(This account of the beginnings of Après "the 1963-1968 period" was submitted by Dale Jelse ma via a photocopy of a handwritten report from 1971. We read the names as best we could and apologize for any errors.)

The beginning of the Après Ski Club was an informal gathering of about ten friends at L’Omellette Restaurant in Palo Alto. In 1963, it was purely a social gathering of single guys and gals, and the ski aspect of the whole thing did not take shape until 1964, when the name Après Ski Club was adopted. The whole purpose of the organization was to provide an excuse for single adults to get together. Some of the early social functions were exchange-type parties at individual’s apartments. One time some guys would throw a party and invite as many new gals as they could think of and the next time the gals would reciprocate.

As the organization took on a more formal structure, a president was elected along with a vice-president, secretary and treasurer. The first president-elect was Cary Plaskett who presided over the gatherings at L’Ommie’s on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month during the ski season. By this time, skiing had become the common denominator of the club. The regular meeting format became one of cocktails and a ski movie. Membership grew from that original group in 1963, consisting of such people as Cary, Ron Norman, Dick Bartlet, Jim Sailer, Charlie Dick, George Popaduk, Didi Smith, Marge Turner, Fran Mazzaferri, etc. to something more than 50 by the time the 1964 season rolled around.

Early ski trips by the club were mostly cabin trips. Rides were shared, and the destination was more than likely Ron Norman’s family cabin at Lake Tahoe. Ron was soon elected president of the 1964-65 season and began to tackle the growing pains of a club with a rapidly expanding membership. Board meetings became a regular thing for planning future social functions. Après Ski Club sponsored its first Sno-Ball at Rickey’s with fashion show and all. This turned out to be a great success and was retained as a regular feature for many years. In the spring of 1963, the first Mammoth Mt. ski trip was held. Members signed up for the 3-day Memorial Day Weekend with transportation by private automobile and lodging at one of the local motels. This trip became traditional also.

Organization problems continued until a constitution and a set of by-laws was established under Ron’s leadership. A limit for club membership was set at 100. The club was open only to singles. Age minimums of 26 for guys and 23 for gals were established. Individual membership was considered only after an individual had his guest card signed by three active members. Meeting attendance increased and finally a one dollar door charge was established for non-members to cover the mailing and printing cost of the newsletter which was sent out to members and non-members alike. The mailing list reached 500 by mid-1965.

President elect Harry Peterson kicked off the 1965 season with a Skiers’ Picnic at Adobe Creek Lodge. All Bay Area ski clubs were invited and a turnout of more than 300 attended the afternoon and evening activities. The 1965-66 season became more socially active than ever before. Not all events were financially successful as the club tried to maintain its "break-even" policy on social events. The treasury was seriously drained and ways were sought to give some financial balance to the club. A faction developed between members who wanted better planning of the club activities and a group who sought more extravaganzas. Reality won out and Dick Knocke was elected president for the 1966-67 season. He proceeded to appoint members to various areas of responsibility and spread the work around so that the burden no longer fell to just four or five individuals. The result was a very successful Sno-Ball Dance at Palo Alto Hills Country Club which attracted more than 400 attendees and was even plugged on Don Sherwood’s morning radio show on KSFO. This successful event pulled the club out of its financial doldrums for the rest of the year. However, one of the problems of a singles club is that sometimes people get married which terminates their membership and so it was with President Dick Knocke. Vice president Larry Marshall took over in the fall of 1966 for the "retiring" Dick.

Ski trip format remained as car trips to various cabins; however, the first out-of-state trip to Sun Valley was established in February 1967. Fran Mazzaferri acted as coordinator of this event that was part of a regular Damen Nelson tour. The club has continued to coordinate one or two of these trips a year through them. Après Ski Club social functions were still on a break even basis. A full winter season program was planned for regular Wednesday meetings and weekend trips. A spring dance that had been held the previous two years became a regular event for winding up the social calendar in late spring. A few summer events that were held in 1966 were increased in 1967 to make a full calendar year. This began a time when the Après Ski Club became a more structured organization.

President elect for 1967-68 was Loren Sorensen. The previous year under Larry Marshall saw the Après Ski Club become a non-100% member club of FWSA for the first time and made its third year of a $25 contribution to the U.S. Ski Team. This policy was continued for 1967-68; however, there was some discussion of becoming a 100% member club. The board did not feel that the club was ready for 100% participation, nor would the membership support the large increase in dues.

The Board was expanded to eight members by President Sorensen. Each board member was assigned functional responsibilities and encouraged to solicit as much help from other club members as needed to carry out those responsibilities. Membership was doubled during the year and the meeting location was changed to Chez Yvonne.

The summer program included a car trip to Lake Shasta for waterskiing over the Fourth of July weekend, a canoe trip down the Russian River and afternoon swimming parties. At least one event was held each month between ski seasons. This had the effect of adding continuity to the club organization and membership and eased the burden of starting up from scratch each fall.

The winter program was expanded to include bus trips to Heavenly Valley as well as more car trips. The board was becoming more aware of the increased potential of liability to the club in regards to the State of California "passenger" law. FWSA pointed out to all member clubs that this was becoming more and more a hazard. FWSA recommended incorporation for ski clubs and suggested the reduced liability of bus trips

For the first time, the Après Ski Club began to participate in the recreational ski races sponsored by the Bay Area Council of the FWSA. As club members became more proficient, they encouraged others to join in on this aspect of skiing even though they could only snowplow down the relatively easy course. The mere participation in this activity improved everyone’s skiing besides being just plain fun.

As the 1968 season drew to a close, the club had established larger membership, a sounder financial base, a full year’s social calendar and greater participation. Ahead of it still lay the constant problems of financially supporting a successful newsletter. 100% membership in FWSA, incorporation and a balanced program of social/skiing events.