Job Title: Snowboarder
Employer: Sims
Years on snow: 22
Days on snow: this season? 120, whole life? too many to count
Currently Riding: 10
Currently I am: Living my dream!
Shay: Tell us a little bit about yourself
Seth: Let’s see, I grew up in Jacksonville OR, riding our local mountain, Mt. Ashland. It consisted of 3 chair lifts and no park till I was a freshman in high school. After high school I moved to Boulder CO to attend the University of Colorado. While in college I attempted to peruse both a snowboard career while getting my business degree. But it wasn’t until I graduated and moved to Breckenridge that I really devoted all of my time to it.
Shay: How has snowboarding changed your life?
Seth: Well snowboarding is my life. The amount of amazing people I’ve met, beautiful places Ive visited, and exciting adventures I’ve been on truly make me who I am today. I sleep, dream, and live snowboarding, as cheesy as it is to say.
Shay: How did you get your start in the industry, who or what opened up more opportunities for you?
Seth: Well I won nationals when I was 18 as well as made finals at the USSA grand Prix which definitely helped me get into contests and have some credibility. But I guess it wasn’t till I started riding for Sims Snowboards that I really became part of the industry. My mother, Aunt, and college snowboard coach Pat A all had a fairly large impact on getting me to where I am as well.
Shay: How has your previous education or work experience helped you in your current job?
Seth: Well I have a degree in Business, worked in social networking, as well as worked for Red Bull. I try to take aspects from each into my snowboarding career. I constantly use my knowledge in business to make marketing kits, and work on that side of my snowboarding. Social networking has become a major part of everyone’s time these days, so I use that knowledge to stay current and as influential as possible. And Red Bull has done nothing less than show me how to be different and standout in such a small community.
Shay: Tell us about your role as a professional snowboarder and a description of the work you do?
Seth: Well my main focus currently is definitely contests. I try to participate in as many as possible, including TTR, USSA, as well as Dew Tour. I stepped into the filming world this year, and have been putting together parts for both Aunti Radd “MOTHER FALCON SHIP”, as well as Wild Card Movies “WCTV”.
Shay: If you had to make up a job title that most accurately described what you REALLY do, what would it be?
Seth: Professional Snow Hunter
Shay: Describe the craziest day/moment you’ve had at your job?
Seth: I’d have to say this superpark sunrise/day/sunset shoot was up there. But I spent a 14 hour day in the Washington backcountry last year that for sure rivals it.
Shay: What are some memorable experiences from working in the industry?
Seth: There are too many to state, but standing on the Podium next to Seb Toots at the Ride Shakedown was a pretty memorable experience.
Shay: What do you think are the biggest challenges that the snowboard industry faces and what changes would you like to see for the future?
Seth: Well the contest scene is pretty messed up right now. There are multiple tours and it makes it pretty hard to become one of the top competitors because of constant travels and overlapping contests. I would love to see one major tour with a few extra stops for qualifying to get some of the underdogs into the big events. There are so many amazing riders out there, and I feel unless you have some real marketing skills it’s hard to get noticed.
Shay: What advice would you give to people wanting to work in the industry?
Seth: Network, network, network. Just like life and as unfortunate as it is, snowboarding has a major element of “who you know” so don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and get to know as many people in the industry as possible. The majority of people who live the snowboarding life are bound to be your next best friend or team manager.
Find out more at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sethlhill
Twitter: sethdreidelhill
Instagram: sethdreidelhill
Website: www.sethhillsnowboarding.blogspot.com
Header Photo Credit: Laura Austin
Keither
June 12, 2012 at 11:59 amI was at the Shakedown back in March and Seth killed it. Too much steeze. And the guy seemed like he was having so much fun. It was really refreshing to watch considering alot of riders these days have an almost robotic focused attitude while competing. Seth was just smiling and laughing with everybody the whole time. Whether he stomped or slammed, he had the same look on his face…. happy. I wish there were more snowboarders like Seth.
Looking forward to seeing what he does in the future.