Want the full story? Here’s the longer history for anyone who enjoys the background.

A Brief History

The Central Jersey Ski & Snowboard Club began in the early 1970s when a small group of friends who loved skiing started talking about forming a club. In those early days, members often skied together at Arrowhead, a small rope-tow ski area in the Wickatunk section of Marlboro, NJ, operated by the Red Bank YMCA.

The club held its first regular meeting on December 29, 1971, at the Andiron Inn. Membership cost just $7.50 per year, and the focus was simple: ski together, travel together, and have fun.

As membership grew, the group began searching for a permanent ski lodge in the North Country. After exploring locations throughout the Northeast, members found a property in Vermont — the same land the club owns today. The lodge and land were initially leased, with the long-term goal of ownership.

On September 17, 1975, the club was incorporated as a New Jersey non-profit organization known as the Central Jersey Ski Club (CJSC). At the time, there were 13 trustees, now referred to as the CJSC Board of Directors. Incorporation allowed the club to move forward with purchasing the lodge.

During negotiations with the property owner, the original lodge was destroyed by fire. An agreement was reached to rebuild the lodge on the site, and in December 1976 the club purchased the property from Summit Development Corp. for $45,000, with a $15,000 mortgage.

Throughout the 1980s, the club expanded rapidly. A major lodge expansion added living space, kitchens, and bathrooms to support a growing membership. By 1991, all mortgages and bond loans had been fully paid off. In 1996, a new bond campaign funded additional improvements, including safety exits and other upgrades.

Over the years, CJSC has offered countless bus trips to Vermont, as well as longer trips out West and to Europe. Membership peaked in the mid-1980s at more than 350 members, with as many as 13 bus trips per season. Traditions developed along the way — themed trips, shared responsibilities at the lodge, and a strong sense of community that continues today.

While the club has grown and evolved, the spirit remains the same: skiing together, supporting one another, and creating lasting friendships on and off the mountain.

Original Trustees (1975)

• John Albecker
• Pat Barnaba
• Bob Cahill
• George Callan
• Ernest (Ed) Collins
• Pete Kelleher
• Pat Kelley
• Fred Mueller
• Bernie Price
• Barry Rauff
• Bob Urban
• Eleanor White
• Randy Ziegler

Download original trustees list (PDF)