Chisholm Ski Club • A Rich Tradition in Rumford, Maine

THE CHISHOLM SKI CLUB

MISSION STATEMENT

The Chisholm Ski Club enthusiastically supports competitive skiing in the greater Rumford area. We provide opportunities at the Black Mountain facilities for Nordic and Alpine skiers to learn and excel in their sport. We also seek to preserve the great local tradition of skiing and ski racing.

MEMBERSHIP

All skiing enthusiasts are welcome as members of the Chisholm Ski Club. Presently we are made up of skiers, parents, former Chisholm Ski Club skiers and other people interested in supporting our mission. Annual dues of $10.00 per family are due in July of each year. To be a member in good standing dues must be paid before January 1st. Skiers are expected to compete as a member of the Chisholm Ski Club in all competitions other than school events. Family members of skiers are expected to volunteer in at least (3) Club events throughout the season. The Board of Directors and members meet on the first Wednesday of each month to discuss Club business.

ACTIVITES

The activities of the Chisholm Ski Club vary from year to year as determined by the majority opinion of its Board of Directors. The Club hosts local, regional, state, and national races as opportunities and funding allow. Annual events include the St Patty’s day race and festival, volunteer banquet, and an annual meeting and member banquet. Funds to support Club activities and Club athletes are raised through dues, fundraisers, private donations, bottle drives, raffles and race fees.

ATHLETE SUPPORT

The Club maintains a Junior OlympicTeam fund which can provide financial help to Club athletes in good standing who are named to a Junior Olympic Team. Club athletes who are named to a post season State Team can receive financial help from the general fund depending on the financial condition of the Club and with the recommendation of the Board of Directors. Those competing in sanctioned events such as New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA) cross country qualifiers or alpine (MARA) races at Black Mountain receive a complementary entry fee. As a Chisholm Ski Club member, athletes are entitled to discount membership in NENSA.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

The Club supports the Greater Rumford Community by providing skiing opportunities for its youth, by cooperating with and enhancing Black Mountain’s efforts, and by providing an economic boost to the area’s restaurants and motels.

HISTORY

     In 1924, in the Rumford Police Courtroom, a meeting was organized by a group of enthusiastic winter sports fans and the Chisholm Ski Club was born. The annual winter carnival had its beginning during that winter and began a tradition that was to continue for the next 50 years.
     From the records of the club in the 20’s, it was written, "when on every Sunday evening at 7:00 o’clock for three months past in the Municipal Police Courtroom you can get together anywhere from twenty-five to thirty men and spend several hours planning for the next carnival. It is this loyal body of members that makes the Chisholm Ski Club a leader among the clubs of the Eastern United States Association.”
     The Club and Rumford were awarded the Eastern Amateur Ski Meet in November 1929. “It will put Rumford, Maine before the entire nation as one of the big winter sports centers justly in a class with the already famous Lake Placid, NY, Greenfield, MA, Brattleboro, VT, and our special friend and neighbor, Berlin, NH. It required the the entire support of the whole community to put it over as it should be put over. We must maintain the reputation that we already have been doing things and doing them right”..."Our Club has made wonderful progress in the past five years and you will be quite surprised of the results that will be obtained in the years to come by our Club, the Chisholm Ski Club.”
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