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April, 2025

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What defines a pro skier

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AFleischer
Posts: 14 - Karma: 294
At least for me the line between pro and am skiers is very fine. What qualifies a skier to be pro, is it competition results, sponsors, money? If I would have to define what makes a skier pro I would say being respected and recognized throughout the freeski community.
10 years ago
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.HERO
Posts: 479 - Karma: 3,676
A question I'm curious about too. Good job OP
10 years ago
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,194
I don't think there is any one definition. For instance, Andy Parry pro is different than Joss Christensen pro. Or Thovex pro being backcountry now compared to Ahmet's urban insanity.

I think it incorporates those qualities op mentioned but it all goes in different directions.
10 years ago
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K-Dot.
Posts: 3790 - Karma: 8,346
If they are a professional skier, then their profession is skiing. A profession is defined as 'a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.'

So if they are being paid to ski, they are professional. Simple as that.
10 years ago
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,172
K-Dot.If they are a professional skier, then their profession is skiing. A profession is defined as 'a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.'

So if they are being paid to ski, they are professional. Simple as that.


Many skiers have summer jobs, like McRae who works at Utahs water ramps.

That being said, if you get paid you are pro, or amateur if you think that steve stepp joke is funny.
10 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61938 - Karma: 126,502
A professional skier is someone who makes enough money to support a living without any sort of side job. You'd be surprised how many of your favorite "pros" get summer jobs to support their skiing careers.
10 years ago
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corona
Posts: 12845 - Karma: 33,290
The definition by the IOC or other sporting bodies seems to be whether the person is rewarded monetarily for performing in the sport, this would be regardless of whether they are making enough money to support themselves or not.

So any skiers on a payroll would be pros. If they're just getting merchandise then that wouldn't qualify them.

I don't know where competition winnings fit in with this, but I'm guessing they're unrelated. Not what you'd consider a payroll.
10 years ago
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rememberscott
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 5,198
Professional=acquiring money.

So as a lift foreman my job is to ski around and make sure all the lifts and ramps look good.

AKA I get paid to ski around. aKA. I'm a pro skier bitch.
10 years ago
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N.L.
Posts: 2420 - Karma: 2,749
its all about your PSIA ranking!!!
but really, any professional athlete has an agent and a professional trainer.... they are independent contractors that make money off of performance x publicity. they aren't begging for money because their agent has marketed them properly, got them in the events they can do well in , and get exposure for their sponsors... within freestlye skiing, this circle is tiny. most skiers are coaches or have side jobs as noted, even snowboarding you see alot more careers for a range of styles.
10 years ago
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bakerpunk
Posts: 884 - Karma: 1,126
Once you get laid from skiing then you are pro. no other rules apply.
10 years ago
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rcasey
Posts: 348 - Karma: 1,577
more spins=more proness
10 years ago
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loganimlach
Posts: 5132 - Karma: 14,102
bakerpunkOnce you get laid from skiing then you are pro. no other rules apply.


Zing! And the number decreases even more drastically.
10 years ago
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jensen
Posts: 2576 - Karma: 1,267
eheathA professional skier is someone who makes enough money to support a living without any sort of side job. You'd be surprised how many of your favorite "pros" get summer jobs to support their skiing careers.


this x1,000
10 years ago
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Ron.Burgundy
Posts: 353 - Karma: 1,072
I've heard people say whether having an energy drink sponsor or not is the defining point, but I disagree. It's so much easier in skating because you either have a pro model or not.
10 years ago
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schommi97
Posts: 128 - Karma: 270
being a pro skier is defined by how good you ride and how much you have doing it. being good and still liking it is the most important thing in this sport
10 years ago
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
I think you meant to ask 'How does one define a pro skier?'...


... As, considering the above, the answer to 'What defines a pro skier?' is Google.
10 years ago
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steezewonton
Posts: 405 - Karma: 924
Orange names on NS defines pro skier
10 years ago
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D_War
Posts: 266 - Karma: 35
I think it may be important to look at what defines an amateur skier. It comes from french and translates to "lover of" (skiing): someone is an amateur if the reason they ski and do everything they do is for their love of the sport.


With that said if skiing pays the bills, you are a pro.
10 years ago
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N.L.
Posts: 2420 - Karma: 2,749
yungFoolerSJOrange names on NS defines pro skier


pick up line -"whats up babe?, ive got an orange name on NS?"
chick response- "is that some sort of disease?"

pro hoe - "arent you that dude that shreds?, i heard about you..."
skillz response- "chyeah babe, buy me a beer"
10 years ago
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Nacho+
Posts: 3748 - Karma: 7,792
The ladies
10 years ago
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