The late Elijah Muhammad stated that as African-American, we don't know who we are, nor do we know where we come from, and we certainly have no idea where we are going. George Phillips, the founder of All Seasons Ski Club, states that the club started as a social and activity group that has evolved to promoting winter sports to African- Americans and to place an African-American on the U.S. Olympic Ski Team. George's vision was a ski club that provides activities with a social theme. This is demonstrated by the people who do not ski or play golf, can get together in a communion feeding or quenching of there thirst. George was instrumental in the forming of the National Brotherhood of Skiers and each ski club having a youth club at the 1st summit in Aspen, CO.

Some Club History The first club meeting was held at George's apartment on Ashby Ave. near the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. The club meetings where held at various club members homes or apartments. I attended my 1st meeting at someone home in San Francisco. Leon Taylor, a former ASSC president, had and apartment with a recreation room that over looked Lake Merritt, meeting were held meeting there for a time. As the club grew, the need for a larger facility to meet was apparent. The meetings were held at a hotel by Lake Merritt and finally move to the Lake Merritt Boat House. After meeting at the Boathouse for several years, the Boathouse had to be renovated. We moved to the current location at the California Ballroom.

The Willie Bus! Willie Cooper was president of All Seasons and owned a bus. Willie would drive the club to ski trips and keep a conversation going with people in the back of the bus. For less than $100.00; Willie put together an overnight ski trip to Tahoe. The trip included: bus leaving at 5 am Saturday, skiing at a Reno ski resort, Saturday night staying at hotel casino that gave each bus rider a $20.00 refund for food or gaming, and skiing Sunday at Northstar Ski Resort before returning home.

Former All Seasons president Don Pilkinton and the late Ray Whitaker started the Pirates, some of the best skiers in the NBS. All Seasons Thomas Spyder Johnson and his followers' makeup the largest group of Mono Skiers anywhere.

All Seasons was the originator of the wine country bike ride that grew to 200+ riders with a BBQ at a park with swimming pool and picnic tables near Calistoga. The wineries started charging for sampling wine when African-America groups of 20-30 bikers started showing up every summer.

During Sam Williams presidency the All Seasons grew to 700+ members. Fire and Ice in San Jose by formed All Seasons south bay members. The late Angie Cain helped form Black Avalanche a younger group of skiers. Black Gold Ski Club is former All Seasons member that decide to start their own club to deal with the NBS in a different manner.

All Seasons Youth Ski Club has always been a leader in the Western Region B.E.S.T. program and promoting skiing to the youth in the community. From Ms. Davia Jackson and others to Ms. Karen Ambeau, the youth club has always had great directors. Bring your children and grandchildren to ASYSC. Most have gone on to college; some are lawyers, doctors, entertainers, and other professionals. There even an Oakland Raiders linebacker that was a youth club member! We are well on our way to placing Errol Kerr, an All Seasons Youth Ski Club member, on the U.S. Olympic Ski Team. Errol competed with and won several races against the U.S. Olympic Ski team last season on TV at locations around the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand.

We are a social club with an active agenda (skiing, hiking, biking, camping, whitewater rafting, golfing, traveling, concerts, movies, plays, opera, art, books, fashion, etc). Truly a club for All Seasons! We came from the idea and vision of a man for All Seasons; Mr. George Phillips! We have been to the mountaintop, the Summit! We are headed to the U.S. Olympic Ski Team!
Thank you George Phillips!

By T. Shipp