Are most pro skiers happier than non- pros?

C

cory.iyoob

Member
as I've learned more and more about the ski industry I realized that the while the life of a pro skier seems to be super fulfilling and fun, it probably also comes with a lot of stress and anxiety. The positive side of being a pro skier is obvious (traveling for free, skiing all day, not having to work a potentially less fulfilling job). However, The negative side Is not only is the industry low on money, but also the lifetime of the pro skiers career is often short lived. Along with this, skiing (especially urban) can be super tough on the mind and body. I feel like some skiers just got sick of getting super hurt and spending tons of times to be rewarded with a banger vid segment. (Maybe this is why alot of the stept riders stopped making segments). Being a non pro can be super sick also because of the security of having a regular job along with still being able to ski. it's not like it requires major sponsors (sponsors alone don't make skiing itself anymore fun) to keep skiing into your 30s . At the end of the day, I personally think it's worth it. But what do you think?
 
I'm sure most pros couldn't be happier. To be at that level you have to really love skiing and to be able to do it year-round and get paid for it is probably a dream come true. As with a lot of sports, one injury could end your career so it's up to the individual to decide if that risk to reward is worth it. With most action/comp/extreme/whatever athletes that answer seems to almost always be yes because people are so passionate about it, but I'm sure there are guys who bow out before you really get to know who they are because of those risks.
 
The difference between pros and non-pros is an ass load of passion. They will ski till the physically cant anymore no matter what and they couldn't be happier about it. They do anything to keep skiing in any way. And the stept boys left because they saw the already small industry dying before anyone else and they had a business to run.
 
13837544:Deepskier said:
The difference between pros and non-pros is an ass load of passion. They will ski till the physically cant anymore no matter what and they couldn't be happier about it. They do anything to keep skiing in any way. And the stept boys left because they saw the already small industry dying before anyone else and they had a business to run.
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I think they were also getting to the point with injuries where they were questioning whether or not they wanted to continue doing it. I remember each year, at least half their crew ended up injured

stuff like this comes to mind, lol: https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/609768/SHEA-FLYNN-FENCE-DEATH
 
13837627:iced said:
Do pro skier even get benefits lol? (ex:dental)
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No haha for 99% of pros they do not get medical insurance. That being said in America you are now under your parents insurance plan till your 26 so thats what most of them do. That being said there are business that give insurance fairly easily. EX Ups, Whole foods. Notice in Mutiny when they ask charlie Owens if hes gonna be working at whole foods again. Wouldn't be surprised if that was for insurance rather than just the paycheck. I live in summit county so thats what alot of people do here. Try to find a job with good benefits first rather than worry about the pay
 
13837634:PeteMahn said:
Try to find a job with good benefits first rather than worry about the pay
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True man. Though I would love to know whats the deal with pros and getting insurance if they only work the ski gig and if the rates are inflated. Teaching is one hell of a benefits ride, but too many people have noticed and hopped into the career (+the waiting cue system the have for jobs is mega fucked)
 
13837637:iced said:
True man. Though I would love to know whats the deal with pros and getting insurance if they only work the ski gig and if the rates are inflated. Teaching is one hell of a benefits ride, but too many people have noticed and hopped into the career (+the waiting cue system the have for jobs is mega fucked)
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So a big company wont go through an insurance company. Like Redbull cant get insured haha, without an insane premium. They will just work with there legal team to set up there own deal. So they prob pay out of pocket, up to a certain amount. This also has be specified in the athletes contracts.
 
The majority of the "pro's" are not necessarily getting free travel and expenses. That is like the 1/10th of 1 percent. AND they are generally working either year round at some shitty job or breaking their back a few months during the summer to try and get together enough scratch to make it through the winter.
 
I think it's important to note that not all pros are living the lavish "pro lifestyle" you'd assume comes with the title. Not everyone is making big money being a pro skier. I'd assume the majority of pros have summer jobs or side work to support their lifestyle.
 
Cory, one issue with your post is that being a "pro skier" isn't an easily definable person.

There is a huge discrepancy between, say, Tom Wallisch and most of the guys in the latest Level 1 movie.

Another issue is that happiness isn't easily measured. Is Henrik happier than someone who focuses their energy in other areas of life and finds fulfillment? Who's to say?

The easiest way to approach this topic is to look at it with what we can measure, which is money. If you look at pro skiing in that aspect, it's a pretty ridiculous undertaking to think that you will make money from it. Skiing is an art and like most arts, underfunded. There are many, much much easier ways to make it in this world, if you have the view that more money will lead to more opportunities and happiness. Generally, most people frame their lives this way to some degree, even though we'd all like to act like we aren't doing things just for the money. Most people choose areas to work in where they can have upward mobility and some form of job security past their youth, thus leading to a less stressful, more fulfilling life. This doesn't always work out, but generally it does.

There is no answer to this question except that everyone should do what they feel is best. There is no right or wrong way to live, nor is there any reason we should ever believe there will be.
 
Living here at hood I have had the privilege of meeting a lot of pros and its not always as glamorous at it seems. There is one skier (not going to use names of obvious reasons) who would really surprise a lot of people by how depressed/stressed there lives really are. Skiing isn't the best financial venture and for some pros it comes down to living a good life or doing something they love.
 
13837634:PeteMahn said:
No haha for 99% of pros they do not get medical insurance. That being said in America you are now under your parents insurance plan till your 26 so thats what most of them do. That being said there are business that give insurance fairly easily. EX Ups, Whole foods. Notice in Mutiny when they ask charlie Owens if hes gonna be working at whole foods again. Wouldn't be surprised if that was for insurance rather than just the paycheck. I live in summit county so thats what alot of people do here. Try to find a job with good benefits first rather than worry about the pay
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I used a short term medical insurance for the last 4 years after I turned 27. Up front monthly payments of $60 with a decently low deductible but it doesn't cover much. I tore my achilles 3 months before my plan was set to expire so none of my PT was covered but got really lucky and found a place that did it for free. I just got insurance using the ACA marketplace and it was a huge hassle but I'm glad I did. The plan was over $300(?) but I got a really good tax credit so I pay around $140.
 
I think if your in the sport and have not quit, then most likely you are happy. Yah skiing comes with anxiety and yah some stress as well but don't we all ski for the same reason to have that banger tick be thrown and instantly feel relieved and over stoked. I know that why I ski, it's fun as hell.
 
13837544:Deepskier said:
The difference between pros and non-pros is an ass load of passion. They will ski till the physically cant anymore no matter what and they couldn't be happier about it. They do anything to keep skiing in any way. And the stept boys left because they saw the already small industry dying before anyone else and they had a business to run.
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Not true at all. I know plenty of amateurs who are way more passionate than many pros. The difference is that pros managed to find a way to get paid to ski. They're also in many cases better than the amateurs, but not all the time. There are many "pros" who really aren't that great but had the right connections.
 
13837739:LivingDaLife said:
Not true at all. I know plenty of amateurs who are way more passionate than many pros. The difference is that pros managed to find a way to get paid to ski. They're also in many cases better than the amateurs, but not all the time. There are many "pros" who really aren't that great but had the right connections.
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Yeah skill makes them get the money and sponsors to be pros and passion is what makes them happy. Also what amateur kid are you about to talk about as "better than the pros"
 
13837741:Deepskier said:
Yeah skill makes them get the money and sponsors to be pros and passion is what makes them happy. Also what amateur kid are you about to talk about as "better than the pros"
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I was referring mainly to the instagram pros who make money from follows and being popular rather than skill. Obviously big name competition pros are better than amateurs. Look at a a lot of people in Super Unknown though - like Zahner, Cappola,and Emil Granbom for example. I don't think any of them are making money from skiing yet they are a similar level to many pros. There are tons of amateurs out there who I think if they were given more opportunity by sponsors could be super pro. I don't know if Keegan's making any money yet but he's definitely been blowing up when only a few years ago he didn't have much name recognition at all.
 
13837676:K-Dot. said:
Cory, one issue with your post is that being a "pro skier" isn't an easily definable person.

There is a huge discrepancy between, say, Tom Wallisch and most of the guys in the latest Level 1 movie.

Another issue is that happiness isn't easily measured. Is Henrik happier than someone who focuses their energy in other areas of life and finds fulfillment? Who's to say?

The easiest way to approach this topic is to look at it with what we can measure, which is money. If you look at pro skiing in that aspect, it's a pretty ridiculous undertaking to think that you will make money from it. Skiing is an art and like most arts, underfunded. There are many, much much easier ways to make it in this world, if you have the view that more money will lead to more opportunities and happiness. Generally, most people frame their lives this way to some degree, even though we'd all like to act like we aren't doing things just for the money. Most people choose areas to work in where they can have upward mobility and some form of job security past their youth, thus leading to a less stressful, more fulfilling life. This doesn't always work out, but generally it does.

There is no answer to this question except that everyone should do what they feel is best. There is no right or wrong way to live, nor is there any reason we should ever believe there will be.
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Good response, definitely agree with a lot of it. I'm not really looking for an answer it's just an interesting topic that's not discussed much because it's assumed that they are super happy. Studies show circumstances in life don't play a very big role in happiness. Therefore, I'm guessing pros aren't much more or less happy than regular people. Interesting to hear others opinions though.
 
Unless you are one of the very few, being a pro skier is not worth it. Most make very little money. Gordy Pfeiffer was one of the best back in the day, skiing for both TGR and MSP. In fact he could probably still destroy most of the "pros" out there today when it comes to big mountain. He runs camps out of Snowbird for expert skiers, lots of people from the TGR forums go. I went to one a few years ago and loved it, unless you are Candide Gordy can definitely help you with your skiing. He told me he never made more than around 60k when he was doing it, plus travel expenses. He has done fine post pro-skiing, but when I brought up Robb Gaffney he said that Gaffney has done it right. Gaffney was good enough to be a pro back in the day, but he went to medical school instead. Now he is a doctor, living in Tahoe and skiing Squaw a ton, still ripping. I would rather do that than be a pro, unless you are Jon Olsson or Candide. I actually think many of the pros back in the late 90's/early 00's had it better. Many of the big mountain guys who lived in Squaw, like McGovern, were carpenters in the off season. Guys like Kreitler, McConkey and Moseley obviously made good money, and did not have to work, but the other guys did have trades. From what I have heard Gov is now a successful carpenter, still living in Tahoe and ripping up Squaw. He is also supposedly sober now, which is a good thing. This is all hearsay, I don't know if for a fact. The guys who have trades will be set up for after they leave pro skiing, many of the guys who don't won't be. And unless you REALLY made a ton, and we are talking about very few guys who are in that position, you will be forced to get a job and start from the bottom. I mean, a guy who lives 100k a year skiing won't have enough saved to live for very long when he retires, and most pros don't make anything like 100k.
 
If being a ski instructor counts as a 'professional' skier (ie paycheck for making turns), then I bet I've made more from the sport than several of the Level 1 Athletes.
 
13837544:Deepskier said:
The difference between pros and non-pros is an ass load of passion. They will ski till the physically cant anymore no matter what and they couldn't be happier about it. They do anything to keep skiing in any way. And the stept boys left because they saw the already small industry dying before anyone else and they had a business to run.
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I find this to be untrue from my experience. I used to ski like that. I still know a ton of people who ski like that, and none of them are nowhere near pro. That kind of passion, in my experience, is not at all restricted to only pros.
 
13838493:Jibberino said:
I find this to be untrue from my experience. I used to ski like that. I still know a ton of people who ski like that, and none of them are nowhere near pro. That kind of passion, in my experience, is not at all restricted to only pros.
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Not sure why no one is understanding me. I didn't phrase it that strange.
 
13838925:Deepskier said:
The skill/talent is what makes them pro. The passion is what makes them happy.
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But you literally said that passion is what sets them apart from non pros, which is why I said that in my experience that is incorrect.
 
13839178:Jibberino said:
But you literally said that passion is what sets them apart from non pros, which is why I said that in my experience that is incorrect.
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Ok well what I meant by that was a "pro" will spend all day grinding at it. Idk it's just a fucking opinion from a kid on newschoolers. Whatever
 
13839238:Deepskier said:
Ok well what I meant by that was a "pro" will spend all day grinding at it. Idk it's just a fucking opinion from a kid on newschoolers. Whatever
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Indeed, just like my opinion is that you are wrong. No need to get all upset about it.
 
13839519:Jibberino said:
Indeed, just like my opinion is that you are wrong. No need to get all upset about it.
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Not upset but I am abandoning this thread. Totally lost at this point
 
Alright here's my two cents: Skiers don't make fucking money, alot of pros aren't happy, get a real job you can do in a ski town with benefits and ski ski for yourself. I know alot of spnsored skiers who would rather just ski and not deal with the bullshit.
 
Maybe not a "pro skiier" in the sense your talking about... But being a professional ski instructor is incredibally rewarding and certainly fun. You still get to freeski and clown around when your not teaching. But you also get to teach the next generation of skiiers and spread your passion, for the sport... Ill never be a pro comp skiier but who knows one day I might teach the next tanner hall!
 
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