Alpine Ski Club
The Alpine Ski Club
The Alpine Ski Club (ASC) is an active club of ski mountaineers based in the UK and the first ski mountaineering club in Great Britain.
The objectives of the club are to:
- Promote mountaineering on skis
- Encourage good fellowship amongst ski-mountaineers
- Encourage mountaineering expeditions on ski throughout the world
- Promote a better knowledge of the mountains in winter
Membership is open to experienced independent ski-mountaineers who fulfil the minimum entry qualification. Aspirant membership is open to those who do not meet the criteria.
Notable Members (Honorary and Ordinary) Past and Present
- Sir Edmund Hillary
- Sir Chris Bonington
- Peter Lunn
- Frank Smythe
- Patrick Pery, 6th Earl of Limerick
History
The ASC was created on Saturday the 7th of March 1908 at a dinner in the Devonshire Club hosted by Dr Henry Lunn (later to be Sir Henry Lunn). Founder members included:
- Sir Martin Conway (First President)
- Mr Arnold Lunn (later to be Sir Arnold Lunn)
- Mr William Moore
- Rev. Canon Savage
- Mr Rickmer Rickmers
- Dr Tom Longstaff
- Mr E. V. S Caulfeild
- George Ingle Finch
The ASC Today
Activities
The club provides a venue for active ski-mountaineers to meet, exchange information and to plan new expeditions. It holds two lecture meetings every year in autumn and spring, usually at The Alpine Club and an annual dinner is usually held in November.
In addition to these UK-based activities, the ASC also organises meetings in the Alps as well as expeditions to little-known mountain ranges across the world. Enterprising guideless ski expeditions in recent years have included ski-mountaineering expeditions to Muztag Ata, Zanskar, Kashmir, Gangotri, Iran and Turkey. Recent Alpine Meets have been in Pontresina, Andermatt, Briançon and the Dolomites.
Sponsorship and Awards
The Alpine Ski Club has two award schemes. These are the Kenneth Smith Scholarship and the Memorial Adventure Fund.
These schemes can provide help for:
- Taking part in a ski mountaineering expedition which includes an element of exploration,
- Carrying out a research project on an aspect of ski mountaineering,
- Attending an approved course in ski mountaineering, or
- Other activities which further the knowledge and practice of safe movement in the mountains on ski.
The awards are especially, but not exclusively, for young skiers.
Transceiver Hire
Avalanche rescue transceivers (ARVAs) are available for hire from the Alpine Ski Club. This is provided as part of the ASC's commitment to safer ski mountaineering.