Ski Club Hochgebirge History

Founded in1930

2023

One day in December, 1930 these young men gathered in Charlie Peirson's and Franny Hill’s apartment at 18 Euston Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, and began the formalities of creating a ski club.

• James T. Baldwin

• Alexander H. Bright

• Thomas N. Dabney

• Stephen Heard

• Francis S. Hill

• Hamilton Lockwood, Jr.

• John M. Martin

• William F. Morton

• Charles L. Peirson

• John H. Sherburne, Jr
  
  

  All the rest of us are grateful

More than 90 years ago no less an authority than the Atlantic Monthly proclaimed,” the grace, the courtesy, the silky skill of the members of the Hochgebirge Club,” even going so far as to extol the authentic deadpan of the racing Hochie,” his twinkling and debonair carriage.” Such was the outwardly manifestation of early Hochgebirgerism in its fullest bloom.,

In December, 1930, ten such bachelor, skiers, all young men, just through college, and now, Boston, Businessman, not withstanding the country’s, financial turmoil, gathered in Charlie Peirson's, and Franny Hill’s apartment to carry out their earlier resolve to form a racing ski club. They found a name for it in “Wunder Des Schneeshuhs” and John Martin produced a picture from the British Ski yearbook, 1930, to serve as a logo. Thus it came to pass, there in the village of Brookline, just before Christmas, the club was founded. Very shortly afterwards they elected the first three members, John Lawrence, Don Hood, and Laurie Lombard, the latter boasted that, “anybody can start a club, but we were the first elected.”…….

The Ski Club Hochgebirge has gone on to be one of the oldest and most venerable ski clubs in North America and the world. Members of SCH were on the first ever US F.I.S. alpine ski team. Since then, current, former and deceased members of the Ski Club Hochgebirge have been members of the men's and women's US Ski Team in Olympic and World Championships as well as competitors on the Europe and World Cup circuits. Hochie founders went on to become members of the 1936 US Olympic Downhill Ski Team. Members also include USSA National and NCAA champions and All Americas, plus USSA National Masters Champions.

In 2023 Hochies carry on their shoulders a long tradition of Downhill Ski Racing. But as times have changed for good or bad ski racing is not the only emphasis of Ski Club Hochgebirge. Along with racers there is also a recreational and family skiing community, all coexisting happily.

50th Anniversary Book “Ski Club Hochgebirge 1931-1981”

There’s a potential glitch….. Depending on your browser you might have to download to your device when the .pdf opens to be able to see whole pages.

75 Years of Going Downhill Fast- 1st Elected Member of SCH John Lawrence:

American Inferno - Powder Magazine, 2.26.14

The Inferno at Murren in Switzerland is the longest DH race in the world. SCH friend, the late Bob McGrath, did two of these races, full length. Bob said that no matter how much he did to get in condition for Murren, he was wasted at the finish. Click to see what he encountered. Inferno rennen 2023 start number 69 @VilleVahla - YouTube

Speaking of Bob McGrath, his grandson and son of Felix McGrath, Atle McGrath is on the 2023 World Cup circuit. Uncle Bill McGrath was a former member of SCH. Atle is from a storied line of skiers and currently skis for Norway. Checkout out his run at Wengen, SUI. Funky snow, big ruts and poor visibility. Very few DNFs. His run starts at 37:05 he finished 5th. FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Men's Slalom (Run 2) - Wengen SUI - 2023 - YouTube

Hochie Hearsay ( current w/links to past editions)

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