Michele Lewis, a member of Philadelphia’s Blazers Ski Club, was one of 2,000 attendees at the 50th anniversary gathering of the National Brotherhood of Skiers in Colorado, writes Tariro Mzezewa for The New York Times.

The first gathering of the group took place in 1973 in Aspen, when 350 people from 13 clubs participated. Over the years, the group has not only worked on getting more Black people on the slopes but also on finding ways to create and support a pipeline of Black skiers and snowboarders who could make it all the way to the Olympics.

This year’s gathering took place in showy Vail from February 4 to February 11. Those who were new to skiing took lessons, while more experienced skiers got their regular runs in. Some enjoyed snowmobiling and tubing. There were also ski races that people could sign up for and try various kinds of skiing.

“There’s something special about this week and the way we all gather here,” said 72-year-old Lewis. “When I started skiing, I didn’t know that so many Black people skied, but here we are.”

Read more about the group in The New York Times.