Group works to bring more diversity to ski slopes

A Capital Region group is working to increase diversity on the ski slope.

The Nubian Empire Si Club hopes to increase access to winter sports for communities of color.

"Historically, skiing has been a white upper class sport culture," group president Omoye Cooper said.

She said they help subsidize part of the cost for younger members to help make it more accessible.

"Our motto — the Nubian model — is to ski often, and ski cheap," Cooper said laughing.

Copoer said the youth program is an important part of their group.

Young adults Nailah Etienne and Nia Etienne both ski because of the Nubian Empire Ski Club youth program.

"I’d never seen anybody look like me ski," Nia Etienne said. "There was a ski group with a bunch of people that looked like me…I took that chance and started and I loved it."

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Nubian Empire Ski Club.