#2- National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS)

 

The National Brotherhood of Skiers (NBS) is an association of ski clubs that promote skiing & snowboarding among minorities and encourages Black Athletes to make it to the Winter Olympics. http://www.nbs.org/ Black Professionals (BPs) join their local clubs, participate in local & regional outings (Like Winter Carnival in Tahoe) and attend the bi-annual Summit (odd years) or Mini-Summit (even years) for a week of skiing, boarding and partying. *

Some BPs choose not to register for the formal activities (or get the badge, wristband & conference bag) but still come to the ski resort town to partake of the festivities. They are known as “Renegades.” These “Renegades” ski/board and are extremely visible at the “unofficial” Happy Hours and the infamous Parties (The Ques from DC or the Chicago Crew.)

BPs like congregating with other successful BPs. The mere fact that one attends the Mini Summit or Summit in overpriced destinations like Whistler, Park City, Aspen or Vail distinguishes this group of BPs from social climbers on the lower rungs of the ladder. BPs know the costs of gear, the lift tickets or season pass, equipment (rental or purchase), transportation, accomodations and lessons (if needed). BPs rationalize these costs and taking a vacation to a cold destination by considering that one cannot place a price on networking, being at the right place at the right time and having “proper” introductions to other successful BPs. Also, black upper middle class folklore passed from generation to generation reminds good BPs that many marriages have blossomed from introductions on the Slopes.

When BPs tell their non Black colleagues or supervisors that they will be unavailable for the week because they are going skiing/boarding in (insert name of Resort town) they may be surprised at the instant comraderie established. The non Black colleague may be more excited for the BPs trip than the BP. Do not be offended or surprised if the non Black colleague offers their outdoor gear or gives advice for your trip.

Popular clubs include ThrillSeekers (NYC), Four Seasons West (LA), Jim Dandy (Detroit), Jazz-Ma-Tazz (New Orleans) and SOUL BOARDERS (I think Chi-town).

Special shout out to the Black Professionals from the U.K. who trek across the pond to ski & board and mingle w/ their American counterparts!

*These trips are NOT to be confused with similar trips planned by less established Blacks that include bus rides and pajama parties and appearances by B-List R&B singers promoted on shiny cardstock flyers at clubs & beauty salons . The majority of these trips involve snowmobiling as opposed to skiing.*