How can I make a living snowboarding?

Question

Conditions:
I will never be a pro. (But I can ride well)
I need to be close to a software engineer's salary.

Answer 1

Pro snowboarding photographers/ videographers can make a salary equivalent to a software engineer and get a lot of time on a snowboard mostly in the backcountry with great snow.

Otherwise most well paying jobs are on the periphery of actual snowboarding - snowboard rep, snowboard shop owner, snowboard tour manager, product designer for a snowboarding company, real estate agent in a ski town (or any other professional job that lets you live in a ski town). There are also a fair number of snowboarding jobs that pay less than a software engineer but get you a fiar amounbt of actual snowboarding - backcountry snowboarding guide, snowboard instructor, snowboarding ski patroller, on-mountain ambassador (often volunteer position), or marketing surveyor (do surveys on the lifts up and ride down).

Answer 2

If you make a living-you are getting PAID-- to do something, then you are a professional.
You might not be a GOOD professional or an EXPERT, but a professional.
Software engineers make a fairly good living I would think.
There are 2 ways to make the same amount of money doing both:

Be an UNEMPLOYED software engineer, or
Don't wake up from your dream.
Sorry.
My suggestion: Go to college, and major in something you like to read about. History, politics, sports, anything. Find a REAL passion--that OTHER people need.
Then you can afford to go on VACATIONS to snowboard for a month.

Answer 3

You have to go up more than 15 times a year. Try at least 60-70+ days a year, probably more. It is really tough to get good enough to go pro, and actually be able to make a decent living off it. Most "sponsored" riders only get their stuff for free, and maybe a small travel budget. If you want to see the level you got to be at to make a comfortable living, watch MDP and Standard's snowboard videos. Yeah, they are really good. And that's how good you have to be. I'm not saying you can't do it, but if you want it, snowboarding will have to be more of a priority then 15 times a year. EDIT: and one more thing... it is all about who you know, unless you are on the podium for major contests (like where you are competing against other pros). You can have the talent, but if noone who can help you knows you have the talent, then it doesn't matter. Start getting to know local shops and rep riders.

Answer 4

Very good points by everyone...

I'd like to add that the physical act of snowboarding itself isnt the only career available, so keep your options open!

But what's wrong with software engineering? Perhaps you can write a program for a new snowboarding game or something... again, keep your options open and be creative!

Answer 5

I work at a ski resort and I'll tell you that it's hard to make a living doing that. There are numerous positions in the world of snowboarding that can provide well for you. The first thing that comes to mind is to become a sales rep for a snowboard company. Tons of leg work and lots of time on the road but, if you're good, there are reps that make six figures.

I do have to caution you about making something you love your job, it changes your relationship with it. It's important to go for a job that you'll enjoy but be careful not sour yourself on something that you love.

Answer 6

If you want to make a living doing it you have to be able to perform on a level that is above everyone else and be creative enough to invent and reinvent ways to use snowboards and do stunts and tricks that no one else has thought of. I think you would be better off being a software engineer.

Answer 7

You can become a snowboarding instructor