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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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-dAvE-
Posts: 677 - Karma: 74
Well said.
if i could be paid to do something i love as much as skiing, any amount is worth it.
Especially that you travel and just ski all the time. What an amazing life style.
Sure you don't have fancy cars and a big house, but i much rather do something i love for the rest of my life and have to work in construction during the summer and then have the most amazing life during the winter.
If money is all you care about, obviously don't become a pro skier.
If you want to be happy, live an average life and get paid for what you love doing... then go for it.
Jan 13 2013 12:36PM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
Well if you want to use me as an example, I'm not opposed. I am nowhere near what I consider to be a "professional" athlete, but by NS standards I'm on the very lowest tier of what you guys consider "pro". My situation is similar to many, i recieve a travel budget from 1 or 2 main sponsors, and video/photo incentives from select others. The first year that I filmed with L1, during eye trip, my skiing income was somewhere around -$2500 on the season. My second year, for after dark, my skiing income was around -$500. Sunny has been my most successful season, mostly because I only filmed in Alaska so I didn't have a ton to pay for travel wise, and I had the most screen time, so I netted about $2500 on the season. Again, $2500 is nowhere near enough money to live on, which is why I work a rotational position in Alaska's oil fields. Then again, I am in a unique position because I am renting a house, paying student loans off, and supporting my girlfriend while she's in grad school, meaning I need a job that pays full time wages. I'm lucky in the sense that I've found one that gets full time pay with lots of off time to film, but unlucky in the sense that I have to be off of skis for 3 weeks at a time, the try to hang with the best skiers in the world that get to ski all year round. I wouldn't give this up for anything though, filming with level 1 has been a lifelong dream, so any means to get it done is well worth it.
Jan 13 2013 12:50PM
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thegardens8
Posts: 300 - Karma: 479
amen
Jan 13 2013 12:54PM
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JakobS
Posts: 324 - Karma: 64
It's correct that Jon makes more than a million a year, but it doesn't come from being a pro.
Jan 13 2013 1:19PM
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Saintlysteeze
Posts: 704 - Karma: 67
I would bet that Tom makes a few hundred thousand. I have no proof, but after last season and winning so many big comps. Plus he is probably the biggest name in the sport and has huge sponsors...monster, verizon, scott etc. Like how much does a person get for winning x games?
Jan 13 2013 1:26PM
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iffe
Posts: 984 - Karma: 120
You see, this is completely different than what you originally claimed.
Jan 13 2013 1:27PM
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yaqwsxcde123vfr
Posts: 371 - Karma: 145
You don't know shit. They all get paid very well. Red Bull is a very well running company, their liquidity is insane. Energy Drinks in general sell for soo much more than their productions costs and their most important asset is media exposure through (action) sports and clubbing. Ergo --> athletes earn high salaries from them.
Jan 13 2013 1:30PM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
bottom line is, and it's been said multiple times in this thread, if you want to get rich being a pro skier you are in it for the wrong reasons.

if you think that being a pro skier will get you cash and hoes, you're disallusioned.

if you love skiing, and are good enough for it to be your job, then that's fucking great. BUT you need to be prepared for when your body deteriorates and you can't do it anymore, because 99.9% of skiers don't make enough to have any sort of savings or retirement plan.

chances are, over your "pro" career, you will pay out more than you make, but that's alright because you're getting to do the fucking greatest activity on earth. and i don't care how much money you make, getting free gear is one of the most awesome things on earth. it's like getting a second christmas every september/november.
Jan 13 2013 1:31PM
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steezbox
Posts: 1394 - Karma: 701
Great posts. Thanks for the insight!

I think that people don't realize how little money there is to be made in some industries. Everything from music, skateboarding, skiing, and even other forms of art - there is not much money to be made, unless you are very lucky. You have to be in the right place at the right time with the right set of skills. Most of these people do it while making little to no money. The real reward is being able to see new places while doing the thing you love.
Jan 13 2013 1:44PM
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steezbox
Posts: 1394 - Karma: 701
Great posts. Thanks for the insight!

I think that people don't realize how little money there is to be made in some industries. Everything from music, skateboarding, skiing, and even other forms of art - there is not much money to be made, unless you are very lucky. You have to be in the right place at the right time with the right set of skills. Most of these people do it while making little to no money. The real reward is being able to see new places while doing the thing you love.
Jan 13 2013 1:44PM
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mike_d
Posts: 503 - Karma: 79
You're 100% wrong.
Jan 13 2013 2:09PM
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thegardens8
Posts: 300 - Karma: 479
logan pretty much summed it all up so we can stop repeating eachother in this thread
Jan 13 2013 2:11PM
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Jibberino
Posts: 2089 - Karma: 1,346
I feel like this partly explains your always quality and in depth posts, I'm guessing a lot of nights with not much else to do than roam NS!
Jan 13 2013 2:11PM
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,054
that's the fucking truth. my daily activities include: working 13 hours, eating, sleeping, masterbating, and roaming newschoolers.
Jan 13 2013 2:26PM
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tbayskier
Posts: 1137 - Karma: 1,640
Haha Logan telling it like it is. This has been a really interesting thread. This makes me happy that I work a seasonal job so I can ski my ass off all winter. (Forest fire fighting for the win!)
Jan 13 2013 2:31PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
Wait. So you fight fires in the summer, take winters off to ski... yet you live in Thunder Bay, Ontario?

Your girlfriend better be the hottest, coolest chick east of the Rockies!
Jan 13 2013 2:56PM
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SKIU4EA
Posts: 2387 - Karma: 2,072
yes, very interesting read. Thx for the input Logan.

I got to say, nailing down a seasonal job that pays well, with MEDICAL benefitts, and stable, is like finding pure gold for a full certified full blown skiing addict(like myself). Whether you're pro or just a die hard, must ski all the time skier, it should be a driving goal to nail down a job like that.

Jan 13 2013 2:58PM
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howlongcanausern
Posts: 4982 - Karma: 1,737
70k/year salary, full benefits, year round, PTO/sick days, ski 100+ days a year (bout 30 days in the MTB park), as an IT guy for a ski area.

steady income, paid vacation so I can ski where I want, freedom to ski everyday. being pro is the shit.
Jan 13 2013 3:07PM
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[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
This is essentially the reason I would never want to be a professional skier. There's always some dumbass who is willing to huck his/her meat off of anything, and keeping up with that standard => forced "retirement" at an early age.

Then again, the biggest mistake a person can make is to not live their life the way they wish on the bet that they can buy the freedom to do it later. Tis a bind indeed.

Music seems like a safer alternative. You get to live the "free" lifestyle minus the harsh medical realities (unless you abuse drugs).

My plan: accounting/finance major => bum around as a freelance artist with a solid degree as a safety net => profit?
Jan 13 2013 3:22PM
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YUNG_milksteAk
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 4,328
Cole you can't even land a double
Jan 13 2013 4:28PM
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deleted2
Posts: 958 - Karma: 107
It's funny that you're trying to act like you didn't say a totally different thing before. You said Red Bull doesn't pay any of their athletes, and you quoted me saying that when Tanner Hall rode for Red Bull he was making mad cash and now you're just backing up my statement because he was their top skier. That's why they dropped him to get a younger top skier on their team aka Nick.
Jan 13 2013 6:20PM
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yung-lean
Posts: 511 - Karma: 2,447
agreed.
Jan 13 2013 6:22PM
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WVskiing
Posts: 3007 - Karma: 1,949
If you are not doing dubs by 14, then just quit
Jan 13 2013 6:37PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
I didn't debate anything, but since you want to I can say from experience that turning recreation into your primary source of income can be an awful idea. It seriously morphs something you love into something you need.
Jan 13 2013 7:10PM
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ryano
Posts: 4465 - Karma: 1,535
how can windells afford to not pay all those guys?

they only charge up the ass for kids to go there..
Jan 13 2013 7:18PM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,063
first of all, blindside get fucked of course you come into some thread and attack me, stop being such a pussy bitch

its not suppose to be sensational, its not suppose to be a nationally guarded secret. Im not going to disclose people personal information that they haven't said they're okay with me telling others. If they want to come on and post their salaries, word more power to them but no one has any right to know how much a certain person makes. The same goes for me telling anyone anyone else's salary/private information, I have no right to do that and people shouldnt expect people who are "on the inside" to just tell everyone. Logan explained his situation and his is much different from another "pro" (very loose term) just as much as another "pro's" situation is. If you see someone on national tv and they get top 10 in a contest, they're probably make a decent chunk of money. Contests are where the money is as and unfortunately unless you do contests, you make less money, from winnings, sponsorships and royalties. There is a reason skiers have stickers all over their skis and helmet and have energy drink water bottles any time theyre on tv (why am i explaining this to you?} because they're getting mad loot for it.

Anyway, some people would be surprised at what some people make (or dont make) and I bet there are plenty of skiers that I would be shocked at what they make (or dont make) too, I only know a few "pros" (again very loose term) personally.

Either way, like tons of people have said, ski for fun. people like jon, simon, tom, etc make decent livings and will be able to ride the ski industry for the rest of their lives (like mike douglas, for example) but aside from the anomalies, alot of "pro" (subjective term, again) skiers will have to move on eventually.
Jan 13 2013 7:36PM
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grown-ninja
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 175
Sounds exactly like my day, except youre most likely much cooler than me
Jan 13 2013 7:41PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,826
im pretty sure steve stepp makes around $50,000 a year
Jan 13 2013 8:05PM
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percs
Posts: 2280 - Karma: 5,788
How do you think he pays for all that kratom?
Jan 13 2013 8:17PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
I dont. i was throwing out numbers that sounded correct. point is, unless you are a super pro, you better be doing it for the love not the money.


and fwiw, i said 15k is average for what NS would consider a pro. that means some have to make more, some less.

Jan 13 2013 9:04PM
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blindside
Posts: 5619 - Karma: 1,199
You've got me stumped.
Jan 13 2013 11:07PM
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icon1234
Posts: 3081 - Karma: 1,475
hahah this kid makes over 400 athletes sound like a large number. Jesus dude don't look at them as sponsored riders, but simply as employee's to Redbull, 400 employee's is chump change for a company that big.

Stop talking about shit you are clueless about.
Jan 13 2013 11:23PM
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gpitcher
Posts: 2626 - Karma: 1,691
yea redbull's company model is also very different than most. they give away 1 redbull for every 1 redbull they sell. Along with that, sponsoring and paying athletes is another reason their drink is so expensive
Jan 13 2013 11:33PM
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Eggbert
Posts: 329 - Karma: 46
im not sure how much you know about businesses, but their number 1 goal is to make money...

lets assume that the average salary including is 20,000.

20,000 * 400 = $8 Million

i dont give a fuck how big your company is. you notice $8mil, and if you can get the same effect for $2 mil. by not giving all of them a flat out salary, youre sure as hell going to do that

think about it this way.... that would be $6mil more that they can put into their f1 teams which make them a hell of a lot more money than skiing ever will
Jan 14 2013 12:00AM
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Steeze_Irwin
Posts: 161 - Karma: 218
im sorry but i read all of that and realised that i failed to see any point put across that hasn't already been mentioned about 2 or 3 times in this thread.

good read though.
Jan 14 2013 1:27AM
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icon1234
Posts: 3081 - Karma: 1,475
................

Dude are you seriously that dumb? No shit their main goal is to make money, but you act like Red Bull is doing those athletes a favor by sponsoring them. No Red Bull benefits just as much as the athletes do by advertising their product. You act like every single person who gets sponsored by Red Bull is gracious for their energy drinks and their cool helmets they give them for free. No they get PAID to drink and wear that shit, and the money they get is what drives them to get sponsored, not their tasty drinks or cool helmets. But their product also happens to be a cool perk to have.

And again 8 million dollars is again a joke for a company like Red Bull.
Jan 14 2013 1:38AM
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icon1234
Posts: 3081 - Karma: 1,475
And I love how your original post goes to I am 99.99% sure that Red Bull doesn't ANY of their athletes. To now oh a certain amount do but the majority don't...

You act like Red Bull sponsors up and coming armatures... No that energy drink company for the most part only sponsors the best of the best, at least to my knowledge. I haven't heard of anyone who is just "okay" at what they do and have a Red Bull sponsorship, they are always at the forefront of their sport. Unlike the other energy drink companies, then your statement makes sense, but I am willing to be their "sponsored" athlete list is much larger than Red Bulls.
Jan 14 2013 1:43AM
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Inline.
Posts: 4424 - Karma: 432
One of the truest posts I've seen in a while on NS.
Jan 14 2013 1:55AM
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dross250
Posts: 380 - Karma: 119
came into this thread for some comic relief but found some pretty insightful posts and a couple of good interviews. Thanks Logan for sharing his personal details; sounds like a very busy and hardworking yet fulfilling lifestyle.

I'm curious as to know what kind of earnings a freelance filmer or one who films with a company with Level1 or one of the lower budget more core ski film companies would make. Anybody care to shed some light on that?
Jan 14 2013 2:36AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,063
It all really depends. Let me spell out a few scenarios for you.

First of all before anything, filming skiing isn't a year round job, so most filmers (unless they edit the movie too IE josh berman) will do other work whether is a random job or freelance.

1. Working for a big budget company like MSP or TGR they have contracted full time filmers and they pay them per season and I can almost guarantee they do side jobs too when its the summer. Now the amount these filmers get paid is unknown to me exactly, but id guess they make 30-40 from a season (the full time hired filmers, not like random dude they get footage from who live in BC or something)

2. Working for a low budget company like PBP or L1P, these guys are similar to the big budget have contracted filmers that also most likely do freelance in the summer unless they help edit. These guys make less, maybe 10-30 a season (depends on company, etc again these are educated guesses, if anyone more educated wants to hop in be my guest)

3. Working freelance. This might be someone like me two years ago making my first money from ski edits to someone who does big contracts with ski companies, like for example me present day with NS. This number is hard to guess since its very depended on the companies. I can say doing freelance ski stuff two years ago I maybe made $1000 in a ski season and then did freelance in the summer along with other jobs when not skiing. So, most people you see online making videos for companies (if they even get paid) usually aren't making much unless they are like in a employed video position with the company which someone like that would have a salary of 20-40k/yr depending.

This category also related to companies like stept. They make ski movies, make money from that, but they also do a ton of freelance work in and out of the ski industry as a company. Again, for making money this is so depended on how many jobs the get and how many people they might "employ" etc.

Sorry if none of that made sense, kind of hard to describe in detail since there are no details. But, I think its reasonable for a filmer for a ski company to make 10-40k a season (depending on company) and with freelance its almost skys the limit, you could make 50k in a season if you made a shit ton of videos for high profile clients or you could make 1k making 2-3 videos for low profile clients, again it all depends on what you charge, who the client is and what you produce for them. Hope that sheds some light on it for ya.
Jan 14 2013 3:09AM
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dross250
Posts: 380 - Karma: 119
^^ quality post E Heath. Read each of the scenarios and they were far more in-depth than I had hoped for - thanks for that! They sound fairly realistic too - for what it's worth from my know-nothing ass. Definitely not the money that I as a viewer would expect a person to get paid to put together some of the quality of work you see - whether it be from your edits to segments in the TGR and Level1 movies. For what it's worth though - I would PAY $30,000 a year to spend a winter doing what you do. Then again, I'm no the one spending countless hours hauling equipment, setting up, getting the shot and then editing it and mastering it for the final audiences pleasure. Regardless, thanks for the insight and know that what you do brings far more enjoyment to many people than any dollar figure can cover. (this goes to Imlach and all pro/am skiiers as well as Heath and his filmmaking counterparts.
Jan 14 2013 3:43AM
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eheath
Posts: 61603 - Karma: 123,063
Glad I could help out, to be honest I have the most fun making edit that I'm not receiving any compensation for. When it comes to ski filming (at least for me) putting out something I really enjoy watching myself and other enjoy watching too is so much more motivating than money. I enjoy film making as a job but I enjoying just filming with friends and making quality content for nothing even more. I feel like skiing should be the same way, you should be stoked to make a living from skiing if you can, but going out and skiing with your friends will always be more satisfying.
Jan 14 2013 3:47AM
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FJibber
Posts: 1494 - Karma: 1,291
As always, Logan Imlach makes the highest quality posts.

From what I've heard I would say that 95% of the pros get travel budget of around 3K-15k and the rest is their parent's money or their summer jobs.
Jan 14 2013 4:06AM
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