Sponsorships and such

Question
QUESTION: What level do I need to be at in order to be taken seriously? Right now I've got 270's and 3's onto jibs, and I'm comfortable with 50 foot booters. I know I have a long way to go, but this is the season when I can fully dedicate myself to the sport and I'm gonna try to make it or break it.

Also, what resort should I work at this season? I'm heading to Summit County like next week for a month of Breck, and then I'm gonna get a job at a resort for the new year, but haven't decided where yet and it's definitely application time. Whistler maybe? Do you know if its hard to get the work visa?

Thanks Ben!

ANSWER: What's up Mike?

You can do anything you put your mind to man.  A lot of being sponsored and going pro is showing your dedication and being able to network with people.  Of course you need to have talent and be good, but don't neglect the other aspects of the business.  I know guys with just average talent, but amazing networking skills that are pro mostly because of that.  Don't be shy, try to meet a lot of people that are also passionate about riding, get in with the right group of dudes that are motivated and will push you to progress.  It's best to ride with people that are better than you. Get to know the local reps for the companies you want to represent.  Talk to shop owners about reps and start filming if you haven't already.  Make relationships with filmers and photographers. They will be the ones to get your riding out for more people to see it.  Don't brag about your skills, just be casual about it. You'll get more respect if you act like it was easy for you.  Don't afterbang though. If you just landed your first 1080 and you're supper stoked, just enjoy the feeling and if people ask how your day was just tell them you were playing around with 10's or something like that.  Promote yourself, but be humble.  To be taken seriously, you must take your riding very seriously.  Have fun, but be dedicated.  You should be able to spin 720's every way on big jumps (60foot+) at least, 900's preferably.  The level of riding is always progressing so if you can do 1080's all the better.  Are you doing 270's onto rails in the streets or in the park?  Take your rail skills to the streets if you haven't already, but take it slow if you are just starting, that shit can get gnarly as I'm sure you know.  You don't have to do rails to be taken seriously, but if you only focus on one aspect of your riding say, jumps, or rails or pipe, you better be amazing at that one aspect.  The most respect goes to riders who have all around skills.  Go to contests that have cash purses and do your best.

Realize also that it may take a couple years before you see yourself going places with snowboarding, as long as you have steady progress toward going pro then keep it up.  If you love it, it will be easy to do for a long time.  

Breck seems like a good place to be right now, there's a lot of people going pro or Am. coming out of Breck and you could make some good connections.  Whistler has always been a place where people come out of but I have never been so I can't tell you about that.  Also Mammoth and Tahoe would probably be good places.  Breck is, I think, less expensive than those places though.  Think about costs and how much time you'll have to work to live and how much time you'll actually be able to ride.  You might also think about getting a night job so you can ride all day everyday.  Don't be afraid to share a room with one or two other homies to keep the rent costs low.

Another thing,  if you realize hucking your carcass over massive jumps and rails is not how you want to get paid, you can still be involved in the snow business and travel and ride like the pros.  You could be a videographer, photographer, a rep for a company, or many other opportunities within the sport.  The same rules apply as for networking and making connections with those things though.

Have fun and be safe and most importantly enjoy what you're doing.

Ben

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hucking carcass is definitely how I want to be doing it man, at least for the time being. Funny you should mention Tahoe and Mammoth, cause I already applied for a job at heavenly when vail did their country wide job fair, and Mammoth is the other place I was seriously considering. Jackson hole is the last place on the table.

So between the four, what would you recommend? Also, between tahoe and mammoth?

Haha I get super stoked when I land new tricks man! Nothing wrong with that cmon!

Yo summit is sick an all, but I already kicked it in Keystone for a season, and it was fin as shit but I kinda wanna experience new places. Plus SAUSAGEFEST haaha arrite peace homie.

Answer
well then go for it hard man!  Mammoth is a good scene.  Tahoe seems good, you'll get more backcountry experience but you'll want a sled probably.  Both will have more ladies than Breck or Keystone.  Jackson's kinda out in the middle of nowhere.  Just take a trip there with some homies is my advice.  I have not been to those places though, only know stuff based on what I hear from others and mags.  

I don't mean don't be stoked when you land new tricks, that is some of the best shit out there as far as highs.  I just mean don't be that guy who people think is a douchebag because he thinks he's better than he is and he talks mad shit, but can't throw down.

Enjoy,

Ben