billski
Active member
I would guess there are neary twenty ski club houses in North Conway and environs. I had the opportunity to stay at the Ski Wheelers house, just down the road from Cranmore. I also got a tour of two neighboring houses as well. The wheelers is the largest. It's a hotel from the 1800s. It is massive and holds way over 100. It's the largest in the valley.
I'd be happy to share more about my experience later, but suffice to say the clubs are friendly, welcoming and extremely inexpensive. There is a club for everyone: Singles, singles/married, family, etc. The common thread is that the folks love to ski and love the outdoors in all seasons. It's an unwound version of what AMC offers, as it's owned by the members and they take care of it.
The clubs belong to the EICSL ski council, and there is a party every weekend, in a different lodge. There is no end of people to ski with. Skill level and inclination is all over the map, so there is something for everyone.
It's all about being social too. It's really refreshing to wake up at 5AM and already find people in the kitchen. By about 6:30am the place is hoppin'. By 7-7:30 the place clears out and everyone is slopeside, scattering in many directions. Back after the lifts close to change, or not, and relax, imbibing in a little liquid entertainment and snacks. The board is filled with notes scrawled about people's whereabouts that night, with an invitation to join. Or stay in the lodge, read a book by the wood stove, watch TV or play pool. All this for $28/night.
On Saturday nights they cook a full blown meal for $12. This Saturday is was Thanksgiving dinner complete. I wasn't there, but I was told 40 people signed up for dinner.
The cool thing is that you can talk to everyone about skiing from the time you wake up until the time you crash. I don't get to do that much!
Wheelers:
Ski Bees:
Makusue:
Inside Wheelers:
Wheelers - Dining Area. They also have a huge commercial kitchen, which you can bring your own stuff, make your own meals.
Wheelers - One of several sitting areas, and pool table beyond
They welcome guests to spend the night and are always looking for new blood.
I'd be happy to share more about my experience later, but suffice to say the clubs are friendly, welcoming and extremely inexpensive. There is a club for everyone: Singles, singles/married, family, etc. The common thread is that the folks love to ski and love the outdoors in all seasons. It's an unwound version of what AMC offers, as it's owned by the members and they take care of it.
The clubs belong to the EICSL ski council, and there is a party every weekend, in a different lodge. There is no end of people to ski with. Skill level and inclination is all over the map, so there is something for everyone.
It's all about being social too. It's really refreshing to wake up at 5AM and already find people in the kitchen. By about 6:30am the place is hoppin'. By 7-7:30 the place clears out and everyone is slopeside, scattering in many directions. Back after the lifts close to change, or not, and relax, imbibing in a little liquid entertainment and snacks. The board is filled with notes scrawled about people's whereabouts that night, with an invitation to join. Or stay in the lodge, read a book by the wood stove, watch TV or play pool. All this for $28/night.
On Saturday nights they cook a full blown meal for $12. This Saturday is was Thanksgiving dinner complete. I wasn't there, but I was told 40 people signed up for dinner.
The cool thing is that you can talk to everyone about skiing from the time you wake up until the time you crash. I don't get to do that much!
Wheelers:
Ski Bees:
Makusue:
Inside Wheelers:
Wheelers - Dining Area. They also have a huge commercial kitchen, which you can bring your own stuff, make your own meals.
Wheelers - One of several sitting areas, and pool table beyond
They welcome guests to spend the night and are always looking for new blood.