Do mountain athletes have jobs/normal jobs?

[mtree]

I'm sure there are various ways to do it.

I've known 4 who did this.

1) He gave ski lessons to "wealthy" clients at Winter Park. In exchange he had a season pass. Many times the clients were exhausted by 11am! They went drinking and he was off the rest of the day with a fat wallet of tips. Sometimes the clients didn't even show up and he kept the deposit. The life of a ski bum.
2) 3) Professional skiers. One lived in Vail. Sponsors paid for his modest apartment. All his gear was free. They would pay for him to ski almost year round all over the world. The other was back east and had sponsors who gave him gear. LOTS of gear. And money to ski and try it out! He would give away gear to friends. I even have a shell from him. During the summer he lived with friends or family rent free. Why? Because in the winter he could get them unlimited free lift tickets!
4) He was an artist who wanted to ski and live in the wilderness. He made ice sculptures for Vail Resorts and in turn had free skiing, food, etc. During the summer he bummed around or sold art he made.

[mtnkub]

Paul Ramsden

[LarryM]

On the subject of the true mountain athlete, speaking of what I know about some friends or acquaintances ... obviously it's a matter of definition, but I do know some people that I would certainly call mountain athletes who maintain full time jobs. Perhaps stating the obvious, but it usually it requires a job with a lot of flexibility.

That aside, I would put mountain athletes into the following categories (a taxonomy, if you will):

-elite athletes who have sufficient sponsorships to manage on those alone;

-athletes with family money (not really aware of anyone in particular, but as alluded to above, there are surely some);

-athletes supported by a partner / spouse;

-athletes living some variation of the "dirtbag" lifestyle - this would include but not be limited to the athletes with seasonal jobs in the outdoors industry, ski instructors, etc.

[montavonm]

I follow several mountain athlete folks on social media - I don't want to list names

It’d be a lot cooler if you did.

I have a desk job that provides flexibility - working early mornings and/or into the evenings and/or some time on weekends. I try to get outside everyday for an hour or 2 and occasionally more to destress and get centered. Often solo. Sometimes with partners. I live in the mountains so it isn’t difficult. I don’t post much on instagram but I could easily make it appear as though I was out there ALL THE TIME. Perception is moldable.

I guess the people would be relevant to the thread - some of the guys I follow and would be referencing are Chris Fisher, Drew Francis, Jack Kuenzie, Jason Hardrath, Matt Randall and Paul Davis - I obviously don't know any of these guys and what/if/when they work is absolutely none of my business. They're just always constantly posting awesome ski/climbing clips on their socials so it made me curious. I found all these guys either from links/videos on here, or from YouTube videos. I think some (all?) have at least some sponsors but I wouldn't imaging anything that pays a huge amount (maybe, I honestly have no clue), but I don't think any of these guys would be referred to as 'professional athletes' that are famous outside the FKT/mountain climbing/running community.

Lots of people have made good input, I guess even if someone works 3 - 4 days a week, that still leaves a nice gap for a big multi-day trip, if they're local anyway. I'm pretty sure Jason is a teacher (I think? If I remember from one of the YouTube documentaries), which would leave a huge opportunity gap during the summer.

My life revolves way too much around work and I just can't help myself but wonder how/if some folks are pulling this seemingly awesome lifestyle off.

[Gulf_Coast_Hiker]

There are some trail/ultra runners who are sponsored athletes, but they also supplement that with the social media thing plus have a coaching business. If you think about it, these are very complementary activities which help drive revenue:

• Races and daily training provide content for social media

• Social media drives prospects for coaching

• Pre and post race events provide in-person outreach/visibility for your brand

• Social media provides a venue to sell merch

[nyker]

Also depends on where you live. If any of these full time or semi-full time athletes live in places like San Fran or NYC, then you better have a sponsor with deep pockets. Living in a more affordable city your sponsor dollar will go much further.

[Jorts]

Also depends on where you live. If any of these full time or semi-full time athletes live in places like San Fran or NYC, then you better have a sponsor with deep pockets. Living in a more affordable city your sponsor dollar will go much further.

Right. More affordable locales with mountain access such as Aspen, Vail, Breck, Steamboat, Crested Butte and Telluride.

[randalmartin]

If you are single, life can be pretty cheap.

[Gulf_Coast_Hiker]

If you are single, life can be pretty cheap.

Depends on how you got single.

[pvnisher]

I used to write part time for a popular outdoors magazine, and as such got LOADS of gear. Too much. It looked like REI in my basement and actually was an issue.
I still contribute/test on a reduced level and get lots of stuff for free.
Between that and my job, which at that particular time issued me almost anything I could dream of, in 3x quantity, I didn't buy a thing for years and years.

At one time I was pretty burned out on work and was looking at doing writing full time. I got invited on an all expenses paid media backpacking trip and really interviewed the other folks. Most of them had multiple contracts, multiple free lance, lived near the mountains but not in a high rent area, and were living paycheck to paycheck in a small apartment. They were constantly hustling looking for their next meal. I decided the realities of that profession weren't for me.

I wouldn't consider myself a professional or even amateur outdoor athlete, and don't do social media, just putting it out there that people might be getting their gear not only through sponsorships but perhaps through media jobs, which could dovetail in with other hustles so they can get two or more checks from one trip (sell articles, manage gear tests, sell photos, social media, sponsorship, etc).

[ekalina]

What you're spending 40 hours on for work also matters. If your full-time job isn't too demanding then you're going to have more energy to expend outside of work, and more mental space to plan new adventures. Conversely if you're stressed out all week at work or doing physical labor and barely limp across the finish line on Friday (or whenever your week ends), I'm guessing you probably aren't as jazzed to get up at 3 am the next day to go on an all-day mountain adventure. Ask me how I know

Stress also impacts our ability to recover and sleep well, which are key for being able to get out more frequently and do bigger days.

[nyker]

On the subject of the true mountain athlete, speaking of what I know about some friends or acquaintances ... obviously it's a matter of definition, but I do know some people that I would certainly call mountain athletes who maintain full time jobs. Perhaps stating the obvious, but it usually it requires a job with a lot of flexibility.

That aside, I would put mountain athletes into the following categories (a taxonomy, if you will):

-elite athletes who have sufficient sponsorships to manage on those alone;

-athletes with family money (not really aware of anyone in particular, but as alluded to above, there are surely some);

-athletes supported by a partner / spouse;

-athletes living some variation of the "dirtbag" lifestyle - this would include but not be limited to the athletes with seasonal jobs in the outdoors industry, ski instructors, etc.

To the points above for these situations, which are the envy of many, out of curiosity especially in a world of higher inflation:

-elite athletes who have sufficient sponsorships to manage on those alone;- does this continue into retirement? Assuming they are not a coach nor best selling author, What's the plan for retirement?

-athletes with family money (not really aware of anyone in particular, but as alluded to above, there are surely some); must be nice...

-athletes supported by a partner / spouse; must be nice...

-athletes living some variation of the "dirtbag" lifestyle - this would include but not be limited to the athletes with seasonal jobs in the outdoors industry, ski instructors, etc. What's the plan for retirement?