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Nestled between the Olympics and the Cascades, Seattle, Washington is the home base of the Four Seasons Northwest (FSNW) Ski Club. Western Washington area residents enjoy the convenience of Snoqualmie Pass, Crystal Mountain and Stevens Pass ski areas in close proximity. This closeness allows many to go skiing after work, take day trips, and make weekend jaunts to the mountains. In 1973, FSNW was created to meet the special needs and interests of a growing number of African American skiers in the Pacific Northwest. FSNW is an outgrowth of the East Madison area YMCA Ski Program and Seattle’s Mini MAX Ski School- all initiated and/or operated by Joe Jones, the founder. In 1970, Mini MAX Ski School (Mini Skis for Maximum Fun) was born out of an economic and operational strategy associated with the immediate community based YMCA Ski Program. By contracting ski instruction to the East Madison YMCA and expanding its base to other youth and non-profit groups, Mini MAX made it possible to provide cost effective ski opportunities for people of color.