Ryan DionneSHARE
From long tradeshow days and late-night meetings to ripping pow and designing next year’s gear, one thing is clear: We’re all in this industry because we love it.
So in the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Skiing Business caught up with a variety of people from across the ski industry, and asked one question:
Why do you love working in the ski industry?
“They say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. That rings true for a lot of us, it’s not really work, it’s hanging out with some great people and talking about something we all have a passion for.” — Jim Blue, Scandinavian Ski and Snowboard Shop
“I love working in the ski industry because I spend more time on the mountain than I do in the office!” — Caitlin Martz, Canyons resort
“Incredible people, stunning places, inspirational feats, endless potential. Coolest (pun intended) industry out there, hands down.” — Laura Schaffer, Mountain Hardwear
“I know most people will say the perks of shredding fresh powder or getting first tracks, which are all fine and dandy, but what I love most about the ski industry is the people. It’s hard to consider this ‘work’ when you get to make new friends while doing business and represent products you are passionate about and believe it. That and playing GNAR with my buddies on a work trip.” — Seth Beiden, CamelBak
“The people at the Sport Loft love the ski industry because we have the ‘best, most active, most happy people on the planet.’ We serve happy people, sell them gear that makes them smile, and when they call back they are giddy with joy after a great day on the slopes. We love it as retailers because giving is a great thing and our company slogan is, ‘Customer service is always in style.’ And it is fun to ski!” — Chris Middlemiss, The Sport Loft
“It’s simple: Because I get to ski every day. Working at a ski area is a wonderful lifestyle, we work in a beautiful environment with great people that become part of your family.” — Greg Ralph, Monarch resort
“Because going skiing is truly a legitimate business activity.” — Steve Cohen, Masterfit University
“I love the camaraderie that exists in the snowsports industry: retailers, vendors, reps, etc regardless of which side of the game we’re on or whether we’re competitors or colleagues, we’re all part of the same tribe with a shared passion for sliding on snow and being outside. At the end of the day though, it comes down to being able to combine my love of skiing with a career that keeps me engaged and smiling that takes the cake. Plus I’m a gear whore, and a professional gear pimp so I get to feed my own addiction!” — Erik Anderson, Fischer Skis
“To make that first day of a ski vacation easier, to make their decision between Disney World or the ski hill a bit easier. Invention, reinvention, scrapping everything and starting over is what embodies our industry.” — Joe Sternberg, Black Tie Ski Rentals
“I love the ski industry because I’ll be meeting JP Auclair and Phil Casabon in Zurich on Valentine’s Day to do what we love most: travel, ski and eat fondue. Epic.” — Mike Nick, Orage
“Because a ‘board’ meeting implies something far more fun than most industries.” — Tom Duguid, Arc’teryx
“I love working in the ski industry because it extends beyond a trade or a business - it’s my community of colleagues who double as ski buddies. Buddies whose passion for the outdoors permeates their work and their free time. Buddies who know when to stay late at work, and when to play hooky for first chair on a powder day.” — Greer Schott, Big Sky resort
“I travel the world to different countries with different languages, customs, cultures, music, food, and no matter where I go, I am understood. Skiing connects like nothing else. To share the experience of mountaintop anticipation and powder turn celebration, no words need be spoken. We are connected by something deeper, stronger, simpler than anything that can be put into words.” — Annelise Loevlie, Icelantic
“Because we (Points North Heli-Adventures Inc.) get to turn people on to the ‘best day of their life’ and that’s a pretty special thing to be part of.” — Jess Sobolowski-Quinn, Points North Heli-Adventures
“The people, passion for the product, the mountains, the snow, just being around it. In other businesses the product side of it is more like a job often times. In skiing/boarding people get so psyched about anything new, how great it is, the way it helped make their last powder day incredible.” — Mike Kilchenstein, Ramp Sports
“Product Testing. Don’t get me wrong, I love marketing on the slopes too, but R&D really forces you to go skiing when you may not have. It makes me a better skier and connects me with the brand.” — Dan Abrams, Flylow
“If I’m going to be paid to think about something all day, it might as well be something I enjoy thinking about.” — Jason Levinthal, Line/Full Tilt
“As I reflect now on the fact that I have made a great career doing what I love and have been able to make some impact on the industry I love, what is most amazing to me/what I love the most is that I have shared awesome experiences with my wife and two sons. We have passed down a lifelong love of the sport, an amazement for the mountains, and a deep commitment to respect and preserve this community of friends and family.” — Mike Adams, Amer Sports
“Working to make a positive difference in any industry is worth it, working to make a positive difference in an industry that defines a core piece of your personality is amazing.” — Evan Reece, Liftopia
“There is no other sport quite like skiing, it is physical, emotional and spiritual all at the same time. Through my career I have traveled, I have had the good fortune to meet industry, I have had the honor of working side by side with legendary junior race coach Erich Sailer. Our shop has been involved with the development of junior racers in our area for the past 30 years. Above all the ski industry has enabled me to participate in and pass on my passion for the sport to the next generation.” — Bart Pierce, Pierce Skate and Ski
“Being at Spy, designing snow goggles with our in-house team and world class athletes has introduced me to a world of friends, brought me to places and presented experiences most people will never be exposed to as well allowed me to further my love of art and design. I’d be shredding, chasing winter whether I worked in the industry or not-so when you’re lucky enough for your avocation to become your vocation, what’s not to love?” — Brent Sandor, Spy Optic
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