Ingrid P. Wicken, author of "Pray for Snow, the history of skiing in Southern California" has graciously allowed us to quote the following excerpt from her book concerning the early history of our club:

"     The San Diego Ski Club, founded in the fall of 1937, was very active in the Cuyamaca Mountains in San Diego County. They have the distinction of being the most southwesterly club in the United States. The club started with forty members and held the first competitive ski meet, a giant slalom, in San Diego County at Mt Laguna in 1938.         
       Club members had dreamed of locating, clearing, and skiing on a mountain in San Diego County. In the fall of 1938, the State Park Commission of California approved the plan of the San Diego Ski Club to clear specific undergrowth, rocks and stumps on Cuyamaca Mountain.
        Christmas Day 1938 marked the culmination of nine consecutive weekends of work that resulted in molding a portion of the mountain into suitable ski terrain. The Forest Service supervised the clearing of brush and undergrowth and Milton S. Jackson and Arnold Cayser served as work party leaders. When all was said and done, 1,000 man-hours of labor had been contributed to the project. An average of over twenty people per weekend were involved in the work parties with a total of 160 individuals participating.
        The ski-friendly Park Commission also approved the use of the Cuyamaca Rancho Fire Guard Station for the Club to use as a ski hut. The hut was located about twenty-five minutes by trail from the ski slope. A fire road provided a nice downhill run from slope to the hut. The hut was outfitted with a kitchen, fireplace, water heater, toilet facilities, running water, and telephone. Most of these facilities were luxuries that other ski huts at the time did not possess.
        Milton S. Jackson, vice president of the San Diego Ski Club, and Arnold Cayser, San Diego Ski Club president, were responsible for discovering the ski terrain on Cuyamaca. Their efforts resulted in the development of the slope and facilities for the club. Because of Jackson's efforts, the Club resolved that the slope be named Jackson Meadow, and spearheaded the effort to give that name official recognition.
        Nineteen thirty-nine was a year of many plans and improvements for the San Diego Ski Club. Their primary goal was to purchase a portable ski tow. The Club also planned to organize a ski school under the direction of San Diego Ski Club founder Gene S. Muehleisen, enter a ski team in southern California ski races, and host the second annual San Diego County Ski Meet and Victors Banquet.
       The tow and the ski school became a reality. Anyone could use the tow as long as they contributed to operating expenses. A tow house and small structure was also built to provide storage for a first aid toboggan and equipment. Dorothy McClung, Harry Poschman, George Prentice, and Arthur Wullich instructed thirty students in the inaugural session of the ski school. Classes were held every Sunday at 11 :00 and 1:00. The group also offered a special racing class and it was from this class that they chose skiers for their ski team.
      San Diego County does not usually come to mind when the topic of skiing arises, but the following description of snow conditions at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park indicate that it often provided sufficient skiing in close proximity to the San Diego Ski Club:
    In the average, there are six to seven weekends of skiing weather although occasionally the sun gets the best of the snow and interrupts the season a few days. We have had snowfalls up to 7 ft. However, this occurs perhaps only once every three or four years. The ski slope faces northeast and is protected from the sun by high trees making a wonderful setting.
       When local conditions were not conducive to skiing, the Club sponsored ski trips to Snow Valley, Big Bear, Mt. Baldy, Sand Gorgonio and Big Pines. In spite of the inconvenience of extensive travel, club members always looked forward to renewing old friendships with members of other ski clubs.
     Even though the San Diego Ski Club was far removed from popular and well-established ski fields, they managed to distinguish themselves in many ways. They established the first ski patrol in southern California. Their patrol proved their skill and competence when rangers became snowbound on Cuyamaca Peak. Patrol members carried food and supplies to the rangers, and because of her work on the mission, Dorothy McClung became the first female members of the National Ski Patrol.
     The club's interest in dryland skiing led to the establishment of a pine needle downhill course in the city park. The dryland slope provided a popular and entertaining introduction to skiing for many San Diego citizens.
        This family oriented club has remained active since its inception, with an active racing schedule and club chalet at Mammoth Mountain. Two of the club's oldest continuous members are Art Wullich and Gene Muelheisen. Muelheisen served as club president from 1937 to 1939, and Wullich was very active in club activities, especially ski patrol duties."

Many thanks to Ingrid Wicken for allowing the above quote from her book. She also has a website on the early ski  history and a collection of relevant periodicals from the period .  California Ski Library

 

The San Diego Ski Club reflects the history of skiing in that its members actively pursue the snow using the tools of alpine, telemark, randonee, and  snowboard. Whether racing with other clubs on a course or finding a special stash of powder in the backcountry, all receive a warm welcome at the chalet.

Early stone age carvings depict skiers in Norway using skis as basic transportation in an extreme environment. The skis were long and about as easy to turn as snowshoes. The fathers of modern skiing made changes to bindings and the shape of skis during the 19th century. Alpine, heel down, type bindings were used in slalom competitions and skis with narrow widths underfoot helped for quick turning and "hockey stops". At the same time, these men from Telemark also introduced an alternate style, characterized by free heel equipment and the inside ski tucked under the body when turning. This latter style was used in ski jumping, but not limited to that venue.

"In memory of Sondre Norheim, pioneer and champion of modern skiing. He developed slalom and introduced the telemark and Christiania (Christy) turns. Born 1825 in Morgedal, Telemark, Norway. Died in the Unites States 1897."