Is it Easier or Tougher to Become a Pro Skier in 2020?
We live in a digital age.
Across the globe, ski communities connect through social media and sites like this one. News of building storms travels at lightspeed and it’s easier than ever to crowdsource an opinion about what skis you should add to your quiver.
So how does this digital age affect pro skiing? With our Instagram feeds clogged with only photos of the most blower days, is it easier or tougher to become a pro skier in 2020? Let's dive into both sides of this argument and explore the options for the aspiring pro in 2020.
First, What Is a Pro Skier?
A pro skier is someone who gets paid to ski. This is their main profession.
Argument 1: It’s Easier than Ever
In the 21st-century it is easier than ever before to become a pro skier. The Internet has removed the gatekeepers from the market. Instead of having to beg film companies for a part in their movie, skiers can now become their own media production company.
Using a simple GoPro and clips from an HD iPhone camera, skiers can produce an amazing quality self-edit. If they’re good enough, nothing is stopping the edit from going viral and them getting picked up by a ski brand.
Further, forget the traditional route, now there are numerous ways to get paid to ski. Whether it be creating a YouTube channel and posting vlogs, hosting a ski-related podcast, or making catchy clips for Instagram, there are more niches than ever. While making it big on these platforms might not land one in the latest Teton Gravity Research movie they are still ways the aspiring pro can monetize their skiing.
More Difficult than Ever
However, all this technology means there’s more competition than ever before. Now it’s simply not good enough to be the best at the resort. All it takes is a simple scroll through Instagram to see what the best skiers from all over the world are up to.
Being able to produce media also comes at a cost. Skiers have to work their literal face off to create enough buzz to get noticed. Aspiring skiers are also expected to pony up the cash to fund their own projects, a good example of this is pro skier Nikolai Schirmer. Hopefully, the product is good enough that you can pick up a sponsor to reimburse and promote it.
Even with all this work, there’s no guarantee a skier will go pro. There’s an element of luck and being in the right place at the right time.
Closing Thoughts
Becoming a pro skier requires more work than ever. Instead of networking in person they now have to build an online presence. However, there are no longer any gatekeepers to the sport. If the talent is there anyone can rise to the top.
I would love to hear your opinions, do you think it’s easier or tougher to become a pro skier in 2020?