Last week, I had the honor of attending the 50th Anniversary of the National Brotherhood of Skiers Summit at Vail Resort on the White River National Forest.

The National Brotherhood of Skiers has been a pioneer for people of color when it comes to finding our connections to National Forest System lands and outdoor winter sports. 

In 1973, 13 Black ski clubs from across the country came together and held their first Black Summit on Ajax Mountain on the White River National Forest. More than 350 Black skiers attended this event to identify and discuss challenges that were unique to the Black skiing population, as well as to ski and socialize. 

Over the past five decades, the brotherhood has been at the forefront of making skiing and snowboarding more accessible to people of color. Their work has been impressive. The brotherhood today is comprised of more than 50 Black ski clubs with thousands of skiers and snowboarders as members.  

We all recognize there is more work to do. Chief Moore and I staunchly believe in this same goal of breaking barriers and increasing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility to the public lands we manage. It’s our core value at the Forest Service. 

That’s why I signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the brotherhood. It cements a partnership that will address issues affecting equitable access to public lands, including many of the nation’s ski resorts.   

This MOU increases public awareness about winter recreation with an emphasis in connecting African American communities to outdoor winter recreation activities on National Forest System lands. 

The MOU is a great example of the progress we are making through the Forest Service Equity Action Plan, which includes the goal to “promote access to recreation and outdoor experiences within communities of color and socially vulnerable populations.” 

Our country’s forests, resources, economies, communities and people are all better for this work. 

I was particularly moved to not only sign this agreement, but also to address the group at their opening ceremony, because I count myself as one of the beneficiaries of the brotherhood’s work.

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