pro? Much lower bar than fully self sufficient and not needing to do anything else..

[JimmyCarter]

And what kind of payment/swag makes a college athlete ineligible and considered pro? Much lower bar than fully self sufficient and not needing to do anything else..

Is that making them pro or just making them lose amateur status?

[MakersTeleMark]

This is one of those things that can be defined in reverse.

I know an amateur when I see one.

[XXX-er]

Local gal ( very photogenic) had a racing back ground, great skier, looks great on skis, also has > a doz magazine covers, did ski TV, womens camps, Rossi send her skis/ clothing every year and a she is genuinely nice person

I seem to rmeber seeing her in a hotub sipping wine as a part of the ski experience at some resort or cat ski op

we trusted her to enter our pickup DH team in the local race and she called it " the Rose between 2 thorns " which is totally true, she beat all the women and almost all the guys

[SumJongGuy]

Is that making them pro or just making them lose amateur status?

An athlete is either pro or amateur.

[MakersTeleMark]

An athlete is either pro or amateur.

But does a pro skier have to be an athlete?

[SumJongGuy]

But does a pro skier have to be an athlete?

Depends, are they on a treadmill?

[Viva]

So, like male porn stars sorta?

At least they have access to fluffers.

[Core Shot]

Seeing a lot of overlap with the professional porn star definition.

Until it pays all your bills, it’s just a hobby.