In New York City, you can tell it’s winter simply by looking at the city -- everything becomes desaturated. Bright colors get hidden behind swarms of drab and dreary winter coats. Most gay New Yorkers seem to endure the weather with a bit of a sneer and a whine, watching the clocks until that first spring day when the city suddenly bursts back to life.
Not my friends. The appearance of salt trucks makes our mouths water. When blizzards pummel the area, we get gleeful. The mountains become our second home.
We’re gay skiers and snowboarders.
A few years ago, I created a club for gay folks like us and called it Ski Bums. Today, it’s the world’s largest organization for LGBT skiers and snowboarders, with more than 800 members in local chapters from across the USA and Canada. We host trips to all the world’s best ski resorts, from Europe to South America. If winter blankets it, you can bet it’s on our list.
And now, every week throughout this season, I’ve got insights and advice to share on how to turn the thought of winter into something that warms you up whether you’re a lodge bunny or black diamond die-hard. Check back tomorrow for my first post: Our Favorite Gay Ski Weeks.
It might be 65-degrees out today here in Gotham. But the best time of year is just around the corner!
Chris French is the president of Ski Bums, the world’s largest club for LGBT skiers and snowboarders. He lives in New York City. Visit Ski-Bums.org to learn more.
