Imagine having it all. I mean literally: getting paid to travel the world in search of powder and epic parties. Although this isn't everyone's version of "having it all", some people in life actually do get to experience a job that allows them to do what they love. When I got the chance to interview former professional snowboarder Blue Montgomery, I made it my goal to figure out how he was able to create such a good life for himself by doing what he loved most. He said the biggest perks of being a professional snowboarder were having complete autonomy and, most of all, an endless list of first experiences. Sounds like something you could never walk away from right, right? Wrong.

"When to Call It" is a column about former pros that decided to call it quits, and the process that led to them making that decision. With a guy like Blue still making a living inside the industry that he now owns a piece of - thanks to the success of Capita Snowboards - nothing could be more interesting than hearing a honest recollection about how he made it to where he is today. And guess what? I was right. Get ready for a good lesson in how to stay credible and make cool shit.

So Blue, how long were you pro for and who did you ride for?
I was pro from ‘94 to '99 and rode for One, Division 23, Yang, Vans, Technine, Dragon, Rossignol, and others.

Who did you snowboard with when you were pro? 
Cody Dresser, Bobby Meeks, Jason Bump, Travis Wood, Brian Thein, Ami Voutilainen, Joni Makinen... We called ourselves the "Boulder Hollow Crew" after the apartment complex we all lived at in Utah.

What was the worst decision you made during your career?
In the context of my career as a pro snowboarder, I'd say trying to build relationships with some companies that probably weren't the right fit for me to begin with. There were times when I rode for brands where I didn't really believe in the people or the product; Rossignol is a good example. At that time I didn't push myself... I under achieved. It didn't do much for me or them. I didn't really think about it; I was just snowboarding, partying, living, going with the flow... but I see the fault in it now. The mistake I made, that I don't want kids to make now, is you have to ride for companies that you truly believe in and identify with.  Otherwise it's all bullshit and going nowhere.

On the flip-side, what was the best decision you made during your career?
Well, as much as I didn't feel aligned with the Rossignol brand, that time period introduced many experiences outside Salt Lake that I might not have had other wise. Riding for a French company meant traveling to Europe, and getting to travel, ride, and make crazy party with Dionne Delesalle, JF Pelchat, Paavo Tikkannen, Dave Basterechea, Jonas Emery... It was a pretty awesome, funny, and wild time. To meet and work with people like Mark Gallup, Trevor Graves, Vincent Skoglund, Vianney Tisseau and others was inspiring and eye-opening.  So in the context of making unique memories and lasting relationships, I'd say that decision was a great one.

What was the stupidest purchase that you made as a professional athlete?
Travis Wood will tell you any up-and-coming pro shred that buys a brand new car is an idiot. I was a VW head growing up and when they came out with the first VR6 in 1997, I had to have it. Actually, Bobby [Meeks] and I both bought the same car in the same month. Travis was going off about how stupid we were, and how we were blowing it. I bought mine at night and thought it was dark blue.  It wasn't till the next day in that Salt Lake sun that E-Stone started laughing and said, "Dude, you bought a purple car!"  Bobby got his repo'ed a few years later and I ended up driving "the purple cush" for 12 years. That was a bit ironic since Bobby's career lasted so much longer than mine. I ended up selling it to one of the Capita warehouse dudes, so I still get to see it every day. That was my best purchase as a pro shred. I didn't make too many stupid ones... I didn't grow up with a lot of money, so I'm pretty careful with it.

What was the best memory of your career?
There isn't just one best memory, but the first one that comes to mind is my 22nd birthday in Japan. It was my first trip outside North America and I went with Jason Bump, Peter Line, and Marc Morriset. It was the peak of snowboarding's popularity in Japan, and we literally couldn't make it from our hotel room to the cafeteria at the resort without people mobbing us for autographs. Chicks crying over Peter Line and shit; it was nuts. Japanese kids didn't even know who I was at the time, but they didn't care. American? Snowboarder? Here with Peter and Morry? Here's a permanent black magic marker, please sign your name all over my brand new outerwear! The first time in Japan for anyone is mind-blowing, but this era of treating snowboarders like rock stars was just really crazy. It's not like that anymore. I'm glad I got to experience it.

What was your favorite sponsor during your career?
Vans: Hands down. No pay cheque makes you feel as cool as two pairs of shoes a month. Every other Friday I'd roll to the bar in fresh sneakers; iIt was awesome.  Since I have to buy shoes like everyone else now, this concept seems crazy. I was one of the first snowboarders on Vans, and they were the only sponsor that supported me throughout my entire career. They're obviously a big company, but a big company that felt very much in touch. Good people, good product, and it was nice to be able to call and say, "Thank you for the years of support, I appreciate it very much. You don't need to send me a paycheck next month."

Looking back now, what were you able to learn from your pro years?
A lot of life lessons. A lot about nature, the mountains, weather patterns, and snow safety that I still use to this day. I learned that complacency and progression can't exist at the same time. Looking back, I guess that was my first exposure to entrepreneurial theories. Putting yourself out there, recognizing opportunity, risk versus reward, marketing yourself, execution, self- preservation, and so-on. Snowboarders have to do all of that if they want to get paid. 

Why did you decide to back away from it all?
I stopped progressing and sponsorship stopped being fun. I knew at that point it was over and was compelled to figure out what was next in life.

Was it hard to make that call?
Not really. 99% of pro snowboarders have no idea how good they have it, what real world employment is like, or what they're giving up when they're done.  People just get jaded and over it. Sooner or later, the ways of the real world present themselves and at that point, every single one of us has looked back and realized that we were livin' the dream.

What's different now in the industry compared to your days?
The major differences are the reduction of the Japanese market, the influx of non-endemic corporate involvement, the rise of internet sales, the plight of the core retailer, the epic advancement of athleticism, and the general marginalization of contemporary snowboard culture.

That's a lot... That being said, do you have any advice for those people coming up in the industry?
Don't be a pussy. Make cool stuff. Create your own path. Get a job in snowboarding for the good people you'll get to work with and around, and don't delude yourself into thinking you're going to make a bunch of money.

Do you think it's easier or harder for pros now-a-days?
No, so many kids are so good, that I'd say it's harder to really separate yourself and stand out. The level of snowboarding now is incomparable to 1996.  Dudes are so gnarly these days.

What's your title with Capita? Do you feel like you owe snowboarding anything now that you're running a company?
I'm the president and brand manager for CAPiTA Super Corporation. I don't feel like I owe anything... Snowboarding has been my life since I was 13.  I'm 35 now. It's just what I do.

Do you get the same satisfaction level with what you're doing now, as compared to being a pro shred?
I get a different satisfaction... If you gave me a choice between riding pow and living the life of leisure, or sitting in front of a computer every day, I'd be riding pow and living the life of leisure. But when I meet and talk to people stoked on CAPiTA, it's the most rewarding feeling ever. It makes everything we've been through over the last nine years worth it.

Do you miss shredding?
I still shred. Pow days at Alpental with [Todd] Schlosser are off the hook.

Who else could you recommend to get a "When To Call It" interview?
I'd love to read answers on this topic from Dale Rehberg, Roan Rodgers, Chris Roach, Kevin Young, Andy Hetzel, Jon Boyer, Cody Dresser, Bobby Meeks, Brad Scheuffele, Jeff Brushie, Tina Basich, Damian Sanders, Stevie Alters, and of course, Russell Winfield.

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Related:
When To Call It: Marc Morriset
When To Call It: Rob Dow
That's "Mister" Peter Line To You