Giving African-American skiers a lift

But that weekend was different. That time, at the end of last season, she was joined by more than 400 black skiers, because Sunday River was host to Winterfest, the eastern regional ski festival hosted by the National Brotherhood of Skiers, an umbrella organization for 84 black ski clubs in 46 cities.

The national group's popularity illustrates a shift in the social and athletic outlets traditionally shared by African-Americans. Now, moving up the economic ladder, blacks are enjoying winter resorts in larger numbers, and raising their children to be involved.

The growing market has sparked the interest of a ski industry that has been looking to expand into the ethic and urban populations in recent years. Resorts are forging stronger relationships with the organization and, in some cases, offering discounted rates to many black ski groups.

Leslie Jones, a brotherhood spokeswoman, said it only makes sense. "If you can get them on the slopes and get them interested than generally, they will keep coming back if it's accessible," she said.

For years, the inconvenience of getting to resorts was a barrier to blacks, who mostly lived in urban and southern regions. The high cost of lift tickets, equipment, and lessons didn't help. Cultural habits have also played a role. According to David Becher, a senior researcher for Colorado marketing research firm RRC, the number of African-American skiers still remains low, at 2 percent. Four percent are Asian, 3 percent are Latino, and 1 percent are Native American.

Nonetheless, the National Brotherhood says its 30-year-old national summit is the largest continuously running ski convention in the nation. Its members have considerable spending money, pouring about $16 million annually into the ski industry, according to Frank Jones of Pennsylvania, the group's eastern regional vice president. The summits, meanwhile, add an estimated $2 million to the local economy. Nationally, according to the group's website, 74 percent of its members are college graduates, and 60 percent live in households with annual incomes of between $50,000 and $100,000.