Organized skiing in the greater Worcester area started, and its start was due to the enthusiastic support of a dozen members of the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Harry E. Carson, then Chairman of the Ski Committee of the Appalachian Mountain Club and a Worcester resident, was the single person to whom local organized skiing is indebted.

There were several Worcesterites who helped to promote skiing locally: John B. Knowlton, Edith Lundstrom, Ruth Pardingon, Edna Lundstrom, Harriet E. Roe, Helen Savage, Wallace W. Tainter, Steward Van Buren, Rodney Washburn, Stanley B. Baker, Marion Clancy, Marion Emerson, Mr. & Mrs. Bradley Gilman, Dr. John M. Fallon, Fred Holdsworth, Jr., Dr. Arthur M. Kimberly, Gladys Brown, Ralph Ward, Robert T. Atkinson, Victor Siegfried, J.B. Campbell, Kenneth E. Linnell, Florence E. Clark, Frances Green, John Brosnihan, Frank L. Abbott, Everett Jewett, Jr., Eric B. Carson and Albert Green.

The Worcester Parks & Recreation Commission, in cooperation with Harry E. Carson, flood lighted the east facing slopes of Green Hill Park. Thus permitting night skiing in Worcester for the first time and open to the public.

In January, a committee was selected to draw up a constitution and set of by-laws for a new ski club organization. The committee fulfilled its duties and within a month, the Worcester Ski Club was born.

The adequate but simple by-laws of the newly formed Worcester Ski Club stated that any person of good moral character, who is interested in the sport of skiing shall be eligible to membership with the approval of the Executive Board and payment of one years dues of $1.00 for adults and $0.50 cents for juniors. A newsletter about all activities was sent out monthly to all members. For many years the Club promoted organized skiing in the greater Worcester area, gaining members, sponsoring race meets, instructing skiing, holding proficiency tests, weekend trips and many other activities all based on promoting the sport of skiing. Yearly programs were planned and carried out. New officers were elected to serve one-year terms at the Worcester Ski Club fall banquet.

In March, Inter-Club racing was organized. A ski team from Holy Cross College, coached by Dr. John M. Fallon, raced a team of seven Worcester Ski Club members. The Inter-Club Race was held on the new Balance Rock Trail on Wachusett Mountain in Princeton, MA. The members were: Paul Johnson, Kenneth Linnell, Ralph White, Chester Johnson, James Nelson, Laurence Durgin and David Armitage. For a number of years the Club presented 6 trophies each namely; men’s downhill, men’s slalom, women’s racer, Junior boys and girls. These trophies were presented at the Worcester Ski Club spring banquet.

The sport of skiing continued to grow.

The Worcester Telegram added a ski columnist to the staff, Phillip Butler. Later Ralph White would continue in this capacity.

Worcester Ski Club was responsible for the development and cutting of a new racing ski trail on the east side of Wachusett Mountain, called Pine Hill Trail. From the late 1930’s through the 1950’s, a dozen male members of the Club, with scythes and sickles, mowed the tall grass weeds from both the Balance Rock Trail and the Pine Hill Trail each fall in preparation for the winter skiing season.

Mason Flagg captured the Worcester Ski Club downhill race on the ½ mile Pine Hill Trail on Wachusett Mountain. Time was 59.2 seconds.

Worcester Ski Club rented land from a local farmer, located on West Mountain Street in Worcester, MA to set up a ski hill for its members. Lights were put up on two poles, but no lift was installed, so walking up was for the energetic and lessons were given. The area was called Blueberry Hill.

Mayor William A Bennett presented the Ski Meister trophy to the Club, to be awarded each year to that person in the Worcester Ski Club whose contribution to the Club surpasses all others. The award shall be made by vote of a Worcester Ski Club committee appointed by the President, numbering not less than seven, not more than fifteen. The trophy is intended to honor all around participation to skiing and club activities. The cup shall remain in the winner’s possession for one year and shall be in perpetual circulation. As a permanent possession, the previous year’s winner will receive a miniature of the trophy.

The Ski Club continued to grow.

Worcester Ski Club purchased land in Boylston, MA and developed a ski hill, called Jenny Flagg Hill. There was a tow rope, clubhouse, and lights for night skiing. This is where the Club continued its winder and summer activities.

The ski races were still held at Wachusett Mountain on the Balance Rock Trail. Club members set the flags and awarded trophies.

Organized ski trips were car pooled to Vermont and New Hampshire. The Club also sponsored Warren Miller and John Jay ski movies.

Worcester Ski Club began renting a house at Mount Snow, VT. Dues at this time were $15.00 for singles and $25.00 for couples.

1963

April the Jenny Flagg Hill was sold.

Worcester Ski Club continues to rent property at Mount Snow, VT and club dues are $25.00 for singles and $35.00 for couples.

A new award was added to the Worcester Ski Club called "The Digger Award". An award given in fun each year to a member who has earned points in categories of ski falls called "yard sales." The winners name is then placed on a plaque and visibly kept at the ski house.

Summer hikes into the White Mountain Region of NH were started by Wes Anderson and continue today.

A line of clothing was established with the new Worcester Ski Club logo of two mountains in green.

The Board of Directors has changed several times over the years, and each one has been enthusiastic about keeping the Worcester Ski Club growing.

A Newsletter has continued to keep the members informed about all year round activities. This continues to be designed by Marie Auger.

2001

The passing of Ralph White, Jan 8^th, one of the first members and driving force behind the development of the Worcester Ski Club. Ralph was the first member to receive the Skimeister Trophy, given to the club by Worcester Mayor William A. Bennett.  Ralph also owned White’s Ski and Sport shop of Morningdale, Ma.