Member of the Month

abjectwoe
May, 2025

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Short rant- Pro skiers x Ski brand ambassadors

profile picture
WGalinski
Posts: 75 - Karma: 442
This is a rant.

A line needs to be drawn between actual pro skiing and people that represent a brand as an ambassador because of their social media influence. These instagram girls and guys that claim to be pro skiers need to realize without their cell phone apps they would never be considered pro. I just watched one of the most cringe worthy ski videos ever and found out the skiers in the video have more of a following than some of the best park skiers and ski racers in the world. I’m not going to call out the brand or skiers in the film I seen, but it hardly makes sense why they would film these subpar pros and put out a video showcasing average powder skiing that my 66 year old dad can do.

Anyone else feel like brands need to give the pros more love (and money) and give less attention to these influencers? Or is there need for both? I appreciate your perspectives
6 months ago
37 1
profile picture
i_eat_bricks
Posts: 20 - Karma: 78
WGalinskiThis is a rant.

A line needs to be drawn between actual pro skiing and people that represent a brand as an ambassador because of their social media influence. These instagram girls and guys that claim to be pro skiers need to realize without their cell phone apps they would never be considered pro. I just watched one of the most cringe worthy ski videos ever and found out the skiers in the video have more of a following than some of the best park skiers and ski racers in the world. I’m not going to call out the brand or skiers in the film I seen, but it hardly makes sense why they would film these subpar pros and put out a video showcasing average powder skiing that my 66 year old dad can do.

Anyone else feel like brands need to give the pros more love (and money) and give less attention to these influencers? Or is there need for both? I appreciate your perspectives


I think the pros always could use some more money It's not a high paying profession but I think that growing skiing as a sport is the best way to get money into the "Skiing economy" and towards pros. Media influencers might be pretty ass at skiing but they get people hyped to try skiing.
6 months ago
11 1
profile picture
hi_vis360
Posts: 5330 - Karma: 55,386
People like relatable content. If you don’t like it stay off the gram
6 months ago
11 2
profile picture
BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9617 - Karma: 71,558
The whole reason pro skiers existed in the first place and got money was because of the viewership they drew. Same with any sport. I bet more young basketball fans today know who D'vontay Friga is more than most NBA players because of his youtube viewership and relatable content. He's a basketball influencer, and in the same way, you get ski influencers who make high quality video content, and may or may not be able to ski well. They might not be 'pro' level but it is worth far more to a company to send them gear/pay them than a pro who shoots very little content with low viewership but skis at an insanely high level.

**This post was edited on Dec 6th 2024 at 3:06:05pm
6 months ago
11 1
profile picture
-Dan
Posts: 7189 - Karma: 53,465
Support the brands the support the people projects and events that you want to see.
6 months ago
48 0
profile picture
BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9617 - Karma: 71,558
This is the answer
-DanSupport the brands the support the people projects and events that you want to see.
6 months ago
9 0
profile picture
blazeonyia
Posts: 365 - Karma: 1,451
Story time:

Back in the day I worked park crew at Vail when they hosted the US Open. Real pros throwing down real tricks. A few weeks after I get put on this assignment to follow a photographer and some models so they can take pictures around the mountain wearing different outfits. My job was to sit there and radio patrol if one of these jabronis broke themselves off.

This one particular prick was adamant that he was a pro skier. He wouldn't let it go. Watching him ski, this was obviously not the case. Finally I said he should come to the park and show us his skills. The groms showed him up and he finished his day at Vail Valley Medical.
6 months ago
32 0
profile picture
skierman
Posts: 8602 - Karma: 9,523
WGalinskiThese instagram girls and guys


And that's where you fucked up.
6 months ago
11 0
profile picture
creaturelo
Posts: 630 - Karma: 12,340
depends on the brand and the people writing the checks. user generated content like “get ready with me” videos just tend to track well. the kind of return on investment that athletes can provide isn’t always as tangible to corporate folks, and a lot of times influencers and content creators have those metrics at the front of their sales pitch to work with brands. not saying athletes don’t, but it’s definitely a different style of distribution and engagement that they can offer generally. growing an audience that wouldn’t otherwise see your product can be a better investment than having a cool factor of a well known pro skier repping your brand. should also note that ambassadors are frequently unpaid but rather on a flow deal, but the line is definitely blurry and varies brand to brand.

dan is absolutely right, support the brands that are supporting the people and projects you want to see.
6 months ago
9 0
profile picture
Christian_Bale
Posts: 2266 - Karma: 25,724
BigPurpleSkiSuitThe whole reason pro skiers existed in the first place and got money was because of the viewership they drew. Same with any sport. I bet more young basketball fans today know who D'vontay Friga is more than most NBA players because of his youtube viewership and relatable content. He's a basketball influencer, and in the same way, you get ski influencers who make high quality video content, and may or may not be able to ski well. They might not be 'pro' level but it is worth far more to a company to send them gear/pay them than a pro who shoots very little content with low viewership but skis at an insanely high level.

**This post was edited on Dec 6th 2024 at 3:06:05pm

"high quality video content" lmao
6 months ago
1 0
profile picture
BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9617 - Karma: 71,558
Christian_Bale"high quality video content" lmao


high quality in the sense of having a good camera that shoots good footage. Not necessarily the content itself.
6 months ago
4 0
profile picture
Way*Mo
Posts: 772 - Karma: 3,191
BigPurpleSkiSuitThe whole reason pro skiers existed in the first place and got money was because of the viewership they drew. Same with any sport. I bet more young basketball fans today know who D'vontay Friga is more than most NBA players because of his youtube viewership and relatable content. He's a basketball influencer, and in the same way, you get ski influencers who make high quality video content, and may or may not be able to ski well. They might not be 'pro' level but it is worth far more to a company to send them gear/pay them than a pro who shoots very little content with low viewership but skis at an insanely high level.

**This post was edited on Dec 6th 2024 at 3:06:05pm


Replying to your thread because it is the most relevant.

I think the problem is that companies are extremely short sighted. An influencer might get in front of more eyeballs and may convert some of those eyes to sales initially, but I also don't think those people stay around long term. On the other hand, true pros and core riders might have smaller followings, but the people they do reach are invested for the long term.

Basically, the industry needs to invest in a core culture that cares deeply about the sport. Over time, some outside people will see how cool it is organically and it will venture over and the sport will grow. This growth will be healthy and sustainable and will preserve what we all love about the lifestyle.

The alternative is to try and pull in every Tom, Dick, and Harry who has skied once or thought about skiing with cheap gimmicks and un-authentic influencers. This will result in the loss of the sports identity and soul which ultimately creates bust cycles and in the mid to long term actually hurts growth and evolution.

Niche sports need to learn that they don't need to, and even more, shouldn't target broad main stream success. Invest in the actual culture and growth will occur naturally.
6 months ago
10 0
profile picture
Christian_Bale
Posts: 2266 - Karma: 25,724
BigPurpleSkiSuithigh quality in the sense of having a good camera that shoots good footage. Not necessarily the content itself.

ok that's fair lol
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
Jibbcore
Posts: 441 - Karma: 830
I agree but brands dont care if youre pro or not they care about how much of their products you can sell
6 months ago
3 0
profile picture
creaturelo
Posts: 630 - Karma: 12,340
Way*MoReplying to your thread because it is the most relevant.

I think the problem is that companies are extremely short sighted. An influencer might get in front of more eyeballs and may convert some of those eyes to sales initially, but I also don't think those people stay around long term. On the other hand, true pros and core riders might have smaller followings, but the people they do reach are invested for the long term.

Basically, the industry needs to invest in a core culture that cares deeply about the sport. Over time, some outside people will see how cool it is organically and it will venture over and the sport will grow. This growth will be healthy and sustainable and will preserve what we all love about the lifestyle.

The alternative is to try and pull in every Tom, Dick, and Harry who has skied once or thought about skiing with cheap gimmicks and un-authentic influencers. This will result in the loss of the sports identity and soul which ultimately creates bust cycles and in the mid to long term actually hurts growth and evolution.

Niche sports need to learn that they don't need to, and even more, shouldn't target broad main stream success. Invest in the actual culture and growth will occur naturally.

Entirely depends on the product. You may be correct in the case of hard goods, but with outerwear it’s a poor decision to exclusively target such a niche demographic if your goal is growth and/or profit. The person walking down the street of Chicago is just as important of a customer as the person ripping laps at a resort in Utah. Just because you can reach a wide and diverse audience does not mean you necessarily have to stray from “sports identity and soul”, in fact it often results in an increase of budget to go towards the things you and I give a shit about with cultural significance. People aren’t just going to magically take notice of skiing if it exists in a vacuum.
6 months ago
2 0
profile picture
Jahhsss
Posts: 697 - Karma: 3,237
"Influence athletes" have almost completely stolen our jobs and opportunities in the sport as "pro skiers".

Saying this as is relates to working with bigger companies and corporations. Accomplishments don't matter as much as social numbers. Really sucks but what can you do. they're out here hustling so its not their fault. Just social media as a whole has really hurt the ability to have a decent income as an actual ripping athlete.
6 months ago
28 0
profile picture
ski@jaypeak2
Posts: 2808 - Karma: 498
GRWM videos are more appealing to a mainstream audience than someone breaking their coffee table.
6 months ago
16 1
profile picture
partyandBS
Posts: 5912 - Karma: 91,975
“what makes the most money? okay lets do that”
-companies
6 months ago
15 0
profile picture
midwestcoast
Posts: 235 - Karma: 2,391
a mentor of mine told me “capital flows the path of least resistance” and I’ll never forget that.
6 months ago
15 0
profile picture
midwestcoast
Posts: 235 - Karma: 2,391
A mentor of mine told me “capital flows the path of least resistance” and I’ll never forget that.
6 months ago
2 10
profile picture
midwestcoast
Posts: 235 - Karma: 2,391
A mentor of mine told me “capital flows the path of least resistance” and I’ll never forget that.
6 months ago
2 8
profile picture
Way*Mo
Posts: 772 - Karma: 3,191
creatureloEntirely depends on the product. You may be correct in the case of hard goods, but with outerwear it’s a poor decision to exclusively target such a niche demographic if your goal is growth and/or profit. The person walking down the street of Chicago is just as important of a customer as the person ripping laps at a resort in Utah. Just because you can reach a wide and diverse audience does not mean you necessarily have to stray from “sports identity and soul”, in fact it often results in an increase of budget to go towards the things you and I give a shit about with cultural significance. People aren’t just going to magically take notice of skiing if it exists in a vacuum.


Except that the ‘customer’ in Chicago is fickle. As soon as trends shift your jacket is no longer desirable.
6 months ago
2 0
profile picture
creaturelo
Posts: 630 - Karma: 12,340
Way*MoExcept that the ‘customer’ in Chicago is fickle. As soon as trends shift your jacket is no longer desirable.

Not true. A trend like the arcteryx /gorpcore phenomenon is not a representation of the outerwear industry.

About 70% of the people living in the US experience snowy winters- those folks living in southern Wyoming or western Pennsylvania or per my last example Chicago, all need clothing that keeps them warm and dry regardless of trends, and regardless of what they are using it for. Who’s to say that someone plowing roads in Ohio can’t wear the same Helly Hansen jacket as the die hard guy skiing Alta everyday? Customers outside of our immediate community are vital to most brands making clothing.
6 months ago
6 0
profile picture
BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7531 - Karma: 66,988
I used to have a relatively naive view of the sponsored world. I slowly learned, bit by bit, how it was. But I remember I worked at a ski shop with a girl who posted on Instagram as if she was sponsored. It got under my skin more than it should have. Maybe because I knew people who had (and do) struggle for recognition and pay in the industry. Regardless, that was very eye opening to me. Maybe I never noticed because I had never seen it so blatantly before.

Also, the older I get - the more I do kind of believe the trust fund influencer thing.
6 months ago
3 0
profile picture
Way*Mo
Posts: 772 - Karma: 3,191
creatureloNot true. A trend like the arcteryx /gorpcore phenomenon is not a representation of the outerwear industry.

About 70% of the people living in the US experience snowy winters- those folks living in southern Wyoming or western Pennsylvania or per my last example Chicago, all need clothing that keeps them warm and dry regardless of trends, and regardless of what they are using it for. Who’s to say that someone plowing roads in Ohio can’t wear the same Helly Hansen jacket as the die hard guy skiing Alta everyday? Customers outside of our immediate community are vital to most brands making clothing.


I see your point to an extent, but those gals/guys are also not going to be brand loyal. They are going to buy whatever is cheapest that meets whatever his quality requirements are, or more likely whatever is at Fleet Farm or Tractor Supply. I grew up in a ranch town in Colorado then Utah/Little Cottonwood Canyon and now reside in rural snowy Midwest. Very very few people without ties to an outdoor activity are buying any of the outerwear mentioned here.

I also don't think influencer marketing is going to be reaching your average plow truck driver either, so that's kinda moot. Maybe an ad in Men's Health.
6 months ago
2 0
profile picture
Way*Mo
Posts: 772 - Karma: 3,191
creatureloNot true. A trend like the arcteryx /gorpcore phenomenon is not a representation of the outerwear industry.

About 70% of the people living in the US experience snowy winters- those folks living in southern Wyoming or western Pennsylvania or per my last example Chicago, all need clothing that keeps them warm and dry regardless of trends, and regardless of what they are using it for. Who’s to say that someone plowing roads in Ohio can’t wear the same Helly Hansen jacket as the die hard guy skiing Alta everyday? Customers outside of our immediate community are vital to most brands making clothing.


I'll add, you obviously have much much more insider perspective than me. All of my statements are based off anecdotal observations and long standing discussions with friends in other outdoor industries.

Do you know of any specific metrics that track outerwear sales and how the decisions were made? It would be really interesting to see to know how many of these non-ski jacket purchases are at least partially informed because these people might go ski once or twice a year and want a jacket that can do both. In other words, they bought a jacket to plow in but made there final selection because they can also use it for skiing.
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
BradFiAusNzCoCa
Posts: 7531 - Karma: 66,988
Also, I want to say that places like Sierra stocking quality outerwear also has a lot of effect in getting your “non industry focused person” into a Helly, Spyder, Obermeyer, etc. They have actually good stuff at good prices.
6 months ago
1 0
profile picture
creaturelo
Posts: 630 - Karma: 12,340
Way*MoI'll add, you obviously have much much more insider perspective than me. All of my statements are based off anecdotal observations and long standing discussions with friends in other outdoor industries.

Do you know of any specific metrics that track outerwear sales and how the decisions were made? It would be really interesting to see to know how many of these non-ski jacket purchases are at least partially informed because these people might go ski once or twice a year and want a jacket that can do both. In other words, they bought a jacket to plow in but made there final selection because they can also use it for skiing.


Not really unless a specific survey is done by a brand, which is only met by their customer base and even then only those who have signed up for emails or follow the brand on socials where they’re already somewhat committed to the brand. It’s super easy to see the geography of sales, which can inform whether or not someone lives in an area related to skiing, but hard to track their exact use of a garment.
I think another thing to consider is how normalized the turnover rate of consumerism is in ski culture (and out of it haha)- getting new stuff every year or the latest greatest thing- like if you have a perfectly good pair of snow pants but they aren’t baggy enough now. It’s a huge conversation on the cycle of trends etc that we’ll never scratch the surface of in a forum, but it needs to be kept in mind. People often develop loyalty because a product works. Whether that’s the material or the fit or whatever, customers take note of consistency and quality and then it’s a bonus if they appreciate the ethos or story behind it- We can include athletes and ambassadors in the “story” category for the purpose of this thread. Warranty programs are also huge in creating returning customers, which is usually the goal. Patagonia is a great example of this, and it’s also something I saw first hand in my time at Obermeyer. Maybe it’s also a generational thing to not be brand loyal, I haven’t looked at those metrics but I’m sure there’s a skew there as well.
6 months ago
4 0
profile picture
Phoenixgrassl21
Posts: 111 - Karma: 688
Definitely think the pros and the underground film/street skiers could use more money and funds, crazy that back in the earlier Freeskiing days pros where making 40 to 100+ k a year from brands. Now if they are lucky they will make 0 to 30k and barely break even! Some pros even resorting in making influencer content just to continue skiing. Best thing is supporting brands that give back to the the dope af underground street skiers and pros putting out films that keep the community alive.
6 months ago
5 0
profile picture
Benchhitter
Posts: 199 - Karma: 1,943
There are a few genres of “supported” skiiers and they will always push their luck as far as they can to be recognized as a real, full ride pro. It’s the way the ego goes. Always want more.

there’s the irritating influencers, there’s the “ambassadors” but there’s also the shop employee who sweet talked a rep into a setup and thinks he’s thee shit now; and the freeride coaches who get free skis because their kiddos idolize them and brand reps know they can convert lifetime customers.

If you weren’t explicitly asked by the brand to put their @ in your bio, you a bit of a silly goose. But whateva.
6 months ago
4 0
profile picture
Joerga
Posts: 433 - Karma: 3,821
Most important stuff has already been said here from others, just want to add one more thing. You are a "pro" in something if you make money with it, no matter how much and no matter how good you are at it.

This does not mean I like people that call themselves pro but at the same time suck at what they are doing no matter which profession or sport. Also, I hate social media for all the negativ impact it has on people and industries.
6 months ago
4 0
profile picture
GrandThings
Posts: 3305 - Karma: 34,148
I want an Arsenic sponsored GRWM that includes rolling spliffs and jump-starting a dead Subaru with 6 guys standing around
6 months ago
16 0
profile picture
-Dan
Posts: 7189 - Karma: 53,465
GrandThingsI want an Arsenic sponsored GRWM that includes rolling spliffs and jump-starting a dead Subaru with 6 guys standing around

✍🏼
6 months ago
11 0
profile picture
VT_scratch
Posts: 8851 - Karma: 6,711
what film
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
WGalinski
Posts: 75 - Karma: 442
https://youtu.be/BBJa32lCaaY?si=cjMeRqVaZvpGEOyg

VT_scratchwhat film

this is it
6 months ago
1 0
profile picture
Arabian
Posts: 702 - Karma: 1,303
Pro skiers were only ever there to rep the brand in the first place. If someone comes along and does it better, that's capitalism, baby. As much as I want Joss up there to succeed (hmu on ig i miss you!), the industry doesn't give a shit about anyone unless they can make them money, and unless pro athletes also start hitting the media game in addition to their skiing, they're not gonna compete well against the skifluencers

**This post was edited on Dec 10th 2024 at 3:06:57am
6 months ago
1 1
profile picture
theabortionator
Posts: 52626 - Karma: 174,625
-DanSupport the brands the support the people projects and events that you want to see.


Preach!!
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
X_MEMESWERVE_XX
Posts: 3945 - Karma: 33,348
I'm a pro skier sponsored by myself cuz I think I'm really cool and funny
6 months ago
2 0
profile picture
VT_scratch
Posts: 8851 - Karma: 6,711
WGalinskihttps://youtu.be/BBJa32lCaaY?si=cjMeRqVaZvpGEOyg


this is it


If you wanna have a conversation about this, let's actually talk about it. why are you worried about sharing your opinion online, it's just ski media and community discussion.
6 months ago
0 1
profile picture
CalumSKI
Posts: 4379 - Karma: 26,123
I mean there are clear smart ways to do it
look at line, they sponsor every TikTok skier you've seen pre much which leads to TWP and Chronic sales thru the roof
I feel like this is more of a soft goods issue tho
6 months ago
1 0
profile picture
WGalinski
Posts: 75 - Karma: 442
This was a rant, not a conversation. I wanted to read other perspectives of the matter and refrain from calling anyone out. It’s out of respect whether I agree with what they do or not. End of rant.
VT_scratchIf you wanna have a conversation about this, let's actually talk about it. why are you worried about sharing your opinion online, it's just ski media and community discussion.
6 months ago
0 0
profile picture
VT_scratch
Posts: 8851 - Karma: 6,711
WGalinskiThis was a rant, not a conversation. I wanted to read other perspectives of the matter and refrain from calling anyone out. It’s out of respect whether I agree with what they do or not. End of rant.


I mean I can't even thinking of a ski movie made by influencers. All I see is short clips on IG and photos from these people. Would love to see what you're talking about. All you said was it was cringeworthy. I can say that about most TGR films. You're not protecting them haha please just post it.
6 months ago
2 0
profile picture
b0ss
Posts: 822 - Karma: 6,373
No one would be considered pro without their cell phone apps. Lots of people paying their bills by skiing. Thats just how it is.
6 months ago
1 0
All times are Eastern (-4); Currently it's 10:13PM