"Who Says We Don't?" African-American Ski Club Talks Love of Skiing and Need for Diversity on the Slopes
This is a pretty cool initiative!
This is a pretty cool initiative!
There are many human variations present where I ski. The snow doesn't care a lick where you come from, Only where you are going.
Uhhhhhh, every ticket counter I've encountered at XYZ resort takes plastic no matter what the color of the hand that's handing it over...
Money, or lack of it especially from a generational perspective, is probably the main factor keeping the number of non white skiers low. It helps a LOT when you parents were either skiers, or had the financial resources to empower you to learn at an early age. If you grow up in a community where nobody else skis or ice skates, plays hockey, etc, you're not nearly as likely to even consider trying it. As neighborhood demographics change towards more diversity, we'll see more diversity in all the other things around us. But, we're not there yet.Uhhhhhh, every ticket counter I've encountered at XYZ resort takes plastic no matter what the color of the hand that's handing it over...
Most skiers came from skiing families. Most skiing families back in the day had family money which is why they could afford to ski. Black folks did not have the same opportunities as white folks back in those days. Also, there are more black folks living down south then up north.
Not sure how I missed this back in February, other than it came up when I was on the road for ski shows.Women have credit cards too, but I read about low numbers of women participating and see initiatives to change that.
Diversity makes things better for all of us.
The founders of the club's parent organization, National Brotherhood of Skiers, are being inducted into the US Ski-Snowboard Hall of Fame & Museum this year.
I think there are plenty of minority families with the financial resources to ski. There are other social variables that limit exposure and willingness to take that money to ski country instead of spending it where their other friends spend their time and money.Every now and then a pro skier will try to do an “introduce inner city at risk youth to skiing program”. I guess it’s an effort but it kind of seems f-d up to remind em of our privilege and give them a taste of a world most will never be able to afford.