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History of our club
History of Oak Park Ski Club
by Bob Fues
In September of 1955, a group of about 16 people who were ardent skiers, decided to form a ski club. Their aim was to encourage the sport of skiing and provide economical ski trips through group participation. With arrangements made through Oak Park YMCA, a meeting place was established and the club officially opened to the public to attract new members.
By the end of December, 1955, the club had grown to about 74 members and Ian Harker was elected as the club's inaugural President. The first organized ski trip was planned for New Year's 1956, and this was a trip by train to Iron Mountain Michigan. This trip proved to be highly successful in the number of members participating, considering the short period of time that had passed since the club had been established.
In 1956, the club increased its membership to over 300, and was incorporated as a non-profit organization, within the state of Illinois. With the increase in membership it was necessary to find larger accommodations, and the club moved its meeting to the Oak Park Masonic Hall, where it remained for several years. In the spring of 1957, the club sponsored its first western trip by train to Sun Valley, Idaho, and it, too, was a huge success.
O.P.S.C. was instrumental in formation of the Chicago Metropolitan Ski Council in 1956. Ian Harker, Dan Lapins, and Bill McCloud conceived the idea of the council contacting other Chicago area ski clubs and bringing about C.M.S.C. in the spring of 1957.
The first C.M.S.C. ski show was held at the Conrad Hilton, in the fall of 1958. Again, O.P.S.C. was on of the leaders in the formation of the show, which was called "The Chicagoland Ski Fest". This show was organized and run by C.M.S.C. for two years. Oak Park is proud to say we have had a booth at every ski show held, and have welcomed skiers and those interested in joining the sport.
In the early 1960's, the club purchased a building in Boyne Falls, Michigan, which was converted into a ski lodge, and which can be used by club members year round. O.P.S.C. is the only Chicago area ski club to own its own ski lodge.
During the 60's and 70's, Oak Park's membership continued to climb. A limit of 1000 had to be set for club membership. Running a club with that many members was a lot of work. As many other ski clubs sprang up in Chicago and the Suburbs, Oak Park's membership fell back to manageable size.