Black Ice

Who decided that Black people hate cold weather and snow sports?? It's a lie and I've got proof.

Hey y’all! I’m back in your inbox with a special newsletter today, my last one celebrating my love for winter 😭. Since getting back from Big Sky, Montana and the National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS) summit last month, the refrain I seem to hear the most often from friends and family is “Dang, I wish I had known about this. I would have come”. Well, now you have no excuse 😉

I also want to use this newsletter to dispel some myths about Black travelers and to provide more resources for those who are eager to hit the slopes. In my opinion, two of the biggest myths about Black people and subsequently, Black travelers, are that we hate the cold and that we don’t engage in snowsports simply because we don’t want to/aren’t interested. I obviously can’t speak for anyone but myself, but anyone who knows me knows that I am firmly Team Cold Weather over nearly any other climate. I’m also happy to report I’m not the only one. From Black celebrities embracing full winter glam while in Aspen, to fabulously luxurious group trips for Black women to Iceland (note: I’ve haven’t attended a Luxe Tribes trip…yet), it’s clear that we love a snowy, cozy vibe.

I also can make the argument that a lack of interest isn’t the reason why Black travelers aren’t hitting the slopes, it’s a lack of access. From equipment rentals/purchases to lift tickets and appropriate ski wear, everything you need to actually get out on the mountain can be very expensive. Not to mention that traveling to the mountains is quite the excursion for us city dwellers. All of that said, there are now organizations specifically created to diversify the industry, both for travelers looking for new experiences and those that may be interested in a new career. I hope one of these groups inspires you to book a late spring ski trip or look ahead to next winter!

Me + new friends at an apres ski happy hour at the NBS Summit this year ❄️

NBS - The OGs! Functioning since 1973, NBS has more than 60 ski clubs, probably in a city near you, categorized into four regions. While the activeness of each club varies, you can expect at least two ski trips per year with at least one being a group day trip. Here’s a look at the 2024 ski trips hosted by Black Ski Inc, my local DC chapter, as an example. Each of the four regions also hosts ski trip meetups a few times a year. For those looking to progress to a professional level, NBS also provides scholarships to athletes of color training for Olympic and International winter sports competitions. There are four levels of NBS teams that athletes can apply to.

Me and Carolyn Stempler, Executive Director of Women of Winter and Big Sky Resort ski instructor extraordinaire. She began skiing with NBS!

Women of Winter - This organization is dedicated to creating opportunities for women to become leaders in snowsports, specifically prioritizing Black, Brown, and Indigenous Women of Color - the single most excluded demographic in the snowsports industry. Based in Big Sky, MT, the group sponsors women of color to train for their ski and snowboarding instructors licenses, or American Avalanche Association certifications that focus on safety when skiing in the backcountry.

Mount Noire - This group is for all my non-Americans out there! Mount Noire was founded by five stunning Black Londoners whose mission is to “bring colour to the mountains”. They mean that in all ways. I adore watching them zip down mountains in their brightly colored ski outfits, then have the time of their lives dancing during apres ski on their instagram page. One of my top 2025 goals is to attend their luxe ski trip in Val d’ Isère, France. They also offer ski lessons for those just starting out.

Share Winter Foundation - Share Winter has a different, and in some ways more sustainable model than your average foundation. Instead of simply writing checks, they fund local ski and snowboard programs across the country like schools, clubs, community nonprofits, and departments of recreations for 3 to 5 years to help facilitate growth and effectiveness. So far they’ve helped more than 48,000 kids engage in snowsports, with the goal to reach 100,000.

Hoods to Woods Foundation - Hoods to Woods has a simple mission: to share the wonders of the Great Outdoors with children in underserved communities through snowboarding. Founded by Brian Paupaw and Omar Diaz, who were both raised in the NYC area, they now spend their winter weekends shuttling kids from Brooklyn to upstate New York for snowboarding lessons. The organization provides free programming, equipment and mentorship.

Thank you so much for indulging in my continued winter content as we careen full force into spring (March really acted like it had somewhere to be, didn’t it??). As someone who has a hard time mentally and emotionally during the spring and summer time, a.k.a. reverse seasonal depression, I’ve got some unconventional spring and summer travel content coming up for you all that I’m really excited about. If you also experience Summertime Sadness, please know that you aren’t alone. xx