In March, they will be traveling by bus to Peak’ n Peak Ski Resort in Clymer, New York. The ICSC also took last year’s class to the resort and they skied until their hearts were content.

The Inner City Ski Club just completed this year’s 5-week course for young skiers and snowboarders at Alpine Valley Ski Lodge in Munson Township last week to the jubilation of yet another graduating class.

As most youngsters clammer inside their homes on those usually cold Cleveland winter days, this set of local Eskimos head to the slopes for nearly 5 hours in the snow. Five fun hours in the snow.

The group, formerly known as the “Inner City Ski Bums,” changed their name many years ago to the “Inner City Ski Club” to reflect the positive direction of the club and to also foster a positive image to the children of what it means to be an African-American in a traditionally non-African-American environment. The club is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year and, years ago, the Call and Post co-sponsored the Bob White Ski Venture.

The 5-week program takes each child, whether they are looking to ski or snowboard, and then guides then through the basics of skiing or boarding with members of the Alpine Valley Ski School heading up the lessons.

The lessons are one hour in length and then the kids or adults have access to the grounds for the remainder of the evening. Usually about another 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

After progressing from the smaller bunny hills and then later to slopes that are a bit steeper, individuals are taken by chair-lift to the highest peaks of the lodge. They are taught and encouraged to be able to control themselves on their appropriate devices and to traverse the slopes, not to just jet down them with speed and no control. They are taught to really ski.

At lessons end, the children are full of excitement and share their many tales of the day’s rides, glides, and slides. The chatter also includes a bit of bragging about “killing that black diamond run,” or queries of, “did you see me when I did this or that?”

A black diamond slope is a difficult slope that is designed for the advanced skier and these kids are skiing on them and loving it.

The club’s president, Ray Robinson, is an avid skier and is also a member of the Alpine Valley Ski School. Robinson has been skiing for nearly 40 years and there is no sign of him stopping anytime soon. He is also a solid ski boarder too. You can find him switching between skis and a board during his regular Sunday runs at Alpine. Robinson challenges the young newcomers to strive for their best and that “practice makes perfect.” Sometimes they try to hide from him because they know that a challenge or quiz about that day’s lesson looms.

It isn’t often that they can get away though. If they are successful, then he lurks in the lodge waiting until the lessons are over.

Upon completion of the course, each participant is awarded a certificate and if they have elevated their skill level and have advanced and skied on a black diamond slope, they receive a special black diamond patch to commerate the occasion.

In March, they will be traveling by bus to Peak’ n Peak Ski Resort in Clymer, New York. The ICSC also took last year’s class to the resort and they skied until their hearts were content.

During the summer months, the group sponsors camping trips and many other activities geared towards good clean living and a boatload of fun.