Additional Information
There is no formal education required to be a professional snowboarder.
However, first things first: take lessons. And practice as much as possible.
These are the two most important things when starting out.
"You have to set goals for yourself," says pro snowboarder Louie Vito,
"but I think you progress in snowboarding more by having fun with [friends]
and pushing each other than [you do by] going out there and trying to train
to be a pro."
Planning to become a snowboarding instructor? Get in touch with the U.S.
Snowboard Instructor's Association and find out what levels of certification
you need. Most people get an entry-level job at a ski slope and work their
way up from there.
One thing to bear in mind is that many slopes get lots of tourists, so
learning a second language such as German or Japanese would work in your favor.
As with almost any field these days, computer skills can be useful. There
is a behind-the-scenes business side to every sport, and that may be where
you end up.
And while there is no formal education to being a pro snowboarder, it helps
to think about what you would if the pro-snowboarding career doesn't work
out. You might find yourself working in another part of the industry.
"Most smart ex-pro snowboarders -- and ex-semi-pros, like myself, who
didn't make it all the way to full pro -- find themselves in the snowboard
industry after they 'retire,'" says Scott Birke. He is now the editor of a
snowboarding magazine.
"And here's where there are some great, fun business jobs, such as working
in retail, working with snowboard brands in marketing, sales and advertising
or working in media. But here it helps to have some post-secondary schooling."
In other words, if you're planning a career as a snowboarder, remember
that your boarding career may not last forever, and think of life after snowboarding
when considering your education.