When you're the only one on the mountain

I think I may have done Black history month wrong this year...but I'm on my way to a week of redemption in Big Sky.

Hey y’all! I can’t even lie, Black history month has worn me down lol. I know, I know. How can the person who has branded themselves as the biggest fan of all things Black history and culture be tired of Black history month?! Well, it’s because I completely overextended myself with the brand of being THEE Black history/culture travel writer, and now I’m wondering if I missed the point of the month. I spent so much time either holed up in my home writing, or on the road story hunting (at one point driving at night through the Pennsylvania mountains during a snowstorm!) that I didn’t get a chance to actually celebrate.

Scenes from the result of that snowstorm drive, visiting the chosen homes and gravesites of Harriet Tubman and Frederick Douglass in Auburn and Rochester, New York

Thankfully, this self-pity rant has two silver linings (by the way thanks for letting me whine for a moment): the first is that I have some pretty amazing Black culture-centered stories to share with you that I’ve written for a variety of publications over the last few weeks. The second is that I’m finally celebrating BHM in all its glory by spending the last week of the month surrounded by my fellow Black skiers and snowboarders in Big Sky, Montana at the National Brotherhood of Snowsports summit.

Before I share my latest stories, let’s talk about NBS and their incredible history. There’s a common misconception that Black people don’t ski or snowboard because we don’t like the cold (people who know me best know that winter is my favorite season), but the reality is that like many other white-dominated sports, skiing and snowboarding is intentionally expensive (gear and lift tickets can be super pricey) and designed to keep certain folks out. Thankfully today there are more resources to get people of color into the sport, and the National Brotherhood of Snowsports is an organization that’s had this mission since 1973. Founded by Ben Finley and Art Clay, the two avid skiers brought together 13 Black ski clubs for an event in Aspen, Colorado in 1973 that was attended by more than 350 Black skiers from all over the country. The national organization was formed later that year with the goal to place a Black skier on the U.S. Ski team. Since then, NBS has supported four Olympians: two athletes in the Paralympics, and two in the Olympics. The national organization is made up of more than 50 regional ski clubs across the country, and they all come together at the annual summit.

Me skiing in The French Alps and Lake Placid, NY. Don't be fooled though, the middle picture was taken right after tumbling down the mountain. Peep the snow all over my pants and arm 😂

As someone who has skied since I was eight, I’m so grateful to have had parents that exposed me to skiing, and that there are groups like this to help me see myself reflected when I’m on the slopes. I will admit that although I love skiing and find it to be so relaxing and grounding, it can be hard to work up the courage to get out there because I know I will most likely be the only Black person on the mountain, or one of very few. In fact, I’ll never forget the time I went on a ski trip to Breckenridge, Colorado ten years ago, and on my last day, after not seeing a single Black person on the mountain, while walking back to the house my group rented, two older Black man pulled up in a SUV, rolled down their window and said “excuse me, you look Black!”. I said “I am!” as we both laughed and I squealed with joy. We had the most wonderful conversation about being Black skiers and loving the sport (the men were on their annual guys ski trip), but they were quick to tell me that they rarely “see us out here” and that they were so pleased to see me.

I can’t wait to feel the joy I know is sure to come next week when I’m surrounded by Black snow sport enthusiasts and fellow winter lovers (like my Mom who is coming purely to be a cute snow bunny in her fashionable winter wear). The Big Sky summit schedule is packed with events including a gospelfest, bbq on the hill and of course, apres ski every day. Separately, Mom and I are going dogsledding (eeee!) and going to a sleigh ride dinner with Lone Mountain Ranch, the beautiful ranch we visited back in September. My next newsletter will have a full recap of our experience, but I want to know from you, have you ever skied before? If you’re Black, do you remember the first time you saw a fellow Black skier on the mountain? Have you ever heard of NBS or perhaps one of the regional ski clubs?

Last but not least, here are some of my recent stories, published elsewhere on the internet. Enjoy!

• The New York Times: 2 Black Heroes, 2 Cities in New York: A Journey Into the Past

• Tripadvisor: A Coffee Lovers Guide to Celebrating It’s African Roots

• Tripadvisor: 8 must-visit Black culture and history museums to visit across the US

• Veranda: 11 Inspiring Places Around the U.S. to Learn More About Black History

• Marriott Bonvoy Traveler: ‘Take the A Train’: A Guide to Harlem’s Top Museums, Restaurants and Shops

• Hilton: Extraordinary trips inspired by pivotal people in Black history

P.S. Let’s finish out Black history month strong ok? Great music, great food, great people and most importantly, REST.