As a child growing up in the Midwest, snow was something that appeared just in time for Christmas. I could now make snow angels and throw snowballs at my sisters. Mom and dad would also buy sleds and take us to a park to what we thought was the biggest hill ever to slide down. We didn’t go skiing because quite frankly, I didn’t think that was something Black people did…until I got older.
Sadly enough, my first introduction to skiing was not until I was 29 years old. I worked for Macy’s in San Francisco and my boss decided to take our group to Lake Tahoe as a way of saying “thanks.” He was experienced as was my director, so I got to take the beginners’ lesson while they got in some action on the slopes. After my lesson was done, I was ready to test out my new skills and to my amazement, I was better than I thought.
From that day, I have always loved to ski and make an effort to go as often as I can during the ski months. But why did it take me so long? Call it ignorance or just plain denial as I wasn’t really aware that African-Americans have been enjoying this sport for over 30 years. The history of African-Americans and skiing is told in the book The Day Snow Turned Black by Naomi Bryson who became the first female president of the National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS) in 1994.
Today, NBS has about 80 clubs across the United States with approximately 700 members. There are four regions: Western, Eastern, Midwest and Rocky Mountain. The goal of the organization is to have a positive impact on African- Americans about skiing while also finding and nurturing Olympic caliber skiers.
I had a chance to talk to David Kidd, president of 4 Seasons West Ski and Snowboard Club in Southern California about his club and the activities that both members and non-members can participate in. Kidd, who has been involved since 1991, noted that contrary to what many may think, these clubs are not for the affluent; they are for everyone. They are a great way to meet people with common interests all year around. Besides skiing, participants can enjoy beach parties, cookouts as well as domestic and international trips.
One big event that clubs look forward to each year is the NBS Summit, or Annual Meeting Challenge Cup, which is one of their biggest fundraisers. In 2010, over 5000 from across the country will plan to meet in Winter Park, Colorado from February 26 – March 6. Anyone interested in attending, can contact their local club.
But if you don’t belong to a club and are interested in getting more information about joining, here are some sites you can check out to see who is near you:
National Brotherhood of Skiers - www.nbs.org
Black Ski Clubs - www.blackskiclubs.com
And finally, whether you are a beginner or a pro, I couldn’t end this article without listing some of the top places to ski. Thanks to friends and avid skiers, we came up with a short list of five places that every skier should visit at least one.
5 Great Ski Resorts
1. Squaw Valley USA (California) – Right here in my own backyard, this resort is a favorite. If you’ve never been to Lake Tahoe, Squaw Valley is a great resort to visit when in the area. Packages are reasonable and the slopes are full of fun. There are lot of specials throughout the season so be sure to check their site when planning your trip. www.squaw.com.
2. Whistler Blackcomb (Canada) – This resort is extremely popular and on my list to visit. David Kidd recommended it as well as few friends so I am convinced it should be in our top five. Besides the skiing, do you need any other reason to visit Canada? I don’t think so. www.whistlerblackcomb.com.
3. Seven Springs Mountain Resort (Pennsylvania) – If you are looking for some snow action on the East coast, then Seven Springs is a spot to check out. Go for a day of skiing and then end with a nice night out and you have just created the perfect weekend getaway. www.7springs.com.
4. Winter Park (Colorado) – Colorado is known for its snow and great skiing. Many who enjoy Vail also enjoy Winter Park. The resort has thought about everything needed to provide the ultimate skiing experience and is great for families. www.winterpark.com.
5. Zermatt (Switzerland) – We had to throw in at least one international resort. Switzerland is a dream destination for almost any skier. The scenery boasts the highest mountains in Europe and the snow conditions are said to be superb. There is terrain for all levels which makes it enjoyable for all. www.ski-zermatt.com.
The great news is that the season has just begun… so see you on the slopes!
