Issues → January/February 2008 → Features →

Ski Clubs: In the House of the White Mules

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The last time we were up here, Kristen and I hosted the club's annual "race weekend." The skiing at Wildcat was terrific. Our shy 8-year-old daughter, Ursula, got to run the gates of a course set up especially for the club. Miraculously, even the food, including the Saturday night meal -- spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce and Italian sausage, tossed salad, and loaves and loaves of garlic bread -- worked out exactly right, again, and we managed to find beds for everyone.

But what I most remember was the "awards ceremony" following dinner. Our irrepressible emcee, Bruce Bowers, announced tales of embarrassment, and wives' times that were faster than their husbands', and the fastest times of all by the up-and-coming teenagers -- all accompanied by silly prizes and gales of laughter.

Ursula won her first-ever trophy for best time in the under-10 category -- but the real prize was seeing her growing up surrounded by all those warm and happy faces, absolutely beaming.

The White Mountain Ski Runners is a private, invitation-only club, but several New Hampshire ski houses happily welcome new members with no personal connections or prior affiliations. For information, check the Web site of the umbrella organization, the Eastern Inter-Club Ski League: eicsl.org

Hints on Finding Your Own Ski House

We asked Boston-based Maureen Grady, a veteran cold-weather weekend warrior, for tips on finding the perfect ski house. A corporate accountant during the week, she joined her first ski house in 1985 and hasn't missed a winter at Killington, Vermont, since.

Polish your networking skills. Take advantage of chairlift and gondola time, and chat up your fellow riders to see whether they know someone who knows someone who has a ski house. "One of the funniest aspects of being in a ski house for so many years is trying to explain how I know all these people," notes Grady. "It might go something like, 'This is my friend from work's college roommate's brother's high school friend.'"

Look while the weather's warm. Search for a ski house in June, when the season's over and house organizers have determined the number of available slots. House shares are often listed in local ski-town newspapers or through rental agencies.

Make a site visit. Plan to scout a few houses in the spring or summer. Mountain towns offer fun off-season activities, so combine your ski-house hunt with other diversions, such as mountain biking, hiking, or golf.

Know thyself ... to know your ski house compatibility:

Roommates: party all night or up with the sun for first chair

Sleeping arrangements: bunk beds or private rooms

Location: slopeside or 20-minute drive

Availability: every weekend or once a month

Rules: smoking or nonsmoking, guests or no guests

Evaluate the pros and cons. Lifelong friendships, a place to stash your gear, less expensive than a hotel room ... versus lots of stinky ski boots.