In January of 1989, Stephen Thompson was asked by a friend, Allen Jones, if he would be interested in taking a ski trip.  Jones had recently seen a feature on Black Entertainment Television (BET) on skiing, featuring the National Brotherhood of Skiers, Inc and wanted to know more. 

Thompson wrote the National Brotherhood for Skiers for information about their upcoming ski trip, to Steamboat Colorado.  He was contacted by Naomi Bryson, National Membership Director, who forwarded information on how to organize a local ski club.

Many conversations and letters ensued between Thompson and Bryson regarding the formation of a club in South Florida.  Flyers and articles from national magazines (Ebony, Jet, Essence, etc..) added credibility to their efforts.  Interest was overwhelming, and a preliminary mailing list was compiled.

On June 28 1989, the first organizational meeting of the Sunshine Slopers, Inc. was held at the North Dade Regional Library.  Subsequent meetings were held at the same location while the group developed a club logo, selected club colors, and elected officers.  By September 5, 1989, the cub was established with 36 charter members and was accepted as a developmental club of the Eastern Region of the NBS.  The Sunshine Slopers, Inc. was incorporated on October 2, 1989, thereby becoming the first African-American ski club in the state of Florida.  The officers wasted no time getting the club active and involved in ski-better workshops and in attending Easter Regional Board Meetings.

The groups first trips were:  Beech Mountain, North Carolina; Snowshoe, West Virginia; Lake Tahoe, Nevada (Mini-Summit) and Smugglers Notch, Vermont (Winterfest).  On March 22, 1990 during the American Challenge Cup Mini-Summit at Heavenly Ski Resort in Lake Tahoe, the Sunshine Slopers, Inc. was officially accepted into the National Brotherhood of Skiers by the National President Paul Ray, National Membership Director Naomi Bryson and Eastern Region Vice President Jeanie Polk.  Sunshine Slopers, Inc. was recognized by Polk as the fastest growing club in the country.  Stephen Thompson is recognized by the NBS as founder of the Sunshine Slopers, Inc.

The organization functions year-round and participates in such non-ski activities as: Sunfest Jazz Festival in West Palm Beach, white water rafting, jet skiing, snorkeling/scuba diving, in-line skating, ice skating, cycling, horseback riding, and fishing.  The club also sponsors an annual club picnic and weekend getaways.  At the end of its first year, membership was approximately 140 that included singles, married couples and children.  The club strongly supports the NBS' goal of training young minority skiers in hopes of one day having an NBS trained youth participate in the United States Olympic Ski Team.  The Primary challenge of the NBS is to find, select, and fund high potential youth capable of winning a berth on a United States Ski Team.