Knowing when to call it, as they say, is a delicate art. Especially when you collect a pay cheque for being a pro snowboarder and your life consists of earning frequent flyer miles, attending video premiers, and stomping tricks in front of a camera. Who wouldn't, if given the option, want to do that as long as they can? It sure beats the average person's work life of uncomfortable office chairs, awkward conversations with co-workers, and stale coffee.

Of course, as the good ol' cliché goes, there are two sides to every story. Even what seems like the best job in the world will eventually grow tiresome, and those who've been entrenched in it for a year or two too many will long for something new. ("Uncomfortable office chairs?" asks the soon-to-retire pro snowboarder. "That sounds great!") And such is the case of one Jesse Fox.

Any avid Canadian snowboarder knows who Jesse is, although he's far too modest to ever concede that. Video parts, magazine covers, interviews and articles from around the world have documented his easy-does-it skate style and innovative interpretation of otherwise conventional terrain for nearly a decade now. And while Jesse is far from washed, he's made the decision to willingly step back from what he knows best. Bold, right? I thought so. Let's get to the bottom of this, shall we?

So this seems to be a time of transition for you. Are you retiring or semi-retiring? What's the scoop?
Retiring sounds kind of silly... I never really considered snowboarding a job or a career. When you're having that much fun doing it... it just felt like free money.  But yeah, I'm not going to be hucking for video parts and trying to keep up with the kids. It's time to go legit and figure out how the real world works. I'm still going to be snowboarding, still doing trips and trying to get some air time here and there, I'm just not getting paid for doing that.

What did Rome have to say when you talked to them? You've been with them from the start. Did they try to talk you into keeping things status-quo?
Yeah, you know I have been with Rome since their beginning, seven years now. It's amazing to be a part of what they have done for snowboarding. You know, they made sure I was doing more then just riding and helping with product. I was always involved more then I could have hoped for. It feels like a family of friends there. They provided opportunities and experiences that I couldn't imagine I'd have if I was riding for anyone else.

They didn't push me to keep this or that going. I've wanted to do something else with my time for a while now, and they have fully supported the transition.

How many years have you been riding pro for up until now, or at least riding full-time in the winter?
I guess snowboarding has been paying the winter bills for, what, eight seasons now? Pretty crazy... I got really lucky with the support I've had from Rome.

But you'll still be riding this winter, in spite of the change?
Yeah, man! I'll be riding for sure; I can't wait for it. The crew I grew up riding with have long since moved on, and I'm going to get to ride with them more now.

It's just become strange how there is so much pressure to pump out as many photos and filmed tricks in a winter as possible. No joke, I spent ten-fold more time last season in a truck, riding a snowmobile, and building jumps then I ever did riding. Those kids showing up in mountain towns, getting stoked to wash dishes or deliver pizza, to shred are going to get to ride more then most "pros" will. I think that's pretty cool.

And you know the kids shredding are so good these days... the last thing I wanted to do was lurk around another year if my heart wasn't in it. I'm more excited to ride this year than I can remember.

This kind of makes me think of Shin Campos. He essentially "retired" from the pro game, but is still out ripping and getting shots!
Well, yeah, Shin's a legend. I think that he's had, and has, a great thing going. He's still in mags all the time, and his video footage is just blue days and ridiculous powder. It seems like everything is on his terms, and that's when you can have the most fun riding.

And you've been working with Derek Hale, the Rome rep for Western Canada, right? What's that been like?
It's been fun. We're just visiting all the shops that Rome supports in Western Canada. From Manitoba to BC, we visited, like, 80 shops. I like talking to people who are excited about snowboarding, the videos, and winter. There was a lot of late nights and driving, but it's been fun.

Coming off two seasons of filming parts for Rome, and then filming parts for other people like White Out before that, what will you miss the most? What won't you miss?
I'm sure I'll miss it, but I'm excited to snowboard without having to document it.  As for what I'll miss the most, that would be the travel, the backcountry riding, the good hangs, the good friends, good stories, and powder. The least? Getting my sled stuck, my sore back, not landing, cloudy days, the cold.

Throughout your riding career, what would you say you're the most proud of?
My knees: They're still strong.

OK, so this is a totally cliché question to ask, but what kind of advice would you give to a young shred who dreams of being Jesse Fox one day?
What do you mean "being me"? Who dreams of being unemployed?

*Note: Props are due to Mikey Scott and his "When To Call It" columns, which I have essentially mimicked here. Take a read through these examples:  

When To Call It with Rob Dow
When To Call it with Brad Hainshwang

Also check out:

Rome Rules