Like most black people I know, skiing was not part of my childhood. Other than the fact that snow is not present in our countries of origin, it’s just too cold. I don’t know any black Brits who look forward to winter either.

Do you remember the 1993 film, Cool Runnings? That was the first and only time I saw black people willingly taking part in a snow-based activity – and even then, they were a glaring anomaly. 

Inspired by the true story of the first Jamaican Olympic bobsled team, the film follows the journey of four Jamaicans with zero experience in the sport, who travel to Canada to compete in the upcoming 1988 Winter Olympics.

While I enjoyed the film, it didn’t make me want to try it and anyway, I was happy taking holidays in sun-kissed lands where my skin could bask and glow in the way only melanin can. Then, an opportunity came along that the adrenaline junkie in me couldn’t resist.