Founded in 1903, the Ski Club of Great Britain is a not-for-profit organization based in Wimbledon, London. It was formerly responsible for the British Alpine Ski racing teams although, since the creation of the National Ski Federation of Great Britain (now known as the British Ski and Snowboard National Foundation), it focusses more on leisurely skiing.

 

The club was first created when 12 men in a restaurant in London discussed forming a ski club where its aims were to encourage a greater number to participate in skiing events whilst also getting together with people of the same interest. Since their formation, the Ski club have been influential in many skiing  breakthroughs. Before the First World War, their focus sport was cross-country skiing and the first official British ski championships, held in Switzerland, consisted of cross-country combined with a jumping competition. The Ski Club continued to influence changes in the Alps in 1921, as they encouraged the Swiss to open the railways in Zermatt, Wengen and Mürren during the winter – the first ski lifts. The next year Arnold Lunn set up the first modern slalom in Mürren - where competitors are timed passing through gates. The Ski Club of Great Britain also petitioned for downhill and slalom racing to be officially recognised. This became successful in 1928 when the International Ski Federation provisionally approved the rules during a meeting in Oslo. Furthermore, the club organised the first World Championships in downhill and slalom in the 1930s. Arnold Lunn then managed to convince the International Olympic Committee to include downhill and slalom in the Winter Olympic Games. In the 80s, the club launched its website, www.skiclub.com. This became the first ever winter sports website, encouraging many others to follow suit, and continues to be one of the leading winter sports websites in the world. In the 1990s, they further expanded by moving to Wimbledon Village, where the offices include bar facilities and the Arnold Lunn library, home to ski memorabilia. The Ski Club TV, the first dedicated snow sports internet TV channel, started in 2006. Today, the Ski Club's video content is hosted on its YouTube channel.

 

The Ski Club of Great Britain offers lots of opportunities for passionate skiers. 2 years after forming, the club released their own magazine, the British Ski Yearbook. It continued to be published during World War 2, and was read by prisoners in the Changi Jail. More than 100 years later, the magazine, now called the Ski+Board magazine, is still being read by millions of avid skiers. The monthly magazine issued between December and March is the Club's members magazine with the website stating it is 'packed full of features, reviews, news and stunning photography to feed your passion for snow sports throughout the winter. The subscription is just one of the many perks to being a member of the club. For a Standard Adult membership, the cost is £70.00 per year. This includes the subscription, snow reports, weather forecasts, discounts on clothing and equipment and much more to improve your skiing season. Member Chris says 'I have been a member of the Ski Club of Great Britain for decades and I have always thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Ski Club. The resort reps, the holiday leaders and the mountain guides all do a great job as do the staff in the office as well. I have met a lot of really lovely people through the Ski Club and visited many wonderful places'. The club didn't offer ski holidays until the 1970s however they now offer holidays in 25 countries and over 50 resorts. The package deals involve flights, transfers, hotel costs and instructors or representatives where specified. Their merchandise shop has everything from jumpers to water bottles, all designed with their Ski Club logo and the link can be found on the club's website.

 

After nearly 120 years of service, the Ski Club of Great Britain has inspired millions of people to get involved with skiing and its services to the sport has greatly impacted on the entire skiing world.