In Naomi Bryson’s novel, The Day Snow Turned Black, she covers stories of the National Brotherhood of Skiers including memories, stories, history, and influential figures that have made the organization and industry what it is today. Founded in 1973, the National Brotherhood of Skiers was formalized in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the sole goal to “identify, develop and support athletes of color who will WIN international and Olympic winter sports competitions to increase participation in winter sports.”
As recounted in Bryson’s book, the organization started off as a handful of small ski clubs focused on the shared interest, skiing. Ben Finley founded a ski club in Los Angeles, Four Seasons West, after moving from New York and leaving behind his college ski club. As fate would have it, Finley crossed paths with Art Clay, a fellow black skier who also owned a ski club outside of Chicago. After becoming friends, talk began about bringing the handful of black ski clubs together for a national gathering. Later, this gathering would be known as the first NBS summit. Since then and many themed dance parties later, the club has grown its membership from just 13 clubs to over 50 clubs.
Read the book The Day Snow Turned Black for yourself and learn more about the National Brotherhood of Skiers journey!
Trivia Question: Who was the first black woman to ski at the Olympics?
Bonus Question: Which one of our resorts did she grow up skiing on?
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