Fresno Ski Club
2007
Celebrating 70 years
Prepared from the memories of Jack Pieroni, Bunny Bartels, Don
Anderson and Vicki Erickson
December 22nd 2007, marks the Fresno Ski Club's 70th birthday.
Yes, we are that old. So, how and when did we get started on this journey that now spans seven decades?
When Yosemite became the first ski resort west of New England in the 1920's, the Yosemite Winter Club was born. This was back in the days when tobogganing and ice skating were quite popular and skiing was "back-country", where you hiked-in and skied-out, combining cross country and alpine techniques.
Badger Pass opened in 1935, leading to the birth of the Fresno Ski Club. Incorporated in 1937, FSC became the one of the earliest club in the country. At Badger, Club members experienced the new fan-dangled "up-ski"-a diesel powered sled propelling 30 skiers at a time up the hill. A T-bar was added in 1937. Developed for the purpose of promoting camaraderie on the slopes and skill development through racing, the Club produced many national competitors.
World War II led to the transformation Yosemite and Badger Pass into war-time facilities. Gas was rationed, keeping people close to home. The Club continued its existence offering its members a leisure-time respite from the continuous war efforts. After the war ended a group of dedicated members revived the Club and encouraged Jack Pieroni's involvement. By now Jack was working for the Fresno Ski Den, having been introduced to the thrill of downhill skiing through a friend and his forest ranger father.
During the 1950's Fresno Ski Club was much like the dozen or so ski clubs in existence in California at the time. Ski clubs served primarily as and outlet for ski racing enthusiasts, but offered a combination of social and summer recreational activities to appeal to everyone. Keeping with the times the selection of a ski club queen was a major event. The Club held no out-of-state trips. A weekend at the Wawona Hotel was it! However the Club did distinguish itself among peers by developing a "standard ski test" to assess and rank members' skiing abilities. Its purpose was for personal recognition, recruitment of racers for competition, and as a means of testing and developing members for service on the Club's own ski patrol, the Fresno Ski Patrol. This same skills test became the precursor to the battery of assessment tools used by today's National Ski Patrol
China Peak opened in 1958, offering the Club a whole new venue for skiing. As primitive as it was, members flocked to "the Peak", leaving some loyalist supporting Badger Pass. An eventual tug and pull between the two areas ensued. The Club began regularly renting an old ice house at Silver Tip Lodge, just outside the Yosemite gate, for weekend accommodations while skiing at Badger Pass. At $ 11 a night with a sheet hung up to separate the men and the women, it was a deal. Not to be out-down the first operator at China Peak promised the Club land, for the purposes of owning it's very own cabin. Having a huge success with its 1959 Snow Fall Ball as a fund raiser for the 1960 Olympic Team, fund raising for the future purchase of a cabin became an integral part of the Club's activities. However, the idea of a cabin at China Peak was put on permanent hold when the resort filed bankruptcy in the 60's.
The late 60's saw a gradual decline in the Club's level of membership and interest and prominence in racing. Major resorts were now sufficiently developed and could sponsor and train their own teams. Jack says he can remember going to a Club meeting at Shakey's Pizza Parlor with only 6 members present. But, soon that was to change.
The 1970's brought a national resurgence skiing and ski club interest as well, especially among the young single professionals. Now owning his own shop in the New Fig Garden Village, Jack helped the Club organize it's first out of state trip to Sun Valley, launching another Club tradition. About 120 folks went, 50 of which were Club members. By the late 70's, while disco was on its way out, the Club had grown to about 200 members with it's array of winter, summer and social activities. Twice a month meeting, the annual ski swap, Luau, Snow Fall Ball, weekend and out-of state trips were now Club staples. Being an equal opportunity organization the ski club queen now had to share her throne with a king. And, those wet T-shirt contests weren't' for women only.
By the 80's China Peak had become Sierra Summit, under new ownership. Disco was gone, and so were the ski club queens and kings of the yester years. With many of the 1970's singles getting married and having kids, the membership declined somewhat. However, the Club added new events and activities to generate enthusiasm. A well attended Mr. Bachelor trip was added and other trips were often held in conjunction with Central Council, a former component of the Far West Ski Association. Although smaller in size participation was strong and supportive of it's community outreach activities such as the ski days for Big Brother-Big Sisters, participation in Channel 18 fund raisers, and the sponsorship of Warren Miller movies at the Tower Theatre. With so much to do hot tubing emerged as a favorite after-event event.
The mid 90's saw a gradual increase in membership numbers. With the kids raised and the careers secure mid-lifers were now turning to organizations like the Fresno Ski Club with renewed interest in skiing, camaraderie and as a social outlet. Activities expanded to include more Club sponsored events at Sierra Summit. Volley ball continued as a favorite off-season activity, along with hikes and water sport outings. The ski swap grew and grew as a successful commercial venture for the Club, providing the Club with extra income to support the Club membership.
It's been an interesting and enduring 70 years for the Fresno Ski Club. So, what will the new millennium bring for the Club? Stay tuned.
