He's definitely a good skier, just seems strange they would all jump ship around the same time. His dub 16 from the Oakley Aspen shoot for Ten and Two with his jacket open will probably go down as the best ever done...
May 1 2016 1:23AM
May 1 2016 3:11AM
Well, skiing professionally after awhile and working with big sponsors unfortunately becomes a business. In business, people get screwed. I had verbal deals in lock with un-named sponsors over the summer, then when I decided to not do the Dew Tour and take a mellow season and not compete to let my body and mind heal, all verbal deals that had been set up went down the drain. It really sucked for many reasons, one huge reason came down to finances, which sucks because I ski for the love... but at this point I've had all income coming from skiing which paid the bills. A lot of things shifted in the ski industry since the past few seasons hadn't been good considering less snowfall, therefore less sales and lower budgets for companies. A lot of people working for these companies lost their jobs, or were replaced etc. So long story short, the money coming in from skiing was instantly gone. Also, since I said I didn't want to compete this season, those un-named lost faith.
Honestly, I wouldn't have an issue with the money part/ loss at all since skiing is what I've lived for and loved since I was a kid, but I had invested a lot of that money into a condo, a film company, retirement accounts etc. and didn't expect a complete salary loss. The big problem is, I have to pay taxes on the money I made, and since I had spent a lot, invested a lot and used a lot to travel and ski, I suddenly didn't have enough money to pay the taxes from the previous year when I was making money. So, instead of going into debt I stepped foot into what will be my future career, being film, in order to pay off the taxes that wouldn't have been an issue hadn't these sponsors follow through/ lose faith in me. So, it was a gift and a curse.
The comments I publicly posted about Gus weren't well thought out and not necessary, but that didn't have anything to do with my career and sponsor loss. To this day I love Gus and more and more even though we haven't kept in touch as often I'm so happy for him and his success and freedom... but dwelling on that is beating a dead horse. Any issues or opinions or personal shit is and will be between him and I.
Now I have a lot of work to do to pay the remainder of taxes I owe and even more importantly I have a lot of work/ shit load of fun (finally) ahead to achieve my goals in skiing. I'm just stoked and never intend to let speed bumps slow me down. I'll bottom out my S5 (I love my car :P) all fucking day to make it back onto the scene starting from scratch (no pun intended) to reach my goals, or at least give it my best shot haha :)
Long story short, I got thrown a wicked curve ball, but fuck giving up!
Anyways, I'll wax my skis with ear wax and sew myself a futuristic outfit since I know what's about to be the freshest until I can get some new sponsors and then it's game time! #thecomeback
May 1 2016 3:41AM
May 1 2016 7:08AM
May 1 2016 8:36AM
schlopyWell, skiing professionally after awhile and working with big sponsors unfortunately becomes a business. In business, people get screwed. I had verbal deals in lock with un-named sponsors over the summer, then when I decided to not do the Dew Tour and take a mellow season and not compete to let my body and mind heal, all verbal deals that had been set up went down the drain. It really sucked for many reasons, one huge reason came down to finances, which sucks because I ski for the love... but at this point I've had all income coming from skiing which paid the bills. A lot of things shifted in the ski industry since the past few seasons hadn't been good considering less snowfall, therefore less sales and lower budgets for companies. A lot of people working for these companies lost their jobs, or were replaced etc. So long story short, the money coming in from skiing was instantly gone. Also, since I said I didn't want to compete this season, those un-named lost faith.Honestly, I wouldn't have an issue with the money part/ loss at all since skiing is what I've lived for and loved since I was a kid, but I had invested a lot of that money into a condo, a film company, retirement accounts etc. and didn't expect a complete salary loss. The big problem is, I have to pay taxes on the money I made, and since I had spent a lot, invested a lot and used a lot to travel and ski, I suddenly didn't have enough money to pay the taxes from the previous year when I was making money. So, instead of going into debt I stepped foot into what will be my future career, being film, in order to pay off the taxes that wouldn't have been an issue hadn't these sponsors follow through/ lose faith in me. So, it was a gift and a curse.
The comments I publicly posted about Gus weren't well thought out and not necessary, but that didn't have anything to do with my career and sponsor loss. To this day I love Gus and more and more even though we haven't kept in touch as often I'm so happy for him and his success and freedom... but dwelling on that is beating a dead horse. Any issues or opinions or personal shit is and will be between him and I.
Now I have a lot of work to do to pay the remainder of taxes I owe and even more importantly I have a lot of work/ shit load of fun (finally) ahead to achieve my goals in skiing. I'm just stoked and never intend to let speed bumps slow me down. I'll bottom out my S5 (I love my car :P) all fucking day to make it back onto the scene starting from scratch (no pun intended) to reach my goals, or at least give it my best shot haha :)
Long story short, I got thrown a wicked curve ball, but fuck giving up!
Anyways, I'll wax my skis with ear wax and sew myself a futuristic outfit since I know what's about to be the freshest until I can get some new sponsors and then it's game time! #thecomeback
Macdonalds is always hiring!
May 1 2016 9:32AM
I don't know you Alex but have always enjoyed watching you ski. You have a great attitude about your current situation. Thus far, you've managed to get paid doing something you love and it doesn't get much better than that. Most of us will never know what that feels like (I do). So now you find yourself at a crossroad, become a working stiff and just ski for the love of it when you can, or figure out how to make a real business out of doing what you love. And sometimes that means playing the corporate game because ultimately, they make it all possible.
You're making the right decision to shift your focus on other aspects of the sport while still competing. You won't always be one of the best at what you do but your decision now will allow you to continue to make a living/retire well past your prime as a competitive skier and still enjoy what you love and what you were born to do (think Tanner Hall). Best wishes and I look forward to seeing you succeed in your future endeavors!
A proud papa
May 1 2016 10:23AM
schlopyWell, skiing professionally after awhile and working with big sponsors unfortunately becomes a business. In business, people get screwed. I had verbal deals in lock with un-named sponsors over the summer, then when I decided to not do the Dew Tour and take a mellow season and not compete to let my body and mind heal, all verbal deals that had been set up went down the drain. It really sucked for many reasons, one huge reason came down to finances, which sucks because I ski for the love... but at this point I've had all income coming from skiing which paid the bills. A lot of things shifted in the ski industry since the past few seasons hadn't been good considering less snowfall, therefore less sales and lower budgets for companies. A lot of people working for these companies lost their jobs, or were replaced etc. So long story short, the money coming in from skiing was instantly gone. Also, since I said I didn't want to compete this season, those un-named lost faith.Honestly, I wouldn't have an issue with the money part/ loss at all since skiing is what I've lived for and loved since I was a kid, but I had invested a lot of that money into a condo, a film company, retirement accounts etc. and didn't expect a complete salary loss. The big problem is, I have to pay taxes on the money I made, and since I had spent a lot, invested a lot and used a lot to travel and ski, I suddenly didn't have enough money to pay the taxes from the previous year when I was making money. So, instead of going into debt I stepped foot into what will be my future career, being film, in order to pay off the taxes that wouldn't have been an issue hadn't these sponsors follow through/ lose faith in me. So, it was a gift and a curse.
The comments I publicly posted about Gus weren't well thought out and not necessary, but that didn't have anything to do with my career and sponsor loss. To this day I love Gus and more and more even though we haven't kept in touch as often I'm so happy for him and his success and freedom... but dwelling on that is beating a dead horse. Any issues or opinions or personal shit is and will be between him and I.
Now I have a lot of work to do to pay the remainder of taxes I owe and even more importantly I have a lot of work/ shit load of fun (finally) ahead to achieve my goals in skiing. I'm just stoked and never intend to let speed bumps slow me down. I'll bottom out my S5 (I love my car :P) all fucking day to make it back onto the scene starting from scratch (no pun intended) to reach my goals, or at least give it my best shot haha :)
Long story short, I got thrown a wicked curve ball, but fuck giving up!
Anyways, I'll wax my skis with ear wax and sew myself a futuristic outfit since I know what's about to be the freshest until I can get some new sponsors and then it's game time! #thecomeback
such a shitty attitude, if I owned a company I would never sponsor you
May 1 2016 10:46AM
May 1 2016 11:15AM
schlopyWell, skiing professionally after awhile and working with big sponsors unfortunately becomes a business. In business, people get screwed. I had verbal deals in lock with un-named sponsors over the summer, then when I decided to not do the Dew Tour and take a mellow season and not compete to let my body and mind heal, all verbal deals that had been set up went down the drain. It really sucked for many reasons, one huge reason came down to finances, which sucks because I ski for the love... but at this point I've had all income coming from skiing which paid the bills. A lot of things shifted in the ski industry since the past few seasons hadn't been good considering less snowfall, therefore less sales and lower budgets for companies. A lot of people working for these companies lost their jobs, or were replaced etc. So long story short, the money coming in from skiing was instantly gone. Also, since I said I didn't want to compete this season, those un-named lost faith.Honestly, I wouldn't have an issue with the money part/ loss at all since skiing is what I've lived for and loved since I was a kid, but I had invested a lot of that money into a condo, a film company, retirement accounts etc. and didn't expect a complete salary loss. The big problem is, I have to pay taxes on the money I made, and since I had spent a lot, invested a lot and used a lot to travel and ski, I suddenly didn't have enough money to pay the taxes from the previous year when I was making money. So, instead of going into debt I stepped foot into what will be my future career, being film, in order to pay off the taxes that wouldn't have been an issue hadn't these sponsors follow through/ lose faith in me. So, it was a gift and a curse.
The comments I publicly posted about Gus weren't well thought out and not necessary, but that didn't have anything to do with my career and sponsor loss. To this day I love Gus and more and more even though we haven't kept in touch as often I'm so happy for him and his success and freedom... but dwelling on that is beating a dead horse. Any issues or opinions or personal shit is and will be between him and I.
Now I have a lot of work to do to pay the remainder of taxes I owe and even more importantly I have a lot of work/ shit load of fun (finally) ahead to achieve my goals in skiing. I'm just stoked and never intend to let speed bumps slow me down. I'll bottom out my S5 (I love my car :P) all fucking day to make it back onto the scene starting from scratch (no pun intended) to reach my goals, or at least give it my best shot haha :)
Long story short, I got thrown a wicked curve ball, but fuck giving up!
Anyways, I'll wax my skis with ear wax and sew myself a futuristic outfit since I know what's about to be the freshest until I can get some new sponsors and then it's game time! #thecomeback
Respect. Keep on keeping on.
May 1 2016 2:38PM
May 1 2016 2:40PM
May 1 2016 6:25PM
May 1 2016 7:47PM
Could just be me because I don't give a shit for nice cars, but if you're really having trouble paying taxes, sell your S5 and watch how much money you can save without paying all that insurance, excise tax, etc. I'll never understand how people waste all their money owning a nice car but can't afford the necessities like rent and taxes
May 1 2016 8:29PM
schlopyAppreciate the support!!! I'll check McDonalds but I think they just filled their last spot... Maybe a barber shop though
Always respected you every since the JOSS edit, and after hearing your situation, definetley respect you even more. If youre healthy and ready to do it again, we would love to see you back and killing it like usual. Hope everything works out, Id buy your S5 if I could and help you but that is impossible...
Hope to see you land in the future at X or just off anything sometime soon.
May 1 2016 9:20PM
schlopyWell, skiing professionally after awhile and working with big sponsors unfortunately becomes a business. In business, people get screwed. I had verbal deals in lock with un-named sponsors over the summer
I would hate the pressure and consistency that it takes to keep sponsors. Just doesn't seem like the way to ski.
Working nights in a grocery store and living off of ramen as a ski bum is the life.
May 1 2016 9:23PM
May 1 2016 9:47PM
May 1 2016 10:41PM
schlopyHonestly, I wouldn't have an issue with the money part/ loss at all since skiing is what I've lived for and loved since I was a kid, but I had invested a lot of that money into a condo, a film company, retirement accounts etc. and didn't expect a complete salary loss.
Thats some very responsible foresight hombre. I highly doubt many professional skiers focus on obtaining a well funded, employer matched 401K. Again, I have nothing but praise for that. You truly do have to start saving for retirement early on, regardless of if you have a steady income or not. Very smart.
May 2 2016 6:48AM
SourSteezleCould just be me because I don't give a shit for nice cars, but if you're really having trouble paying taxes, sell your S5 and watch how much money you can save without paying all that insurance, excise tax, etc. I'll never understand how people waste all their money owning a nice car but can't afford the necessities like rent and taxes
Came here to post this. I'm not here to judge anyones financial decisions but he come's here to cry about only being able to wax his skis with ear wax yet drives an Audi S5 and appears to have a dope crotch rocket too. Maybe the resale value on that Audi is shit and won't cover your payments and some of that owed tax but come on. Making/having purchases like that while making verbal contracts sounds pretty dumb.
http://ink361.com/app/users/ig-7244654/aschlopy/photos/ig-1238129111982455886_7244654
May 2 2016 9:52AM
hemlockjibber8Came here to post this. I'm not here to judge anyones financial decisions but he come's here to cry about only being able to wax his skis with ear wax yet drives an Audi S5 and appears to have a dope crotch rocket too. Maybe the resale value on that Audi is shit and won't cover your payments and some of that owed tax but come on. Making/having purchases like that while making verbal contracts sounds pretty dumb.http://ink361.com/app/users/ig-7244654/aschlopy/photos/ig-1238129111982455886_7244654
The salary from skiing and other investments prior to being dropped by sponsors etc. made these purchases doable and non problematic whatsoever, and I love cars- I waited for a good deal and jumped in, as I have with many other purchases... My car isn't even part of the set back at this point... The verbal plans/ deals were obviously not set in stone/ writing, however the bond with un-named sponsors was enough to rely on at that point. However, my choices and lack of work ethic, not wanting to compete, understandably steered these companies in another direction. I'm not as dumb as I act- aside from skiing and many other things I love, oddly enough one of those passions is mathematics especially when it comes to finance and economics, which I scored one of the highest scores on the final in the history of the school I went to, whom was taught by one of the businessmen behind the deal between Intel and Apple (This teacher is the man, and decided to dedicate his time into teaching since he retired in his 30's to pass on knowledge not many others can pass on based off direct success and experience.) So, going from a comfortable position to have fun assets such as cars, a ruckus... Not a crotch rocket... And such were purchases based on income at the time wasn't completely idiotic, though I could have spent money more wisely... Why not have fun with life as it comes as well!
The issue financially, which is something I think is important for a lot of people, especially athletes, came about when what my family always warned me of as the time where "This won't last forever" actually hit, and instead of giving up and going into debt I worked my ass off to recover from a curve ball. I know skiing competitively against the new breed and young guns who are killing it won't last forever. I didn't expect the extremity of the situation though. However, I've worked hard to bring my body and mind back to a level where even I didn't think possible after so many injuries and set backs put me.
So, I'm going to work just as hard, even harder to get back in the game. The ear wax comment and shit was obviously a joke and I'm just stoked to be where I'm at and part of such a dope ass tight knit community :) I still have goals I want to achieve and I want to have the most fun doing it, cuz that's why I ski and I know that's why WE ski. Do it for the love! Respect for the call out though!
May 2 2016 10:26AM
Everyone makes mistakes, it's character building. Don't live your life with regrets. Learn from it and move on. Now you and everyone else will get to see what you're really made of. I for one am betting this ends well and you come back with a vengeance. Will be fun to watch either way, where's the popcorn?
May 2 2016 11:38AM
hemlockjibber8I'm not here to judge anyones financial decisions
wait, isn't that exactly what you're doing..?
I don't think he "cried" about anything. His entire post outlined him taking responsibility for what has happened recently, and his ear wax comment was showing how far he'll go to make things work. Hell, it sounds like he's got a damn good attitude for what's going on.
May 2 2016 6:59PM
May 2 2016 8:29PM
Staticthanks for your comment, but I was actually looking for some insight from an x games gold medalist who's being pretty transparent about his ski career
Because he chose not to have an agent because they take a percentage and he was doing just fine as was, or so he thought.
Case closed, you fucking idiot.
May 3 2016 1:47AM
May 3 2016 4:47AM
its kinda fucked up how competition sponsorships treat long term athletes with such a throwaway mentality. Schlopy is a veteran in the competition scene and his sponsors drop him for not competing for one year? ridiculous.. i know schlopy is not allowed to call them out directly but im looking at nordica, monster, oakley. these companies support alex while he is hucking gnarly tricks at xgames and dew tour but completely drop him in 1 season? shameful, athletes are people and their needs to be at least a little bit more support or backlash for companies that do this, it just shows that they dont really care about WHO they sponsor, just as long as they are hucking themselves on 100 foot booters everyday the sponsors are happy. thats lame.
May 3 2016 4:47AM
its kinda fucked up how competition sponsorships treat long term athletes with such a throwaway mentality. Schlopy is a veteran in the competition scene and his sponsors drop him for not competing for one year? ridiculous.. i know schlopy is not allowed to call them out directly but im looking at nordica, monster, oakley. these companies support alex while he is hucking gnarly tricks at xgames and dew tour but completely drop him in 1 season? shameful, athletes are people and their needs to be at least a little bit more support or backlash for companies that do this, it just shows that they dont really care about WHO they sponsor, just as long as they are hucking themselves on 100 foot booters everyday the sponsors are happy. thats lame.
May 3 2016 4:48AM
its kinda fucked up how competition sponsorships treat long term athletes with such a throwaway mentality. Schlopy is a veteran in the competition scene and his sponsors drop him for not competing for one year? ridiculous.. i know schlopy is not allowed to call them out directly but im looking at nordica, monster, oakley. these companies support alex while he is hucking gnarly tricks at xgames and dew tour but completely drop him in 1 season? shameful, athletes are people and there needs to be at least a little bit more support for those people or backlash for companies that do this, it just shows that they dont really care about WHO they sponsor, just as long as they are hucking themselves on 100 foot booters everyday the sponsors are happy. thats lame.
May 3 2016 4:50AM
its kinda fucked up how competition sponsorships treat long term athletes with such a throwaway mentality. Schlopy is a veteran in the competition scene and his sponsors drop him for not competing for one year? ridiculous.. i know schlopy is not allowed to call them out directly but im looking at nordica, monster, oakley. these companies support alex while he is hucking gnarly tricks at xgames and dew tour but completely drop him in 1 season? shameful, athletes are people and there needs to be at least a little bit more support for those people or backlash for companies that do this, it just shows that they dont really care about WHO they sponsor, just as long as they are hucking themselves on 100 foot booters everyday the sponsors are happy. thats lame.