National Ski Association
By 1925, the interest in the organization became so great that they needed to be split into six divisions. These divisions included the Eastern Ski Association, Central Ski Association, Western Ski Association, Arrowhead Ski Association, California Ski Association, and the Pacific Northwestern Ski Association. All six of these divisions were governed by the National Ski Association. Outside of this organization, the national organization had affiliations with the International Federation De Ski, and various other ski, Olympic, and recreation organizations.
Eastern, Central, and Western Ski Associations
The Eastern Ski Association was formed in 1922 at a meeting of the Saran Lake Ski Club that was called together by E.R. Stonebaker. The club was finalized at the Sno' Birds of Lake Placid Club (New York). The first president was Fred H. Harris who served for seven years. The charter members included: Brattleboro Outing Club, Dartmouth Outing Club, Nansen Ski Club (Berlin, New Hampshire), Norsemen Ski Club of New York, Sno' Birds of Lake Placid Club and Saran Lake Ski Club (New York).In 1923, the Colorado Ski Club, alongside the Steamboat Springs, Hot Sulphur Springs, Dillion, Grand Lake, Estes Park, and Denver Ski Clubs, organized the Western Ski Association. The first elected president was W.A. Bromell of Steamboat Springs. It is important to note that skiing in Colorado was started in 1908 by Carl Howelson, who was one of the charter members of the Norge Ski Club of Chicago. Howelson centered his activities around Steamboat Springs.
The Central Ski Association was organized on February 20, 1927 at the West Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The constitution and by-laws were officially formalized at a meeting in Red Wing in December of that year. The first elected officers were J. Blegen, B. Rasmussen, Sig Knudsen, and C.A. Lund. The first annual convention of the Central Association was held at Red Wind during the National Ski Convention in February of 1928. When the Central Ski Association started in 1927 they had fourteen charter members. By 1930, that number grew to twenty three.
Arrowhead, California, and Pacific Northwest Ski Associations
The Arrowhead Ski Association held a meeting in Virginia, Minnesota in December of 1925 with delegates from Duluth, Hibbing, Virginia, and Ely present. By 1928, they were officially part of the National Ski Association and elected Ben Rasmussen, C.S. Chase, and E.R. Blair to represent them. The charter members included: Duluth Ski Club, Itasca Ski Club, Northern Pine Ski Club, Hibbing Ski Club, Chisholm Ski Club, Cloquet Ski Club, Haley Ski Club, Ely Ski Club, and Superior Ski Club. The first championship was held in Duluth on January 23, 1927 with a medal designed by Erling Grinden.As one of the youngest associations, they formally organized on October 25, 1930. The elected officers included Wendel Robie and F.H. Dueprey. Club members included: Reno Ski Club, Yosemite Winter Club, Truckee Ski Club, Tahoe Ski Club, Nevada Ski Club, Auburn Ski Club, and Viking Ski Club.
In November 1930, delegates of the Ole Slum Ski Club, Bend Ski Liners, Leavenworth Ski Club, Hood River Ski Club, Seattle Ski club and Cascade Ski Club formed the Pacific Northwestern Ski Association. The first officers were Fred McNeil, J.C. Beeson, Ole Elum, Paul Hosmer, F.W, Stadter, P.F, Bucklin, C. Strang Anderson, and W.E. Anderson.
Sources to explore:
National Ski Association of America records, 1892-2002
Aksel H. Holter papers, circa 1925
"Norwegian National Sports and Their Influence in the United States and Canada," 1925
"The Influence of Norway in Promoting Skiing in America," circa 1934