Bud Dunbar, "Father" of the Ski Club, in 1954, placed an Ad in the
Daily Oklahoman reading "WANTED: Skiers interested in organizing a club
contact Bud Dunbar." 22 people responded and met at the urging of Ruth
and Bud Dunbar to form the Sooner Ski Club. The Sooner Ski Club was
incorporated in 1965 with 164 members. In the 1980's, the Club
membership reached over 2,000 members. In 1992 there were over 1,000
members. The Oklahoma City Ski Club has developed into an exciting
multi faceted organization offering opportunities to enjoy skiing and
other sports, to meet people, to make lifetime friends, and to
participate in varied group activities.
The first ski trips were made via cars to Colorado and New Mexico. In
the good old days a weeks lodging in Aspen was $70.00 per couple! As
the prices rose so did the enthusiasm and membership in the Club.
Harvey O'Mealey, the Club's first official President, 1959-60, told of
their first trip to Aspen. There was one SINGLE chair lift and it took
45 minutes to get to the top. The lift operator would throw a fur coat
around the skier on the way up and then it would be sent back down on a
chair. The good part was that you could get a week's ski lessons for
$20!
Alene Greene, the 2nd President, 1960-61, knew the Club was outgrowing
the meetings in people's homes sought larger quarters. Through the
years the meeting places have included the Last Chance Saloon at
Frontier City, Knights of Columbus Hall, Twin Hills, Shrine Temple, Top
of the Mall, Sportsman's Club, Town Hall, Habana Inn, and Elks Lodge.
In 1962, the Club chartered its first sit-up bus for a trip to New
Mexico. The Ski Club was the originator of the idea that Oklahomans are
overnight from most of the Colorado/New Mexico ski areas, and in 1966
convinced a local bus company to build a sleeper bus, guaranteeing the
Company 10,000 miles the first year. There were 13 trips that year. The
Club had difficulty meeting the commitment and the bus would stop along
the way through western Oklahoma and the Panhandle, picking up people
in order to meet the needed quota.
By 1970 trips were leaving most every weekend and the name was changed
to the Oklahoma City Ski Club. Trips to Canada, California, Idaho,
Wyoming, and Europe had been added to the trip schedule.
Nick Denner, president 1970-71, claims his was the best year of all
because that was when Joan Sneed became Executive Secretary. She had
said she would take the job for one year only, but how fortunate for
all of us that she didn't keep that promise. Patty Sneed Cason,
Daughter of Joan and Lee, has maintained the family tradition by being
the present Club Administrator.
There were bus problems throughout the years, but one of the most
memorable was the Golden Eagle Bus in 1980-91. It got off to a
disastrous start by arriving 7 1/2 hours late to pick up the skiers.
Everyone gathered at the Myriad at the usual 5:30 PM. loading time.
After several hours, with the skiers lined up sitting along the Myriad
wall eating their sack lunches and rodeo spectators staring at them,
Joan took off in her orange VW; cruising around the city to see if she
could find the bus! A call to their Dallas headquarters brought the
response that they had left at 1:00 PM., however, it rolled in at 10:00
PM. John Perkins, President at the time, referred to it as the "Golden
Goose."
Though the Club continues to be a great organization, people join not
only because of an interest in the sport of skiing/snowboarding and
other planned activities, but mostly because of the strong camaraderie
among members.The fun is endless and the friendships will last a
lifetime. After 52 years in business, the club remains strong. The
Oklahoma City Ski Club is truly a club for all seasons.