Off Piste Makes History: Europe’s First Black-Led Ski Event Hits the Slopes in Bansko

Monday, March 11, 2024

The Off Piste Ski Trip in Bansko, Bulgaria, made history as the first Black-led skiing group in Europe, aimed at building a dynamic winter sports community that embraces black culture on the ski slopes. Now in its second year, the event drew over 200 participants who enjoyed activities like a pre-trip event sponsored by Red Bull, a mountainside BBQ hosted by celebrity chef TemiTy’s Kitchen, performances by top London DJs, and memorable dance moments on the mountain. With black skiers making up less than 1.5% of the skiing population, the Off Piste Ski Trip stands out for promoting inclusivity and fun as ways to encourage more participation.

This initiative is more than a mere gathering; it’s a movement toward breaking down barriers, with support from organizations like Snow Camp, Planks, and Blanqo, which help prepare the community for the skiing experience. Collaborating with local Bulgarian ski schools and employing a cadre of proficient Black ski instructors, the group has successfully taught 175 individuals to ski or snowboard, with most participants keen on further honing their skills in these winter sports.

Angus Maciver, Chairman of the Ski Club of Great Britain told us, “I’m really impressed by what the team at Off Piste are doing. Perhaps skiing appears as mono cultural yet we at The Ski Club believe it can have almost universal appeal. Off Piste is leading the way in appealing to a group who may have thought skiing wasn’t for them and showing them that it can be.”

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