Ishpeming, MI – The International Skiing History Association (ISHA) and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum have agreed to a merger of sorts, offering common benefits for a single $50 membership fee as ISHA relocates its worldwide headquarters to the Hall of Fame in Ishpeming, Mich., the historic center of organized skiing in the United States.nThe announcement was made jointly by ISHA Chairman Barry Stone and Hall of Fame Chairman Bernie Weichsel on Wednesday.

Members of ISHA and the Hall of Fame already share a common interest in the sport’s heritage and the two organizations will now share membership revenues, according to Stone and Weichsel. Individuals who pay to join ISHA will be contributing to the financial welfare of the Hall of Fame, and vice-versa. The joint revenues will continue to make possible the publication of ISHA’s magazine Skiing Heritage, the operation of the sport’s hall of fame and the national ski museum, and the operation of www.skiinghistory.org, which the organization touts as the world’s largest website dedicated to ski history.

ISHA will move its office, presently in Denver, Colo., to Ishpeming. The Ski Hall will carry out membership fulfillment operations for both ISHA and itself. These services, to be implemented in stages between June and the end of 2010, will be carried out under the day-to-day direction of the Hall of Fame’s President and CEO, Tom West.

“In challenging times such as these,” said Stone, “it makes sense for both organizations to collaborate in the interest of becoming more cost-efficient, while strengthening their capacity to serve their constituents.”

“This arrangement will create opportunities for joint efforts and projects of mutual interest,” added Weichsel. “Each organization will now benefit from the growth of the other—a win-win situation for both.”

A transition committee of six, representing both organizations, has been created to oversee and guide the new partnership. John Fry, who originally crafted the agreement, chairs ISHA’s Transition Committee, which includes directors Einar Sunde and Robert Orbacz. Weichsel will head up the Hall of Fame’s transition team, made up of directors David Holli and Jerry Groswold.

Stone also announced Wednesday that Dean Ericson, President of ISHA for the past two years, has resigned. Robert Orbacz of SnowSports Industries of America, in addition to serving as Treasurer, has been named President of ISHA.