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Career in skiing?

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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812

heres the thing I am not good enough at skiing to turn pro and I know that. I figure i will do competitions for a while and probably be sponsored as an amature for a few years but I dont think i have a chance at going very far. As a comitted skier I want to continue my path in skiing though and keep giving to the comunity. This is why I want to chose a career that revolves around skiing. The problem is I dont know what career to persue: i need ideas..... this is where NS comes in. give me suggestions or examples of ski careers. thanks

Jun 26 2008 8:40PM
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Mr_Papageorgio
Posts: 1271 - Karma: 117
do you have a college degree or not?

these are some ideas that a degree would help with but not necessarily be absolutely needed

1. become a sales rep and eventually sales manager for any ski brand.  you get to travel and meet people and use your already made connections to translate to sales which translates to money.

2.  become an event planner and coordinate competitions.  deal with skiiers and make sure they have what they need when they get there.  work with venders to figure out what to sell and where. talk to media outlets and try to get the names of these athletes and competitions out in the public which once again translates to money


just a couple ideas and for all i know they suck
Jun 26 2008 8:51PM
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Mr_Papageorgio
Posts: 1271 - Karma: 117
o yeah one more thing.

if you really really want to work and make a living in the ski industry. you can.  u just have to set your priorities
Jun 26 2008 8:52PM
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asfffffffffdd
Posts: 1554 - Karma: 1,103
if you live in CO I can offer you a spot as a filmer for Shadow Puppet Productions....... it won't pay yet, but as the company grows it eventually will

let me know
Jun 26 2008 9:11PM
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reverendwrong
Posts: 3145 - Karma: 142
kneepads allen? is this alluding to what i think ur alluding too or am i way off
Jun 26 2008 9:18PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
dude i freakin wish i did but i dont
Jun 26 2008 9:24PM
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blingedout
Posts: 151 - Karma: 14
smart > average skier

as far as money is concerned. stay focused in school (are you still in school?) and you'll be able to be CEO of a company or something, rather than being bitched, you'll be bitching people around and hiring and firing.
Jun 26 2008 9:30PM
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huge-go
Posts: 1451 - Karma: 33
If you LOVE the backcountry you could work toward becoming some sort of guide. Maybe you could work yourself into a film guide position with msp or tgr or something.
Jun 26 2008 9:36PM
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lalalalaura
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 68
this will help launch your career for sure
Jun 26 2008 9:44PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
the thing is though that I live in canada in a part where no back country is near.
Jun 26 2008 9:55PM
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chad1234567
Posts: 53 - Karma: 10
ski hill managment?
Jun 27 2008 3:22AM
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chad1234567
Posts: 53 - Karma: 10
bahahahahaha
Jun 27 2008 3:23AM
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SKIDUBAIGUY
Posts: 3018 - Karma: 8
Im most probably going to be a journo when i leave for some snow related mag, i hope atleast. Think about trying to get into that.
Jun 27 2008 3:39AM
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eheath
Posts: 61106 - Karma: 118,269
You could be the best filmer, the best photographer, the best skier, the best business man, you won't go anywhere in the ski industry without connections, period.
Jun 27 2008 4:15AM
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Maximumsushi
Posts: 7837 - Karma: 3,347
The ski industry is shit and pays very little.
Jun 27 2008 7:51AM
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-Tristan-
Posts: 915 - Karma: 19
Thats only half true, if you get that good people will notice you and you will make connections. You cant be discouraged about starting out in the ski industry because you dont know anyone. As you get into it more and more you'll meet people and make connections through the industry. The right ski towns are just crawling with people in high places ski wise, and they are normally pretty friendly.

There is no money in this industry though, unless you are very very smart/lucky. Even then it pales in comparison to what you could be making in other industries.
Jun 27 2008 11:21AM
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Pipe_Munky
Posts: 10887 - Karma: 2,165
believe me, sales reps in ontario do pretty well for themselves
Jun 27 2008 11:47AM
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jedi.Jim
Posts: 1133 - Karma: 13
Backcountry guide, park manager, sales rep, film producer, ski design, clothing design, sales rep, ski instructor, event coordinator. Really, the jobs are almost endless. Being a ski instructor may not be a career, but it will get you started.
Jun 27 2008 12:53PM
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BootySpunk.
Posts: 8148 - Karma: 84
Talk to nomensteven I know he went to school in canada somewhere for ski resort managment which sounds pretty dopesauce
Jun 27 2008 12:59PM
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dave44
Posts: 11052 - Karma: 113
^ Says it all
Jun 27 2008 1:01PM
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goneforever
Posts: 794 - Karma: 18
Can I say lawyer or investment banker?
Jun 27 2008 1:10PM
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SKIDUBAIGUY
Posts: 3018 - Karma: 8
How is that related to skiing?
Jun 27 2008 1:15PM
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Karcher
Posts: 3788 - Karma: 1,934
become an architect and design ski hills and lifts and trails
Jun 27 2008 1:29PM
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Malcolm
Posts: 15949 - Karma: 9,431
what about st bruno's backcountry?  i heard its pretty epic
Jun 27 2008 2:32PM
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anton...
Posts: 119 - Karma: 10
get schooled and get into the corporate side of resorts...

marketing and HR are very big...

you wont be rich, but youll get to ride a shitload and earn enough not be a bum...


...or you could just bum it for the next 10-20 years
Jun 27 2008 5:13PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
lol if by epic you mean boring and back country you mean the cross country ski path then hell yah it is !!
Jun 27 2008 5:17PM
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FreeBallin
Posts: 1845 - Karma: 17
when i am workin at deer valley over the winters, rumor has it that most of the top ski instructors(ones that only get privates and huges corporate groups) are making triple digits just during the winter season.  I was makin over $20+ per hour after tips without any certification just teachin 3 years olds.  Not sure if all resorts are like this tho. 
Jun 27 2008 7:44PM
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Ahmets_Brother
Posts: 20283 - Karma: 5,931
your best bet is a ski instructor, guide, or sales rep. Or even if you wanna become an engineer you could make your way into the industry. But the fact is, if you wanna make your way into the industry in a way that will SUPPORT you fully, you have to have super fat knee pads....its all about connections that are usually brought about by luck or you are super super good at skiing.
Jun 27 2008 8:50PM
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-Tristan-
Posts: 915 - Karma: 19
Start out teaching. I know it kinda sounds like a joke, and believe me it is in many ways. The thing is you'll be able to live in nearly any ski town and make tons of connections along the way. That or apply for a job at a shop in a ski town. Since you are Canadian like me I'd suggest Banff, Whistler, Kelowna or Revy after a couple more seasons.
Jun 27 2008 9:13PM
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goneforever
Posts: 794 - Karma: 18
You can be a lawyer for the ski company or you could just become a partner at a law firm and retire at 40 or become an investment banker and retire around the same time.
Jun 29 2008 12:28PM
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C-Burg
Posts: 4729 - Karma: 130
does the ski industry need engineers
Jun 29 2008 12:36PM
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FellowJibber
Posts: 476 - Karma: 12
pursue it because youll eventually get good enough
Jun 29 2008 4:07PM
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flatspinner
Posts: 2701 - Karma: 536
Alright, here's the thing.

Ok, so you established that you might get sponsored by a few small companies with your skiing and you are looking for a career in the ski industry.

Most people who have careers in the ski industry, really don't ski that much. Unless you get hooked up with a bomber job, you're looking at 30 days of skiing. Give or take 10.

Here comes the tricky part, what specific area do you want to get into? As ski areas want to attract more and more people, they need a lot of marketing people (and customer service). Park crews are always looking for labor, but it's rare for a you to have a career in that unless you know your way around a cat "like whoa". Most ski areas require 5 years of grooming experience before they let you tackle a terrain park. You have to know your math too, geometry emphasis!

Some ski companies have links at the bottom of their pages entitled "Jobs". Search those, if you don't mind crappy pay (unless you have a college degree)...go with that. Oh, you won't be working anywhere near snow unless you are working in Ogden, UT. (ogden is an expensive place btw)

Photography, good luck.
Videography, good luck.
Designing top sheets, unless you are have a BFA...unlikely

I have exhausted my fingers, I wish you luck....also, if you want to stay in the ski industry....you probably gotta know how to party hard. That's why pros like Chris Hawkes never become huge, he didn't like to party as much as some others. That guy could throw a switch 7 before Cusson

Jun 29 2008 8:20PM
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BKlein
Posts: 1031 - Karma: 81
Wow 3s hiliarious
Jun 29 2008 9:32PM
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Atypical
Posts: 1339 - Karma: 45
you could be a

1. gear dealer
2. company owner
3. company rep
4. mountain employee
5. if your good at art ski graphic designer
6. product development
7. event coordinater

fuck it I could take all night doing this.

you don't have to be good at skiing to be involved in the ski industry.
Jun 29 2008 10:40PM
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waynewong
Posts: 1359 - Karma: 23
Ok time for some real advice from someone who actually owns a house -


Ask yourself what is most important to you - Being part of the community or enjoying the sport?

Most of the top guys I know in tahoe, with the exceptions of the very top tier dogs (shane, darron and???) ALL work outside the industry as much as possible. Many work trades such as construction...Krietler and Anderson both worked for Jim Morrisson - and they ski/film more than any of us ever will. 

Some guys eek it out on a bare budget, but if you aspire to own anything and afford gas, your gonna need to think adjunct industry...

A close friend of mine leased an articulated snow blower a few winters ago...him and his girlfriend hd it paid of in two storm cycles and were able to ride/sled every day they wanted.

Be creative....


But if you are still wanting to suffer and be poor....good luck


The ski industry is going down the shitter and mountains are gonna be closing left and right the next few years


Jun 29 2008 10:51PM
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-Tristan-
Posts: 915 - Karma: 19
Well you cant know much about being in the ski industry, you actually own a house.


Jun 29 2008 11:54PM
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flatspinner
Posts: 2701 - Karma: 536
I get the joke, but wow...that's ballsy
Jun 30 2008 12:13AM
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Shpadoinkle
Posts: 10437 - Karma: 84
A wise man once told me...

It's not what you know, it's who you blow.
Jun 30 2008 1:05AM
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dave44
Posts: 11052 - Karma: 113
how about get a baller non-ski industry job that will give you lots of free time to ski?

do they exist?
Jun 30 2008 1:16AM
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ben802
Posts: 565 - Karma: 16
how much do ns moderators earn?
Jun 30 2008 1:20AM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
yah thats something iv always wanted to do but if i take off before going to cejep then i wont want to come back and continue my studies so i will be left with no education if i come back. kuz i wanted initialy to go to banf or whiss. for a year to just live and ski. probably get a job as an  instructor or something to substain my living needs but when i come back i wont want to study. so i have to concentrate for now
Jul 4 2008 11:05PM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
yah thats my second possibility but if i go for that its probably gonna be a crap ass job at part time and im gonna make barely enough to live and ski so i will basicaly be a ski bum
Jul 4 2008 11:11PM
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shitty
Posts: 242 - Karma: 46
i've thought it'd be cool to be to work in the financial sector of a company like Amer Sports, or even just like for the Salomon quarters out in Utah. Being a staff accountant or analyst is what im prolly gonna end up doing, and doing it for a skiing-related company would be sick.
Jul 4 2008 11:47PM
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greenman
Posts: 945 - Karma: 27
im thinkin about goin to college for business n bein a sales rep or sumthin cu thatd b nasty
Jul 5 2008 12:23AM
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LMPJibbin
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 17
if you run out of ideas, try to do somethin that directly relates to ski mountains or resorts...

if you think about it, both basically put holes in skiers' wallets every year. i got nothing against
either im just making a point that there is a lot of money involved around those particular parts of the ski
industry and if you happen to own, control a big part you will DEFINETLY make mucho cashola...
Jul 5 2008 12:47AM
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shitty
Posts: 242 - Karma: 46
for anyone actually looking for a job that has resume to back it up....

i think...salomon...has a sweet job opening right now, freeski team manager.

http://amerjob.ogdencity.com/
Jul 6 2008 7:01PM
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SHastatahoe
Posts: 3414 - Karma: 19
You know thats Wayne Wong, right?

If you are wanting to give any advice on the ski industry, you should probably know something about the ski industry.
Jul 6 2008 9:34PM
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-Tristan-
Posts: 915 - Karma: 19
You understand sarcasm right? I'm sorry, I really thought that joke was obvious.
Jul 6 2008 9:50PM
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