Clubs

The Eastern Inter-Club Ski League (EICSL) dba New Hampshire Ski & Sports Clubs is an organization comprised of 23 clubs. Each club listing provides contact information, membership requirements, and a description of the club and its year-round activities.

There are links at the bottom of the individual club pages to club web sites when available. Email for additional information ([email protected])

* Indicates the club owns a lodge in the Mt. Washington Valley area.
*F Indicates a family club with a lodge in the Mt. Washington Valley Area.
*L Indicates the club owns a lodge with limited child access.

Minimum age requirements vary on a club-by-club basis.
Many clubs allow children on a limited basis, including to participate in the league race program.

By filling out our membership inquiry form you can receive information from all of the member ski clubs.

ABOUT THE LEAGUE & CLUBS

The Eastern Inter-Club Ski League (EICSL), which began in 1950 as a small group of ski clubs, is an organization comprised of clubs with over 1,200 members. We have recently begun using the dba of New Hampshire Ski & Sports Clubs to better identify where our clubs are and what we do. Don't let those numbers scare you. Each of the clubs has anywhere from 25 to 150 members and likes to keep things as intimate and family-like as possible.

Each individual club has its own elected board of directors and numerous committees to take care of the needs of its members. EICSL binds all clubs together. EICSL's most important function, according to John Bycina, Past President (1998-2000) of EICSL, is "to help clubs communicate and to obtain benefits for a large group such as a race program, social activities and discount tickets."

Realize that the lodging at any of the clubs is not designed with the glitzy Ritz-Carlton person in mind. Lodging varies greatly from club to club, but most are bunk-style rooms. Lodging may be a determining factor in which club you end up joining. For example, the Ski Bees have segregated floors with seven women's bunk rooms on the second floor and seven men's bunk rooms on the third floor. Two bathrooms are shared by the women on the second floor, and two men's bathrooms are shared on the third floor. Club rules for smoking and quiet hours are instituted. Each club has its own constitution and by-laws which it hands out to its members. Rules on these and other issues are made known and failure to follow these rules may result in exclusion from the club. Since the clubs vary so much and are all within 10 miles of each other it is strongly suggested newcomers visit at least two or three before deciding on one to join. Once a perspective member decides to join a particular club, they are automatically considered a member from year to year assuming dues are paid. They also have the opportunity to join a different club each year if they choose.

Once a member, you get access to perks like 10% off purchases from certain merchants and restaurants in the North Conway area and discounted lift tickets organized by the league. This year's deals included discounted tickets at Mount Cranmore and Wildcat. Because the clubs are centrally located in the Mount Washington Valley, resorts like Wildcat, Attitash and Sunday River in Maine are all within an hour from the clubs. Most people decide the night before where they'll be skiing and share rides the next morning. Another attraction are all the tempting factory outlet stores you pass on your way up to the clubs.

Most clubs have a race team members can join. Team levels range from the Open and AA Divisions, where speed suits and protective gear are the norm to the lower classes, where people can get their feet under them. You might even see beginner skiers from 3 to 60 years old snow-plowing down a course! We accept racers of all ability levels.

Club teams race against one another about four times per year and some organizations have their own club race once a season. The ultimate ski challenge, though, is left each year to the daring few who hike with skis to the top of Tuckerman's Ravine. For those of you who've heard of it, you know that it means taking you life into your own hands (or feet as the case may be.) For those of you who haven't heard of it, my advice is to live life a bit longer before considering it.

For those members who like to ski outside the Mt. Washington Valley, several clubs plan week trips open to all clubs to predictable destinations like Colorado, Utah and Europe. Weekend trips usually shoot for somewhere a little closer like Stowe or Killington. Again, group discounts usually follow you wherever you go. Last year a large group from three or four different clubs skied at Breckenridge for seven days. Another group of 15 from various clubs joined together for a major discount on a Caribbean cruise in the Spring when the skiing was done.

Don't think just because they're called ski clubs that's all they do. To be honest, some members have never skied a day in their lives. The night life après ski is an experience like no other. Club take turns hosting afternoon socials and after-dinner gatherings at their clubs. This makes for a great opportunity to visit other houses and meet new ski partners. But don't stay out too late... remember you have to get up at 7 am to catch that first lift!

Summer is great time to come up to your club and hike, bike, and swim. Each year clubs plan either formal or impromptu rafting and canoe trips down the Saco River. Mountain bike trails are everywhere and a few mountains offer lift service to the top for the ultimate downhill mountain bike experience. If you keep your city slicker image up north, the road riding is great too and the N.H. scenery beats the Esplanade's any day. Rollerbladers are cropping up in almost all clubs too and were last seen in a pack of 20 skating on a country road while keeping a keen eye for any moose that may decide to ruin their steady pace. Clubs hold activity weekends on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. There's not much skiing that time of year, so activities usual turn to volleyball, tennis and golf tournaments.

Members are kept well informed about upcoming activities via fliers and newsletters mailed to the clubs member list throughout the year. The age-old "grapevine" also serves well since many members are also friends and keep in touch outside the club.

It does sound too good to be true and the repeated question is, "Who does all the work to keep the clubs active and running well?" Members are really the only ones to blame for the success of these organizations. Most people pitch in to help wherever needed from writing and publishing newsletters to mopping the floors after a weekend of ski boots clodding back and forth. Elected officers and members of a Board of Directors from each club put in hours of organizational work and are not paid a dime.

Some people have probably lived in Massachusetts their whole lives and never heard of EICSL ski clubs. Now that you have, don't waste another winter season without checking out the N.H. ski club scene.
Link to EICSL Celebrates 50 Years, the EICSL 50th Anniversary program book.

ABOUT THE LEAGUE & CLUBS

the 23 clubs of eicsl/NHSSC

SITE MAP

ABOUT EICSL and NH Ski & Sports Clubs