Valeria Tanaka, the co-founder of Colorado’s first Black ski club, leaves behind a lasting legacy that reshaped the world of skiing. She was not just a passionate skier but a trailblazer who opened doors for many Black skiers. Tanaka, who passed away at the age of 100 in 2024, made significant strides in a sport that, for much of its history, excluded people of color. Her impact continues to inspire future generations, especially within the Black community.
Founding Colorado’s First Black Ski Club
In 1972, Tanaka and her family founded Colorado’s first Black ski club, Sippers-N-Sliders. The club was born out of their shared love for skiing and their desire to create a space where Black skiers could connect and share the slopes. At a time when Black skiers were a rarity on Colorado’s ski hills, this group offered a welcoming environment that encouraged participation and skill-building. Today, the club is known as Slippers-N-Sliders, and its impact is still felt in the local community.
Roxanne Garlington, the club’s current president, recalls how the early days of the club involved packing buses full of friends and family for ski trips. These trips not only allowed Black skiers to enjoy the sport but also created a tight-knit community. For many, it was a rare chance to ski with others who shared similar backgrounds and experiences.
A Love for Skiing and a Desire to Share the Sport
Valeria Tanaka’s journey with skiing began in her early 20s, when she moved to the West Coast and was introduced to the sport. Her daughter, Joanne Tanaka Cuerden, recalls how her mother was immediately hooked. Tanaka was passionate about skiing and loved sharing her enthusiasm with others. She often had extra gear ready for anyone who wanted to give the sport a try, hoping to inspire others with the same joy she found on the slopes.
Tanaka’s dedication to skiing extended beyond her own family. She made it a point to include others, particularly people of color, in the sport. Her pioneering efforts on the slopes were not just about her personal love for skiing but about making the sport accessible to more people, especially those who often felt out of place in predominantly white spaces.
Encouraging Inclusivity and Paving the Way for Future Generations
Valeria Tanaka’s contributions to skiing were not limited to starting a club. She helped to make skiing more inclusive for Black children, many of whom would not have had the opportunity to experience the sport otherwise. The Slippers-N-Sliders club runs a program that offers free skiing lessons for kids, helping to remove financial barriers and encourage young people to develop an interest in the sport.
This initiative reflects Tanaka’s commitment to ensuring that skiing was a sport for everyone. Her work helped provide opportunities for children who might never have had the chance to ski, showing them that the slopes were not just for the privileged few. Tanaka’s legacy lives on in the children who now ski because of her efforts, and in the continued growth of the Slippers-N-Sliders club.
A Life Well-Lived and a Legacy That Continues
Although Tanaka stopped skiing later in life due to knee and back issues, she remained active and engaged until her death at the age of 100. Her family and friends remember her as someone who embraced life with energy and enthusiasm. Joanne Cuerden recalls how her mother continued to inspire others to try new things, always with a spirit of inclusivity and community.
Valeria Tanaka’s passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Colorado’s skiing history. Yet, her legacy lives on through the ongoing work of the Slippers-N-Sliders club and the countless individuals she inspired to take up skiing. Tanaka’s story is one of perseverance, love for a sport, and dedication to making the world a more inclusive place for all.
