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Average yearly income for a pro skier?

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histonskiah
Posts: 467 - Karma: 1,834
How much money do you estimate pro skiers make a year? What about the top skiers like Tom Wallisch or Harlaut?
Jan 12 2013 1:36PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
Jon olson makes around 1 million per year with sponsorships etc. gernerally Euro pros make more, because skiing is a recognized sport over there.


tom makes around 300k


outside of the top 3-5 skiers going, everyone has to work summer construction jobs to get by.


average is probly around 15k and all that goes towards tavel budget during the winter. being a pro skier is basically the life of a ski bum.
Jan 12 2013 2:02PM
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histonskiah
Posts: 467 - Karma: 1,834
Wow 15k, I wonder if thats even worth it. It would be sick to be pro but you would have to find a full time job after your carrer or even during somehow. Tom and Olson have a sick life!
Jan 12 2013 2:09PM
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alex=
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 2,835
Going from comp prize to comp prize really, if you're not good enough to win comps then you better get more jobs
Jan 12 2013 2:11PM
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Don_Cartagena
Posts: 44 - Karma: 81
Decent post, this seems pretty accurate.
Jan 12 2013 2:28PM
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philipc
Posts: 6651 - Karma: 1,286
nah you guys are dumbasses, pros make between 150-300k a year
Jan 12 2013 2:34PM
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Stickity
Posts: 7750 - Karma: 769
yeah....
Jan 12 2013 2:36PM
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BmoChop
Posts: 2071 - Karma: 96
i recently heard that the average is right around three fitty
Jan 12 2013 2:38PM
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deleted2
Posts: 958 - Karma: 107
It really differs between types of skiers and what sponsors each has. Racers generally make the most like Jon. I know a few years back Tanner Hall wasn't far behind the amount that Jon makes, but he got dropped by Red Bull which would be a huge sponsor.
Jan 12 2013 2:40PM
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baaangthat
Posts: 2245 - Karma: 2,587
seriously, 1% of the people make 95% of the money...simon, tanner, tom, jon, candide, wester, tj, andreas, bobby brown.. and whoevers won xgames pipe last couple years, stopped caring enough to know...most other people we consider "pro" dont make a lot of money but have a ton of things their lives paid for (think traveling circus, ahmet, liam, sage, not in any order or tiers obviously)

i read an article about this a few years ago (before tom was big and had an agent and shit) that put Jon at #1, tanner simon and candide equally next and then mike douglas, counting all of his income with salomon as ski income, even though he doesnt really ski a ton anymore and has a ton of corperate titles. that was also before tanner had so many other business ventures, they valued him around 250K a year, with Jon being around 1M at the time, mike D was valued around 125K/yr. tanner eluded to making around $1M in that TV business interview he did a couple years ago when the big black guy refered to him as an X-Box champion
Jan 12 2013 2:40PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
worth it? You might want to re-examine your priorities in life. Getting a high paying job so you can work and have a lot of money isn't necessarily the be all end all. Consider the possibility that doing what you love as your work/life is more important than any amount of money.

If you're not having fun, what's the point?

Jan 12 2013 3:02PM
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baaangthat
Posts: 2245 - Karma: 2,587
tanner interview on foxbusiness

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4430684/
Jan 12 2013 3:05PM
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NoCoastSkier
Posts: 1038 - Karma: 626
wise words. young minds don't get this
Jan 12 2013 3:16PM
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histonskiah
Posts: 467 - Karma: 1,834
Good point but Im just saying it would be a good idea for proskiing not to be your only job. Like when you retire from skiing.
Jan 12 2013 3:34PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
He's probably alluding to the risk involved. If you get hurt and can't ski - you literally make $0 and have to start from scratch. If you work a real job that allows you to ski a lot, you could ski for your whole life doing 50-65ish days a year and still contribute something to society - much less risky.
Jan 12 2013 3:57PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
How old are you? lol
Jan 12 2013 4:01PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
Sorry. If I had the talent to be a pro athlete I would do it 100%. Turning an opportunity like that down because of financial security seams like a wrong way to live life.

Hell, I DON'T have the skill to be a pro skier and I still live my life so that I can take winters off to ski.

I just don't see how it could be a consideration to NOT explore the opportunities of being a pro skier if the option is presented to you.

I'd say this 'debate' is irrelevant though. If you are good enough to get to a professional level, you've probably already got blinders on for skiing any ways. I doubt a weekend warrior who is concentrating more on school and a high paying job will ever become good enough at skiing, or care enough to be competitive about it, to even have the option.

So in the end, the whole is it worth it question doesn't really exist. To those good enough, hell yeah it's most likely 100% worth it for them. To those who aren't good enough - well, you don't get the chance, so the dilemma is non-existent.

That being said, it's a tough game and it doesn't work out for most 'pro' skiers out there. Haven't heard of any of them ending up living on the streets being all homeless and shit.

I guess I have to ask: What do you think is an acceptable annual income to live a comfortable life?
Jan 12 2013 4:49PM
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Randy_Quench
Posts: 5447 - Karma: 4,343
lol at half the random numbers you guys are pulling out of your asses.

Athlete's sponsor deals arnt exactly publicly announced.. how are any of you supposed to know what North Face pays Tom or what Armada pays Henrik, ect?

I will agree though that other than those "celebrity skiers" no one makes a decent living off skiing.
Jan 12 2013 4:57PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,063
I know you're a legit member, but how the hell do you know any of this? Most of it is pretty incorrect. There are a ton of skiers making more than 15k a year including sponsors/prize money/travel budget.

I dont know who you know, but the "pro" skiers i know don't work in the summer they go to hood and ski (coaching windells is hardly a money making job).
Jan 12 2013 5:00PM
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Duncanskier
Posts: 307 - Karma: 1,153
i dosnt matter how much u make geting paid any amount of mony ski whold sick
Jan 12 2013 5:03PM
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baaangthat
Posts: 2245 - Karma: 2,587
i clicked your profile to see if english is your second language...
Jan 12 2013 5:13PM
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HWW
Posts: 3084 - Karma: 3,436
It doesn't matter how much you make because getting paid any amount of money to ski is sick.*
Jan 12 2013 5:17PM
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blindside
Posts: 5619 - Karma: 1,199
LOL these threads always deliver.



Bottom line, don't ski for the money.
Jan 12 2013 5:24PM
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fghtoffyrdmns
Posts: 2998 - Karma: 6,867
hahaha lol tanner

"x box games"
Jan 12 2013 5:31PM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
SHENANIGANS I call shenanigans, no way any skier makes that much, maybe Jon, but he owns a few things, and Tom makes the normal average for pro skiers which is the wage of a ski bum, I WANT YOUR SOURCES SIR
Jan 12 2013 7:22PM
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Thadius.Castle
Posts: 1436 - Karma: 250
No. Tom makes more.

The more contests you win, the more you make.
Jan 12 2013 7:36PM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,020
I did forget about the contest cash bonus, it makes sense, but doesn't Jon like own a clothing company or something he does not make all that money off sponsors
Jan 12 2013 7:39PM
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baaangthat
Posts: 2245 - Karma: 2,587
realize that tom has a sports agent, appears in plenty of films, has some of the largest brands as sponsors, including companies with ties outside of skiing, is in legit TV commercials that are shown more than just during the XGames AND wins about 50K in comps every year..which he certainly gets bonuses on from sponsors...Jon doesnt own a clothing company, he just he has super chic sponsors like cross and JLindberg
Jan 12 2013 7:46PM
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Weeezy
Posts: 385 - Karma: 342
That's why some "pro's" go to post secondary for the first semester of the year, there's a video intro for Wallish talking about his education and such
Jan 12 2013 11:39PM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
75% of people that you guys consider "pros" rack up credit card debt during the winter, and work it off over the summer.
Jan 12 2013 11:54PM
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B.Aussie
Posts: 5852 - Karma: 4,531
Never ski for the money.
Jan 13 2013 12:24AM
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edai
Posts: 4987 - Karma: 4,653
Calling in your orange name insight on this one. I'm genuinely curious and I think the rest of us are as well.
Jan 13 2013 12:32AM
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thegardens8
Posts: 300 - Karma: 479
you are basing your perspective about skiiers with summer jobs on andy from that one episode of TC

twall has his life set, he already makes alot and he was a university degree, so after his ski career if he needs a full time job outside of skiing he can get one, good on him pursuing an education knowing skiing wont support you for the rest of your life
Jan 13 2013 12:53AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,063
People on the inside aren't just gonna spill the beans to the world about personal info. In think what he stated is somewhat true but depends on who someone may think is "pro". Either way, no one who actually knows what they're talking about is gonna drop real figures here, sorry.
Jan 13 2013 4:23AM
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liftedresearcher
Posts: 1140 - Karma: 1,775
hey yall, just called the IRS and asked how much tom wallisch makes. they dont know.
Jan 13 2013 4:39AM
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liftedresearcher
Posts: 1140 - Karma: 1,775
the IRS did say that pro skiers make less than kanye west makes tho.
Jan 13 2013 4:43AM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2089 - Karma: 1,346
First of all, I actually think Jon makes more than a million a year, however I wouldn't be surprised if he made a million of sponsors, prob more. He is absolutely huge in Sweden, one the biggest sport names there, and Red Bull isn't exactly known for paying in peanuts. I have no exact figure, but I am willing to wager that Jon definitely makes more then a million a year.
Jan 13 2013 8:38AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6657 - Karma: 10,893
this. freeskiing is not racing, most freeski pros have to work summer jobs to afford what they do in the winter. freeskier in winter, landscaper in summer
Jan 13 2013 8:48AM
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MagSeven
Posts: 1000 - Karma: 412
Mike D seems to have followed a good career path. Initially a pro skier, comps first then movies. Then following on using his name and reputation, plus talent as a marketeer and filmmaker working with big brands like Salomon and Whistler. He's still skiing, travelling, filming. And no doubt earning a very good living from his exploits.

It's kind of sad that for pros in our sport, they could be in the top 10 in the world in their sport, but barely earning a college graduate's salary.
Jan 13 2013 9:13AM
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Eggbert
Posts: 329 - Karma: 46
99.9% sure red bull doesnt pay anyone anything........

just a way for athletes to get exposure
Jan 13 2013 10:56AM
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blindside
Posts: 5619 - Karma: 1,199
You make it seem so sensational.. Ooh 'spill the beans to the world' like it's some nationally guarded secret.. Nobody besides a handful of people knows or cares who these skiers are, or what their unfortunate net worth is..

Again, the amounts are underwhelming for the most part. Don't do it for the money.
Jan 13 2013 11:12AM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,750
an individual may not, but I could see salary information based on general figures being put out. If you think about it, freeskiing is one of the only sports where there is absolutely NO transparency on wages of professionals. I can look up about any other sport and find the exact salaries of the big names and in larger sports find the exact salaries of about every single pro.

Dunno why it's so secretive. It's definitely something that many find interesting to know. I'm waiting for an interview with a rep from a larger ski company to spill the beans on all this.
Jan 13 2013 11:16AM
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iffe
Posts: 984 - Karma: 120
LOL
Jan 13 2013 11:19AM
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deleted2
Posts: 958 - Karma: 107
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA


You must like sarcasm.
Jan 13 2013 11:26AM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,750
Just for interests sake, here are the highest paid extreme sports athletes. source is Forbes. So there is no skier who makes $1 million or higher. (in 2008, probably when Hall and Olson were at the top of their earnings)


1. Tony Hawk ($12 million)
2. Shaun White ($9 million)
3. Ryan Sheckler ($5 million)
4. Travis Pastrana ($3 million)
5. Kelly Slater ($3 million)
6. Laird Hamilton ($2.5 million)
7. Paul Rodriguez ($2 million)
8. Danny Kass ($1 million)
9. Dave Mirra ($1 million)
10. Travis Rice ($1 million)


Jan 13 2013 11:30AM
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corona
Posts: 12795 - Karma: 32,750
either that or skiers just really really don't like revealing how much they make. snowboarders certainly have no problem with that.
Jan 13 2013 11:31AM
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LiquorLanch
Posts: 1909 - Karma: 1,046
Kass and White were/are both big names. The majority of pro riders make nowhere close to that kind of money. Kass started Grenade gloves and White propelled Burton to the forefront of every PacSun.
Jan 13 2013 11:53AM
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deleted2
Posts: 958 - Karma: 107
Danny did not start Grenade. Matt did and then Matt asked Danny to be a partner, then Danny fucked Matt over and paid him to resign and never paid him.
Jan 13 2013 11:57AM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
But let's be honest, everything in life is easier when you have money. It would be tremendously easier to enjoy skiing if you had the money.

That being said, my dream employer is Dynafit or ON3P hahaha
Jan 13 2013 12:09PM
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Eggbert
Posts: 329 - Karma: 46
red bull 'sponsors' over 400 athletes. youre a fucking idiot if you think they pay all of them. they give probably the top 4-5 in each discipline (skiing, surfing, biking...) some $ and probably give performance bonuses to the rest but they sure as hell arent paying all of them
Jan 13 2013 12:23PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
How much money are you talking? I don't make much money in the grand scheme of things (around 30 000/year) but I have a shit ton of fun skiing. Most people I know who are more stoked on skiing than I am are making less.

I just don't see how the amount of money you make has anything to do with how much fun you have while skiing. Aside from the obvious fact that you need some money for gear and other essentials.

Whatever though, you can have fun working in the city in the winter while I get all the weekdays of skiing to myself and my fellow 'poor' friends. Sucks for us, right?


Money does not equal happiness. The sooner you 'kids' learn this, the better suited you'll be when heading out into the real world. Oh, and just to be sure, I have nothing against making money (that would make me as dumb as those 'Occupy' idiots), but it's not the only venue towards a happy, 'successful' life.
Jan 13 2013 12:30PM
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