Thousands of kids dream about it, but there is a real job behind the myth. To help us understand the day-to-day life of a pro rider, Nicolas Müller tells us about his life and experiences.

Eurosport: Do you remember when your career started?

Nicolas Müller: At 18, I decided to stop going to school to go on the ISF circuit. I had just scored enough points to go on the tour. Since then, my entire life has revolved around snow and I started making money at it.

E: As a pro snowboarder, what do the brands expect of you?

NM: That depends a lot on you. You are your own coach and your own agent. Sponsors ask you to represent them on the material level, but also with your personality. This is reflected in going to photo shoots, shooting films or competing.

E: How would you describe the daily life of a pro?

NM: There is no such thing as a typical day in the life of a pro rider. One day you're taking freestyle photos, the next you're travelling to take part in promo events (evenings, film premieres), you go to competitions, you film, you attend meetings, etc. But above all, you spend a lot of time in airports. Time change is a parameter that you constantly have to deal with. I don't even have a flat anymore and I consider the planet to be my home. I also spend a lot of time in front of my computer. In the end, the number of days that I can actually ride is quite low.

E: What are the best things about your life?

NM: Not being shut up inside an office working the hours that someone else requires. Also, I have enough freedom to plan my day as I see fit. For example, yesterday I decided to stop everything and go ride the pow pow all day. It's been a long time since we've had such good conditions in November. I said to myself, well, it's part of my job and what a job! Hahaha.

E: And the negative aspects?

NM: Your body takes a beating. And always having your house in your board bag can sometimes get tiring. Sometimes I wish I had another life because it's difficult to maintain relationships with those near and dear to you, who you see too little.

E: Aside from being a good snowboarder, what is important in order to have a successful career?

NM: Good communication with sponsors and the media. If you are not good at that, they won't be able to help you build your name. And your name is valuable because it can be used to sell products. And if you have something interesting to say, the media will come to you. You have to be good on the snow but also elsewhere.

E: What are your fondest memories?

NM: There are too many. Each trip is unique and remains forever imprinted in my memory. One of the most remarkable certainly was my trip to Alaska just after having injured myself in Japan by running into a tree. At that time, I didn't even know if I would be able to ride again. That scared me. As luck would have it, I was back on my feet only 6 weeks later in Alaska to shoot my part in the movie Futureproof. It was great, I was so happy to be riding again plus, in such incredible conditions. I took the most beautiful shots of my life because I wasn't thinking about the shots that we had to take. I was only thinking about having fun.

E: And some less fond memories?

NM: Well, I guess in Japan when I injured myself. I rammed right into a tree. For the first time in my life, I just escaped death. I couldn't walk. I was alone, lost in the forest far from everyone and in -20°C weather. I got really scared that day.

E: Where do you spend the most time in the year?

NM: In airports, hahano. In any case I spend too little time at my place in Switzerland. I counted on my passport: in the last three years, I have gone to the U.S. 18 times.

E: What is the difference between being a pro snowboarder and an athlete in a traditional sport?

NM: I think we have more freedom. No coach telling you what to do and when to do it. I hate it when people tell me what to do.

E: As a Swiss citizen, what do you have in common and what differences do you think you have with an athlete like Roger Federer?

NM: He plays tennis and I snowboard (laughs). He also wins all the time, which is not the case for me. It's funny; Brusti (Patrick Armbruster) always compares me to him. But seriously, I would say that we have both chosen an atypical life and have succeeded at what we love to do. In Switzerland, people are often afraid to live their dreams. They are afraid of failure, although everyone can do it. You just have to believe.

E: What is the ratio of competing and shooting in your season?

NM: I like to do both. Sponsors sometimes ask me to take part in certain competitions. Usually they are competitions that I would go to anyways. I know that some riders need their sponsors to be behind them telling them what to do. Personally, I think that it's up to you to take charge and know what you have to do to move forward in your career.

E: Do you see a difference in the snowboarding world from the time you joined and today?

NM: When I started, all I thought about was riding. Today, I realize the responsibilities that I have been given. The pros represent the brands; we represent the products and have a voice. In a way, we are establishing the voice for the future generation of riders. Snowboarding is a creative sport and I feel like yelling to the world: Go and try snowboarding, because it's so damn fun. There are no rules to follow, except pleasing yourself. If you have a smile on your face at the bottom of the hill, you are a good rider.

E: Do you think about life after your career?

NM: I'm starting to think about it. One thing's for sure, I will never stop snowboarding, or skating or surfing. Later, maybe I will get involved in an environmental activity.

Eurosport