The Ala-Bye Ski Club was started by a group of committed family skiers who included Ned and Bernie Shannon, George Buchika, Brooks Dodge, Jim Berry and Ernie Sarkis in the late 1940s. Many were veterans of World War II. Ned was a fighter pilot who continued to fly his plane to the North Conway airport to ski. They purchased a lot off of what was then Rt. 16 in Intervale, in the middle of ski country, and built the original section of the club.
A rustic wood ladder led upstairs to a men’s dorm with about 16 bunks. There were 8 bunks for women downstairs in the area that is currently used for food storage. A large community kitchen with a wrap around bar served as a gathering spot in the evening. The fireplace in the adjacent living room was a source of heat and ambiance when firewood was $20/cord!
The original intent of the founders was to provide affordable access for their families to the rapidly growing sport of skiing. Members paid annual dues plus a small nightly fee for year round access to the club. Most families would cook meals at the club and pack a lunch to minimize cost. There was soon a waiting list for prospective members. To insure that no person or family occupied a membership spot without actively using the club, all were assessed “Prepaid” lodging with their dues. These were the nightly fees covering a minimum number of stays each year, whether you used the club or not. This assessment structure remains in effect today.
As skiing went through its post war boom years, ski trains brought enthusiasts to the nearby North Conway station in droves. At one point, the town of Jackson alone had at least nine ski areas in operation! (1) It became evident that more sleeping space was needed to accommodate the growing demand for membership. The “new” section of the club was constructed in the fall of 1968. This section expanded sleeping capacity to 15 bunks for women and 21 for men. To obtain insurance for the building, the club was incorporated in the State of Massachusetts.
The mortgage on the club was retired in the 1990s allowing us to operate in a financially sound manner. Major renovations were done in the late 1990s. The kitchen was remodeled, windows and sofas were upgraded in the living room, and a staircase replaced the original ladder to the men’s bunk rooms. Cable TV was installed. More recently, board games have been replaced by wireless internet. Our gas oven was upgraded and a new forced hot air heating system was installed in 2009. Both refrigerators have been replaced in the last five years.
The master plan continues to support the principles upon which the club was founded. We will provide basic but comfortable accommodations for families and singles wanting to enjoy all of the outdoor activities that the Mt. Washington Valley has to offer at an affordable price.