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Who dreams of being a pro for real?

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Mr.Bishop
Posts: 22708 - Karma: 76,633
So like most of my time skiing I dreamed of only one thing - being a pro.

Hell, I'll admit it now - but I only gave up on that dream in like maybe 2008? It was way after I'd started to pretend to have given up. Way after starting to work at NS. I actually only took the job at NS because I didnt' know what the fuck to do with my life and needed some money.

However, I dreamed day in and day out that I would be a professional skier. I trained, I competed, I tried to film... and frankly it was fucking awesome.

I never really was actually good enough to make it, and that was the hardest thing to admit. Of course, I always look back on it as the single greatest decision I ever made... I decided to follow my passion.

Of course, I ended up with this job - which is a pretty sweet side effect of following the pro dream if you ask me.

But enough of me lamenting and gushing - what about you? Do you want it?

Dec 19 2012 10:56PM
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BlackCupid
Posts: 1533 - Karma: 9
Being a pro skier does not sound like a fun job. The risk of injury destroying your livelihood is just too high. I'd much rather just ski for fun.
Dec 21 2012 2:34PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
This is the conclusion I came to when I was 14. My dream is know to be a backcountry guide, I know you have to work really hard and for long time to complete the qualifications. But I'm never happier than when I'm skiing pow.
Dec 21 2012 2:38PM
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FreezerKid
Posts: 744 - Karma: 274
skiing is meant to be fun, traveling with my mates having so much fun on the mountain, doing what i want not what others tell me to, therefore dont think being a professional comp skier would be for me could definatly cope with the filming side of it, but ideally have a job that allows me to ski a load and also have a decent income to do other things
Dec 21 2012 3:05PM
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mski
Posts: 4791 - Karma: 3,803
I feel like it started that way, and was the fire under my ass to get involved with the community. I feel like it was one of those things you knew you wanted to shoot for, but mostly because you have so much fun doing it. I think I always knew i'd never "go pro" or anything like that. I really enjoyed competing in the local rail jams/big airs and USASA slope style and pipe competitions, I would advise anyone and everyone to get out and compete. Even if your not a pro contests are a great way to put you in a situation to push yourself. Plus, unlike many other sports out there, everyone is cheering one another on.

I have not competed in several years, but I look back on my time as a "comp" skier with fond memories. I may not have been pro, but I had a helluva time
Dec 21 2012 3:11PM
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amo
Posts: 6709 - Karma: 1,248
I once dreamt that I was pro. I woke up though
Dec 21 2012 4:02PM
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czavell
Posts: 136 - Karma: 735
Definatley my dream. I realised recently that I am just gonna try to learn as much as possible and have as much fun and see where it puts me. I am not gonna stress and just let it play out. Skiing i all I want to do.
Dec 21 2012 4:20PM
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TotallyTrevor
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,364
When I first got into park skiing I thought for sure I could be pro.  That was when I was 13 and until I was 17 I just wanted to be the best skier at my hill and only skied with my one or two friends and got really upset if I saw someone do tricks that I couldn't.  My senior year of high school I started skiing with the other skiers at my hill and we started a crew and skiing got way more fun and I started to get better.

Haven't thought about being pro in 4 or 5 years now but I certainly think I might be able to weasel my way into the industry and do something awesome for the next decade or two!
Dec 21 2012 9:41PM
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TheMafia
Posts: 316 - Karma: -85
Not really at all. Most pro's end up off the radar and get treated like shit by the industry just because of their skill. Most friendships in the industry are based off of what you can do for me and vice versa.
Dec 21 2012 9:50PM
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AidanCski
Posts: 420 - Karma: 860
Yeah - I totally agree. And to be honest, no offense to the pros reading this right now, ( I don't know this for a fact ) but most pro's probably have to get another job to be able to pay for those thousand dollar ski trips. Maybe not SImon Dumont or Tom Wallisch though.
Dec 21 2012 10:09PM
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dayinthelifepc
Posts: 242 - Karma: 88
I would've liked to become pro, but it is a life style and you really have to live it. You have to ski pretty much all year round, ski almost every day, and starting young helps. Not to mention a lot of natural talent. When you get to be 18 and up and you still can't do a dub like some of these 13 and 14 year olds it starts to get discouraging
Dec 21 2012 11:42PM
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AidanCski
Posts: 420 - Karma: 860
It's definitely a dream. I play basketball, lax, and soccer, and I am fairly very good at those sports, but skiing is by far my favorite. I gotta admit I dream about it a lot. Being able to travel the world with your friends, visit unimaginable places, ski ALL the time while making a living off, and just shredding it, it would be awesome. I am fairly young (13), and I just got into park at the end of last season. I am rapidly progressing and getting more and more confident every day. I am going to a ton of ski camps, and I am also on a freestyle team at my home mountain. But I think at this point it really depends on how much I progress. And truthfully I really want to go pro. There are definitely some downsides.Pro's screw up their bodies. I mean all the urban they do, it's crazy. They bust up their knees like shit. Because of this usually in 8 - 12 years, the park skiers aren't as big because by the time they are in their early 30' s they just can do it anymore. Realistically I don't think it is going to happen. I mean the level these guys are taking it to is ridiculous. But I definitley want it.

I think what would probably satisfy me and what might happen is to at least just get sponsored by a few small companies, and still ski a ton, and get my name out there a little bit. And then after that go to college and maybe have a part - time job at a ski shop. So all in all I think I just want to ski a ton for as long as I can and have as much fun as possible.
Dec 22 2012 10:54AM
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GrabsForFun
Posts: 1378 - Karma: 396
It´s an unreachable goal for me but it´s great to have something to work for. I almost get pissed at myself for not starting to ski park ext. when I was younger. Discovered it two years ago when I was 16, way too late.
Dec 22 2012 11:11AM
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redking
Posts: 148 - Karma: 437
Amazing hearing all the people complain about living in MN, Ak etc. I live in Ireland, progressing is so hard. I ski every friday for 3 hours on a snowflex slope that has one jump that's just about big enough for a 540.
Dec 22 2012 11:12AM
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a_burger
Posts: 5235 - Karma: 20,715
I know, starting park skiing at age 16, it probably won't happen for me, and I'm likely going to go into Ski Area Management instead



Saying that however, I'm going to fucking try my best anyways
Dec 22 2012 11:30AM
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aflightlessbird
Posts: 511 - Karma: 487

all i can say is...

I AM THE BEST SKIIER ON THE MOUNTAIN!!!

AND I LAUGH IN THE FACE OF ALL WHO DARE CHALLENGE ME!!!

KARAAHAHAHA!!!!

Dec 22 2012 1:07PM
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doGelyst
Posts: 2492 - Karma: 509
We need a senior AFP comp. Then maybe I'll have a shot :)
Dec 22 2012 1:15PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
I have no desire to go pro!

However, I do want to work in some facet of manufacturing in the industry.
Dec 22 2012 1:26PM
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Anathema
Posts: 21048 - Karma: 5,061
skiings just a hobby, for me any way. i think everybody dreams of being a pro athlete at some point in their lives, but then reality sets in and you start to understand that accomplishing such a dream involves a lot of time, effort, gift, influence of others (i.e, family/friends in the industry or rich parents who get you the best lessons, send you to the best camps, and let you ski all the time and do nothing else), and finally, luck. after all, one bad crash can lead to the end of all your dreams. so there's a lot that needs to go perfectly right for it to work out.

props to all those who did make it, but for every pro there's probably tens of thousands of ski bums who reach their 30s and realize they have no skills, no real career, and are just living in the past. i'd say the same is true of all sports and also in the entertainment business (actor, musician, etc).

it's a much safer bet to just keep hobbies as hobbies and then work hard in school and build more of a guaranteed future for yourself.
Dec 22 2012 2:03PM
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wesley.
Posts: 6483 - Karma: 1,049
So be that dude who gets nasty on the tiny jump comes to the us with a ridiculous bag of tricks wins some comps and blows up
Dec 22 2012 2:04PM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
Until my acl tore, yeah. That's over now though I think.
Dec 22 2012 2:27PM
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aflightlessbird
Posts: 511 - Karma: 487

i am with ya there buddy.

its a game changer for sure.

+K

Dec 22 2012 2:33PM
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One.3
Posts: 165 - Karma: 539
You clearly don't do too WELL in english class
Dec 22 2012 3:24PM
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liukangkid
Posts: 3323 - Karma: 82
I completely agree with you, I have always aspired to be a pro skier in some sense of the term and still do, even if it may feel like a joke at times. I have already accepted the fact that I will never win big air in the x games, or be the best pipe skier but i'm alright because that's not the type of skier I want to be. In my opinion there are just as many ways down the mountain as their are types of pros and I intend to find my spot somewhere.

This passion for the sport is why I am working In a ski shop right now, why I go to the hill even if its raining or only the slowest lift is running, and probably why I am typing this from a hospital bed with a collapsed lung and a few fractured ribs. And hell even if all of this time spent chasing a dream that even I laugh about sometimes doesn't amount to me becoming a pro getting out on skis as much as I have been able to lately makes it worth it.
Dec 22 2012 3:41PM
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manutdsaol
Posts: 906 - Karma: 56
I feel like I'm probably in the minority here, but I wouldn't want to be a pro anything. There was a thread a while back about extreme sports pros, and some of the shit they have to do sounds horrible. I ski because I like it and it's fun, I like to progress at a pace I feel comfortable. I would never want to be pushed into doing something I wasn't comfortable doing.
Dec 22 2012 3:51PM
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rareison
Posts: 10263 - Karma: 219
It would be cool but I suck at skiing
Dec 22 2012 4:20PM
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dresserski
Posts: 1039 - Karma: 1,727
I tried, Went to Waterville Valley Academy for three years for mogul skiing, got up to like top 80 in the US in 2007, then my knees decided to start hurting me, so I stopped and started skiing park. Now I became a coach so that I can help kids try to get closer to getting that dream.

But yes, I would have and still am willing to travel all the time, be in high pressure situations and have a pack of haters so that I can ski and have fun. I would have loved to make it, but it didnt happen so its a bummer.
Dec 22 2012 7:37PM
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ohboy
Posts: 1177 - Karma: 2,528
When I was around 8 I did, then I realized I don't have the balls to do dubs. I love skiing around in the park for fun, and that's what matters to me now. I'll try to learn to stuff on rails, but fuck jumps. I'm too much of a pussy.


Dec 22 2012 7:47PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
Never been close to good enough to even consider pursuing that dream. My shins are too sensitive to throw down hard all the time anyway. I'm pretty content with being one of the better skiers at my small hill.
Dec 22 2012 8:52PM
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j_romero
Posts: 124 - Karma: 345
I'm 16 from Big Bear and I'm aiming towards it and giving an effort to increase my skill. I know that if I don't then I can still be involved in the outdoor industry and the brands. No matter what though skiing will always be a passion of mine.
Dec 22 2012 9:52PM
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uhrel
Posts: 164 - Karma: 64
Yes and no. Mostly yes.

Comp skiing is getting absolutely insane, to the point where i don't really want to be a comp rider, but at the same time i love the feeling of being in comps.
Would love to be in edits all over the place and stuff, but still seems out of reach for me.

I just would love to at some point get a sponsorship so i don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars each year for gear, i don't care if i don't get paid enough, if i could bum around and get free gear and just shred, that would be amazing and a dream come true, even if it would only be for a few years.
Dec 22 2012 11:14PM
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Toaster-Tony
Posts: 3531 - Karma: 5,850
Doesn't everyone dream of making it big?

It's always in the back of my mind when I'm skiing. I know I'll never make it but its always cool to think what it would be like to become a pro and what kind of image I would try to portray. But at the same time, skiing is so great because I feel that every day I go to the hill, I need to learn a new trick, or improve technique, or just get better in general. Why? I have no idea why. I'll never be making money or have a fan base from skiing, but the satisfaction of learning something new and progressing for no reason is the reason I've stuck to skiing compared to other sports. It seems like in any other sport, there's always the next level to play at, which overall drives people to progress. Skiing is different to me because I get this weird satisfaction from knowing that I'll never go pro but still being stoked as ever when I land a new trick. I can't say that about most of the other sports I've participated in.

When it came to hockey, I played up and through high school. Then I realized that I wouldn't have time to play juniors and I didn't have the skill set to play college, so then it just kind of ended. Skiing is completely different in that regard, and it's nice having a sport that is reliably fun and challenging in its own entirety without feeling like I need to progress to that "next level".
Dec 22 2012 11:54PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,813
I never really took skiing seriously enough to legitimately want to be pro. I just push hard for the satisfaction of the moment and the trick that I land and I love the recognition I get from skiing, its very rewarding.

I only really thought about being pro this summer, I started getting a bunch of good sponsors last year that are helping me out a lot and some of them have the potential to really push me into the industry but Im not hell bent on actually skiing for a living.

Skiing over the summer made me realise how strong of a skier I am even though I only get to ski about 4 months a year. I compared myself to people who ski year round or 10 months a year and I could easily hold my own. It made me think: what if I quit my job, moved to a place like this and only concentrated on skiing? I think I would have pottential, but honestly, im not that interested in the lifestyle.

When it comes down to it, I get to ski a lot right now and all I need is the feeling of landing a something big or fun, since my sponsors allow me to do this without any expenses, what could I want more?
Dec 23 2012 12:39AM
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raddar
Posts: 681 - Karma: 65

It's a beautiful dream, but it is just a dream.  At 24, I think I'm a little past the age where I can cultivate my skiing enough to get on that level, but I have found a way to get as close as possible.  I secured an amazing job at an amazing resort (JAY PEAK) and I get to ski every day, even if it's only for a few runs (except right now because I have a broken collarbone).  I don't have sponsors giving me free stuff, but I get discounts on everything and I have an inside connection to the industry.  Even though the reality of being a pro has passed, I am every bit as happy being here and loving my life. 

I also dreamed of being in a pro, and that one came true ;)

Dec 23 2012 11:41AM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
"I also dreamed of being in a pro, and that one came true ;)"

Was it t-wall or bobby?
Dec 23 2012 11:51AM
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raddar
Posts: 681 - Karma: 65

Scott Vail

Dec 23 2012 11:54AM
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SacZiplock
Posts: 2405 - Karma: 513
I'd even rather like more to be a pro-filmer than a pro skier ,
idk , its all different
Dec 23 2012 11:56AM
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wesley.
Posts: 6483 - Karma: 1,049
Somewhat unrelated but the best part of skiing is that even if you come to realize you wont be pro and even though skiing had "teams", it's an individual sport. If you stop trying to become a pro hockey player and quit a team, you'd probably stop skating for the most part. If you quit a ski team, lapping the park with your friends is still just as fun.
Dec 23 2012 1:45PM
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Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
not me
Dec 23 2012 2:48PM
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Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
I ski because it's fun. If at any point it stops being fun, I stop skiing.
Dec 23 2012 2:49PM
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Dragonmire
Posts: 22 - Karma: 66
No, I just ski for the friends and fun.
Dec 23 2012 3:00PM
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White_raven
Posts: 211 - Karma: -62
I was a semi-pro at skiing in my country. But i constantly felt a stress of the fact that the "career" would come to an end soon, why i chose to start studying to have something that would last for my entire life and exploring new boundaries.

Today i dont know if it was the right choice. I like the knowledge and job ive got by studying. But i often wonder how my life would had been if i continued skiing and neglected an academic career. Its a very special life to just ski cause youre involved with friends who love skiing as much as you do. But on the other hand ive had this goal and i would start studying anyway sooner or later and i feel satisfied that i have an education and future job to rely on.
Dec 23 2012 3:39PM
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Brock.
Posts: 5698 - Karma: 1,332
Now that I think of it, this is the only reason I started skiing in the first place, and the biggest reason why I still am
Dec 23 2012 4:06PM
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SpliffyJ
Posts: 778 - Karma: 565
Im going to try and i guess i will see what happens in a few years
Dec 23 2012 8:19PM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
I wanted to when I was like 15 and was pretty good for my age at that point won a bunch of local comps and killed it and am just a great overall skier very confident. Lost all interest in persuing do to a number of reasons. One, very few pros actually make a decent living and end of washed up in a few years. Money is important to me. Also, the older I get the less i really enjoy skiing the park. I don't particularly enjoy rails anymore kinda of find them stupid and they just ruin my skis. Wouldn't mind being a pro big mtn rider kinda like sage though that would bea wsome.
Dec 23 2012 8:29PM
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*ninja*
Posts: 2108 - Karma: 1,143
tom makes 400k a year with all of his commericials clothing money and comps that he does and sponsors... more than 20k....
Dec 23 2012 10:00PM
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TheUngroomed
Posts: 1251 - Karma: 335
I do. But I know it'll be hard with no training and what not. But i try, so hard. And hopefully I can get like 3 or 4 sponsors and I'd be cool with that too! I'm gonna try though
Dec 23 2012 10:45PM
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.frenchy
Posts: 18221 - Karma: 12,323
Yeah I thought I'd be a pro snowboarder before.... Then I switched to skiing last year...
Dec 23 2012 11:11PM
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DsMoK3
Posts: 467 - Karma: 198
That's one guy, and I would classify that as a different level of pro, pushing superstar status. How many guys you think are at that level out of all the skiers? Maybe 10 max? And they probably aren't on Wally's level anyway, maybe BB though...
Dec 23 2012 11:29PM
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Hatsnballs
Posts: 836 - Karma: 2,159
I'm trying to think of pros that would make more than 100k
*Rough estimate*
Bobby
Tom
Sammy
Simon
Kevin Rolland
Torrin
Jossi
sean Penitt
Dane tutor
Tanner
Henrik
Gkenworthy
Dec 24 2012 12:04AM
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