Industry News
The United States’ Largest Gathering of Black Snowsports Enthusiasts to Return to Colorado Ski Resort in March 2026—the First Time in Summit History the Same Resort Has Hosted in Consecutive Years.
KEYSTONE, Colorado, September 15 – The National Brotherhood of Snowsports (NBS) and Keystone Resort today announced that the 53rd annual NBS Summit will take place at Vail Resorts’ Keystone Resort in Colorado from February 28 to March 8, 2026. Bringing together 60 member clubs and thousands of supporters from around the world, the NBS Summit is the organization’s signature fundraising event, offering a week of winter sports fun and community that raises funds to support its mission of increasing participation in winter sports while developing and supporting athletes of color to compete on the international stage.
The 2026 Summit is expected to draw more than 1,800 participants, following a record-setting 2025 event at Keystone that welcomed over 1,600 attendees. For the first time in the organization’s 53-year history, the Summit will return to the same resort in consecutive years, underscoring both its growth and the strength of the partnership between NBS and Vail Resorts.
“We are thrilled to return to Keystone for our 53rd Summit, our cultural homecoming. Last year’s event set a new standard, from the warm welcome of the resort staff to the incredible mountain experience on and off the slopes. Coming back reflects both our gratitude for that hospitality and our excitement to build on it. The Summit is where our community comes together to celebrate who we are, support our athletes, and inspire the next generation of skiers and riders,”Henri Rivers, President of the NBS said.
The Summit week features skiing and riding across Keystone’s three peaks, alongside a full schedule of concerts, racing, youth programming, cultural celebrations, après events, and the NBS’s signature welcome parade. Additional programming for 2026 will be announced in the months ahead. Keystone’s accessibility, variety of terrain, and welcoming mountain community make it an ideal host for the Summit.
“We’re honored to welcome the National Brotherhood of Snowsports Summit back to Keystone in 2026! Their return is a testament to the incredible work our team did last winter to create a meaningful and inclusive experience. We’re ready to bring the energy, throw an unforgettable celebration, and keep growing the sport together,” Keystone Resort Vice President and General Manager Shannon Buhler said.
The partnership between NBS and Vail Resorts extends beyond the Summit, reflecting a shared commitment to representation and storytelling in winter sports. That commitment will be highlighted this week at the Breckenridge Film Festival, where Vail Resorts is sponsoring the premiere of Big Mountain Soul: Ski Africa, produced by Sorcery Cinema. The first in a planned series of feature-length documentaries, the film follows NBS athletes on their quest to ski all seven continents, showcasing Black excellence in winter sports and the global reach of the NBS community.
The premiere will take place on Friday, September 19 at the Riverwalk Center, offering viewers and media the chance to connect with the cast, crew, and creators, as well as NBS and Vail Resorts leaders. Full schedule below:
- 12:30pm | Big Mountain Soul: Ski Africa Screening, Q&A Session with Cast and Crew to follow
- 5:30pm | Post-screening celebration with athletes and NBS representatives at Molly Jack’s
Additionally, NBS and Vail Resorts are united in creating greater access for the next generation of skiers and riders. Through Vail Resorts’ Epic for Everyone Youth Access Program, Keystone partnered with NBS to increase access to outdoor recreation and inspire the next generation of skiers and riders. Last season, Vail Resorts, with funding supported by the Katz Amsterdam Charitable Trust, partnered with over 100 nonprofit organizations to host 12,500 youth across 32 resorts, helping to ensure that the culture and community celebrated at the Summit continues to thrive.
Learn more about the NBS Annual Summit and register for the event at NBS.org, and follow the organization on Instagram at @nbs_snow. See the Breck Film Fest schedule here, and follow @Keystone_Resort on Instagram for updates.
