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2O1O • 2O11Fa r We s tSki ClubSki ResortInformation&FWSA TravelDestinations...Ski, Dive & OtherAdventure TripsWhere are theOther 90%?Far Off theBeaten PathUse Social Mediato Communicate &Increase ClubMembershipS e r v i n g A l l S n o w s p o r t s E n t h u s i a s t sA N O F F I C I A L P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E F A R W E S T S K I A S S O C I A T I O N“ T h e V o i c e o f t h e W e s t e r n S k i e r ”

IINDEXND2E0X10 - 2011FEATURES:50 But, Where Are The Other 9O%?54 Far Off The Beaten PathOTHER:53 Common Snowsport Injuries59 Facebook!? MeetUp?LinkedIn!? Tweeter?60 Lodging Guide69 Regional Ski ShowsTOP PHOTOS: LEFT TO RIGHT:Skiers prepared for race day atFWSA 2010 Ski Week at Keystone.Race Program - Page 20photo / Ken CalkinsSki season is about to start. The liftsare almost ready. Get those skis out ofstorage. It’s time! Keystone photos /Ken CalkinsSanta Fe race attracts numeroussnowshoers. Councils offer a varietyof activities. Page 62photo / Michelle MartinezAfter a day on the slopes, pamper yourselfat the spa! Page 50photo / Willow Stream Spa / Banff, AlbertaLOWER PHOTOS: LEFT TO RIGHT:Hundreds of skiers traveled to Keystonefor Ski Week 2010. Next year, the SkiWeek will be in Sun Valley. You’ll wantto be there! Page 12 photo / Ken CalkinsSome fabulous trips can be obtainedat the Convention’s Silent Auction.Page 26 photo / Eric Van PeltLet the music begin at the FWSAConvention. Don’t miss the 2011Convention in Industry Hills. Page 36photo / Scott BowkerJimmy Petterson enjoys DEEP Turkishpowder. Page 54 photo / Hervé ThiviergeON THE COVER:Alpine Meadows Ski Resort offersskiers and boarders over 100 trailson 2,400 acres of varied terrain. Theawesome views of Lake Tahoe make ita real treasure. - photo / Alpine MeadowsSki Resort, Jonathan Selkowitz, photographerFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 3

The Far West Skier's Guide is published annuallyin October by the Far West Ski Association and LeighGieringer Graphic Services/Division of Art & Ads: 3115South Price Road, Chandler, AZ 85248; 480.940.7420or fax 480.940.7558. fwsg@cox.net.Publisher:Leigh Gieringer Graphic ServicesEditor, Production Coordinator& Advertising Manager:Leigh GieringerFWSA Member Contributors:Don AndersonNorm AzevedoNorman BenedictScott BowkerSteven BreitbartBarbara BryantDonn BryantKen CalkinsBob EllisNancy EllisGene FulkersonMaxine HanlonDennis HeffleyNorbert KnappDebbi KorJim KornCindy KruppDavid KruppRandy LewFran LongRichard Lubin, D.C.Ed MartinMichelle MartinezSherrie MarcoPeter MitchellMichelle NightengaleSigrid NoackCatherine OhlMary OlhausenPat OstroffSheri ParshallJimmy PettersonGloria RaminhaMike RogersEileen SanfordMichael SanfordLinda ScottRichard ShawkeyJo SimpsonDiane StearleyKathy StewartWayne StolfusBill StrattonHervé ThiviergeJudy ThurmanJohn WatsonBob WilbanksJane WyckoffFWSA ConventionPhotographer - 2010Eric Van Pelt / San DiegoCouncil/Club Circulation:Mike Rogers - ArizonaDennis Heffley - Bay AreaFran Long - CentralWayne Stolfus - InlandDon Anderson - IntermountainDan Crawford - Kansas CityBarbara Bryant - Lake TahoeMark McNeil - Las VegasNorbert Knapp - Los AngelesDiane Stearley - New MexicoGeorge Kish - Orange CountySheri Parshall - NorthwestJo Simpson - RenoEileen Sanford - San DiegoDavid Krupp - Direct MembersGeneral circulation throughout all regionsCertified Folder, Phoenix, ArizonaAvailable Digitally atwww.fwsa.orgThe publisher does not assume responsibilityfor statements made by advertisers or contributors.Litho U.S.A.4 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

FAR WEST SKI ASSOCIATION7007 SW Iron Horse Street,Wilsonville, OR 97070Board of Directors- 2O1O / 2O11 -PRESIDENTRandy Lew (530) 304-0802E-mail: fwsa13randy@telis.orgIMMEDIATE PASTPRESIDENTMike Sanford (858) 695-1442E-mail: bubasanfrd@aol.comSECRETARYDebbie Stewart (559) 594-5129E-mail: gwstewart@prodigy.netTREASURERCindy Krupp (310) 319-3757E-mail: cindy.krupp@roadrunner.comVP COMMUNICATIONSLinda Scott (307) 256-7535E-mail: louandlt@hotmail.comVP COUNCIL SERVICESDon Anderson (208) 238-8081E-mail: andersonbloom@yahoo.comVP MARKETING &SPONSORSHIPDebbi Kor (503) 314-7078E-mail: fwsadebbi@comcast.netVP PUBLIC AFFAIRSScott Bowker (408) 598-2481E-mail: sbowker.fwsa@gmail.comVP MEMBERSHIPDavid Krupp (310) 319-3757E-mail: membership@fwsa.orgVP RACINGBob Ellis (530) 414-4270E-mail: rellis9681@aol.comVP NO. AMERICAN TRAVELGloria RaminhaPhone: (661) 829-5996Fax: (713) 777-8318E-mail: fwsa.natravel@sbcglobal.netVP INTERNATIONAL TRAVELNorm Azevedo (925) 944-9816Fax: (925) 944-0420E-mail: fwsaitravel@sbcglobal.netv v v v vCHAIRMAN TRUSTEESLinda Westlund (480) 441-3523E-mail: skierwesty@aol.comTRUSTEESteve Coxen (503) 635-0974E-mail: sacoxen@yahoo.comTRUSTEEJane Wyckoff (949) 933-9607E-mail: janewyckoff1@cox.netTRUSTEEFran Long (805) 712-5781E-mail: fancat@yahoo.com▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼FWSA OffersMany Benefits,Activities& Travelby Randy LewPresident, FWSAWelcome fellow snowsports enthusiasts to“The Voice of the Western Skier”, the Annual FarWest Ski Association’s Far West Skiers Guide.This Far West Skiers Guide is published eachyear to provide information and reference materialto both our ski club members and anyonethat may be interested in joining anorganization dedicated to servicing its skierand boarder membership. New this year, ourpublication - in addition to the printed version- will also be available as an interactive DigitalEdition at www.fwsa.org. We believe this willbe a very beneficial resource for our members,readers and advertisers.The Far West Ski Association (FWSA) isa non-profit, volunteer organization with emphasisin skier safety, ski travel, communications,club programs, recreational ski racing,ski area development, and family ski involvement.Since its beginning, in 1930, FWSA’spurpose has been to develop and provide benefitsfor all affiliated ski clubs and members.In doing so, the Association has benefited allskiers. We welcome all snow enthusiasts,young and old; and we encourage participationin all snowsports, as well as provide numerousother activities to enjoy.Our ski clubs provide an opportunity forfinding friends who share the same interests.They have active year-round social and recreationalevents, including ski trips, recreationalski racing, water skiing, river rafting, dinners,theater, cruises, diving, biking, softball, volleyball,go cart racing, car rallies, potlucks, winetasting, camping, parties, and just about anyother activity you can think of. If you want tojoin with other active, social people and getdiscounted rates for your favorite event, a skiclub is the place to find it!The benefits of participating in a FWSAtrip include: traveling with a group of skiersand snowboarders, friends that you alreadyknow, the opportunity to make new friendswith people of like interests, value provided byvolume pricing and organized activities andtours, and a trip leader to help you withagenda questions and the unforeseen issuesthat might arise.FWSA is one of the country’s largest skiassociations. Our eleven active councils representskiers and boarders in the thirteenwestern states of Alaska, Arizona, California,Colorado, Idaho, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico,Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington,and Wyoming. In California, there are six individualcouncils: Bay Area, Central, Inland,Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego. ArizonaCouncil is based in Phoenix, IntermountainCouncil is based in Pocatello, New MexicoCouncil is based in Albuquerque, NorthwestCouncil in Portland, and Sierra Council inReno. If your ski club is affiliated with one ofthese eleven councils, you are a member ofthe Far West Ski Association.Most of our member councils offer recreationalski racing sanctioned by the Far WestRacing Association (FWRA). Racers are classifiedby age and ability level so everyone canhave fun and be competitive within theirclass. The 2011 FWRA Championships willbe held at Alpine Meadows, California, April1-3, 2011, and should be a truly memorableevent.Our Association has established importantrelationships with the National Ski CouncilFederation (NSCF), National ForestService, International Ski History Association(ISHA), North American Snowsports JournalistsAssociation (NASJA), United States Ski& Snowboard Association (USSA), theUnited States Ski Team, and Snowsports IndustriesAmerica (SIA). We are strong supportersof the National Ski Areas Association(NSAA) Environmental Charter and have approvedtheir “Sustainable Slopes” objectives.We are active participants in the informal andbipartisan Congressional Ski and SnowboardCaucus. Our goal is to efficiently represent theinterests of all our members and those of thesnowsports public.The Far West Travel Program is themost visible benefit that we provide to ourmembership. Approximately 365 members attendedour annual Ski Week in Keystone lastJanuary. Those participants experienced greatsnow, superb weather, awesome skiing, chal-6 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

FAR WEST SKI ASSOCIATIONCommittee Chairmen &Other Representatives- 2O1O / 2O11 -ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIPCOMMITTEE CHAIRDick Shawkey (209) 795-4792E-mail: rshawkey@comcast.netANNUAL CONVENTIONCHAIRJane Wyckoff (949) 933-9607E-mail: janewyckoff1@cox.netAWARDS COMMITTEE CHAIRCatherine Ohl (858) 467-9469E-mail: ohl@acatmeowz.comCHARITIES & OURCOMMUNITY CHAIRSigrid Noack (310) 823-1373E-mail: skisig@earthlink.netCOUNCILS’ MAN & WOMANOF THE YEAR RECOGNITIONPROGRAM CHAIRDonn Bryant (530) 550-9452E-mail: gsracer@calis.comFAMILY & YOUTHINVOLVEMENTCOMMITTEE CHAIRFran Long (805) 712-5781E-mail: fancat@yahoo.comFAR WEST SKIER’S GUIDEEDITOR & PUBLISHERLeigh Gieringer (480) 940-7420Fax: (480) 940-7558E-mail: fwsg@cox.netFWSA.ORG WEBMASTERGeorge Stewart (559) 594-5129E-mail: gwstewart@prodigy.netHISTORY COMMITTEE CHAIR/PARLIAMENTARIAN/BYLAWSCOMMITTEE CHAIRJohn Watson (760) 723-6539E-mail: geospace@pacbell.netHOST CONVENTIONCOORDINATOR - 2011David Krupp (310) 319-3757E-mail: david.krupp@roadrunner.comINFORMATION SERVICESDIRECTORNancy Ellis (530) 582-0566E-mail: nancyellis2@sbcglobal.netSAFETY COMMITTEE CHAIRRichard Lubin, D.C. (925) 828-7454E-mail: botaboardr@sbcglobal.netSILENT AUCTIONCOORDINATORMary Olhausen 503-880-7383E-mail: omary52@comcast.netTHE COUNCILMAN EDITORMary Azevedo (925) 944-9816E-mail: maryliz4@yahoo.comTHE SKIER’S NEWS EDITORBarbara Bryant (530) 550-9452E-mail: gsracer@calis.com▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼Far West Benefits From NationalSki Council Federationby Jo SimpsonPublic Affairs Chair, National Ski Council Federation,Sierra Council President, FWSACouncil presidents from around the country gathered in Aspen/Snowmassfor their annual meeting to exchange ideas which impact clubs and councils.- photo by Bob WilbanksThe Far West Ski Association and ten member councils benefit greatly from belonging tothe National Ski Council Federation. This association allows Far West councils to interactwith ski councils in the central and eastern United States at an annual meeting to exchangeideas and to get information to pass along to member clubs. Dialog with ski industry representativesis an integral component of the national meeting, which was held September16-19, 2010, in Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado.The Federation provides a wide variety of benefits to members, which include clubmembers of the participating councils. Beginning this year, NSCF has engaged in a longtermagreement with The Ski Channel that will give clubs and councils an opportunity tohost a premier of two films as a fund raiser.Also new for members this year is a unique ski pole offered by The Royal Shaft thatincorporates the NSCF and member council logos for sale to members. Skiset North Americais offering NSCF members discount on rentals at more than 750 shops in 11 countriesin North America and Europe.The Federation was formed in 1997 to provide councils an opportunity to exchangeinformation and to discuss important issues that impact clubs and councils throughout theUS. It provides educational materials to members and disseminates information in to assistski councils in serving their members and to encourage honesty and integrity with memberski councils.NSCF Officers are elected every two years. Beginning their second year in office are:President, Joe Harvis (New Jersey Ski Council); Vice President, Dennis Heffley (Bay AreaSnowsports Council); Treasurer, Dawn Peterman-Harris (Metropolitan Milwaukee Ski Council);Secretary, Lisa Beregi (Crescent Ski Council – Eastern U.S.).For detailed information regarding the NSCF, including participating councils and memberbenefits, please visit www.skifederation.org. ▲▲8 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Far West skiers and boarders are getting excited for the new ski season and toexperience all that new fresh powder that awaits them. Aspen/Snowmass is theSponsor of the FWSA Safety Award Program. - photo courtesy of Aspen Skiing Company2011: A Season To Rememberby Debbi KorVice President - Marketing, FWSALook around you. Where did the summer go? It seems to have come and gone withthe blink of an eye. Now it’s time to tune the boards, shake out the sweater, check thezipper on the jacket, and test the bales on your boots. It’s SKI SEASON!!!We’re all set for bluebird days, and powder, powder, powder. Our members are headingto Aspen, Whistler, Telluride, Breckenridge, Heavenly, and Park City, just to name a few destinations,and then heading across the mighty Atlantic to Engelberg and Interlaken, Switzerlandfor our 2011 International Ski Week. We’ll be skiing, boarding, and making the most ofour favorite resorts, with the largest party planned from January 22nd to 29th, in beautifulSun Valley, Idaho. This is the time set for our FWSA Annual Ski Week, and we anticipatean amazing 500+ members joining us on our week-long adventure.I go into each ski season, knowing that all I have to do is click on our FWSA website,go to Membership Benefits, and scroll down through the ever-growing list of product vendors,service providers, ski areas, and lodging properties to find some great deals. Our manybenefits partners lend much enhancement to being a member of FWSA. Where else, withjust a flash of your membership card, or a mention of FWSA by phone, can you get themany bargains made available to our members? Familiarize yourself with all that is outthere, literally at our finger tips!The Far West Ski Association provides a number of ways for our members to connectwith the various area reps and product sponsors from their ads in our publications to theinformative Travel Expo and Silent Auction each year at the FWSA Annual Convention.Our program sponsors were out in full force this year at the 78th Annual Far WestConvention, held in Indian Wells, California. Aspen/Snowmass - sponsor of the FWSASafety Award; and Steamboat - sponsor of the FWSA History Award were there. Big Whiteand Silver Star sponsor the FWSA Councils’ Man & Woman of the Year Program; and WhitefishMountain and Grouse Mountain Lodge participate as sponsors of the FWSA AthleticScholarship Program. We’ve come to know all of these fantastic folks through their continuedsupport and commitment to FWSA, and our many wonderful programs. For this, I wouldlike to extend my sincerest thank you. If it weren’t for these sponsors, all of our event sponsors,and the large number of industry friends who participate in the Silent Auction andTravel Expo each year, we would not be able to put on the tremendous convention that wedo! A complete list of all Silent Auction participants is shown on pages 28-29. Also mentionedare those participants who received their 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, and yes…even 25-year certificates for participation. Thank you all!If you are a vendor who would like to join us as a Members Benefit’s Partner, as BlackTie Ski Rental Delivery, Dominator Wax, Ski Butlers, Cal Neva Resort, Hampton Inn, LakeTahoe and Liftopia have done, or are an industry member interested in a FWSA sponsorship,please contact me. We have three levels of sponsorship to offer, from product and programsponsors to a corporate sponsorship for upcoming events. I can be reached at:fwsadebbi@comcast.net. ▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 9

2010 - 2011 Council InformationArizona Ski Council19507 N. 73rd Lane, Glendale, AZ 853084th Wednesday, 7:00 PMMeeting Location RotatesPresident: Mike Rogers (623) 455-9671E-mail: president@arizonaskicouncil.orgWebsite: www.arizonaskicouncil.orgBay Area Snow Sports CouncilP.O. Box 25180, San Mateo, CA 944022nd Monday 7:30 PMThe Englander, 101 Parrott Street San LeandroPresident: Dennis Heffley (925) 825-3262E-mail: bac.president@skibac.orgWebsite: www.skibac.orgCentral Council2561 Alameda Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446Meetings and Locations VaryHosted by different Central Council ClubsPresident: Fran Long (805) 238-1375E-mail: fancat2007@sbcglobal.netWebsite: www.centralcouncilskiclubs.orgInland Ski Council232 NE Nightshade Court,Lee’s Summit, MO 64086Meetings VaryPresident: Dan Crawford (816) 805-0384E-mail: macrci@aol.comIntermountain Ski CouncilP. O. Box 4621, Pocatello, ID 83201Meetings VaryPresident: Don Anderson (208) 238-8081E-mail: andersonbloom@yahoo.comWebsite: www.intermountainskicouncil.orgLos Angeles Council of Ski ClubsP.O. Box 83338, Los Angeles, CA 900831st Monday, 7:00 PM The Grinder RestaurantSepulveda and Manchester, WestchesterPresident: Norbert Knapp (323) 793-4250E-mail: lacpresident@lacouncil.orgWebsite: www.lacouncil.orgNew Mexico CouncilP.O. Box 415, Edgewood, NM 87015Meetings VaryPresident: Diane Stearley (505) 281-3755E-mail: dmstear@att.netWebsite: www.skinewmexico.orgNorthwest Ski Club CouncilP.O. Box 1915, Portland, OR 97207Meeting quarterly - refer to websiteShanghai Noble House RestaurantPresident: Sheri Parshall (503) 912-0064E-mail president@nwskiers.orgWebsite: www.nwskiers.orgOrange Council of Ski Clubs20630 Travis Road, Yorba Linda, CA 928871st Monday. 7:00 PM. Location TBDCheck website.President: Judy Thurman (714) 779-8534E-mail: ylskicat@aol.comWebsite: www.orangecouncil.orgSan Diego Council of Ski ClubsP.O. Box 17496, San Diego, CA 921771st Wednesday 6:30 PMMeeting location rotatesPresident: Eileen Sanford (858) 761-6192E-mail: esanford1@san.rr.comWebsite: www.skisandiego.orgSierra Council1691 Ashbury Lane, Reno, NV 89523Meetings VaryPresident: Jo Simpson (775) 787-7556E-mail: jo_simpson@sbcglobal.netWebsite: www.sierraleague.comCommunications: The Key to Success!by Don AndersonVice President - Council Services, FWSAMost people in the Far West Ski Association know Council Services gather council presidentstogether quarterly to discuss common problems and situations. What is not so well known ishow our various programs help improve our councils and strengthen communications betweenclubs, their members and the FWSA. Through these programs, information and feedback flowup from the grassroots level and club members to the FWSA Board of Directors. The systemworks in the opposite direction as well; particularly if you attend an annual FWSA Convention.This completes an invaluable “full circle” of shared ideas, successful programs, and fun-filled largegroup travel. Witness this first hand at our next Annual Convention in Southern California June9-12, 2011 at the Pacific Palms Hotel and Conference Center in Industry Hills, California.Publisher Leigh Gieringer, does a fantastic job with our annual Far West Skier’s Guide, whichis our best marketing tool to the ski industry and general public. This year will mark the 23rdconsecutive year for the printed magazine. And, we are proud to announce that we will be enteringthe digital world, as well, with the first interactive Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’sGuide. It will be available on the www.fwsa.org website. Links will also be provided on council(see column to the left) and the National Ski Council Federation - www.skifederation.org - websites.VP of Communications, Mary Azevedo, edits The Councilman which is a newsletter to counciland club presidents and others. The Skier’s News is an e-mail monthly newsletter managed byBarbara Bryant and available to anyone who registers for it on our website at www.fwsa.org.There is nothing like competition to bring the best out of people. The FWSA Councils’ Man& Woman of the Year Program, chaired by Donn Bryant, helps recognize the “movers and shakers”from the club and council level to the exciting conclusion at the FWSA Annual Convention. It istruly an honor to be among such fine, hardworking people. See Donn’s article about this year’shonorees on page 27. Club and council competition for the best website, newsletter and best overallcontinues to be refined and is now judged over the internet, under the capable managementof Catherine Ohl. A wealth of information can be learned from these clubs and councils with theannounced winners being recognized each year at the FWSA Convention in June.If you belong to a local club, don’t forget to regularly visit their website for ongoing activities.If not, see club listings under the Council’s sections beginning on page 62. If you are a member ofa club that’s not a part of a council, ask them to contact their local council for membership. Contactsare listed to the left of this article. You will be glad you did. ▲▲FWSA 2010 Newsletter and Website Winnersby Linda ScottVice President - Communications, FWSATwelve clubs and councils competed for the FWSA outstanding club and council website awards, while ten clubs and councils entered the newsletter competition for the WentworthAward for Outstanding Club and Council Publications. Each of the clubs wereplaced in a category based on their membership levels. Class A reflects membership from10-149, Class AA reflects membership of 150-249, and Class AAA reflects membership of250 or more. After being placed in the appropriate category, each of the newsletters and websiteswere judged by a select group of independent judges using preselected, approved criteria.The winners were announced at the 2010 FWSA Convention.The winners of the Tollakson Outstanding Club Award for 2010 are: Class AA - NorthIsland Snowdrifters and Class AAA - Mountain High Snowsport Club. Outstanding WebsiteAward winners were: Class A - Single Ski Club of LA, Class AA - North Island Snowdrifters,Class AAA - Apres Ski Club. Winner of the Outstanding Council Website Award wasNorthwest Ski Club Council.The winners of the Wentworth Outstanding Club Publication Awards were: ClassA - Unrecables Ski Club, Class AA - North Island Snowdrifters, and Class AAA - MountainHigh Snowsport Club. Winner of the Outstanding Council Publication Award was NorthwestSki Club Council. Check out our website at www.fwsa.org, and look under the“Awards” tab, to learn the identities of all the winners, including the second and third placewinners in each category. Congratulations to all the winners and runner’s up.▼▼▼▼▼10 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

▼▼▼▼▼Get the Mostof YourSnowsportsProgramby David KruppVice President - Membership, FWSAMembership in FWSAWant to get more out of your winter program?Become a member of FWSA! Most ofthe FWSA members are already included dueto their involvement in a club that is part ofthe Far West Ski Association. With approximately180 ski and board clubs from WashingtonState (and now Alaska) to New Mexico,there are many groups from which to choose.However, not everyone has a club or councilnear them. As a result, there are those whoare direct members. As a direct member, onereceives the same benefits that all membersreceive: access to all Far West trips and events(year-round domestic and international travel,recreational racing, attending the FWSA Convention)news and information (travel, industry,history) member discounts (passes,lodging, gear, clothing) and the camaraderie ofyour fellow snowsports enthusiasts.Snowsports Leadership AcademyThe Snowsports Leadership Academyexpanded its platform at the 78th annual FarWest Convention in Indian Wells this pastJune. The purpose of the program is to providean informational forum to the membersattending and has evolved into a valuable resourceat the Conventions. Originally facilitatedby former VP of Membership, BarbaraBryant and New Mexico Council President,Diane Stearley, this was the third year for theprogram and now involves six components:• Taking Office• Membership and Communications• Risk ManagementFWSA’s Snowsports LeadershipAcademy - Travel ProgramManagement segment, originallyintroduced in 2009 was repeatedat the 2010 Convention due to itspopularity in helping clubs run theirtravel programs. - photo courtesy ofDiane Stearley, Program Chair• Travel Programs Management• Technology Resources• Ethical ResponsibilitiesIn addition, as an integral part of the program,each delegate to the Convention wasgiven the Leadership CD which contains amyriad of information on each of those components(with expanded topics). Look forwardto this outstanding resource beingavailable on our website soon. Next year, wewill introduce a new installment to the serieson how to build excitement by creating an effectiverace program for your club and a returnto a prior discussion on what to do whenyou take office as a board member of yourclub. (More information on page 35.)FWSA NewsBarbara Bryant continues to issue TheFWSA News on a monthly basis. The Newsis sent via email and provides up-to-date informationon the industry, travel, public affairs,history, and safety, to name a fewcovered subjects.Any questions regarding Membership,the Snowsports Leadership Program, or theFWSA News can be addressed to membership@FWSA.org.See you on the slopes. ▲▲We need to thank FWSA Awards Chairman Catherine Ohl, and FWSA Vice Presidentof Council Services, Don Anderson, for all their hard work administering the Awards Programs.We also need to thank our dedicated judges, who spent countless hours evaluatingall the entrants. If you are interested in judging next year’s websites or newsletter competition,contact Catherine, Don, or me, Linda Scott, FWSA Vice President of Communicationslouandlt@hotmail.com, for further information.We need your help. Our press release program is an ongoing project that requires themost current contact and publication information. If you have a favorite local publication,where you would like to read articles about the FWSA, please contact me. I will includethis information in my database for future press release dissemination. Thank you.FWSA DIRECTMEMBERAPPLICATION2010-2011Effective through September 30, 2011. Foran individual or family who is NOT a memberof a FWSA-affiliated snowsports club.DIRECT MEMBER BENEFITS■ FWSA Membership Card ■ Member Benefits &Discounts ■ Copy of the annual Far West Skier’sGuide ■ The Councilman subscription ■ Invitationto the Annual FWSA Convention and Silent Auction■ FWSA Travel Program, and more.ANNUAL DIRECT MEMBER DUES: $30 permember; $50 per couple; $60 per family. Pleasemake checks payable to FWSA and mail to: FARWEST SKI ASSOCIATION c/o David Krupp,VP - Membership, FWSA. 1524 10th Street, #K,Santa Monica, CA 90401.Name:Address:City, State, Zip:Home Phone #:Daytime Phone #:Fax #:E-mail:Signature:Date:n Are you interested in informationabout ski or snowboard clubs in your area?Please list the 2010-2011 FWSA trips youplan on attending.The Far West Skier’s Guidecan be sent directly to you.The FWSG is available at no cost to membersthrough your ski club, however, if you wish to havethe magazine sent to you directly, please xerox form,fill out and return with a check for US$5.00 to coverpostage and handling. Send to:FAR WEST SKIER’S GUIDE3115 South Price RoadChandler, AZ 85248n 2010-2011 n 2011-2012Name:Address:City, State, Zip:Phone:E-mail:“The Voice of the Western Skier”fwsa.orgF O U N D E D 1 9 3 0Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 11

Ski Week 2011to be held inSun ValleyFWSA Destination 2011: The World Class Resort of Sun Valley,Idaho offers fabulous skiing, boarding and much, much more!The year 2011 is most certainly the year tobe in Sun Valley for a vacation not to be forgotten.Sun Valley will be celebrating their75th winter season. Besides all the fantasticevents that the Far West Ski Association willbe conducting, Sun Valley is planning eventsfor all ages. The FWSA will be holding theirSun Valley Ski Week from January 22 to 29.FWSA Travel Staff and Trip Leaders areworking with Bert Witsil of Sun Valley,Stephen Hall and Sandy Gaudette withSki.group.net to plan a week of activities (welcomeparty, pub crawl, mountain lunch, iceskating party, racing, banquet and dance andan après party) sure to be enjoyed by all. It’stime to start planning your costumes for thebanquet as we go “Back to the Fifties”. Don’tbe surprised if a hoola-hoop and limbo contestbreaks out. We are planning on prizes for thecontest winners and will have awards for best“fifties” costumes.Besides all the FWSA activities and the75th Sun Valley Winter celebrations, Sun Valleyhas a lot to offer withtwo ski mountains. BaldMountain provides verticalruns with perfect pitchfrom its peak of 9,150 to a5,750 foot base, all downhillon a variety of slopes suitedmore for the advanced andintermediate skiers. BaldMountain currently has atotal of 12 lifts and 66 variedruns on either side of the mountain withseemingly endless runs that stretch over 2,054acres to the edges of the Sawtooth NationalForest. Crowds? There aren’t any in Sun Valleywith its lift capacity of 29,717 skier/ridersper hour and average skier day of only 3,000.Dollar Mountain is known as “the finestteaching mountain in the world” and catersto the needs of beginners with 10 runs and628 feet of vertical rise. Instructors specializein making the novice skier or snowboarder’sexperience a breeze.Not a “Die Hard” Skier? With your fivemulti-day FWSA lift ticket, our participantswill have the opportunity to redeem their lifttickets for other activities. You’ll be able to redeemone day for one of the following activities(up to a $40 value):• Nordic Package• Ski or Snowboard Group Clinicor Private Lesson• Ice Skating Package with Lunch• Sunday Brunch in the Lodge DiningRoom12 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.photos - Sun Valley Resort

North American Travelby Gloria RaminhaVice President - North American Travel, FWSAThe Far West Ski Association’s North American travel program is great for those who prefer grouptravel. FWSA trips provide an opportunity to see and ski/board with old friends and make new ones.FWSA ski weeks provide our members a great value in pricing which includes seven nights lodging, fiveor six days of lift tickets and a week full of organized activities. To come to a ski week and join in the camaraderiethat is a Far West Ski Association Ski Week you must be a member of the Far West Ski Association.The Far West Travel Staff and Council Trip Leaders work together throughout the year toorganize and ensure that all participants receive the best possible value for their travel dollar. Each year,resorts and tour operators present bids during our Annual Convention which is attended by invited councilrepresentatives, members of the FWSA Board of Directors and FWSA Travel Staff. The invited representativesreview and compare the various bids to assist in casting their votes on which resort will bechosen to host the ski week. The resort receiving the most votes from the representatives is awarded theski week.Lodge. Sun Valley may have the best crosscountry skiing in America, with unmatchedtrail quality, training programs, clinics, rentalsand a state of the art clubhouse for skiers ofall levels. The Sun Valley Nordic and SnowshoeCenter provides the ultimate experiencefrom a gentle terrain to challenging hills.Why the name Sun Valley? It is namedthat because the brilliant sun shines 80 percentof the ski season in an azure blue sky.After all, it was “winter sports under a sum-Ice skating is a popular activity atSun Valley for guests of the resort,but the professional ice shows arespectacular to watch.mer sun” that put Sun Valley on the map 75years ago this coming winter. You will notwant to miss this exciting destination duringthis milestone year to a World-Class resort!The Sun Valley trip is filling up quickly. Secureyour spot now!If you are interested in participating inthe 2011 FWSA Ski Week at Sun Valley, signupwith one of the Council Trip Leaders listedon the flyer. The flyer is available on theFWSA website at www.fwsa.org. ▲▲After a day on the slopes, relax in oneof three pools. The Sun Valley Innpool, 55’ in diameter, provides apicturesque view of Bald Mountain.• Dinner and Entertainment Packages• Massage• Gifts from Sun Valley SignatureStores or Lodge Gift Shop• Sun Valley Heli Skiing• Village ShoppingOther activities to experience that do notrequire a lift ticket are spending a day mushinga pack of huskies, ice skating at the famedSun Valley ice rink, cuddle up in a cozy yurtor hop a horse-drawn sleigh for a hearty dinnerat the legendary Trail Creek Cabin. Snowmobilesprovide an easy means to explore theincredible backcountry, while the devoted fishermencan try out the local rivers. Additionally,you may want to visit the town ofKetchum and spend an afternoon at galleries,spas and boutiques. You may also pay yourrespects at the grave of Ernest Hemingway.The Sun Valley Nordic and SnowshoeCenter is located at the Sun Valley Club in thebackyard of the world famous Sun ValleyFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 13

Where will the Far West Ski Weekbe in 2012?J AC K S O N H O L E , W YO M I N GJackson Hole was selected for the 2012FWSA Ski Week and will be held January 28to February 4, 2012. Spencer Long with JacksonHole and Mike Hibbard with SportsAmerica Tours are excited to have the pleasureof hosting our 2012 Ski Week. As Spencercommented, “Our team worked hard to put togethera competitive bid, and we’ll work evenharder to ensure the 2012 Ski Week is one of themost memorable that FWSA has ever had”.Jackson Hole is ranked #1 for steeps andback country access by Ski Magazine. JacksonHole Mountain Resort offers visitors one ofthe best ski and snowboard experiences in theworld. Known for its steep terrain, consistentfall line, deep light powder and endless backcountry,Jackson Hole also allows beginnersand intermediates to excel at their own paceon a variety of groomed runs and open bowls.Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is a year-roundadventure outpost offering an incredible environmentfor recreation enthusiasts. Sitting atthe gateway to Grand Teton National Parkand Yellowstone National Park, you’ll certainlyfind breathtaking beauty in this winterwonderland like no other.Jackson Hole is in a realm all its ownwhen it comes to premier ski resorts in theWest. An impressive 2,500 acres of inboundsterrain and a diverse trail system allow bothbeginners and experts to enjoy everythingfrom powder-filled chutes and bowls to long,wide-open groomers. Jackson Hole offers oneof the most advanced lift systems in the country,which includes both an eight-passengergondola accessing intermediate and family terrainand the iconic 100 passenger aerial tramleading to the expert’s winter playground.With one of the highest vertical rises of anyski resort in the U.S. and an epic annual snowfallof over 400 inches, Jackson Hole dominatesevery list of top ski resorts.Be sure to check the FWSA website formore details on this trip and other FWSAtrips. Package pricing will be available througha Council Trip Leader in March of 2011. ▲▲Jackson Hole has added a 25% boostin snowmaking over the summermeaning more terrain will open earlier,and remain in better shape longer.photos courtesy of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort14 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 15

WExcitingInternational TravelOpportunitiesAvailable to FWSA MembersWhy travel with FWSA? Let me tell you: Our travel participants, drawn mainly from ourmany ski clubs west of the Rockies, are friendly, fun, intelligent, exciting and a pleasure to travelwith. We meet for meals and gather almost every evening to celebrate the day’s end, make plansand team up for the following days’ skiing and/or adventure. We travel to exciting world renownedlocations to ski and explore. Our trips are thoroughly planned and well organized. Far West contractswith experienced, proven and reliable tour operators, who coordinate great accommodationsand professional guides that provide support and hold your interest throughout the trip. We strivefor and have been successful in getting our whole group into one hotel, making it easy for all tomeet each other, party and keep abreast of all activities. It’s imperative that our participants gohome with lasting memories, tons of pictures and new friends. We strive to provide continuous opportunitiesfor people to reconnect on our trips. Take a look at this season’s adventures. Even if youdo not ski, there’ll be something for you.Cozumel offers world-class snorklingand diving. The area attracts thousandsof underwater enthusiasts eachyear. It is the home of the largest reefsystem in the western Hemisphere.Cozumel is ringed by more than 40dive sites teaming with tropical fishand a kaleidoscope of multi-coloredcoral reefs. photo - Isla Cozumelby Norm AzevedoVice President - International Travel, FWSACOZUMEL 2010THE FIRST ANNUALFWSA DIVE TRIP.....A group of divers and tourists went toCozumel, September 5 - 12, 2010. Theystayed at the Wyndham Cozumel Resort &Spa. It was at a great all inclusive experience.This was the Far West Ski Association’sFirst Annual Dive Trip. We choseCozumel, famous all over the world for itscoral reefs, thus, we really planned to do itright.For non-divers, Cozumel offered awealth of other activities including sunbathing, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, kayakingand touring the wilds. Cozumel’s mostlyundeveloped territory at the center of theisland is covered by jungle and swampy lagoons,which are home to tiny mammalsand endemic birds. Most significant is theChankanaab National Park and the PuntaSur Ecological Reserve. This huge protectedarea at the southern tip of the island includesPunta Celarain and its historic lighthouse;as well as, the Colombia turtles andtheir nesting areas. The FWSA will be planningmore adventure trips in the future. Informationwill be posted on the website asit is developed.TRAVEL INFORMATION IS PLACEDON THE FWSA WEBSITEThe website, www.fwsa.org, has all current travel announcements, fliers and details.Check them out. Our travel opportunities are open to all FWSA members. Placementis based on the date deposits are received by FWSA International Travel.Expect to see Adelie penguinsromp on the ice on the AntarcticaAdventure trip. - CoolAntarctica.comAN ANTARCTICAADVENTURE, PLUSCELEBRATE NEWYEAR’S EVE INBUENOS AIRES.....FWSA with Holidaze Ski Tours plansto leave December 29, 2010 for a 15 daycruise with three nights in Buenos Airesfor New Years Eve. After Buenos Aires,participants will fly to Ushuaia and boardthe MS Fram for a 10 day Antarctica adventure.The cruise includes meals, lectures,guided tours and boat landings,Drakes Passage, glacier-lined Lemaire channel,Neumayer Channel, Whaler’s Bay, HalfMoon Island, Yankee Harbor, Paradise Harbor,Neko Harbor, Petermann Island, CuvervilleIsland, and Wilhelmina Bay andmore. Expect to see whales, seals, penguins,icebergs, snowy peaks, and ice cliffs toname a few. We will be joining other skicouncils across the United States for thistrip. Demand for this trip has been so successfulthat we are considering doing itagain in 2011.THE 2011 ANNUALINTERNATIONALSKI WEEK:ENGELBERG &INTERLAKEN,SWITZERLAND.....Far West is going to spend five nightsin Engelberg, Switzerland starting February25, 2011. Engelberg is located beneath the11,624 foot Titlis Mountain. Titlis offers6,000 feet of snow-covered glacier andforested runs with spectacular views. It’sSwitzerland’s largest ski resort close toZurich and Lucerne; and one of the oldestmountain villages in the country. After fivenights in Engelberg, it’s on to Interlaken forthree nights. Interlaken lies between twolakes and offers a visit to castles, shops,16 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

- Engelberg-Titlis Tourismus AGEngelberg village is located in avalley surrounded by mountainpeaks in the Canton of Obwalden.It is the leading mountain resortin central Switzerland. Since1850, it has been a major vacationarea during both the winterand summer seasons.The cabin of the unique Rotaircable car rotates as it ascendsfrom the village to Klein Titlis.The terrain is largely for advancedskiers, but there are someeasier pistes for all ability levels.Titlis or Jochpass are predominantlynorth-facing and typicallyhave a long ski season. Brunni,on the opposite side of the valley -and south facing - is much moresuited to the novice and the moretimid intermediate skier.great restaurants and is known for itsworld class chocolate. The Jungfrau wintersports region provides over 125 miles ofruns within easy reach of Interlaken. A freeski bus is available. See the Jungfrau articlein the 2009-2010 Far West Skier’s Guide.After Switzerland, we’ll fly to BanskoSki Area, Bulgaria for three nights and acouple of days skiing. It’s the biggest andmost modern winter resort in the country,with 62 km ski pistes with various difficulties.Bansko is known for the remains ofan ancient fortress, archeological excavations,and more. The town center is a WorldHeritage Site. The city clock tower has providedtime for over 150 years. After Bansko,we’ll travel to Sofia. Founded over 7,000years ago, Sophia is Bulgaria’s capital. Over250 historic landmarks and architecturalLOWER: Skiing at Maennlichen, Eiger, Moenchand Jungfrau can be accessed from Grindelwaldin the Bernese Oberland...a short trainride from Interlaken. TOP: Take the cable carto the summit of Schilthorn to enjoy the awesomeviews of the surrounding peaks andglaciers, and a delicious meal. - swiss-image.chmonuments blend in with the city’s modernskyline. After Sofia, some will return toZurich for a night and back to the USA.Those who can afford more time willtravel on to Romania for another week’sadventure.Romania (Count Dracula’s country) isthe center of many cultures. There are feudalfortresses, Byzantine decorated monasteriesand quaint village houses. Dracula’scastle is only one among many fascinatingcastles and palaces. Romania’s heritage isnot simply one of folk art. Bucharest usedto be called Little Paris. We’ll visit fortifiedchurches and trace Dracula’s Path throughTransylvania. Those returning home afterRomania will spend another night and partof a day in Zurich before catching theirflight home.background photo by Jimmy PettersonFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 17

Lake Wanaka boasts four world-classski areas – Cardrona Alpine Resort,Treble Cone, Snow Farm and SnowPark, with Coronet Peak and The Remarkablesjust an hour away, givingyou the most varied New Zealand skiingand snowboarding experience.Treble Cone, Off Piste - Lake Wanaka, (imageMark Watson) www.lakewanaka.co.naSKI NEW ZEALAND -TOUR AUSTRALIA.....Summer, 2011FWSA has a three part New Zealand skiand tour trip planned. It starts with a twonightRarotonga (Cook Islands) tropical tour.The next eight nights will be spent in NewZealand (Auckland, Wanaka and Queenstown).A seven night extension to Sydneyand Cairns will be available for those able totake advantage of it.The trip to New Zealand will begin inWanake, where you will stay for two nightsto enjoy the skiing or visit the charming town.A motor coach will take us to Queenstownwhere you can ski again for four days. For thenon-skier, Queenstown has so much to seeand do. Some of the options are to take ariverboat or go across the lake for a NewZealand dinner and see sheep shearing. Youcan experience white water rafting, bungeejumping, skydiving, a helicopter trip, or acanyon jet boat ride. For food, you will enjoygourmet pizza or you can choose your ownsteak in a frontier restaurant.Sydney is the largest and most populous city in Australia and the state capital ofNew South Wales. It is located on Australia’s south-east coast of the Tasman Sea.The city is built on hills surrounding Port Jackson which is commonly known asSydney Harbour, which is the largest natural harbor in the world. The iconicSydney Opera House has five halls, including a large concert hall; and opera anddrama theatres. It is the home of Opera Australia - the third-busiest opera companyin the world - and the Sydney Symphony. The Harbour Bridge is anotherwell-known landmark. The metropolitan area is surrounded by national parks,and the coastal regions feature many bays, rivers, inlets and beaches includingthe famous Bondi Beach. Within the city are many notable parks, includingHyde Park and the Royal Botanical Gardens. - content edited from WikipediaIf you choose to go on the pre-trip to Ratotonga,you can scuba dive or snorkel on thisbeautiful island. We will have a party withdrinks and finger food; every morning youwill enjoy a tropical island breakfast.In Australia, we will go to Sydney, takea Captain Cook Coffee Cruise and then enjoythree nights visiting the city. After Sydney, wemove on to Cairns, where the weather is wonderful.We’ll stay in Cairns for four nights. Youcan snorkel, scuba dive, or relax on the beach.You can also swim with the seals and dolphins.So much to do!!!We are now taking registrations for thisexciting adventure and opportunity to skiNew Zealand and visit Australia.GENERAL.....Our councils and clubs distribute trip information and fliers as soon as possible so ourmembers can join us on our trips. As new trips are announced, they will be advertised onthe Far West website www.fwsa.org. ▲▲18 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.‘Courtesy of Tourism NSW - Tourism Australia Image Gallery

Office de Tourisme - Chamonix Mont-BlancThe 2012 International Ski Weekwill be held in Chamonix known forits long slopes, glade skiing and offpisteruns.THE 2012 ANNUALINTERNATIONAL SKIWEEK: CHAMONIX/MONT-BLANC,FRANCE.....Mark your calendars for the end of February- early March, 2012. The Annual Interna t i o n a l S k i We e k w i l l b e h e l d i nChamonix/Mont-Blanc, France with the normalpre/post extensions. Chamonix offers skiing/snowboardingfor all levels. It is knownfor its tremendously long slopes, glade skiing,free ride and off-piste. Chamonix also offersslopes ideal for children and beginners.There are many ski areas in which tochoose:■ Brévent/Flégère offers south-facing slopesand exceptional views of the Mont-Blancchain■ Grands Montets has high altitude northfacingslopes which dominate the village ofArgentière■ Balme area has wide-open slopes at thetop of the Chamonix valley, bordering onSwitzerland■ Les Houches lies at the opposite end ofthe valley and is accessible from Mont-BlancThe first Winter Olympic games werehosted by Chamonix in 1924 and the valleybecame a winter Mecca, with many more liftsbuilt in the ensuing years. Chamonix is a populartourist destination that links Italy via theMont-Blanc tunnel. The town attracts manytourists because they have preserved the exceptionalnatural environment. Chamonix hasa rich architectural heritage encompassingtraditional and modern styles. Hotels andpalaces exhibit the golden age, where you willsee Art Deco facades, traditional farmhouses,colossal villas and chalets. You will not wantto miss visiting this world-class ski destination!Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 19

FWRABoard of Directors2O1O - 2O11President:Bob Ellis (530) 582-0566rellis9681@aol.comSecretary:Barbara Bryant (530) 550-9452gsracer@cebridge.netFinancial Officer:Nancy Ellis (530) 582.0566nancyellis2@sbcglobal.netRules Chairman:Bob Warzynski (775) 266-3976bwarz@linkline.comFWRA Committee Chairs:Webmaster:George Stewart (559) 734-9294gwstewart@prodigy.netCompetition Chairman:Jim Sommer (775) 322-5805sommerskier@aol.comFWRA Championships 2011:George Eachus (949) 493-8738geachus@cox.net2OFWRA Race Programby Bob Ellis, FWSA VP RacingThis year has been very interesting. It was a great year for snow in theSierra’s, and a lot less snow elsewhere. The FWSA Ski Week went off withouta hitch in Keystone. We had nice firm snow to race on, cool weather, well setcourses by the Keystone Race Department and many enthusiastic racers whoenjoyed the competition. Many of the racers were very impressed with theGo Devil run where we raced, as it pushed their limits to complete some ofthe courses. Overall, we had a great experience at Keystone.In the local races in Tahoe and at Mammoth, racers were fighting mothernature all year long. Almost every local race experienced soft fresh snow conditionsthis year. The inconsistent conditions made it difficult to put on qualityrace events, but that is what we attempted to accomplish.Sierra League and Singles League combined their efforts for several racesto save money for both leagues, as both leagues lost racers due to the majoreconomic issues this year.NorCals and SoCals both had good turnouts for their events at SquawValley and Mammoth Mountain respectfully with good weather.The Far West Championships were just completed at Mammoth Mountainwith great enthusiasm from all competitors. This year, we incorporatedmany cost saving measures in advance of the event in lieu of smaller participation.The competitors did not notice a difference in the quality, even thoughwe saved some money by being more frugal. The $1,000 donation for theshirts from the Far West Ski Association at the event was well received bythe Far West members. We also received a $1,000 donation from John Ascuaga’sNugget in Sparks, Nevada for the shirts. Many positive commentswere made about the wonderful food at the Awards Banquet on Saturdaynight and the fun we had racing earlier in the day. The Mammoth Race Departmentprovided competitive, well planned courses that were on-time withaccurate timing.Our summer meeting was planned for the second Saturdayin August in Mammoth Mountain to discuss future ruleschanges, the 2011 and 2012 venues, and other possiblechanges in FWRA.The elections held at the Championships had onemajor change, Marty Purmort retired as Treasurerafter several years of superior service and Nancy Elliswas nominated and elected as the new FWRA Treasurer.The other officers that were re-elected are: BarbaraBryant, Secretary; Bob Warzynski,Vice-President/Rules; and Bob Ellis, President.Next year the Far West Championships willbe held at Alpine Meadows the first weekend in April,2011. Aspen/Snowmass is planning to host the next NationalSki Club Championship Races at Snowmass onJanuary 3-7, 2011. The event w i l l b e h e l dm i d - w e e k s ocompetitors wil lPACRAT competitions bring outthe best in their racers.- photo provided by Sheri Parshalln o t m i ss anylocal races on theweekend. The event willinclude a welcome party, two GSraces, one Slalom race, and anAwards Banquet on Thursday night.Racers, and others, from around thecountry will be invited. ▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Silent Auction and Raffle Donors at the 2010Far West Racing Association Championshipsby Barbara BryantFar West Racing Association would like to thank all of thegenerous donors to the Silent Auction and Raffle held at the 2010Far West Racing Association Championships at Mammoth Mountain.A portion of the proceeds helps to fund the Far West Ski AssociationAthletic Scholarship Program for J1-J3 racers.AdobeAlpine MeadowsAlta Ski AreaArapahoe BasinBanffBig Red Cats – Cat skiingBig 3 Canada (Banff Mt. Norquay,Lake Louise Ski Resort, andSunshine Village)Big Sky ResortBlack Sheep Winery & VineyardsBooth CreekBraun, Mike, Dynastar, Lange,Rossi RepresentativeBrundage Mountain ResortCedar House Sport HotelChatom VineyardsCinnamon Bear InnCrested Butte Ski ResortDeer Valley ResortDynastarEllis, BobFairmont Hotels and Resorts,Banff Springs &Chateau Lake LouiseFootloose Sports MammothGranite ChiefGreat Alaska AdventureGuided FishingHaber VisionHampton Inn & Suites Truckee, CAHarb Ski SystemsHarrington, Rick – ServiconSystems Garage Floor CoatingKentwood Lodge Sun ValleyKeystone ResortKirkwood Mountain ResortLakeside Inn StatelineLake Louise ResortLake Louise Ski ResortLake Tahoe Snowmobile ToursLast Frontier Heli-skiingLevel 8 SalesMammoth Mountain InnMammoth Mountain Ski AreaMammoth MountainRace DepartmentMammoth MountainSnow Cat ToursMonarch Mountain, ColoradoMt. BachelorMt. Rose Ski ResortNASTCNewsomme-Harlow Winery,Murphys, CA.Northstar Race DepartmentNorthstar-at-TahoeNugget Hotel and Casino –Reno/SparksOakleyOgden Convention andVisitor’s BureauPark City Mountain ResortParshall, Dale and SherriPark City Mountain ResortPrestige Hotels and ResortsRed Shutter InnResort at Squaw CreekRossignolSalomonSarlo, JeffShawkey, DickSnow King Resort,Jackson HoleSolitude Ski ResortSorenson’s ResortSquaw Valley Ski Corp.Start HausSteamboat Ski and ResortSugar Bowl Ski ResortSunshine VillageSun Valley Ski ResortTahoe DonnerTahoe Mountain ClubTelluride Ski ResortTimberline Ski AreaTrader Dick’s RestaurantTruckee Tahoe LodgeBest WesternTsukimura, DonVail Resorts, HeavenlyVillage Ski LoftVlastad, PaulWarzynski, DebbieWestgate Resort and Spa,Park CityWestin Monache Resort, MammothWhite Grizzly Cat SkiingWolf Creek ResortFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 21

FWRA LEAGUE RACECHAIRS / 2O1O - 2O11ARIZONA SKI COUNCILArizona Race Leaguewww.arizonaskicouncil.orgMike Rogers (623) 455-9671E-mail: mike@rogersvineyards.comBAY AREA SNOW SPORTSCOUNCIL (BAC)Open League www.olrc.orgDebbi Phelps (707) 746-6710E-mail: gofastdebi@yahoo.comSingles Leaguewww.slracing.orgJeff McCabe (530) 550-7889E-mail: jeffmccabe2@sbcglobal.netCENTRAL COUNCILCentral LeagueJim Grady (805) 929-1334E-mail: jjg2@pge.comINLAND COUNCILInland LeagueDan Crawford (816) 805-0384E-mail: marci@aol.comINTERMOUNTAINCOUNCILIntermountain LeagueDon Anderson (208) 238-8081E-mail:andersonbloom@yahoo.comLOS ANGELES COUNCILRokka Leaguewww.rokkaracing.orgLaura PreissE-mail: rokkaracers@aol.comULLR LeagueKen Kawahara (310) 944-0371E-mail: ken.kawahara@verizon.netNORTHWEST SKI CLUBCOUNCILPACRAT Leaguewww.pacrats.orgBarbara Parshall (503) 267-9522E-mail:bparshall@equitygroup.comORANGE COUNCILSchusski Leaguewww.orangecouncil.orgMaxine Hanlon (714) 641-8513E-mail: maxch@prodigy.netSAN DIEGO COUNCILSan Diego Alpine Leaguewww.skisandiego.orgRoy Akridge (858) 674-5666E-mail: akridge@cox.netSIERRA COUNCILSierra Leaguewww.sierraleague.comJo Simpson (775)787-7556E-mail: Jo_simpson@sbcglobal.net- Keystone - photos by Ken Calkins2O1O - 2O11 FWRA Race Scheduleby Bob Ellis, President, FWRA; VP-Racing, FWSADATE FORMAT LOCATIONOpen LeagueDec. 12 Clinic Northstar-at-TahoeDec. 19 Clinic Northstar-at-TahoeJan. 8 GS Northstar-at-Tahoe Race #1Jan. 9 GS Northstar-at-Tahoe Race #2Feb. 5 Clinic (Slalom) Squaw ValleyFeb. 6 SL Squaw Valley Race #3Feb. 12 SL Alpine Meadows Race #4Feb. 13 GS Alpine Meadows Race #5Mar. 5 SL Sugar Bowl Race #6Mar. 6 GS Sugar Bowl Race #7 (MacT)Mar. 18 NorCals - Clinic Sugar BowlMar. 19 SL Sugar BowlMar. 20 GS Sugar Bowl-Rokka/ULLR Leagues (Schusski & San Diego - see ULLR League)Dec. 6-10 Rokka Ski & Race Week MammothDec. 11 Rokka & ULLR 1 - GS MammothDec. 13—17 LAC Ski, Board, & Race Week MammothJan. 8 Rokka & ULLR 2 - SL MammothFeb. 26 Rokka & ULLA 3 - GS MammothMar. 19 SoCals - GS MammothMar. 20 SoCals - SL MammothSingles / Sierra LeagueJan. 8 GS Alpine Meadows Race #1Jan. 9 SL Alpine Meadows Race #2Feb. 5 SL Sugar Bowl Race #3Feb. 6 GS Sugar Bowl Race #4Feb. 12 SL Squaw Valley Race #5Feb. 13 GS Squaw Valley Race #6Feb. 26 TBD Make-up Race - Resort TBDFeb. 27 TBD Make-up Race - Resort TBDMar. 5 Super G Clinic Northstar-at-TahoeMar. 6 Super G Northstar-at-Tahoe Race #7Mar. 12 GS TBD - Race #8RACY AFFAIR - location TBDMar. 18 NorCals - Clinic Sugar BowlMar. 19 SL Sugar BowlMar. 20 GS Sugar BowlPacrat LeagueJan. 9Jan. 23Feb. 7Feb. 27Mar. 13All LeaguesJan. 3-7TimberlineMt Hood MeadowsMt Hood SkibowlTimberlineMt Hood Meadows1st Annual Snowmass Alpine Nationals - Aspen, CO(Qualifier GS, Slalom, GS)Jan. 22-29 FWSA Ski Week Sun Valley, ID(Qualifier GS, GS, SL)Apr. 1 FWRA Championships Alpine MeadowsClinics/Pacesetter RacesApr. 2 Championships-Slalom Alpine MeadowsApr. 3 Championships-GS Alpine Meadows22 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.Race dates subject to change.

League winners of the FWRA Championships at Mammothfor 2010 are honored at the Annual FWSA Convention. Pickingup the plagues for their leagues are: Maxine Hanlon, Chair ofSchusski Race League, Jeff McCabe, Chair of Singles RaceLeague, and Laura Preiss, Chair of Rokka Race League.- photo / Eric Van Pelt: Keystone racer by Ken Calkins.League race camps notonly can develop racingtechniques, but also canimprove recreational skiingor boarding abilities.Snowmass AlpineNationalsAspen/Snowmass, COJanuary 3—7, 2011Race Package: $190Mon., Jan. 3 - Optional Clinics;Race Registration - 7-9 pmTues., Jan. 4 - Racing &Welcome PartyWed., Jan. 5 - Racing Awards BanquetThurs., Jan. 6 - SkiingFri., Jan. 7—Skiing & Travel DayAdd-on package componentsinclude: race clinics; lift tickets; &lodging optionsTo sign up, contact:Stay Aspen Snowmass877-308-7978Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 23

The Far West Ski Association founded itsAthletic Scholarship program in 2004 toprovide financial assistance to deservingyoung ski racers. Applicants must be junioralpine ski racers licensed by the UnitedStates Ski Association (USSA) and participatein racing programs in the states representedby the councils of the FWSA.Scholarships are awarded based on financialneed, academic performance, competitiveachievement and community service.Additional information is available at theFWSA website - www.fwsa.org.Last year’s program helped 13 youngathletes from Washington, Oregon, Californiaand Nevada. All but two finished lastseason in the top ten in their year group inone or more disciplines. Most notable ofthese was Kenny Wilson from the SquawValley Race Team who finished in the topten for all four disciplines. Lila Lipanja fromDiamond Peak and Nicolo Monforte fromSquaw Valley had three top ten finishes.Continuing her winning ways, JordanSchweitzer, from the Mt. Bachelor RaceTeam, not only was first in her year groupin downhill, but also won the J-2 NationalWomen’s Championship.This year, 34 athletes applied forscholarships. These include 19 juniorwomen and 15 junior men from four westernstates. Seven are former scholarship recipients.Ninety percent have a 3.5 or bettergrade point average (GPA) with 12 havingLila Lapanjais from theDiamond PeakRace team. Sheis a J-2 racer andlives in InclineVillage, NV.The FWSAAthletic Scholarship Program4.0s. Over 67 percent rank top twenty inone or more ski racing disciplines. We anticipatethat the number of scholarships forthe 2010 – 2011 season will increase to 15.Approximately 44 percent of the applicantswill receive scholarships. Beginning withtwo recipients in 2004, the scholarship programhas experienced consistent growth.Members of the Far West Ski Associationtake pride in the scholarship program andits contribution to junior ski racing. TheFWSA looks forward to the day when it isable to support all the deserving scholarathletes.One of the program’s greatest achievementsin 2010 is the growth of the partnershipprogram. Scholarship program partnersare clubs, councils or commercial enterprisesthat pledge to contribute a minimumof $500 per year for at least threeyears to support an athlete. The partnersset the criteria, usually based on the athlete’sresidence. For example, Skiyente SkiClub of Portland, OR, our first partner, hasspecified that the award shall go to the topfemale racer in the Pacific Northwest. Thisyear we are pleased to welcome the Mt.High Snowsports Club of Portland, OR, andthe Los Angeles Council as new partners.We also are negotiating with two additionalorganizations who have expressed their intentto join as partners.by Richard ShawkeyAthletic Scholarship Program Chair, FWSAThe FWSA Athletic Scholarship Programhas greatly benefited from the generosity ofits sponsors:• Canadian Mountain Holidaysheli-skiing and heli-hiking at its best• Whitefish Mountain Resorta year around family fun destination• Grouse Mountain Lodgethe premier choice in mountain resorts• Schure Sports Inc.maker of the Karbon brand ofsnowsports apparel• Far West Racing AssociationAmerica’s top recreational ski andsnowboard racing venue.We extend our sincere thanks to thesesponsors for their continued support. ▲▲Nicolo Monforte isbeginning as a first yearJ-2 this season. FromOlympic Valley, CA, heis a member of the SquawValley Race Team.24 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Far West SkiFoundationAnnouncesPartnershipProgramR o b b M a r g r a v eE l e c t e d Tr u s t e eby John WatsonPresident, FWSFwe elected Robb Margrave of Novato, Californiaas a Trustee. Robb brings a broadrange of ski world skills to FWSF, includinghis former role as the FWSA ScholarshipChairman, a position now held by DickShawkey of Arnold, California. Our restatedArticles were approved by the CaliforniaSecretary of State on March 26,2010. Fed ID number is 94-1540125; our reportingis current thanks to our Treasurer,John Reinhardt of Portland.We’d like to find funds for every scholarshipapplicant – they’re that good. We areinstituting an FWSF Partnership Program,mainly for individual donors, one option ofwhich calls for a multi-year pledge. Withthe anticipated increase in taxes in 2010,now is the time to think about offsettingthis increase with a countermeasure contribution.Pledge documents may be obtainedfrom geospace@pacbell.net. Inaddition, we always welcome proposalsfrom groups who can conduct fund raisingevents for FWSF. Contributions are tax deductiblewithin the limits of the law andcode.We also have an objective for historicpreservation and recognition. There are resourcesout there that are 75 years old thatneed some form of electronic preservation.One example is the pair of 1940-1942 WesternSki Annuals, little soft covers that provideinsight into the world of skiing in theWestern USA. Additionally, there are somenow fleeting opportunities to get photos ofand interviews with the skiers of the 1940sand 1950s. These things belong in museumsor in periodicals where students andthe public can use them. They representthe legacy of skiing.We welcome your contributions.Make your check payable to FWSF andsend to John Watson, Box 2768, Fallbrook,CA 92088. Further information may be obtainedby contacting fwsfpresident@gmail.com. ▲▲We’d like to find funds for every scholarshipapplicant. They’re that good!photo provided by Robb MargraveThe Foundation is building for the futureon a proud snowsports legacy. In 2009,new Trustees were elected, and with restatementof purposes, Far West Ski Foundation,a 501c3 organization under the IRScode, has rebounded to commence newroles in support of several categories of programs.These categories include supportingscholarships for Far West student-athletesaged 13-19, development of histories of skiingand preservation of printed and photographicmaterials for research and museums,adaptive snowsports for reanimationfrom injury, and certain issues whichcould affect the sustainability of snowsports.The Trustees have made great progressin revitalizing the Foundation. A setof Trustees were elected who were familiarwith the ski world but not consumed by responsibilitiesin other organizations. In July,Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 25

FWSA 2010 Convention Snowsports Celebrities,Multi-Media Show & FWSA Leadership InfoPanel Sessions Delight & Inform Attendeesby Scott BowkerVice President - Public Affairs, FWSARECOGNITION PROGRAMSSteve Coxen (former FWSA President)and Sigrid Noack (FWSA Charities & OurCommunity Chair) led the Outstanding Club/Council Recognition Programs session abouthow to get the most out of these programsand take your club to the next level.FWSA Convention 2010EricA Public Affairs panel including Doug Pfeiffer, Chuck Morse and Steve Renekerdiscussed different aspects of issues affecting snowsports. Convention photographs byVan PeltThe FWSA 2010 Convention SpecialGuests included Steve Reneker (climber/mountaineer who carried FWSA flags to thetop of Mt. Everest in 1995 and CIO City ofRiverside), Billy Kidd (1964 Olympic SlalomSilver Medalist); Peter King (General Counsel,Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office),Austin McInerny (senior facilitator/mediator,natural resource/land-use planner, and publicoutreach specialist), Chuck Morse (formerExecutive Director - Far West Division USSA,former VP Marketing Snowbird, and formerWestern States Managing Director of Sales &Marketing Vail/Beaver Creek), Doug Pfeiffer(former Skiing Magazine Editor-In-Chief, andco-founder PSIA), Walt Roessing (ski andtravel journalist formerly of San Francisco Examinerand San Jose Mercury News), and LindaWhittle (Can Do Multiple Sclerosis Centervolunteer, and former coach US NationalAdaptive Ski Team).THE MULTI-MEDIA SHOWThe Multi-media Show was a movingpresentation by Steve Reneker about his climbingand mountaineering experiences. Steve isan avid climber/mountaineer who hasclimbed Mt Everest, Mt Elbrus in Russia, MtKilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, and manyothers. He has been a member of the NationalSki Patrol for over 30 years; currently withSnow Summit. He is the chief information officerfor the City of Riverside and ExecutiveDirector for SmartRiverside - a non-profit organization.As Steve said in an article in the1995-1996 Far West Skier’s Guide entitled “TheSeventh Summit: The 1995 American Mt EverestExpedition Becomes a Tribute to a Fallen Friend”:“After high winds for nearly two months, a windowof opportunity opened. On May 16, 1995, theSummit of Mt Everest was reached. I carried twoextra items with me on this adventure: the ashesof my best friend, Dave Tollakson, which will restforever on his Seventh Summit and Far West SkiAssociation banners, one of which flew in the windfor the thirty minutes we were there. FWSA hasreached new heights. Dreams do come true.They’re not always easy to achieve, there can bemajor set backs to overcome and you definitelyhave to work hard for them to become reality, butin the end, it’s worth it.”The Leadership Info Panel Sessions includedPublic Affairs, Outstanding Club/Council Recognition Programs, plus two newSnowsports Leadership Academy sessions.PUBLIC AFFAIRS PANELSScott Bowker (FWSA VP Public Affairs)led the Public Affairs sessions with guestspeakers Austin McInerny, Chuck Morse, DougPfeiffer, and Walt Roessing. The wide rangingdiscussions covered the future of skiing, theimpact of snowboarding, the effect of demographics,and the impact of economic downturns.The role of FWSA was also discussed,along with the US Ski & Snowboard Hall ofFame – selection process/future direction,snowsports media – getting its attention andcommunicating your message effectively, effectivepublic advocacy and area development,environmental impact of resort development,More details, and other topics, are covered inthe Public Affairs section appearing later inthis issue.THE FWSA SNOWSPORTLEADERSHIP ACADEMYThe FWSA Snowsport LeadershipAcademy is in its third year as a major educationalprogram for FWSA Convention attendees.More information highlighting thisprogram can be found on page 35 of this issue.Attendees all agreed that the panelsand programs offered an abundant amountof information that they could take back totheir clubs. ▲▲FWSAConventionIndustryProgramsby Mary OlhausenSilent Auction & TravelExpo Chair, FWSAIf you are a ski club or council tripleader, or an individual snowsports enthusiastlooking for a place to ski, board or travel, theFar West Ski Association Convention is theplace to be! FWSA, in conjunction with itsindustry partners, provides a wonderful opportunityfor delegates and guests at the Conventionto dialogue with representatives fromover 150 national and international ski resorts,tour operators and lodging properties.This program is unique to our Association.The Friday evening Annual Silent Auction,celebrating its 25th year in 2010, providesthe opportunity to visit with industry representativesat their booths, and bid on close to$100,000 in snowsport and travel packages.The festive event, open to delegates, guestsand the public, features a DJ for dancing anda hosted beverage at the Welcome Party. Duringthe evening, Convention delegates sign upfor appointments on their Passports for theSaturday morning Travel Expo. Door prizes26 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

are awarded at the end ofthe evening, drawnfrom the names ofthose delegates fillingtheir Passports withappointments.During the TravelExpo, delegates havethe opportunity to meet ona one-to-one basis with the industry representatives,to plan a club or council trip or perhapseven a business or family trip. Eachappointment is ten minutes long and each delegaterotates around the room to their scheduledappointments. Industry partners are preparedwith detailed information and pricingto accommodate very large to very smallgroups. Many delegates learn about new andexciting places to visit at the Travel Expo. Atthe conclusion of the event, Passports signedby the industry representative at each appointmentare placed into a prize drawing forthe opportunity to win a Far West Ski Weekpackage, plus many other prizes.Industry representatives attending theFWSA Convention also participate in themany social events offered throughout theConvention weekend, so a bonus opportunityis provided to spend some quality time on aninformal basis with the industry. Throughoutthe weekend, trips are planned and booked,and a wealth of information is provided forConvention delegates to take back to theirclubs and councils. For complete informationabout the FWSA Convention industry programs,please contact Mary Olhausen, FWSASilent Auction/Travel Expo Chair at 503-880-7383 or omary52@comcast .net. ▲▲photos by Eric Van PeltFWSA Councils’ Man& Woman of the YearProgram RecognizesOutstanding Volunteers!by Donn BryantMWOY Program ChairAnd, the 2010 winnersare - Helen Harris andJim Sommer.Congratulations to FWSA Councils’ Man of the Year, Jim Sommer of Sierra Ski Counciland Woman of the Year, Helen Harris of San Diego Council. FWSA recognizes top volunteersfrom each council during the Councils’ Man & Woman of the Year Recognition Programat the FWSA Annual Convention. Our councils honor dedicated men and womenwho have made significant contributions to organized skiing within their council over amulti-year skiing and ski organization career. These honorees have volunteered their timeto support club, council, community service, race league, and FWSA efforts to enhance theskiing experience for our members.The 2010 Council Honorees are:The Bay Area Snowsports Council Nancy Ellis Keith OatneyIntermountain Ski CouncilLinda ScottLos Angeles Council of Ski Clubs Judith Miller John DwightNorthwest Ski Club Council Colleen Walter Dave RasmussenOrange Council of Ski Clubs Betty Bains Jess GormanSan Diego Ski Council Helen Harris Hobe SchroederSierra Council / League Beth Perryman Jim SommerA big “Thank You” to Big White and Silver Star Ski Resorts for their continuingsupport and sponsorship of the FWSA Councils’ Man & Woman of the Year Program. Ourwinners were awarded a week-long ski vacation for two at Big White or Silver Star andeach of the other council honorees received a weekend ski vacation for two to Big Whiteand Silver Star! Program Chairman Donn Bryant, introduced the winners at the banquet.Michael J. Ballingall, Vice President and Jim Lloyd, Director of Sales, presented the winnerswith their plaques and trip certificates. ▲▲FWSA 2010 ServiceAward WinnersSnowsports Builder Award –Doug Pfeiffer, Co-Founder PSIAHans Georg Award – Sigrid Noack, FWSACharities & Our Community ChairElizabeth ‘Schatzi’ Wood Award –Gloria Raminha, FWSA VP ofNorth American TravelJ. Stanley Mullin Award – Richard Shawkey,FWSA Athletic Scholarship Program ChairJimmie Heuga Award – Linda Whittle,Can Do MS FoundationJordan-Reily Award – John Wentworth,Mammoth Lakes Trails and PublicAccess FoundationBill Mackey Award, Brian Flickinger,Vail ResortsTommi Tyndall Award –Mammoth MountainBill Berry Hard News Award –Sylas Wright, Sports Editor “Sierra Sun”Bill Berry Featured News Award –Mckay Jenkins, Book “The Last Ridge –the Epic Story of America’s First MountainSoldier and the Assault on Hitler’s Europe”Warren Miller Modern Media Award –Darin Talbot and Robert Frolich, “AroundTahoe – Skiing & Snowboard Tour Guide”President’s Award Recipients:Lindsey Vonn, US Ski TeamJane Wyckoff, FWSA Convention ChairProgram Award Recipients:Western Heritage Award – Jane Jackson,Arizona Skiing HistorianSafety Person of the Year – Richard Rizk,Northwest Ski Club CouncilFor information about the FWSA Service Awardsprogram, contact Catherine Ohl, Awards ProgramChair, at ohl@acatmeowz.com. ▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 27

Event Sponsors78th Annual FWSA Conventionby Debbi KorVP of Marketing & SponsorshipWe extend our appreciation to the following sponsors of Far West Ski Association’s78th Annual Convention. Their generous support was a significant contribution to thefinancial success of this year’s FWSA Convention. By offsetting Convention coststhrough the sponsorship program, we are able to offer a more comprehensive and informativeprogram, and a more affordable delegate registration fee. Please include theseindustry partners in your travel plans for 2010 - 2011 and beyond.Event Sponsor WebsiteGolf Tournament Snowbasin, a Sun Valley Resort www.snowbasin.comPub Crawl Reno-Sparks Convention Visitor’s www.visitrenotahoe.comAuthoritySpa Day Snowmass Tourism www.snowmassvillage.comPool Party Mt. Bachelor www.mtbachelor.comNorthwest Ski Club Councilwww.nwskiers.orgSilent Auction DJ / Aspen-Snowmass www.aspensnowmass.comFWSA Safety Person of YearSilent Auction Happy Hour Ski Dazzle www.skidazzle.comDelegate Bags Ski Oregon www.skioregon.orgDelegant Neck Wallets Sun Valley Resort www.sunvalley.comSaturday Continental Breakfast Mammoth Mountain www.mammoth.comSaturday Beverage Sponsor Ski Banff - Lake Louise - Sunshine www.skibig3.comSaturday Luncheon Vail Resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek, www.vailresorts.comBreckenridge, Keystone, and Heavenly)Multimedia Presentation Mt. Bachelor www.mtbachelor.comSun River Resortwww.sunriver-resort.comAwards Banquet Band Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation www.steamboat.comAwards Banquet Beverage Ogden CVB & Partners www.visitogden.comFWSA Western Ski HeritageSunday Morning Coffee Service Telluride Ski Resort www.tellurideskiresort.comSunday Morning Brunch Taos Ski Valley www.skitaos.orgCouncils’ Man & Woman Big White Ski Resort / www.bigwhite.comof the Year Competition Silver Star Mountain Resort www.skisilverstar.comFWSA Athletic Scholarship Schure Sports USA www.karbon.netProgram Whitefish Mountain Resort www.skiwhitefish.comGrouse Mountain Lodgewww.grousemountainlodge.comCanadian Mountain Holidays www.canadianmountainholidays.comGrand Prize Travel Expo Far West Ski Association www.fwsa.orgTravel ProgramEye Opener San Diego Council www.skisandiego.orgAava Hotel, BC, CanadaAdventure Tours, CAAlaska/Horizon AirlinesAlpine Meadows Ski Area, CAAlta Ski Resort, UTAlyeska Resort, AKAnchorage CVB, AKArapahoe Basin, COAspen Skiing Company, COAspen/Snowmass, COAston Lakeland Village Resort, NVAtlantis Casino & Spa, NVBanff Lodging Company, AB, CanadaBeaver Creek Resort, COBetty Donellan, CABeyond Rapture Day Spa, BC, CanadaBig Sky Resort, MTBig White Ski Resort, BC, CanadaBlack Tie Ski Rentals, COBreckenridge Resort, COBrighton Ski Resort, UTBrian Head Ski Resort, UTBrundage Mountain Resort, IDCanyon Transportation, UTCapella Lodging, COCMH Heliskiing, CanadaCopper Mountain Resort, COCountry Inn & Suites, UTCrested Butte Mountain Resort, COCrested Butte Mountain Properties, COCustom Ski Escapes, CADavis Area CVB, UTDeer Valley Resort, UTDestination Hotels & Resorts, COEl Dorado Ranch, MexicoEl Monte Sagrado Resort & Spa, NMFairmont Hotels & Resorts, AB, CanadaFairmont Banff Springs Hotel, AB,CanadaFernie/Kimberley Resorts, BC, CanadaForest Suites Resort, CAGrand Sierra Resort & Casino, NVFraser Crossing/Founders Pointe, COGrouse Mountain Lodge, MTHeavenly Mountain Ski Resort, CAHeavenly Tahoe Vacations, CAHilton Garden Inn, UTHoliday River Expeditions, UTHolidaze Ski Tours, NJHomewood Mountain Resort, CAJackson Hole Mountain Resort, WYJackson Hole Resort Lodging, WYJuniper Springs Resort, CAKandahar Lodge at Whitefish, MTKeystone Resort, COKirkwood Mountain Resort, CA28 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

2010 Silent Auction &Travel Expo Participantsby Mary Olhausen and Debbi KorSilent Auction Coordinator and Vice-President, Marketing respectively, FWSAThe Far West Ski Association and San Diego Council of Ski Clubs extend their appreciation andsincere gratitude to the 25th Annual Silent Auction and Travel Expo participants. The success ofthis event is made possible by the continued support from our industry partners to the efforts of ourAssociation. Please include these industry partners in your travel plans for 2010-2011.The support from our Industry Partners continues to grow. In 2011, we look forward to the26th Annual Silent Auction and Travel Expo at the 79th Annual FWSA Convention in IndustryHills, CA.LaPosada Santa Fe Resort, NMLakeside Resort Properties, UTMadrona Manor, CAMammoth Mountain Ski Area, CAMiracle Springs Resort, CAMountain Resorts, COMt. Bachelor Ski Resort, ORMt. Rose - Ski Tahoe, NVNancy Green’s Cahilty Lodge, BC, CanadaNorthstar-at-Tahoe/Sierra-at-TahoeResorts, CAOgden Comfort Suites, UTOgden Convention Visitors Bureau, UTOgden Hampton Inn & Suites, UTPacific Coach Lines, BC, CanadaPangwitch Lake Resorts, UTPanorama Ski Resort, BC, CanadaPark City Mountain Resort, UTPark City Peaks Hotel, UTPark City Transportation, UTPeppermill Resort/Casino, NVPowder Mountain Ski Resort, UTRed Mountain Resort, BC, CanadaRed Mountain Resort Lodging, BC,CanadaRenaissance Esmeralda Resort, CAReno Sparks Convention VisitorsAuthority, NVResort at Squaw Creek, CAResorts of the Canadian Rockies, BC,CanadaRocky Mountain Tours, COSchweitzer Mountain Resort, IDSego Lily Spa, UTSelkirk Lodge, IDShore Lodge, IDSierra at Tahoe, CASilver Legacy Casino, NVSilver Star Resort, BC, CanadaSilverado Lodge, UTSki Banff-Lake Louise-Sunshine, AB,CanadaSKI.COM, COSki Dazzle, CASki Group.Net, CASki Oregon, ORSki Santa Fe, NMSnakedance Condominiums, NMSnow Tours, NJSnowbasin Ski Resort, UTSnowbird Ski & Summer Resort, UTSnowmass Ski Resort, COSnowmass Tourism, COSolitude Ski Resort, UTSports America Tours, CASteamboat Ski & Resort Corp., COStonebridge Inn, COSunriver Resort, ORSun Peaks, BC, CanadaSun Valley Resort, IDTahoe Resort Village Property, CATaos Ski Valley, NMTelluride Ski & Golf, COThe Canyons Resort, UTThe Crestwood, COThe Cliff Lodge, UTThe Gant, COThe Grand Lodge at Brian Head, UTThe Huntley Lodge, MTThe Lodge at Brian Head, UTThe Riverhouse Resort, ORTimberline Condominiums, COTrickle Creek Inn, BC, CanadaVail Resorts, COWhistler/Blackcomb, BC, CanadaWhitefish Mountain Resort, MTWinter Park Ski Resort, COWolf’s Den Lodge, BC, Canada ▲▲Charity Banker and Patrick Rothe fromTelluride Mountain Resort receive their 25year participation certificate from MaryOlhausen. - photo / Eric Van Pelt2010 FWSA TravelExpo/Silent AuctionParticipation Milestones- Indian Wells Convention -5 Year AwardDestination Hotels - VailRed Property ManagementRocky Mountain ToursThe Crestwood Condominiums10 Year AwardBetty Donellan-SengeanceFernie – KimberleySnowbasinSugar BowlUSARC15 Year AwardFairmont Lake LouiseForest Suites20 Year AwardSunriver Resort25 Year AwardMt. BachelorNorthstar-at-TahoePark City Mountain ResortSteamboat Ski & Resort Corp.Telluride Ski & Golf2010 ConventionDoor Prize DonorsBig SkyForest SuitesMt. BachelorNorthstar-at-TahoeOmeez Boot ToppersSchweitzer Mountain ResortSquaw Valley USASteamboat Ski & Resort CorpSugar BowlWhistler BlackcombZero GlovesFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 29

- photos / Eric Van PeltBrian Flickinger ReceivesBill Mackey Awardby Mike & Eileen SanfordBrian Flickinger, National Group SalesManager for Vail Resorts Corporation, receivedthe Far West Ski Association’s BillMackey Award for outstanding service tothe skiing public by a ski area employee.The award was presented at the AnnualFWSA Convention in Indian Wells.Vail Resorts is one of the oldest patronsof the FWSA’s Silent Auction program,and since assuming the position ofNational Group Sales Manager in 2005,Brian has ensured their continued participationat a very high level. He also ensuredthe area he represented remained amongthe most generous in support of FWSA, itscouncils and recreational ski programs ingeneral. Vail Resorts annually participatesin the Convention Sponsorship program.He personally visits many council and clubevents and outings, and provides sponsorshipsand donations in support of their programs.He has done a tremendous job forFWSA and its councils in its ski programs.Under his leadership, FWSA produced thehighly successful Ski Week 2010 at Keystone,Colorado. “Flick” has enthusiasticallyembraced the concept of partnering withFWSA in support of mutual goals and hasbecome a great supporter of its future.Brian has also become a very vigoroussupporter of the recreational skiing acrossthe country, expanding his support to includean active participation with the NationalSki Council Federation (NSCF), ofwhich FWSA and its councils are activemembers. Like Bill Mackey, his love of themountains and support of skiing is an inspirationto us all. ▲▲3OThe FWSA Tommi Tydall Award waspresented to Mammoth Mountain.Laura Kennedy receives the plaquefrom Randy Lew and Dick Kum.Mammoth MountainRecognized with TommiTyndall Awardby Gene Fulkerson & Catherine OhlMammoth Mountain received the FarWest Ski Association’s Tommi TyndallAward, presented to a ski area who hasmade a distinguished contribution to skiing.Accepting the Award at the 78th AnnualFWSA Convention in Indian Wells on behalfof Mammoth Mountain, was LauraKennedy, Regional Sales Manager.The Far West ski clubs have a longstandingrelationship with MammothMountain. Mammoth is where the Los Angeles,Orange, San Diego and Inland Councilscontinue to hold their four to eightyearly club, league and council ski races.Mammoth hosted the Far West Championshipsfor many years, and again in 2008and 2010. For more than 10 years, Mammothhas hosted a “Skier’s AppreciationWeekend” for all ski club members. This annual“Thank You” event has evolved overthe years with each year being a bit biggerand better than the last. This event is notjust limited to the “local” ski clubs. Skiclubs throughout the nation are also welcomeand invited to attend.Mammoth has participated in theFWSA Silent Auction and Travel Expo programsfor more than 20 years. Over theyears, they have jumped on board to sponsorand donate to FWSA, council and clubevents. Their donations and continuedsupport go back more than 50 years. Mammothcontinually gives back to its localcommunity. Mammoth set up a foundationto first raise money for a high school, thenfor a college and recently for a ski museum.The 11,053’ Mammoth Mountain dominatesthe Eastern Sierra skyline and theminds and hearts of its die-hard fans andweekend warriors. Major improvements inrecent years have made the on-mountainexperience unmatched. Trendsetting seasonpass deals have helped re-affirm Mammoth’sstatus as a world-class mountainwith something for everyone. ▲▲FWSA RecognizesClubs with Over50 Years of Serviceby John WatsonHistory Chair, FWSAMany clubs within the Far West Ski Associationhave a surprisingly long history ofservice to members and their community.The Association launched in 2010 a programto recognize clubs and councils with over 50years of service as “Historic Ski Clubs.”Startup dates appear to have been in waves:the 1930s on the West Coast, post World WarII in the 1940s, and then the recreationalbloom associated with the 1960 Olympics atSquaw Valley. A club desiring such designationmust request it by letter accompanied byan executive summary of its history of operationsand providing proof of existence priorto 1960. Incorporation is not required. Therolls are always open for further requests fordesignation. Seven clubs were recognizedwith historic designation at the annual meetingin June, 2010.■ Cheyenne Ski Club, Cheyenne,Wyoming Organized 1959, but precursorHappy Jack SC existed as early as 1947■ Fresno Ski Club, Fresno, CaliforniaOrganized 1934, Incorporated 1937■ Grindelwald Ski Club, Los Angeles,California - Organized 1949■ Longview Ski Club, Longview,Washington - Organized 1936■ Sequoia Ski Club, Visalia, CaliforniaOrganized 1935■ Single Ski Club of Los Angeles,California - Organized 1960, Incorporated1961■ Skiyente Ski Club, Portland, OregonOrganized 1955 from an existing allwomen’sclub ▲▲FWSA History CommitteeMeeting Held at ConventionThe FWSA History Committee met on Fridayat the FWSA Convention. The committee’sfocus is to ensure the rich history of the developmentof snowsports in the western U.S. and thecontributions to it by the FWSA are recognized andpreserved. Discussions included a review of theFWSA Club & Council History recognition program,FWSA Historic Ski Club program effectivehistory interview questions and resources for digitizinghistorical video footage. If you are interestedin joining the committee and/or writing history arti c l e s , p l e a s e c o n t a c t J o h n Wa t s o n a tgeospace@pacbell.net as membership is open to anyone.▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

FWSA Club History Recognition - 2010- F R E S N O S K I C L U B -Founded in 1934 and incorporated in1937, the Fresno Ski Club is one of the nation’soldest incorporated ski clubs. Theclub has reinvented itself, revolving withthe ski industry and changing demographicsof skiing and snowboarding, evolvinginto a vibrant, active social and recreationalorganization during eight decadesof our existence. Fresno Ski Club, Inc. continuesto be a solid, well managed organizationfor its members and a reliableAssociation member.The club traces its origins to the earlydevelopment days of our local ski resorts,Badger Pass and China Peak/Sierra Summit.The Central Valley geographic areawas home to many people of Scandinavianheritage. The snowy western slopes of theby John WatsonHistory Chair, FWSAThe purpose of the FWSA Club & Council History Recognition is to capturehistorical information about snowsports from the participants’ perspective and especiallythat of the club participant. The winner receives $200 to be donated in thewinner’s name to the charity of their choice.High Sierras offered a perfect opportunityto introduce the sport of alpine skiing, crosscountry skiing and snow shoeing to thecommunity. In the 1930’s, 40’s and 50’s, clubactivities focused on ski racing for skill development.During the 50’s the club evolvedits interest in ski safety by establishingan all volunteer ski patrol, the “Fresno SkiPatrol” and developed standardized testingto assess and rank a skier’s skills and abilities.These early tests became a precursorto the battery of assessment tools used bytoday’s National Ski Patrol.Over the years, the Fresno Ski Clubhas adjusted its menu of skiing, off-seasonrecreational and social activities, and thusreinventing itself to meet its constantlychanging membership profile and enthusiasms.Three times since the 1960’s, the clubexperienced a decline of membership numbers.Responding accordingly, the club wasresourceful in its rejuvenation. Strategieswere identified to recruit and retain newmembers. Additional events and activitieswere added. Traditional functions were adjustedto meet emerging interests.The club currently offers a full calendarof pre-season, seasonal and off-seasonrecreational and social activities that are designedto meet the interests and varyingabilities of its members - be it ski and snowboardskills, member time and/or budgetabilities. Today, the club has a stable baseof 211 members, of which many are longstanding. Annually, the club takes upwardsof 300 members on ski trips to local and nationallyrecognized destination resorts. Plus,just as many members put-on-the-ritz to attendtheir numerous social and fundraisingactivities. Another 250 members participatein off-season activities ranging from dayhikes and water ski ventures, to weekendwine tours. Evening meetings for the generalmembership are well attended, averaging55-60 members. There is always somethingfor each member. ▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 31

Richard Rizk of Beaverton, Oregon is amember of the Cascade Ski Club in theNorthwest Ski Club Council (NWSCC).He developed a winter safety speakerawareness series which addressed winterdriving, terrain park safety, ski risks and thelaw, and ski patrol advice. Richard also contributedsignificantly to the developmentthe NWSCC P.I.E. (Prepared Informed Ecological)Campaign which addresses safetyissues. He spearheaded an influenza awarenessinitiative for Cascade Ski Club andNWSCC. Richard recently completed a 17session backcountry ski safety coursewhich included avalanche training. He alsohas First Aid and CPR training.Richard has taught boating rescue andsafety techniques as a YMCA camp boatinginstructor and performed search and rescuein lakes and pools as a YMCA lifeguard. Asa Special Olympics Coach with physiciansupervision, he regularly monitored downssyndrome participants for medication andsafety compliance. He has worked withcommercial insureds to develop strategiesfor making workplaces safer. From an environmentalsafety perspective as an EnvironmentalClaim Supervisor, Richardauthorized and directed the clean up ofsome of the nation’s most contaminatedRichard Rizk EarnsFWSA Safety Person of the Year2010 AwardSponsored by Aspen Skiing Companyby Richard Lubin, D.C.The Snowboarding Chiropractor, FWSA Safety Chairsites. He also advocatesfor safer play areas forchildren.Professionally, forover 20 years, RichardRizk has resolved insuranceclaims. He hasworked within insurancecompanies, for insurancecompanies and for thepast nine years, he representedthose with claimsagainst insurance companies.He has resolved disability, injury, environmentaland property damage claims ofall sizes in many states.Richard was president of Cascade SkiClub from 2004-2008, is now Vice Presidentof the Northwest Ski Club Council; and isnominated for Northwest Ski Club CouncilPresident. Richard lives inBeaverton, Oregon. He enjoysdownhill, backcountryand cross country skiingon and around MountHood.The winner of theFWSA Safety Person ofthe Year Award receives asix day vacation for twofrom Aspen Skiing Companyincluding six-day lifttickets for all four mountains (Ajax, AspenHighlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass), sixdays of rentals and a half day group lessonfor two. In addition, the winner receivesseven nights lodging provided by The CrestwoodCondominiums and The Gant plusround trip air. ▲▲Only a few copies REMAINwww.skiingaroundtheworld.netSKIINGAROUND THEWORLDBY JIMMYPETTERSONBILL BERRYAWARD WINNER■ 440 pages■ Almost 200 skiareas■ 47 countries■ 100’s of photographsGet your copy now32 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Jane Jackson Wins 2010Steamboat Western SkiHeritage AwardExplores Early Days of Skiing inNorthern Arizonaby John WatsonHistory Chair, FWSAScissorbill Park, circa 1936. Arizona Snowbowl Resort dates from 1938.“In addition to preserving history, my current film project, as well as my articleand the various public presentations, address the need to save the memory ofFlagstaff’s ski pioneers. Seven of the men I interviewed began skiing inFlagstaff before Arizona Snowbowl existed. Their stories are unrecorded untilnow: stories of Flagstaff winter sport activities since 1930, the log lodge atSnowbowl built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s, the first privateowner of the facilities in 1946, cutting trails and building today’s AgassizLodge in the 1950s. These anecdotes give listeners the feel of the camaraderie inthe ski community and nostalgia for those days past when skiing was new andfresh and every day was an adventure.” - Jane JacksonJane Jackson hasconducted historical researchsince 2005 intothe early days of skiingin Northern Arizona.Records show that pioneerswere skiing asearly as 1915. Her workhas been published inthe Journal of ArizonaHistory and her work is continuing. Thiswill include the production of a 45-minutedocumentary entitled Echoes of the Peaks,an Early History of Skiing in Northern Arizona.She is also a Ski Patroller at ArizonaSnow Bowl in Flagstaff.Jackson’s work has entailed over 20taped and transcribed interviews withearly skiers and their descendants, acquisitionof over 200 early photographs fromthe Jimmie Nunn collection and others, examinationof local Flagstaff newspapersand university publications, Forest Serviceinspection reports 1948-51 on ArizonaSnowbowl from the Cline Library collectionsat Northern Arizona University, andUSFS maps from 1939 and the 1950s. ▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 33

The Association’s Snowsports BuilderAward is made to a person or persons whohave made an indelible positive impact onsnowsports. The builder honored may be forachievements in athletics, the press, publishers,historians, industry, humanitarian work,area development, technology; in short, forany indelible contribution to snowsports.Doug Pfeiffer has made such an indelible contributionto snowsports as a teacher, innovatorand integrator of many facets of snowsportsover the past six decades.In December of 1998, Skiing Magazinefittingly included him among the 25 most influentialpeople in skiing during the last 50years. Quite a tribute, to add to his inclusionas an Honored Member of the USA NationalSki Hall of Fame, and his receiving of theNorth American Snowsport Journalist Association’sGolden Quill Award. He has alsobeen inducted into the Canadian Ski Hall ofFame as one of the sport’s great innovators.In the fall of 1999, SKI Magazine included himamong the 100 most influential skiers of thecentury.Early on, he wanted nothing more thanto be a ski instructor and his teaching careerdates back to 1946 in his native Canada. Heemigrated in 1951 to Squaw Valley to instructunder Emile Allais. He then, came to South-Snowsports BuilderAward - 2010Doug Pfeiffer,Big Bear Lake, Californiaby John WatsonHistory Chair, FWSAern California and joined Tommi Tyndall atSnow Summit in 1953. His relationship withSnow Summit extends to this day.He also helped grow the skier base byteaching dry land classes on carpets in gymnasiums,on shaved ice, pine needles, and justgrass in many parks of Southern California.“Over a period of several weeks, we even taught almost500 military personnel on the sand dunes atthe Naval Ordinance Test Station at China Lake."That was when he and Tyndall were attemptingto build a skier base for a resort they hadhoped to develop near Onion Valley in theInyo Basin just west of Independence, California.On the basis of his experience in severalinstructors organizations over a decade, he integratedthis experience into the concept of anational instruction organization. Pfeifferserved as an examiner for many years and in1961-62 as President of the Far West Ski InstructorsAssociation. This affiliation led toco-founding with Bill Lash and five others theProfessional Ski Instructors of America, an associationnow numbering over 26,000 skiteachers across the USA. Always an avid studentof serious ski technique, yet he advocatedthat learning must be helped with a largehelping of fun. He introduced many improvementsand refinements to ski teaching methodsand techniques. He cites as some of hiscontributions such actions and phrases as:hockey stop; edge control; control by pressureon front, middle, and/or tail of skis; anticipation,tip-thrust, differential edging, and awhole host of phrases related to freestyle skiingmoves. PSIA now provides certification insnowboarding and adaptive skiing. Doug iscertified to instruct snowboarding.Doug has had several careers running sequentially,as well as, concurrently. For overten years from 1962 to the late 1970s, he publishedseveral ski-related magazines. Dougshifted course in 1963 to become National Editorof Skiing Magazine. In 1966, as editor inchief of it and several other related magazines,he led it and its several associated ski publicationsthrough a decade of innovative journalism,pioneering in graphic presentations ofnew developments in ski technique, in objectivetesting of each year’s new skis and in theselection and encouragement of skilled skijournalists like John Jerome, John HenryAuran, and Al Greenberg. He and his staffwere one of the main forces in raising ski journalismto a polished professional level in the1960s and 1970s.His reading of Dr. Fritz Reuel’s (“royal”)1929 book “New Possibilities in Skiing" led himto experiment with trick skiing during thecourse of which he invented some of the basicballet freestyle moves in use until quite recently.His basic competition format, with theexception of ballet skiing, has gone on to becomea Winter Olympic gold medal sport. Heand Tommy Corcoran basically inventedfreestyle skiing at Waterville Valley in 1971.He is considered the “Father of Freestyle Skiing.”Integrating his many backgrounds in skiing,he founded the International Ski HistoryAssociation in 1991. ▲▲34 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

`Snowsports Leadership AcademyCertification Program a Success!by Diane Stearley, Chair - Snowsports Leadership AcademyThe Snowsports Leadership Academysessions at the 2010 FWSA Convention in IndianWells were well attended and receivedhigh marks on the Exit Survey/EvaluationForm distributed to attendees and collected atthe end of each session. These forms haveproven very helpful in garnering ideas for upcomingeducation classes. Personalizedcourse certificates were issued at the completionof each session.Norm Azevedo (FWSA VP InternationalTravel), Barbara Bryant (former FWSA VPMembership), and David Krupp (Past LosAngeles Council of Ski Clubs President andcurrent FWSA VP Membership) led theSnowsports Leadership Academy “Overview:Membership & Travel Wise – SmartTips for Trips” session. It was an excellentoverview of several previous presentations.Topics included a Snowsports LeadershipAcademy overview, as well as understandingthe travel process. Travel topics included potentialparticipants, trip selection RFPs, contracts,vendor selection, liabilities, trip insurance,seller of travel/certification, accounting/pricing,communication to participants,airline ticketing, baggage policies, waivers,code of conduct, and other trip leader guidelinesand useful documents.Peter King (General Counsel, Los AngelesCity Attorney’s Office) and Linda Coxen(CPA and former Northwest Ski Club CouncilTreasurer) led the Snowsports LeadershipAcademy “Ethics – Doing the RightThing” session. A highly informative andtimely presentation, topics included codes ofconduct, personal conduct, conflict of interestissues, embezzlement issues, articles of incorporation/bylaws/standing rules, FAM trips,sponsorships and contributions. It was an audienceinteractive session in which real lifescenarios were presented to help membersbrainstorm about situations that do or mightpresent a problem in their clubs.Sheri Parshall (Northwest Ski ClubCouncil President) and Becki Robinson (AltairSki Club Communications) led the SnowsportsLeadership Academy “Tech Works –Using Social Media to Build Your Club”session. Topics included effective use of socialmedia tools such as Facebook, Twitter,YouTube, Meetup, Evite, Constant Contact,Survey Monkey, and much, much more. Thesession was not only an outstanding presentationof social media tools, but also a livelyinteractive one, as not all participants agreedon the use and value of some of these newmethods of communication.The overall consensus of the survey wasthat the Snowsports Leadership Academyprogram is a huge success and the membersare looking forward to more education topicsand a repeat of past presentations in the future.The next two sessions currently plannedfor the 2011 FWSA Convention are “How toBuild Your Club through Racing” and“Your Personal Ski Equipment”. The pastsession presentation is still being considered.I look forward to working with FWSAin expanding the scope and vision of this verysuccessful and valuable program and rampingit up to the next level. ▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 35

One of the resort golf courses,Once again, Los Angeles Council ofSki Clubs is excited to host the 79th AnnualFar West Ski Association Convention,which will take place June 9-12, 2011 whenwe plan on “Making History” with a weekendfilled with celebration, recognition, development,and…oh yeah, some business, too!The Convention will be held at thePacific Palms Hotel and Conference Centerin Industry Hills, located just 25 minutesfrom downtown Los Angeles. Recentlyrenovated, the Pacific Palms will be practicallyours with 292 oversized rooms, eachwith a balcony. The resort offers a varietyof food and beverage options including firesidedining and cocktail seating on the patiooverlooking Celebration Lake. The resort iscentrally located between the major airportsin the L.A. area: LAX, Ontario, Burbank,Long Beach and John Wayne. Thereare no resort fees. Parking is complimentary.Pacific Palms is proud to boast its 36hole championship golf course which justreceived a multi-million dollar makeover (Iknow, it’s so L.A.!) If that’s not your speed,how about The Spa at Pacific Palms whichoffers a tranquil setting and unique treatmentstailored for your customized experience.The fitness center and wirelessinternet service are complimentary. In addition,the hilltop oasis pool and saunaoffer views of the city like you’ve neverseen before.Please check www.fwsa.org for pricing.When making your reservation, call800.524.4557. Use the group name FarWest Ski Association. Alternatively, youcan make reservations online through theFWSA/Pacific Palms Convention Reservationwebsite located at www.pacificpalmsresort.com/FWSAlogin.htm. ( L o g i n -City of Industry, CaliforniaJune 9-12, 2011fwsa / Password - 2011) The Pacific PalmsHotel & Conference Center website is locatedat www.pacificpalmsresortUSA.com.The 5th Annual Michael German GolfTournament will be conveniently held onthe Babe Zaharias Course at the IndustryHills Golf Club at Pacific Palms, one of California’smost historic and noteworthy golffacilities. The Industry Hills Golf Club atPacific Palms was named “2010 GolfCourse of the Year” by the National GolfCourse Owners Association. Just in caseyou didn’t catch the hint earlier, it’s wherethe extreme makeover took place. Breakfastand Bar-B-Que lunch will be served.We’re planning additional fun and frolicwith optional activities including a PubCrawl, Pacific Palms Spa Day, San AntonioWinery Tour, The Huntington Art Collectionand Botanical Gardens visit, and aPool Party.Bring your friends to the Silent Auctionand Dance on Friday night whereyou’ll find great deals on ski packages.Door prizes and special give-a-ways areyours for the taking. There is no admissioncharge and the event includes a complimentarydrink. And, if you don’t get tochat with industry representatives thatnight, don’t worry! You’ll get a secondchance at the Travel Expo on Saturdayby Cindy KruppLAC FWSA Convention Publicity Coordinatorwhere over 100 resort representatives andtour operators will be there to answer questionson how to plan your group’s next trip.Snowsport celebrities will be featured at theafternoon Multi-Media Presentation, andspecial historical presentations about Hollywoodand local skiing legends will bemade throughout the weekend.This year’s FWSA Snowsports LeadershipAcademy promises again to offer valuableinformation to take back to yourcouncils and clubs. Topics will includebuilding membership through racing andpersonal equipment and revisiting the subjectof what to do when you take the positionof an officer in your club. You won’twant to miss it!Saturday night is when we let our hairdown…or rather I should say when we putit up! The Awards Banquet and Dance isour excuse to get spruced up. Volunteer andindustry recognition awards will be presentedduring the evening. Put your dancingshoes on and be ready to have a great time!And of course, it wouldn’t be a FWSAConvention if we didn’t take care of business.Officers will be elected on Sunday. Ifyou want your club’s voice to be heard, it’sthrough your choice! Contact David Krupp,Host Council Convention Chairman atdavid.krupp@roadrunner.com for additional36 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Red Lake, Guest Pool, sample guest roominformation. Industry partners can contactD e b b i K o r, V P o f M a r k e t i n g a tfwsadebbi@comcast.net.Registration materials will be distributedearly in 2011 by clubs and councils.They will also be made available atwww.fwsa.org. We invite you to come ondown, and join us in Making History at our79th Annual Convention! ▲▲- photos courtesy of the Pacific Palms Hotel & Conference Centerand Spa.Hotel Reservation #800.524.4557Use the group nameFar West Ski AssociationOr, make reservations online:www.pacificpalmsresort.com/FWSAlogin.htm(Login - fwsaPassword - 2011)Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 37

The new owners of Panorama Mountain Village have plans to develop the resort into one of the best family-focused mountain resorts in Canada.It has developed a gladed area, new black diamond terrain will be opening this year, and it is increasing the night skiing terrain. And, that is justfor starters! Keep an eye on their development. - photo / Panorama Mountain Village, BCPUBLIC AFFAIRS: 2010 UPDATEBy Scott BowkerVice President - Public Affairs, FWSAThe Far West Ski Association (FWSA)www.fwsa.org is a non-profit, volunteer organizationwith a wide range of programs.Many people are familiar with our programssuch as travel, membership and councils. Anarea of interest that is becoming much morewell known is the Public Affairs area. FWSA,as the Association for organized recreationalskiers in the western states of Alaska, Arizona,California, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico,Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah,Washington, and Wyoming is the umbrella organizationfor approximately 11 regionalcouncils, 180 ski clubs, with over 50,000 recreationalskiers and snowboarders representingcountless visits to ski areas in the UnitedStates. Additionally, FWSA has about 150supplier donor partners who provide equipment,goods, and services for the advancementof organized recreational skiing/snowboarding and competition. FWSA is alsoa member of the National Ski Council Federation(NSCF) www.skifederation.org, an organizationwith 29 regional councils andabout 330,000 recreational snowsports enthusiastsnationwide. As the “Voice of the WesternSkier”, FWSA has been very active in awhole host of areas that affect ski area development,safety, volunteer liability, transportation,taxation, ski history, and consumeradvocacy.The Public Affairs portfolio of programsis designed to present to the outside world thepositions of the FWSA. A wide variety of subjectsinterest the membership. Topics such asairline luggage rules, reduced prices for seasonpasses, news about ski country direct flightsand the ever-increasing tendency of areas todevelop along the lines of the European ski villageenvironment are of interest to the membership.Also, we attempt to better educate ourmembers in areas such as the impact ofchanging demographics and the need for increaseddiversity, snowsports industry effortslike the Model for Growth to address trial andretention, regulatory efforts to modernize stateski laws similar to the Colorado model, expandingsnowmaking capabilities, the developmentof e-commerce in the snowsportsindustry, resort developments focused on consumertendencies, the analysis paralysis forcedon the Forest Service in resort development,and the need to meet a visiting family’s variationin ages and interests.In summary, the width and depth of theFWSA Public Affairs program is significantand the FWSA is committed to do its part incommunicating issues and educating its membershipon the wide and interesting variety ofPublic Affairs topics. Of most significant importanceover the last year has been our involvementin area development, consumeradvocacy, safety, transportation and history.We strongly encourage you to get involvednow in the issues that affect you bywriting letters/emails to appropriate governmentofficials, newspaper editors, and otherkey influencers, attending public meetings, andsharing your views with others in a wide varietyof situations including on the chairlift. Tostay informed about relevant issues, visitwww.fwsa.org and subscribe to the FWSANews (monthly electronic newsletter).Area DevelopmentThe most prominent topic in Public Affairsis area development, which covers skiarea expansion and enhancement, proposednew areas, and the preservation of potentialareas for future skiing or recreational use. Actionin this arena affects all snowsports enthusiasts;has long-term implications; requiresunified regional action; involves the ski industrywith us; and can be exasperatingly tediousand drawn-out, as well as very costly. Generally,the Association must deal with county,city and even state governments, the US ForestService, community organizations, area operatorsor permittees, and an ever-changingspectrum of organizations interested in protectionof the environment.The Council on Environmental Qualityhas been working to modify the National EnvironmentalPolicy Act (NEPA) as appropriateto reduce process gridlock. To furtherimprove the expensive and time consumingNEPA, the National Ski Areas Association(NSAA) has suggested categorical exclusionsfor certain on-mountain activities such as liftreplacements following the same alignment,additional snowmaking on trails that are al-38 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

eady treated with man-made snow and useof existing service roads and trails for newuses like mountain biking.We maintain an active network of “issuewatchers” in strategic areas of the westernstates. There are currently several expansionissues we are keeping close watch on such asthe Arizona Snowbowl, AZ; Mt Hood Meadows,OR; Summit at Snoqualmie Pass, WA;and White Pass Ski Area, WA as well as loggingissues such as Forests with a Future. Wehave been aggressively involved in letter writingcampaigns to ensure “the Voice of theWestern Skier” is heard as an even handedproponent for rational development.In addition to specific expansion issues,we are strong supporters of responsible resortmanagement and have endorsed the NSAA“Environmental Charter” and the “SustainableSlopes” initiative.▲▲ Keep Winter Cool www.keepwintercool.org, a joint effort of NRDC (Natural ResourcesDefense Council) and NSAA (NationalSki Areas Association) launched in2003 continued its eighth season as part of theNSAA Sustainable Slopes initiative. One exampleof this initiative is that 68 resorts arebuying renewable energy credits to offset allor part of their operational energy use ofwhich 34 are offsetting 100% of their energyuse.▲▲ NSAA Environmental Charter iscurrently endorsed by more than 190 U.S. resortsrepresenting over 75% of skier visits pluspartnering organizations and participating organizations.2010 marks the 10th anniversaryof the Sustainable Slopes initiative launchedin 2001. www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/Area Development Update▲▲ Chairlift Installations. Westernplanned chairlift installations 2010. CA: Heavenly- Galaxy Express high speed quad. CO:Arapahoe Basin - Black Mountain Expresshigh speed; Vail - High Noon Express highspeed quad. MT: Bridger Bowl - Bridger triple.WA: Crystal Mountain - Summit gondola, HighCampbell Basin quad; Summit at Snoqualmie -East Peak triple, Hidden Valley double; WhitePass - Chair 6 Express high speed quad, Chair5 fixed quad. Alberta, Canada: Sunshine Village- Strawberry Express high speed quad.British Columbia, Canada: Whitewater -Glory Ridge triple. and Saskatchewan,Canada: Table Mountain - Chair 2 quad.▲▲ Arizona Snowbowl, AZ. Constructionplans are on hold due to a new lawsuitSave the Peaks Coalition v. U.S. Forest Service(filed September 2009). The Arizona Snowbowldid win approval of its snowmakingplan when in June 2009 the U.S. SupremeCourt declined to hear the previous caseNavajo Nation, et. al. v. U.S. Forest Service (originallyfiled June 2005). It had been decided inArizona Snowbowl’s favor at the U.S. 9th CircuitCourt level and the USDA finally granteda snowmaking permit in July 2010. AttorneyHoward Shanker argued the new Save thePeaks Coalition case in July 2010 in front ofU.S. district court judge, Mary Murguia inPhoenix, AZ on behalf of the Navajo tribe, assertingthat the federal government did notadequately consider whether reclaimed waterwas safe for snowmaking if the snow were tobe ingested. Also, Arizona Snowbowl is askingthe Flagstaff City Council to amend its watercontract to include the usage of recovered reclaimedwater for snowmaking, which is unusedreclaimed water pumped out of thereclamation facility and percolates back intothe aquifer. The Flagstaff City Water Commissionruled in favor of this amendment afterhearing comments from the public at a July2010 meeting and then forwarded the recommendationto Flagstaff City Council for approvalat an expected special August 2010City Council meeting. Some Native Americantribes including the Hopi and Havasupai areexpressing their refusal to consider any watersource for snowmaking for Arizona Snowbowl.▲▲ Brian Head, UT. The asking priceis $34.75 million for Brian Head Resort’s 1,744acres includes 156 acres zoned for residentialand commercial development, plans for 1,350residential units, another dozen ski-in/ski-outresidential lots and 500 acres set aside for golfand skiing. Brian Head has two mountainslinked by one of its nine lifts, 640 skiable acreson 63 runs, a base elevation of 9,600 feet, avertical drop of 1,320 feet, and averages141,000 skier days. March 2010.▲▲ The Canyons, UT. In October2009, Vail Resorts abandoned its bid for controlof The Canyons leaving Taliskier Corpwhich purchased The Canyons from AmericanSkiing Company last year as the undisputedowner. The Canyons is going to dropthe ‘The’ from its name. It will now beknown simply as ‘Canyons’, or ‘Park City’sCanyons.▲▲ Coconino National Forest, AZ.Forest plan revision (recreation use includedin revision topics) EIS. Notice of AdjustmentMay 2010. Phase 1 public input and feedbackJuly/August 2010. Draft EIS expected November2011 with decision and implementationexpected in September and October, 2012. CoconinoNational Forest Planner Yewah Lauylau@fs.fed.us 928-527-3411 www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/plan-revision.shtml▲▲ Cooper Spur, OR. Cooper Spur-Government Camp Land Exchange EIS. ForestService would convey 120 acres ofproperty at Government Camp and acquire770 acres of private land at Cooper Spur.Kristy Boscheinen - kboscheinen@fs.fed.us503-668-1645 www.fs.fed.us/nepa/project_content.php?project=33072▲▲ Copper Mountain, CO. PowdrCorp (Eight resorts: Park City Mountain Resortand Gorgoza Park, UT; Killington andPico, VT; Boreal and Soda Springs, CA; MtBachelor, OR; Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort,NV) purchased Copper Mountain in December2009 from Intrawest. There are nineremaining ski resorts as of 2009: WhistlerBlackcomb and Panorama, BC, CAN (sold2010); Tremblant, Quebec, CAN; Blue Mountain,ON, CAN; Winter Park and Steamboat,CO; Stratton, VT; Mountain Creek, NJ; andSnowshoe, WV) which is owned by FortressInvestment Group. The deal was estimated ataround $100 million (at the peak in 2006 multipleswere typically 9-10x operating income,but now are closer to 7-8x). The total volumeof property transactions in the Copper Mountainarea for the nine months ending September2009 fell about 50% to $20 million.Intrawest originally purchased Copper Mountainin 1996 for $192 million.As the“Voice of the Western Skier”,FWSA has been very activein a whole host of areasthat affect ski area development,safety, volunteer liability,transportation, taxation,ski history, andconsumer advocacy.▲▲ Crested Butte, CO. Associatedeputy chief for the U.S. Forest Service GloriaManning (reviewing officer for USFS ChiefTom Tidwell) in July 2010 upheld two earlierdecisions to reject Crested Butte MountainResort proposal for Snodgrass Mountain byconfirming that the USFS Supervisor was notrequired to conduct environmental analysis tosupport his decision. May 2010 Level 1 Appealreviewing officer Jim Pena, USFS DeputyRegional Forester (Region 5) jpena@fs.fed.usreaffirms USFS Supervisor Charlie Richmond’sdecision to deny expansion onto SnodgrassMountain (276 acres) stating thatRichmond did not exceed his discretionaryauthority. Appeal of Richmond’s decision filedFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 39▼▼▼▼▼

▼▼▼▼▼public affairs continuedin December 2009. CBMR had asked Chief ofthe Forest Service, Tom Tidwell to review thisdecision and set it aside based upon the issuesidentified in CBMR’s original appeal: that theForest Service did not follow its own regulations,and Forest Supervisor Richmond madea fundamentally unfair decision in a privateprocess that violated federal law and excludedthe public from a watershed publiclands decision that determined the future ofthe ski area and the community. www.liftsonsnodgrass.org▲▲ Crystal Mountain, WA. CrystalMountain Master development plan Amendment#1 EA – replace High Campbell BasinChairlift. Environmental analysis expectedAugust 2010, implementation November2010. Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National ForestTeam Leader - Sean Wetterberg swetterberg@fs.fed.us 425-783-6022▲▲ Eclipse Snow Park, CO. The planfor a new 12 acre beginner ski and snowboardarea near St Mary’s Glacier in IdahoSprings, CO was rejected in June 2010 byClear Creek County planning board whichcited safety concerns over the small accessroad to the property. Michael Coors, a descendantof brewery founder Adolph Coors, hadpurchased the 284-acre property in 2005 for$1.64 million which was close to the defunctSt. Mary’s Glacier Ski Area that closed in1984.▲▲ Heavenly, CA. Heavenly MountainResort 2010 Capital Projects EA. Constructa Lodge at the top of the Gondola,replace Galaxy ski lift, four new ski trails inthe Galaxy pod, new snowmaking in the4OGalaxy pod. Decision May 2010, implementationexpected July 2010. USFS InterdisciplinaryTeam Leader Lake Tahoe BasinManagement Unit, Matt Dickinson - mattdickson@fs.fed.us530-543-2769▲▲ Intrawest Corporation of Vancouver,BC, Canada sold Panorama Mountain Resort(all of the resort’s mountain and Nordicski operations plus a 50 per cent stake inGreywolf Golf Course) near Invermere, BC(originally purchased in 1993 for $7.1 million)for an estimated $27.5 million to PanoramaMountain Village Inc (a group of 18 investorsof mostly local homeowners led by RickJensen real estate developer and former threeterm mayor of Cranbrook) in January 2010.Intrawest also sold The Village at Squaw Valley(lodging operations at two condo hotels withabout 300 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom condominiumsuites; six restaurants; 20 retail shops; fullservice spa) for an undisclosed amount toSquaw Valley USA in January 2010. Intrawestsold Mountain Creek Resort, NJ for an undisclosedamount to owners of nearby CrystalSpring’s Resort in May 2010. In April 2010, Intrawestrefinanced $1.4 billion in corporatedebt now scheduled to mature in 2014 afterearlier missing a $524 million debt paymentin December 2009 and then being threatenedby its lenders with foreclosure proceedings inFebruary 2010.▲▲ Lake Tahoe Basin ManagementUnit, CA. Forest plan revision (recreation useincluded in revision topics) EIS. Notice of IntentMarch 2010. Draft EIS NOA expectedOctober 2010 with public comment on DraftEIS October-December 2010. Decision and implementationexpected July and October 2011.Bob King - bking@fs.fed.us 530-543-2619http://fs.usda.gov/ltbmu▲▲ Laredo Snow Park, TX. $65 millionsnow park proposal by the Dinello Groupwas tabled by Laredo City Council in January2010.▲▲ Meadowlands SnowPark, NJ.The planned indoor snow facility project wasrebranded from Xanadu in May 2010 withcompletion expected by SuperBowl 2014. The800-foot-long indoor SnowPark will feature aquad chairlift, magic carpets for beginners anda platter lift. www.visitmeadowlands.com▲▲ Mont Orford, Quebec City, Quebecin Canada put on sale for $1 in March2010. A $4 million security deposit, plus fiveyear commitment to running resort and golfcourse was required. The province of Quebecwould still own the 1,000 acres.▲▲ Okanogon-Wenatchee and ColvilleNational Forests, WA. Forest plan revision(recreation use included in revisiontopics) EIS. Currently developing proposal. EstimatedNotice of Adjustment (NOA) expectedMarch 2011. Decision and implementationexpected June/July 2013. Plan RevisionPublic Information Specialist DeborahKelly - dlkelly@fs.fed.us 509-826-3396www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee/forest-plan▲▲ Rainey Ranch Ski Resort, Richmond,UT. New 160 acre ski resort proposedin March 2010 to Cache County PlanningCommission for an estimated 2,000 skiers,along with a lodge, three ski lifts and a tubinghill located northeast of Richmond in CherryCreek Canyon in Cache County forest recreationzone. The lodge is proposed to be 10,000square feet, and the development would includea parking lot with a capacity of 350 to400 vehicles. Roughly 30 to 40 percent of the160-acre area would be utilized for night skiing.Logan Checketts, a resident of Dayton,Idaho, is partnering with John Chadwick, aNorth Logan resident, on the project. Initialresponse is expected by September 2010.▲▲ Roundhill Ski Area, New Zealand.The world’s longest and steepest ropetow Heritage Express Rope Tow opened inJuly 2010 at 4,833 feet long with a 2,056 verticalrise and a top elevation of 6,998 feet. Thisnew nutcracker rope tow gives access toRoundhill’s Richmond Ridge in the TwoThumb Range. www.roundhill.co.nz▲▲ Russian President Dmitry Medvedevannounced plans in May 2010 to spend450 billion rubles, or nearly $15 billion, tobuild five world-class ski resorts in the NorthCaucasus. The resorts would be built in Matlas,Dagestan; Mamison, North Ossetia;Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Arkhyz, Karachayevo-Cherkessia; Lago-Naki,Adygeya; and on Mount Elbrus in Kabardino-Balkaria.▲▲ Sierra Summit, CA. Sale of SierraSummit for nearly $4 million closed May 2010by investor group (China Peak Mountain ResortLLC) led by Kirkwood president TimCohee with partners Tom Klein, whose familyfounded both Kirkwood and Bear Valley skiareas, and Mike Gillfillan, former Vice Chairmanof Wells Fargo Bank. The resort will returnto its former name China Peak. Theresort is 65 miles northeast of Fresno onHighway 168 near Huntington Lake. The sitespans 1,200 acres with a base elevation of7,030, a top elevation of 8,709 square feet for1,679 vertical feet, and averages 145,000 annualskier visits. Facilities include seven chair lifts,two handle tows, one t-bar and a moving carpet.▲▲ Snowbasin, UT filed a MasterPlan in June 2010 with Weber County’s OgdenValley Destination and Recreation ResortZone to build a major resort village calledEarl’s Village near the existing base lodge withhotels, condominiums and townhouses, a retailand restaurant core, ice skating, spas andan amphitheater. The plan calls for up to2,400 residential units. Also, a significant terrainexpansion near the current StrawberryGondola is requested, with a second entranceto the ski area to be constructed along Trapper’sLoop Road in Morgan County south ofthe intersection with Snowbasin Road. Thisnew entrance would cut about ten minutes offthe drive to the resort from the Salt Lake Citymetro area.▲▲ Snowbird, UT filed an amendmentto its master plan in May 2010 for expansioninto the 780 acre, above treeline Mary EllenGulch (west of Mineral Basin) along with asecond tram from Hidden Peak to West TwinPeak (11,489 foot) of American Fork TwinPeaks, a lengthening of Mineral Basin Expressby 50%, and a third lift from the bottom ofMary Ellen Gulch to Sinners Pass ridge for descentback into Mineral Basin. US Forest ServiceDistrict Ranger, Cathy Kahlow, is expectedto decide by early fall 2010 whether to acceptthe proposal. If accepted, expansion portionswill require a full environmental impact statementand changes to the Wasatch-Cache-UintaNational Forest plan.▲▲ Solitude Mountain Resort, UT.Solitude’s Silver Fork expansion plan was rejectedin June 2010 by U.S. Forest ServiceUinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest SupervisorBrian Ferebee because it didn’t meet severalof the pre-NEPA screening criteria.Solitude had reduced its expansion requestfrom 695 acres (all of Silver Fork basin) to182 acres (only east side of the Silver Forkcreek removing Meadow Chutes and upperwest bowl) in April 2010 which would add tothe current 1,418 acres. Benefits included easyaccess to a glacial bowl at 9,500 feet.▲▲ Stevens Pass, WA. Master developmentplan. Scoping letter June 2008, Environmentalanalysis decision Phase 1 Projects(water treatment system upgrade, five biketrails) April 2010, implementation June 2010.Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest TeamLeader, Sean Wetterberg - swetterberg@fs.fed.us 801-733-2685▲▲ Summit at Snoqualmie, WA. SnoqualmiePass Master Development PlanAmendment #1 CE. The resort will replacethe existing Silver Fir Output with a newlodge. Scoping start July 2010, decision expectedOctober 2010, implementation June2011. Cecilia Reed - ccreed@fs.fed.us 425-888-8769▲▲ The Falls at Vineyard Mountain,GA. A million square foot indoor ski resortproject which includes Vineyard MountainSnow Dome or Mount Pegasus near Red TopMountain State Park, Emerson, GA was puton hold in June 2010 after Governor Sonny▼▼▼▼▼Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 41

▼▼▼▼▼public affairs continuedPerdue vetoed House Bill 1251. This billwould have provided incentives to developersvia sales tax rebates of 25 percent of thosedollars the resort generated for 10 years. DeveloperSteve Winters, managing director ofSRW International, said that he would waitfor the next governor to try again. The proposedMount Pegasus would be the longestand highest indoor ski dome in the world at3,000 feet with a 450-foot vertical drop.www.srwintl.com▲▲ Wasatch Canyons, UT. Update of1989 Salt Lake County Wasatch CanyonsMaster Plan which covers Little Cottonwood(Alta, Snowbird), Big Cottonwood (Brighton,Solitude), City Creek, Emigration, Red Butte,Parley’s and Millcreek Canyons. The masterplan governs recreation, land use and development,transportation, watershed protectionand water quality, natural resource managementand public safety. Participate via onlinesurveys, open houses and workshops. Finalround online survey available. www.wasatchcanyons.slco.orgConsumer AdvocacyAdvocacy on behalf of all recreationalskiers consumes a large part of the effortmade during FWSA member’s visits to all skiareas. But, not only is it important to expressthe consumer’s opinion while “on the mountain”,it must also be expressed back home, inthe communities that only think of snow skiingin the winter. As the “Voice of the WesternSkier”, the Far West Ski Association takes itsduties very seriously. The Association continuesto keep close tabs on a variety of consumeradvocacy issues ranging from safety,helmet usage, avalanche awareness, women’sski jumping, Congressional Ski and SnowboardCaucus, injury liability initiatives, youthsnowsports development programs, and luggageregulations.Snowsports Trends &News Updates▲▲ Overall dollar sales for entire wintersport market (August 2009 to March2010) increased about +4% ($0.12 billion) indollars to $2.94 billion (2nd highest in dollarterms) but unit sales declined according toSIA (Snowsports Industries America). Apparelled sales this season with $1.1 billion (up2.48% in dollars, down 2.78% in units), withaccessories sales totals close behind at $1 billion(up 7.40% in dollars, down 2.56% inunits). Equipment sales totaled nearly$800,000 (up 2.13% in dollars, down 4.19% inunits). Fat ski sales increased more than 30%in units and in dollars sold. Snowsports spe-cialty sales +4% in dollars to 1.8 billion and -3% in units. Internet sales +9.5% to $597 millionand +1% in units. Chain store sales flat indollars to $563 million and -4% in units.▲▲ Skier visits increase +4.2% (PacificSouthwest +15.0%, Midwest +7.2%, Southeast+6.7%, Rocky Mountain +3.4%, Pacific Northwest+3.2%, Northeast -2.7%) from 57.4 millionto 59.7 million visits (the second bestseason ever only 1.2% below record of 60.5million visits in 2007/08) for the 2009-10 seasonbased on preliminary estimates from theNational Ski Areas Association released May2010. This still represents a +3.9% increaseover the 10 year season average annual skiervisits (Southeast +9.9%, Pacific Northwest +5.7%, Pacific Southwest +4.7%, Rocky Mountain+4.3%, Midwest +2.1%, Northeast +1.1%).Overall snowfall was down 14% (Southeast+98%, Pacific Southwest +8%, Rocky Mountain-20%, Northeast -21%, Pacific Northwest-25%, Midwest -32%).▲▲ Women’s Ski Jumping USA(WSJUSA) on behalf of 15 elite women’s skijumpers appeal of British Columbia SupremeCourt decision to the British Columbia Courtof Appeal was dismissed by a three judgepanel led by Justice Anne Rowles in November2009. The Court of Appeal stated “Underthe host city contract, the IOC is recognized as havingthe exclusive authority to determine whatevents will be staged at an Olympic Games.VANOC is obliged to host and stage the Gamesunder the direction and control of the IOC.VANOC simply does not have the power to determinewhat events are included in the 2010Olympic program. The decision of the IOC not toadd women’s ski jumping as an event is not a policythat could be or was made by any Canadiangovernment. The charter cannot be so broadly construedas to include policies or practices that noCanadian government has jurisdiction to enact orchange."The appeal was based on the argumentthat VANOC (Vancouver Organizing Committee)must host the Winter Olympics in accordancewith the Canadian Charter of Rightsand Freedoms and not host events on Canadiansoil that implement discrimination. InJuly 2009, the British Columbia SupremeCourt Justice, Lauri Ann Fenlon, decisionfound discrimination by the InternationalOlympic Committee and that VANOC is subjectto the Charter when it carries out the activitiesof planning, organizing and staging theOlympics. However, Fenlon said the decisionof whether women’s ski jumping is anOlympic event is beyond VANOC’s control.www.wsjusa.com▲▲ USA sets Winter Olympic recordwith 37 medals. Also, Vancouver 2010 is onlythe second time USA won the WinterOlympic medal count. The last time was 78years ago at Lake Placid 1932 with 12 medals.Bode Miller wins three medals (gold supercombined, silver super G, bronze downhill) toincrease his total to five medals (the most decoratedU.S. alpine skier and only the fourthman ever to win five alpine skiing medals).Other highlights included Lindsey Vonn withtwo medals (gold downhill, bronze super G)first ever U.S. women’s downhill gold, JuliaMancuso won two medals (silver downhill,silver super combined) for a total of threemedals (most decorated female U.S. alpineskier), and Johnny Spillane (silver Nordiccombined) first ever U.S. Nordic combinedmedal. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_at_the_2010_Winter_Olympics▲▲ Truth in Motion - U.S. Ski Team’sRoad to Vancouver documentary film wasseen on NBC January 2009 by 1.8 million people.Film chronicles the elite skiers of TeamU.S.A. and what it takes to excel as worldclass skiers as they prepare on the trainingslopes of Portillo, Chile and Saas Fee, Switzerlandto qualify for spots on the Olympic skiteam. Obtain a free standard or HD downloadat http://itunes.com/truthinmotion and photos atwww.truthinmotion-movie.com.▲▲ Lindsey Vonn (age 25) is the firstwoman to win three straight overall titlessince Petra Kronberger of Austria in 1990-92and is tied for second most overall women’stitles with Vreni Schneider of Switzerland andJanica Kostelic of Croatia behind AnnemarieMoser-Proell of Austria with 6. She also is thefirst American to win three discipline titles(DH, SG, super combined) in the same season.With 11 World Cup wins in one season (2009-2010) she is tied for second with Anja Paersonof Sweden and Annemarie Moser-Proellbehind Vreni Schneider with 14. Vonn nowholds the U.S. record for World Cup wins with33 passing Bode Miller and ties for sixth placeon the all-time women’s list with Hanni Wenzelof Liechtenstein. Annemarie Moser-Proellleads that list with 62.▲▲ Julia Mancuso, three time Olympicmedalist, finished third and had the fastesttime at Verbier Xtreme freeride competitionon the Bec de Rosses slope in March 2010.www.xtremeverbier.com/en/index.php▲▲ Winter sports athletes won five ofthe 35 ESPN ESPY awards in July 2010 includingtwo for Lindsey Vonn (Best FemaleAthlete, Best Female U.S. Olympian), two forShaun White (Best Male Action Sport Athlete,Best Male U.S. Olympian), and one forTorah Bright (Best Female Action Sport Athlete).42 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

▲▲ Black Diamond Equipment, Ltd.(backcountry ski and climbing gear specialist)of Salt Lake City, UT signed an agreement inMay 2010 to be purchased by Clarus Corporationfor $90 million. Clarus Corp is also purchasingbackpacking company Gregory MountainProducts for $45 million and expects tomerge it with Black Diamond Equipment.▲▲ Skiing Magazine will reduce annualprint issues from six to two (Buyer’s Guide andSecrets of How to Get the Most Out of Your Timein the Hills) for 2010-11. The 65 year old magazinewill shift its focus primarily online toSkiing Interactive digital edition which willoffer six digital “Mag+" issues for iPad, a “10x"digital edition and single topic apps for mobileusers. June 2010▲▲ Beaver Creek/Vail in June 2010 wasawarded the 2015 FIS Alpine World SkiChampionships. Vail had been the host forthese championships in 1999 and 1989. A newwomen’s downhill run will be built to theskier’s right of Birds of Prey along with a newstadium in Vail Village.▲▲ Ski.com tour operator of Aspen, CObought 47 year old ski tour operator RockyMountain Tours (skithewest.com) of Pittsburgh,PA in June 2010. Rocky Mountain Tours is expectedto operate independently, but utilizeSki.com’s back office resources.▲▲ Learn A Snow Sport Month in January2010 had extreme skier and snow sportsambassador Glen Plake (three time World HotDog Ski Champion, Down Home Tour Ambassador)as the national spokesperson whocommunicated the excitement and lifestylebenefits of snowsports participation and whyit helps to take lessons from a pro when startingout or trying to improve. www.LearnASnowSport.orgSafety Update▲▲ Top 12 myths concerning alpine skiinginjuries are debunked. Myths included“Skiing is among the most dangerous of activities"and “If you think you are going to fall, just relaxand let it happen". Study by Robert J. JohnsonMD, Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedics atUniversity of Vermont published in November/December2009 issue of Sports Health: AMultidisciplinary Approach. www.aap.org/sections/sportsmedicine/PDFs/JohnsonSkiMythsRelease.pdf▲▲ Helmet use increased to 57% of allskiers and riders (up 9 points from 48% inprior season) according to National Ski AreasAssociation National Demographic Study2009/10 Preliminary Results was released May2010. In comparison, during the 2002/03 season,only 25% of all skiers and riders wore helmets,and only 18% of young adults 18-24wore helmets. Helmet usage by age groupwith point change vs. year ago: 87% (+10points) of children under 10, 75% (+9 points)children 10-14, 70% (+7 points) adults +65,43% (+11 points) young adults 18-24.▲▲ Aspen requires helmets for 2010-2011 season for salaried employees, all skischool students under 18 (up from under 14),all students in a terrain or halfpipe, and anyinstructor teaching classes where students arerequired to wear a helmet. May 2010 announcement.▲▲ CA Senate Bill 880 which requireshelmets for children under 18, resorts to postinformational signage, and fines up to $25 onparents was approved by CA Senate in June2010 and moved to CA State Assembly. CAAssembly Bill 1652 which requires helmetsfor children under 18, enforcement of the lawby ski resorts, filing of annual safety plans andmonthly reports about injuries and deathswas approved by CA State Assembly in June2010 and moved to CA Senate.▲▲ Intrawest (Whistler Blackcomb, BC,CAN; Tremblant, Quebec, CAN; Blue Mountain,ON, CAN; Winter Park and Steamboat,CO; Stratton, VT; Snowshoe, WV as of June2010) announced in October 2009 that it is requiringhelmets for all youth in ski school andstudents of any age in freestyle terrain parksstarting this season. Helmets will be includedwith all children/youth ski/snowboard rentalpackages. By the 2010-2011 season, on-dutyemployees will be required to wear helmets interrain parks or if they are guides or instructorsfor programs where guests must wearhelmets. Also, Intrawest is recommending thatall visitors to its resorts wear helmets.▲▲ Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WYannounced in November 2009 a new helmetpolicy requiring helmets on resort employeeswhile working in terrain parks, halfpipe andbackcountry starting this season. This policyresulted from conferences between OSHA(Occupational Safety & Health Administration)and the resort about the OSHA citationafter Jackson Hole ski patroller, KathrynMiller, died in March 2009 from a fall inSpacewalk Couloir in the backcountry whilenot wearing a helmet.▲▲ Vail Resorts (Vail, Beaver Creek,Breckenridge, Keystone, CO; Heavenly, CA)announced in April 2009 that all employeeswill be required while working to wear helmetsbeginning with the 2009-2010 winterseason. All children 12 and under will be requiredto wear a helmet in group lessons andas part of any child’s ski/snowboard rentalpackage.▲▲ Italy (effective 2005 for childrenunder 15) and Austria (announced August2009 effective immediately for children 15and under) made helmets mandatory for children.Increased impetus for the new Austrianlaw came after Beata Christandl (a 41 yearold Slovakian-born mother of four) died ofhead injuries after a collision at an estimatedcombined speed of 60 mph with Dieter Althaus(50 year old governor of the Germanstate of Thuringia) who was skiing the wrongdirection on a blue/easy trail near the junctionof two pistes at the Austrian resort of Riesneralmin January 2009. Althaus was wearinga helmet but Christandl was not. Althaus survivedthe impact but suffered a skull fractureand bleeding in his brain. He was later foundguilty of manslaughter and fined 33,000 euros($41,400) plus 5,000 euros for compensationfor the relatives of the mother. Italy’s helmetlaw includes a fines ranging from 30 to 150euros (about $215).▲▲ Snowmobilers triggered a size threeslab avalanche that killed two and injured 30while highmarking with three snowmobilesFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 43▼▼▼▼▼

▼▼▼▼▼public affairs continuedsimultaneously on the same slope at TurboHill on Boulder Mountain at Big IronShootout snowmobiling event in Revelstoke,British Columbia, Canada in March 2010.Canadian Avalanche Centre had issued specialpublic avalanche warnings for the threeweekends prior to and for the weekend of theincident for this area of the Southern Columbiamountains. Avalanche danger level wasrated high (second strongest level) when theincident occurred. Become educated about avalanchesand always follow safe travel protocols.Taxation/Insurance/RiskManagement Update▲▲ All tax exempt organizations arerequired to file an annual return 990 or forthose that qualify an electronic notice 990-Nto avoid the automatic revocation of tax exemptstatus for organizations that fail to filefor three consecutive years. May 17, 2010deadline imposed by Pension Protection Actof 2006 which effectively required filing by almostall tax exempt organizations through theelimination of the old minimum annual revenuerequirement for filing of $25,000. IRSCommissioner, Doug Shulman, said that theIRS will be providing additional guidance inthe near future on how it will help these organizationsmaintain their important tax-exemptstatus — even if they missed the May 17deadline. IRS Commissioner Shulman urgedthese organizations to go ahead and file —even though the May 17 deadline has passed.www.irs.ustreas.gov/charities/index.html Checkwith your club treasurer about your club’s filingstatus or look up your club in the form990 online databases such as guidestar.org orhttp://nccsdataweb.urban.org/PubApps/990search.php/990search.php. Please note that it may takemany months or longer for the 990 forms toshow up in these databases and the databasesare not always comprehensive.Transportation Update▲▲ Consult Checked Baggage policy sectionsof airline websites for further detailsand Airline Baggage Rules article in Travelsection of www.fwsa.org website.▲▲ New $10-$30 holiday “peak travel"surcharges each way around Thanksgiving,Christmas and other holidays (originally threedays, can now be up to 40 days in somecases) started by American in September2009 and followed by Continental, Delta,Northwest, United, US Airways, Airtran, andMidwest. Peak travel $30 (six days includingMonday after Easter plus some spring breakSundays and Saturdays), $20 (12 days includingtwo days around Thanksgiving, eight daysaround Christmas/New Years, Friday beforeValentine’s Day, Friday before Memorial Day),$10 (22 days including some spring breakThursdays through Mondays). This charge iscoded Q - Miscellaneous/Other. See Surchargessection of airline websites.▲▲ Spirit Air begins carry-on baggagefees up to $45 effective 8/1/10 for bags thatdo not fit under the seat.▲▲ Ryanair (Ireland) considering coinoperatedbathroom charge of one pound(about $1.50) April 2010.▲▲ Allegiant Air added service in 2009to Grand Junction (near Powderhorn Resort)with twice weekly direct flights from Los Angeles,CA.▲▲ United Airlines added service toTelluride/Montrose, CO with Saturday andSunday flights for the 2010-11 winter seasonfrom Los Angeles, CA.History Update▲▲ U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of FameClass of 2009 inductees were named in November2009.Chris Waddell (paralyzed from waistdown in 1998, 12 medals at four Winter ParalympicGames including a sweep of the goldmedals at Lillehammer in 1994, in September2009 first paraplegic to climb Mt Kilimanjaro,competed in three Summer ParalympicGames and won a silver at Sydney in 2000 in200m wheelchair event).Sarah Will (paralyzed from the waistdown in 1988, 12 medals at four Winter ParalympicGames including a sweep of the goldmedals at Salt Lake City in 2002, started adaptiveskiing program at Vail with Chris Waddell,recognized by U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame andColorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame).Jack Benedick (double leg amputee fromVietnam War, worked with USSA to createU.S. Adaptive Ski Team, lobbied InternationalSki Federation to accept adaptive skiing, silvermedal winner in the combined at 1984 ParalympicGames).Stu Campbell (writer, instructor, resort executive,author of six books on ski instruction,instructional editor for SKI Magazine for 30years, raced and coached racers, was recognizedby Vermont Ski Museum with the PaulRobbins Award for ski journalism).Doug Coombs (former ski racer fromMontana State University, won first twoWorld Extreme Skiing Championships, popularizedadventure skiing, started first heliskiingoperation in Chugach Mountains of Alaskawith his wife Emily, held steep skiing campsin Switzerland, France and Greenland).Paul Robbins (ski journalist and U.S. SkiTeam press officer for three decades, was recognizedby Vermont Ski Museum with thePaul Robbins Award for ski journalism andby North American Snowsport JournalistsAssociation with the Paul Robbins OutstandingAthlete Award).Sepp Kober (Father of Southern Skiing,first ski instructor at Weiss Knob - first southernski area to open a ropetow in 1958,founded Southeastern Ski Areas Associationand led it in as a charter member of NationalSki Areas Association).Ansten Samuelstuen (set ski hill jumpingrecord of 316’ at Howelsen Hill in SteamboatSprings that stood for 12 years; won three nationaltitles in ski jumping - 1957, 1961, 1962;held four North American ski jumping titles -1954, 1955, 1957, 1964; competed on twoOlympic teams; top U.S. jumper with a 7thplace at the 1960 Olympic Games in SquawValley). www.skihall.com▲▲ Arne Backstrom, 29 year old professionalfreeskier from Squaw Valley, CA, diedin a fall on the south face of Pisco Mountain(18,897 ft) in the Cordillera Blanca Region ofPeru in June 2010. Arne was on a ski-mountaineeringtrip filming with Sweetgrass Productionsto prepare for a descent of thesoutheast face with two 60-70 degree pitchesof Artesanraju, a 19,681 foot peak which isthe mountain in the Paramount Pictures logo.Last season, he won the McConkey Cup, theCanadian Freeskiing Championships, and theBackcountry.com Sickbird Award. In April2009 in Chamonix, he skied Mallory Couloiron Aiguille du Midi and the Himalayan Face,an 11,066-foot run off the west face of MontBlanc. Arne appeared in ski films includingMatchstick Productions Way I See It and Claimand Warren Miller Entertainment’s Wintervention,Dynasty, and Off the Grid. Arne was bornin Seattle and started racing at age 11 with theCrystal Mountain Alpine Club, WA.▲▲ C.R. Johnson, a freeskiing pioneerfrom Truckee, CA who was 26, died due toblunt force trauma to the head while skiingLight Tower’s cliffs and chutes section ofSquaw valley’s Headwall above the Cornice IIlift in February 2010 after appearing to catchan edge on some rocks. He was reportedlywearing a helmet. C.R. had won a bronzemedal in big air at Winter X Games 2001, agold medal in big air plus a silver medal inslopestyle in Winter X Games 2002, bronzemedal in superpipe in Winter X Games 2003and placed third at the Red Bull Linecatcherevent - a big mountain freestyle contest - inVars, France in 2010. He is credited with thefirst 1440 (four 360 degree spins). He had appearedin numerous ski films including Seven44 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Sunny Days, Ski Movie III, Believe, Front Line,Focused, Every Day Is A Saturday, WSKI106and Pop Yer Bottlez. Johnson came back from atraumatic brain injury sustained when anotherskier landed on him while filming atBrighton Ski Resort in Utah in 2005. He spent10 days in a coma during the 34 day hospitalstay and had to re-learn the most basic ofmotor skills following his accident.▲▲ Dr. Amos R. “Bud" Little passed awayat age 93 in his Montana home in June 2010.He was a talented racer, coach and doctorwhile serving as an influential leader with FIS,USSA and the U.S. Ski Team. While racing forDartmouth College, Bud won a nationalslalom title. He served on the U.S. OlympicCommittee (1952-1980) and was the alpineteam manager for 1960 Olympics and FISWorld Championships (1962, 1967). Bud wasa member of the governing board of NationalSki Association - now USSA (1948-73), amember of FIS Alpine Committee (1960-67),and a vice president of FIS (1967-88). His honorsinclude U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall ofFame (1965), Julius Blegen Award - USSA'shighest award (1960). He is the namesake ofthe USSA Bud and Mary Little Award,awarded to an individual for their service tothe FIS or the USOC.▲▲ “Toni" (Anton Engelbert) Sailer - the“Blitz from Kitz" - first skier to win threealpine gold medals in the same OlympicGames, died in Innsbruck, Austria on 8/24/09at age 73 after a four year battle with laryngealcancer. At age 20, in the 1956 WinterOlympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, he wonthe giant slalom by 6.2 seconds (an Olympicrecord to this day) on a a tough 71 gate coursewhere 18 of the first 25 racers fell, the slalomby four seconds and the downhill by 3.5 seconds.The only other skiers to match thistriple Olympic alpine gold achievement wereJean-Claude Killy of France in 1968 and JanicaKostelic of Croatia in 2002. Toni also wonseven gold and one silver World Championshipmedals in 1956 and 1958.He started skiing at age two, competedin his first race at age 10. He won twosausages as the prize for first for his victoryat age 11. He was a licensed glazier andplumber and worked in his father’s glass shopexcept in winter when he trained four hoursper day. Toni won about 170 times, appearedin 25 movies including as ski double forGeorge Lazenby in the snow scenes for the1969 James Bond film On Her Majesty’s SecretService, and sang in 18 pop music recordings.From 1972-1976 he was Chief Coach andTechnical Director of the Austrian ski team.In 1985, Toni was awarded the InternationalOlympic Committee’s highest honor - theOlympic Order. In 1999, he was named Austria’sSportsman of the Century. He was theKitzbuhel children’s ski school director forover 30 years. Videos of his 1956 Olympicruns are available on YouTube. Contact ScottBowker for links.The early months of 2010 also saw the lossof three other well-known ski giants. Their tributesbegin on page 46.▲▲ The 7th Annual Vermont AntiqueSki Race benefit was held at Suicide Six Resortin Woodstock, VT on 3/24/10 for the VermontSki Museum where past celebrities haveincluded over 35 Olympians and U.S. SkiTeam members competing with the generalpublic in Strictly Vintage, Woodies, andMetal/Fiberglass divisions with all skis from1975 or before.▲▲ International Skiing History Association(ISHA) and the U.S. Ski and SnowboardHall of Fame and Museum agree tomerge in April 2010 announcement while offeringcommon benefits for a single $50 membershipfee as ISHA relocates its worldwideheadquarters from Denver, CO to the Hall ofFame in Ishpeming, MI. ▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 45

In Memoriam:photo courtesy www.skihall.comGEORGENE BIHLMAN(1925 - 2010)by Barbara BryantIt is virtually certain that no one will everequal the record Georgene Bihlman has compiledin the world of ski racing. She has won morethan 850 trophies, awards, and medals in allparts of the world including the U.S., Canada,Austria, France, Switzerland, Italy, Australia, andNew Zealand of which approximately 85 % weregold medals. These also included 19-combinedNational and 15 International titles.This record was accomplished while holdinga full time junior college teaching positionand overcoming several life threatening injuriesand illnesses. Georgene taught PE for 46 years atBakersfield Junior College. In 1970, at her ownexpense, she created a ski hill on the back of thecollege stadium wall. For the first few years, shelaid down cottonseed hulls in order to teach herstudents how to ski. She then installed an Italianplastic on the hill. There she taught over 2,000students the fundamentals of skiing. Also, at primarilyher own expense, she sponsored and accompaniedher students on more than 100weekend trips to REAL snow at various skiareas in order for them to have the experienceof skiing on “natural” snow at an operating skiarea, after learning how to ski on the plastic inBakersfield.Georgene was a member of the 1960’sWomen’s Olympic Try-out Team that waspreparing for the Squaw Valley Olympics. On theway to practice at Mammoth, California, herOlympic hopes were dashed by a serious car accident.She, however, continued her career in veteranand masters racing, winning medal aftermedal until 1975 when she was diagnosed withcancer. This only delayed her return for one yearto her ski instructing and racing career. In 1990,cancer struck again, and as before, in less than ayear, she was back racing and winning.Honors: PSIA Certified Ski Instructor – 1964, FWSA“Outstanding Veteran Racer” Award 1971, Elias Hall ofFame Inductee – 1979, FWSA “Outstanding Master Skier”Award – 1980, North American Journalists’ “OutstandingCompetitors’ Award – 1993, United States National SkiHall of Fame Inductee – Class of 2002, Nominee for theSquare Valley Institute “Legendary Athlete of the Year”Award - 2003, FWSA Hans Georg Award - 2009In Memoriam:photo provided by John WatsonJEROLD STANTON SIMON(1925 - 2010)by John WatsonJerold Stanton Simon, 79, a trailblazer in thepromotion and development of snow skiing for fiftyyears, passed away at his Las Vegas home on July24, 2010. He was born May 14, 1931 in New YorkCity. In 1964, Simon began co-producing consumerSki Shows in major US cities, featuring such superstarsas Olympic medalists Stein Eriksen, Jean-Claude Killy, and Billy Kidd. Ski Shows were thekick-off to the ski season and introduced tens ofthousands of new skiers to the sport. For this,Simon and partner, Harry Leonard, were togetheracknowledged as “Founders of Skiing USA,” alongsideoriginators of ski lifts, equipment, and area development.In the 70’s, Simon knew that safety was keyto the growing sport. He developed the Skiing Mechanicsand Managers Workshops, a successfultraining program.Another 70’s brainstorm, the International SkiFilm Festival showcased the best of each season’sski movies. In 1992, sponsor Crested Butte createda sleek glass statuette to present to film/video winnersand aptly named it the “Jerry.” For ski filmmakers,the “Jerry” was their “Oscar.”In 1976, Simon organized a ski travel salestour called SkiGroup which joined ski resort marketerswith group buyers in time to plan the upcomingseason. The original 8-city tour developedinto a 30-city selling blitz, which thrived 25 years.SkiGroup was an incredible sales aid to ski resortsworldwide. It was so invaluable to Austria thatSimon was awarded the “Order of the Eagle” by theAustrian National Tourist Board, who loved thefact that Simon’s middle name spelled out theirrenowned ski resort, St Anton.Simon’s marriage to Barbara Alley was thefirst wedding on the peak of Jackson Hole Ski Resort.He literally created a career for Alley whenhe had her narrate an improvised fashion show atthe Ski Shows. Years later, he conceived Alley’s appearingon TV talk shows with ski fashions modeledby choreographed dancers. These showstoured eleven years, appearing on both local and nationalprograms, including “The Today Show.”Simon’s ski industry accolades include the2004 BEWI Award for “outstanding contributionsto the sport of skiing.” He and Alley are the onlyhusband and wife to have won BEWIs. In 2005,he received the NASJA ski writers’ Golden QuillAward. In 2008, he and Leonard were given theFWSA’s first Snowsports Builder award.In Memoriam:photo provided by Sigrid NoackJAMES FREDERIC HEUGA(1943 - 2010)by Sigrid NoackFWSA, and the Ski World, Lost anOlympian and a Wonderful FriendJames Frederic “Jimmie" Heuga was anAmerican alpine ski racer who became one of thefirst two members of the U.S. men’s team to winan Olympic medal in alpine skiing. But, when MultipleSclerosis prematurely ended his athletic career,Jimmie became an advocate of exercise and activityto combat the disease.Born on September 22, 1943 to Lucille andPascal Heuga, a Basque immigrant who ran thecable car at Squaw Valley, Jimmie began skiing atage two and only three years later was competingon the junior circuit. He appeared in a WarrenMiller film at age nine. In 1958, at 15, he wasnamed to the U.S. Ski Team, and he remains theyoungest man ever on its roster.As a 13-year old, Jimmie moved to Coloradoto train in the Aspen Ski Club program. In 1963 atthe University of Colorado, under Coach Bob Beattie,he became a star after winning an NCAA title.Heading into the 1964 Olympic Games, Jimmie waspart of a powerhouse team that included Billy Kidd,Bill Marolt, Chuck Ferries, and Buddy Werner withhopes of the first U.S. men’s alpine skiing medal inhistory. Going into the final event, the slalom, themen were still without a medal, but Jimmie andBilly combined to make history, with Jimmie takingthe bronze and Billy the silver. In 1968, Jimmie andBilly were pictured on the cover of Sports Illustratedbefore they competed in the Olympics at Grenoble,France. They became lifelong friends.Three years after earning his Olympic medal,Jimmie began to notice symptoms of MS. He wasdiagnosed with the disease at 26. After a couple ofyears following doctors’ advice about saving hislimited amount of energy, he started to become activeagain. In 1984, Jimmie founded an advocacycenter, The Jimmie Heuga Center for MS, recently46 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

enamed Can Do Multiple Sclerosis, in Edwards,Colorado http://www.mscando.org. The center worksto raise awareness about MS, recommends newtherapies and involves the whole family. All of theCenter’s programs are based on the philosophy thatyou can have a chronic condition AND have yourhealth. The organization’s programs serve morethan 10,000 people annually.“He was the personification of determination andnever giving up – he inspired so many people," said BillyKidd about his dear friend. “Jimmie’s accomplishmentson the race course will forever be remembered.But, it’s his accomplishments and drive in the fightagainst MS that will continue to help so many peoplelive their lives. His life is an inspiration."Jimmie has been honored by the NationalMultiple Sclerosis Society and received the U.S. SkiTeam’s Texaco Star Award. He has been on thePresident’s Council on Physical Fitness and was recentlyinducted into the World Sports HumanitarianHall of Fame. He is an honored member of theU.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, (inducted in1976), the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall ofFame (inducted in 1987), and the Colorado AthleticHall of Fame (inducted in 2000). The FWSAnamed a major Service Award after him in 1987,annually recognizing one individual who, like Jimmie,has demonstrated courage and skill in threeareas – the ski slope, the human body, and thecourageous heart.Jimmie Heuga died on February 8, 2010, at BoulderCommunity Hospital in Boulder, Colorado ofcomplications from Multiple Sclerosis. All of uswho had the honor of knowing him and being hisfriend, will sorely miss Jimmie. ▲▲ROLL OF REMEMBRANCE 2010We have also lost several others wonderful friends andcherished club members including:ARNE BECKSTROM, Freeskiing ChampionCHARLIE SPERR, Honorary Mayor ofGovernment Camp, ORC R JOHNSON, Squaw Valley Xtreme skierIAN BROWN, Seattle Ski ShowsNANCYLEE FURTADO-FUNKHOUSER, FWSAConvention Silent Auction AccountantNIC FIORE, Badger Pass iconNIKOLAI ANIKIN, Nordic skier,Soviet Champion in the 1950sSTAN WALTON, Past President FWSA ▲▲Did You Know?1905 - National Ski Assn. was formed inIshpeming, Michigan. It is now the site of theNational Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.October 7, 1930 - Founding of CaliforniaSki Association, which is the father of theFar West Ski Association.CA Ski Library (www.skilibrary.com)Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 47

Club CharityInvolvementby Sigrid NoackCharities & Our Community Chair, FWSAAt this year’s FWSA Convention,Skiyente Ski Club, in the Northwest Ski ClubCouncil, was again the grand winner of the annual“FWSA Charity & Community ServiceRecognition”. What a tough competition it wasagain this year! The other three finalists wereAltair Ski Club and Bend Ski Club, both alsoin the NWSCC, and Fire & Ice Ski & SocialClub in BAC. These clubs displayed very impressivepicture boards, showing their involvementwith charitable community activities.Industry representatives and ski club delegatesexpressed their amazement at the variety andthe extent of volunteerism and charity supportwithin our FWSA family. A great big THANKYOU and CONGRATULATIONS to all ofthese FWSA Ski Clubs!This annual FWSA Ski Club and CouncilRecognition Award is a $100 check, which is donatedto the winning club or council’s favoritecharity. Skiyente was actually also the firstclub to win this special recognition in 2007,later winners were Arizona Ski Council andMonterey Ski Club of BAC. This is quite anhonor for these ski clubs, since there are morethan 150 ski clubs within the FWSA family.Skiyente Ski Club is an all-women’s groupand has about 75 members. The ladies focustheir support mainly on local women relatedissues and on their mountain community.They seem to enjoy charity work and communitysupport as much as skiing! What a wonderfulgroup of generous and selfless ladies!Their dearest and longest supported charity istheir own club’s Erin Nicole Scholarship,which honors one of their members' daughterwho was lost to SIDS. The scholarship is presentedevery year to a local up-and-coming femalejunior racer. But, Skiyente Ski Club alsosupports many other causes, such as the OregonCancer Ski Out, the Mt. Hood CulturalMuseum, the Susan G. Komen Race for theCure for Breast Cancer, the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol,US Women’s Ski Jumping, Shepherd’sDoor – a Women’s and Children’s Shelter, theMedical Team International for Haitian Relief,and twice a year they even do a HighwayClean-Up. Congratulations Skiyente Ski Club!And, keep up the wonderful charity work!Most of our FWSA councils and memberski clubs are already involved with communityprojects and charitable organizations. With ourFWSA Charity award, and our new CommunityService Awareness Program, we are encouragingeven more community service andcharitable involvement. My goal is to have100% of our ski clubs be involved with at leastone charity by June 2011, our next FWSA Convention.Please check the FWSA CommunityService site for more information at:www.fwsa.org.FWSA is headed for 100% Communityand Charity involvement!FWSA clubs seem to especially enjoyworking with charitable athletic groups for thementally and physically challenged. The followingnation-wide organizations have manychapters within our FWSA region as well asthroughout the rest of the US. Check the websiteor go directly to the charities’ websites tofind a fun activity in your area, then get yourclub members excited about it and participate.As I was looking through these charities’ websites,getting updated on all of the volunteer opportunities,I was amazed by the many reallyunique options. I got really excited, when Iread about a Plane Pull. I contacted the SpecialOlympics office to volunteer the next day!What great fun it was, pulling a Fed Ex Airbus48 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

310! Here are some major options for becominginvolved with very worthwhile causes:Special Olympics is dedicated to empoweringindividuals with intellectual disabilities tobecome physically fit, productive and respectedmembers of society. The Special Olympicsglobal community has active programs in 170countries, including every state within the US,with a total of more than 3.4 million athletes.The program provides year-round sports trainingand athletic competition in a variety ofOlympic-type sports for persons with intellectualdisabilities, eight years of age and older.Special Olympics is humanity’s greatest classroom,where lessons of ability, acceptance andinclusion are taught on the fields of competitionby our greatest teachers – the athletes.Find the Special Olympics program near youto learn more about what YOU can do to help.http://specialolympics.orgWounded Warrior Project is in partnershipwith Disabled Sport USA and its chaptersproviding unique, direct programs andservices to meet the needs of severely injuredservice men and women returning fromAfghanistan and Iraq. The organization’s missionis to honor and empower the woundedwarriors, with core values of fun, integrity, loyalty,innovation, and service.Forty-one years of experience has shownthat early intervention with active sports resultsin successful rehabilitation, leading to employment.The Wounded Warriors and theirfamily members are provided many opportunitiesfree of charge, including transportation,lodging, adaptive equipment and individualizedinstruction in over a dozen different winterand summer sports. The Wounded WarriorProject needs YOUR help: Improving the qualityof life for our injured soldiers involvesworking together and doing whatever we canto help engage warriors in their transition fromthe battlefield to life back home. This can takemany forms, from offering financial support;volunteering your time at a WWP-sponsoredevent; coordinating an event at your home, socialclub, or place of employment; or spreadingawareness for WWP with flyer distribution.Please check out their website and get involved.www.woundedwarriorprojectDisabled Sports USA was founded in1967 by disabled Vietnam veterans to provideopportunities for individuals with disabilitiesto gain self confidence, greater independence,dignity and mobility through sports, recreationand educational programs. DS/USA is the nation’slargest multi-sport, multi-disability organization,which offers nationwide sportsrehabilitation programs to anyone with a permanentdisability. Most states in the US haveat least one DS/USA chapter. There are now28 DS/USA chapters within our FWSA area,many of them receiving support from one ofour ski clubs. With so many wounded servicemembers returning home to our communities,YOUR help is needed more than ever.http://dsusa.org“Team Missing Parts in Action”: Check outan amazing event this past summer, whenDS/USA executive director, Kirk Bauer, himselfan amputee, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with twoother amputees. Between the three of them,they made this climb on three prosthetics andone real human leg! It’s really no surprise thatthe DS/USA motto is “If I can do this, I can doanything”.Can Do Multiple Sclerosis, formerly theHeuga Center, is a leading provider of innovativelifestyle empowerment programs for peoplewith MS and their support partners.Leveraging the powerful legacy and principlesof former Olympian and organizationalcontinued on page 60▼Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 49

Thirty million people can’t be wrong!But, Where AreThe Other 90%?According to a Ski Industries America(SIA) report released in May, 2010,one in ten Americans say they ski,ride or snowshoe. It is estimated that thereare over 300 million people in the UnitedStates. Thus, the total estimated size of theUS snowsport market has reached 30 million.These numbers were partially basedon SIA’s 2008-2009 Snow Sports ParticipationReport, indicating a gain of more than1.5 million participants during that season.Dissected, it included 573,000 more alpineskiers, 309,000 Nordic skiers and 262,000snowboarders.by Leigh GieringerP A R T O N E :More than 20,500,000 individuals participatedin at least one snow sport duringthat season - the last one that has beenthoroughly analyzed. Interestingly, about9,400,000 people who identified themselvesas skiers, riders or snowshoers did not participateduring that season for a variety ofreasons. The number one reason was theydid not have time due to family or workcommitments, but the number two reasonwas that they did not have anyone to gowith. That’s about 884,000 who didn’t headfor the slopes because they didn’t want togo by themselves.Additionally, The 1996 National Skier/Boarder Opinion Survey found that 3% ofskiers were 55 or older. At the time, thatamounted to 280,000 skiers. By the year2010, that number was projected to be380,000 or nearly a 20% increase*. Anotherstatistic of relevance is that it was estimatedat the time that 26% of the generalpublic who were 55 plus controlled 80% ofthe county’s discretionary income. Whatwould that mean to ski resorts if they lostthe older skier?About twenty years earlier, an elderskier, named Lloyd Lambert, had reachedthe mid point of his eighth decade. In 1977at the tender age of 75, he was ready to hitthe slopes as he had done since he was ateen, but his comrades had hung up theirskis. He didn’t have anyone to ski with.Many had told him: “they didn’t give up skiingbecause they were old, but because theycouldn’t afford the pricey lift tickets.”He reached out to several nearby skiresorts (New York - New England) who -*SKIING HERITAGE: A Ski History Quarterly.From the Third Issue 1998 — Volume 10:Number 3, The Seer of Senior Skiing, byCheryl Thomas about Lloyd Lambert,founder of the 70+ Ski Club.5OFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

▼▼▼▼▼ple have grown up with skiing and willcontinue to ski as long as they are physicallyable. However, an adult who hasnever had the opportunity to spend anytime at a mountain resort in winter maydismiss the thought. Be open to a ski vacation.You might decide you really likethe cool breezes, the clean air and awesomevistas.And, the big one? Skiing can be expensive.However, the cost can be reduced bybeing part of a group. Lodging propertiesvary by proximity to the slopes, amenitiesoffered, and many other factors. Searchout a less expensive property, go in withothers to rent a condo where you can makemany of your own meals, drive instead offly, go for four or five days instead of aweek, or buy a multi-day pass instead of adaily pass. There are ways to cut the expense!And, if you are a senior, you couldqualify for a discount. The age requirementcan change depending on the resort.Still not certain you want to spendtime at a mountain resort? Still leary aboutgetting up on one or two boards? Mountainresorts have been expanding their offerings,thus, even if you don’t ski, you can find anabundant amount of activities to entertainor in which to participate.Most resorts have Nordic Centers, andalso offer snowshoe rentals. Some trails areeasier than others, but they provide an opportunityto enjoy the beauty and solitudeof nature. Many resorts have ice rinks orfrozen lakes for skating. Take a dog-sledride or perhaps, a romantic sleigh ride.The tubing parks are not only for children.But, they can make you feel likeyou’re young - again! Some resorts offersledding hills, bobsledding or luge tracks forthe adventurous. Winter is also a great timeto go hot-air ballooning and watch the suncome up over the mountain peaks.If you’re not the athletic type, there isalways boutique shopping, searching forthrift store bargains and of course, resortshave always had fantastic and uniquerestaurants in many price ranges. Enjoy awonderful and relaxing meal with friends.So many choices, so little time!Mountain resorts gained in popularityin the middle of the nineteenth century.Back then, they were not too easy to get to.Horses and buggies. Mules and wagons.Some train travel allowed one to get fromthe bigger cities to small mountain villages,especially in Europe. There were no chairlifts,or even rope tows. One had to walkup the mountain to ski on crude boards byOne of the top spas in Canada is the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont BanffSprings Hotel. It is a plush version of the hot springs that beckoned travelersover 100 years ago. Pulsating waterfalls and the mineral pool in the heart of thespa rejuvenate tired muscles. The ultra-luxurious spas are relaxing, comfortable,and sensorial. Imagine re-energizing here. It’s fit for a king - or queen - andskiers and boarders visiting Banff, in Alberta. Reservations required.today’s standards. But, one thing they did One of the most popular attractions -have was clean air and the most popular for both snowsports enthusiasts and nondestinations also had hot springs promising participants - are the exquisite spas andtherapeutic value. Physicians would encouragehealth clubs being built at major resortsthose who could afford it to travel throughout the world. Most of them in re-to the mountains to breathe the pure air, sort communities carry 4- and 5-Star ratings.after all, city air was polluted with factoryThey are superbly luxurious andsmoke and other hazardous particulates. elegant, such as the recently renovated WillowThe mountains became centers to help improveStream Spa pictured above located inone’s health - cure what ailed you. the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.As skiing became more popular after After an energetic day on the slopes, it’sWorld War II and into the 1960s and 70s, time to be pampered. It’s beneficial to relaxdeveloping a skiable mountain was the top those tired muscles and to prepare for thepriority. The infrastructure around it - such next day’s ski adventure. A combination ofas a shopping hub for fashionable ski clothingmassage and stretching decreases sorenessand fancy restaurants helped bring and increases flexibility in the muscles usedguests back. As more and more people took on the slopes. In addition to a relaxingto the slopes, the major resorts became biggermassage, therapeutic saunas, steamroomsand better. Those which couldn’t com-or whirlpools can provide tension relief andpete faded from the scene, or were bought re-energize the body and soul. Spend anout by their competition.hour or indulge yourself for an entire dayIt’s now turned full circle. Millions of with others in your group. There are programsdollars have gone into and continue to gofor women, men and couples.into slope improvements and expansions. Some resorts include a spa day exchange.Ski towns have provided more activitiesOne day of a multi-day lift ticketand opportunities for their guests. Luxury can be used at an associated spa, or use aresorts have been and continue to be renovatednon-ski day to spoil yourself. Check withor developed - many of them slope-the resort/spa of choice to see what treat-side, with numerous amenities. Along with ments are offered or suggested; and whatskiers, snowboarders and snowshoers, nonskiersfacilities are available such as heated pools,are realizing the advantages of a exercise equipment, fitness classes, personalmountain vacation and enthusiastically arrivingtrainers, or indoor sport courts. If you’veto partake in the wonderful atmos-never experienced a spa day, you will bephere. Thus, if you belong to the 90% who pleasantly rewarded and reinvigorated.do not ski, board or snowshoe, and do not Appointments are required and eachwant to learn, there is still plenty to attract spa has their recommendations for apparelnew visitors to the mountain scene - and rules to follow. ▲▲throughout the year.See the Digital Edition for Part Two.52 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Thirty million people can’t be wrong!But, Where AreThe Other 90%?P A R T T W O :by Leigh Gieringer©Larry Pierce/SteamboatFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / Special Digital Edition 1

Major skiresorts offersomething foreveryonethroughoutthe year.photo / Michael Brown - Solitude, UTPage 1 of the DigitalEdition: Steamboat Ski& Resort will be mademore accessible with theaddition of FrontierAirlines daily winterservice between DenverInternational Airport(DEN) and Steamboat/Hayden Airport (HDN)for the upcoming2010/2011 winterseason. ©Larry Pierce/SteamboatTOP PHOTO: Solitude Mountain Resort is located just a short 40-minute drive from the Salt Lake International Airport.With over 1200 acres of skiable terrain, and averaging over 500 inches of annual snowfall, it offers 65 named trails, threebowls and groomers for every ability level. It is a great resort for young children to learn, older children of all ages to enjoythe slopes and terrain park. Off-piste terrain in Honeycomb Canyon can challenge even the most advanced snowsportsenthusiasts. All-inclusive, the Nordic Center, restaurants, heated pool, a day spa and ice rink are all conveniently availablein this charming, European-styled village. LOWER PHOTO: Skiing and riding aren’t the only ways to have fun in the snow.Experience the thrills of Gorgoza Park/Park City, featuring the new 390-foot conveyor lift and upper lane rope tow to takeparticipants to the top. The lighted tubing hill is open at night, for more fun and adventure. - photo / Park City Mountain Resort2 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / Special Digital Edition.

Ten percent of the American populationcurrently considers themselvesto be skiers, boarders or snowshoersaccording the May, 2010 SIA industryreport as presented in Part One. Lastseason, there were 471 US ski areas in operation.*During the 1982-83 ski season, 735resorts were operational. There has been asteady decline ever since, as numerous resortshave closed permanently - unable tocompete; or temporarily due to lack ofsnow. Yet, it is promising to see that the2008/2009 season resulted in 57.4 millionskier visits - the fourth best season onrecord despite a slow economy. (Data forthe 2009/2010 season is not yet available atpress time.) That indicates skiers and boarders,as a class, have placed traveling to andparticipating in mountain activities as a toppriority for their discretionary time and dollars.One of the reasons skier visits are upis that the remaining resorts are developingtheir brands to be attractive to guests andday time visitors. On-mountain improvements,more trails and off-piste developmentare on-going projects. New technologygets more skiers to the top - quicker and inmore comfort. Advanced technology providesfor more snowmaking coverage forlean years, making snow coverage more dependable,and avalanchecontrol when there istoo much fluffy whitep o w d e r f r o m t h esnow gods. Snowcatsprepare the slopes moreefficiently and can groommore trails over night.Lodges, all over themountain, arebeing renovated,menusu p d a t e dand are beco m i n gmore luxurious.Snowcatand Helicopterskiing openmore territory that is not liftserved. Couple that with additional activitieslike sledding hills, tubing parks, expandedcross-country and snowshoe terrain,world class spas and other resort activities,resorts are drawing more guests -whether they ski or not.*NSAA 09/10 Kottke National End ofSeason SurveyThere are numerous niche audiencesto which resorts cater. Ski club and singleskiers of all ages make up a large participationclass. Clubs provide planned trips tonumerous destinations, at group savings,and provide many ski buddies - old andnew - to enjoy the slopes, and other resortactivities. As soon as trips are announced,sign-ups begin. Members are eager to participatein group ski trips because theyknow they’ll be able to experience all theski resorts have to offer and plenty of camaraderiewith like minded people.There are also family orientedski clubs, and special trips availableto families with children,but most families tend tomake their own travel decisionsand arrangements.They may have their owncondos to return often totheir favorite resort(s), orselect a different oneeach time they go to experiencea variety offine resorts. In anycase, resorts offergreat programs forc h i l d r e n . T h e yhave daycare forinfants and toddlersso mom anddad can enjoy theslopes withoutworry. As a childreaches 3-1/2 yearsStarting children to skiat an early age helps themlearn good ski techniquesand etiquette, but alsoprovides the desire to bea life-long participant.Contact your favorite resortfor details on their specificchildren’s programs.Park City MountainResort offers the KidsSignature Programs.Students start on a magiccarpet if needed, and canprogress to any of thethree runs off the FirstTime Lift. - photo /Park City MountainResortFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / Special Digital Edition 3

old, they can be enrolled in classes wherethey are taught skiing form, etiquette andlift usage. Many of the programs have sessionson the hill, shared with indoor play,nap and lunch time. These instructorsspecialize in teaching younger children.Children who have fond memories ofskiing developed as they grow up, have agreater chance of making skiing a part oftheir lives as adults. And, on the other endof the age spectrum, those who have beenskiing/ boarding for decades, consider theirsport to be an integral part of their lives.They’ll continue to enjoy the mountain atmosphereand thrill of the slopes as long asthey are able.The beauty of the slopes is that noteveryone participates in the same way. Picturesof deep powder and extreme skiersjumping off cliffs are amazing to look at,but that may not be within your comfortlevel. There are those who crave steep, narrowchutes. You do not have to do those either,if that is not your cup of tea.Powder hounds are invigorated after a snow dump, but if powder isn’t your thing, look for moguls, glade skiing, longand gentle cruisers, a terrain park or even the bunny hills. There are plenty of trails and off-piste terrain for all abilities.If an alpine slope looks intimidating, look for a Nordic trail for cross country or snowshoeing. They are all wonderfulways to enjoy a mountain resort. - photo Liam Doran / Breckenridge (Insert) Vail Resort / Jack Affleck4 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / Special Digital Edition.

Movies are made of excellent skiersbumping down a mogul field. They are sopretty to watch. And, they make it look soeasy, and graceful, but you don’t have toventure down those bumps if they intimidateyou. There’s always an easier way toget to the lodge.You can meet up with your friends atanother lift for a run down a different trail,or meet at one of the on-mountain lodgescloser to the summit to relax, refresh andrejuvenate. While you are up there, gaze atthe gorgeous scenery. Typically, there is outdoordining and awesome vistas in everydirection. If you have not been to the topof the world - 8,000, 9,000, 10,000 + feet tobehold the snow-covered peaks, with theirmajestic beauty against an azure sky, youdon’t know what you are missing!The slopes are meant to be enjoyed atyour own pace. And, if you want to improveso you can handle any of the above,ski instructors are there to assist in yourskiing aspirations - whether they are tomerely enjoy a gentle, wind-protected slopeon a clear, warm day; or efficiently navigatea double-black, very narrow chute for theultimate thrill, and anything in between.If you have not been to thetop of the world to behold thesnow-covered peaks, you don’tknow what you are missing!While at your winter resort destination,take advantage of the many resort activitiesand amenities available after aninvigorating day on the slopes. Gather withfriends at one of the local watering holes.Many are located at the base lodge or nearthe base lodge gondola stations. Most lodgingcomplexes offer a hot tub to relax thosemuscles before the really hard decision ofselecting one of the many exceptionallyfine dining establishments in the area, orpicking a lively night spot for that after dinnercordial and entertainment.TOP PHOTO: After a great day on the slopes, there are many après ski activities, including relaxing in the SunshineMountain Lodge Hot Tub at Sunshine Village, Alberta, Canada. - photo /Richard Hallman LOWER PHOTO: Or, investigatingall the dining opportunities and boutiques along historic streets like this one in Breckenridge, Colorado.- photo / Jeff Scroggins / BreckenridgeFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / Special Digital Edition 5

Brundage Mountain Resort, has obtained private ownership of 388 acres of land in and aroundthe base area. Their improvement plan covers a span of 20 years, thus many changes are in storefor this Idaho resort. In the summer, many resort mountains are open to biking and hiking.- photo / Brundage Mountain ResortZiplining hasbecome a verypopular sportin many resortcommunitiesincludingWhistler, BC;Tamarack, ID;and Park City,UT. Soar abovethe tree tops asthe Park CityMountain ResortZipRiderpropels one 110feet above theresort’s ski runsat speeds up to45 miles per hour.- photo / Park CityMountain ResortDo a little research on numerous resortsbefore you book. Most offer similaractivities, but they are all unique at thesame time. Check out their websites for detailsabout each. You will learn about theirmountain(s). Larger ones have severalpeaks to explore. Learn about the degreesof difficulty to enable you to select a mountainyou will enjoy the most, since somemountains are more difficult to ski. If youare a beginner, you would be better servedon gentler slopes. If you are advanced, youwant terrain that is more challenging. Ifyou have a family with smaller children,there are great learning mountains, althoughmost larger resorts will provide excellentprograms for the entire family.Some resorts attract those interested in aswinging nightlife. Others are more quietand intimate. With over 400 resorts in theUnited States alone from which to choose,you’ll find several to include on your personalbucket list, even if you have membersin your party who do not ski.6 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / Special Digital Edition.Resort websites will provide all thepertinent information: details on theirmountains, lift ticket costs, equipmentrentals, special activities in the area, factson lodging facilities, dining establishments,reservation numbers, and a lot more. Resortsalso offer special pricing for groups. Ifyou are organizing a ski trip for your club,business organization or large family reunion,group sales contact information isalso available on resort sites. They canhelp plan a memorable winter vacation.

Signature Golf Courses aboundat mountain resorts. At the higherelevations, golf balls go much further.It’s great for your golf score! - photo /Whitefish Lake Golf Club / Ron WrightSki resorts used to turn into ghosttowns after the lifts closed, but not anymore. Many lifts open again in summer.Much of the snow has melted, however, thewinding service roads meandering up amountainside are often put to use again -for mountain bikers and hikers wishing toenjoy the cool mountain breezes, beautifulvistas overlooking valleys below, colorfulwildflowers, and nature at its finest. Sightseerscan also take the lifts up, do a littlewalking along the rims, have a great lunchand return via the lift. Summer is a wonderfultime to visit mountain resorts.Signature golf courses have been builtor remodeled near most ski resort communitiesin the last decades. Some of thelarger ski towns offer more than onecourse for variety, and to challenge. Yourgolf score should improve since the air isthinner allowing the ball to travel further.Ziplining has become very popular,and mountain resorts are the perfect locationto get a birds eye view of your surroundings.Ride above and through thetrees, over quickly moving streams, or skitrails you skied over the winter. Speeds,length of the zip cables and other factorsvary by location. There are ziplines - oftenunder similar, but registered names, in BigBear, California; Durango, Colorado; Tamarack,Idaho; Big Sky, Yellowstone andWhitefish, Montana; and Park City, Provoand Snowbird, Utah; as well as Whistler,British Columbia, among others. Look formore to pop up at your favorite resort.It’s hard to find a blue-sky summerday where you can not see windsurfers sailboaters and parasailers on mountain lakes.The waters may be chilly, but wet-suits areavailable if you want to water ski, or justbrave the cool temps to get your toes wet.River rafting is also a summer treat. Experiencedguides take participants down eitherin a rubber raft or paddle boat whereyou can actually help steer the vessel overrocks and rushing water surrounded bystoney banks and sometimes canyon walls.Other areas of the stream are calm as youpeacefully float with a slower current.Rivers are rated from easy to advanced,and are typically faster in spring and earlysummer as the winter’s snow melts fromthe slopes. Partake in a day trip, or multidayadventures,combined with campingalong the banks. Reservations must bemade, often weeks, months or even yearsin advance, especially for trips down thepopular, exciting and scenic Colorado River.Kayaking, canoeing, and fishing areSummer is anexcellent timeto visit aski resort!Lakes around mountain resortsoffer adventures such as waterskiing,parasailing, windsurfing, sailing andcanoeing. - photo courtesy of Lake TahoeVisitor’s Authority. Another very popularactivity is river rafting and campingon multi-day trips. - photo courtesy ofTamarack Resort, Idaho.also big draws to the mountains, but theless adventuresome have reasons to go, aswell. In addition to outdoor activities,there are fancy and unique boutiques forshopping, and plenty of dining opportunitiesin and around a ski town. Most higherend lodging properties have swimmingpools, sports courts, day spas for pamperingyourselves, and much more.Resorts are organizing special eventsto attract summer visitors. Some of thebiggest draws are the film or music festivals.Other cultural events can also befound throughout the summer on numerousresort calendars.Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / Special Digital Edition 7

During eight summer weeks of 2010, the internationally acclaimed AspenMusic Festival attracted thousands who attended approximately 320 concerts,lectures, operas and more. If you are into music in an idyllic setting, makeplans to attend next year’s concerts. - photo / Aspen Music FestivalThe Aspen Music Festival is probably and beautiful then numerous hot-air balloonthe oldest and most well known music festivalrising to the heavens with the moun-at a western resort, devoting eight tains as their backdrop! Crested Butte hasweeks to hundreds of classical music concertsa very popular Wildflower Festival.and other related events. The hills are As the summer months wane and thealive with the sounds of music from outdoorAspen trees turn yellow, and scrub maplesstages, and indoor venues are packed turn to reds, oranges and golds, Alpenwith guest conductors, orchestras and Horns can be heard echoing around theother great musical programs.slopes of Snowbird at their Annual Oktoberfest.Telluride has their Bluegrass and JazzWho can resist, this festive atmos-Festivals. The Vail Valley Music Festival is phere: polka bands, bratwurst and flowinganother very popular event. More recent beer on tap. It’s fun for everyone!additions include the Brundage Mountain, You do not have to ski to enjoy aGrand Targhee and Keystone Music Festivals.mountain resort, whether you go in sumtival,Sun Valley has their popular film fesmerto ride the lifts for a easy walk at thewhereas Odgen, sponsors a Balloon summit; or in winter to ride the gondola upFestival. There is little that is more colorful for a moonlit dinner. There is so much to8 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / Special Digital Edition.Since 1977, Telluride has been thesite of an annual cultural eventproduced by the Telluride Society forJazz combining the finest of natureand art that ranks among the world’smost memorable music festivals.The intimate format and abundantopportunities to enjoy spectacularalpine recreational activitiescomplement the superb musicpresented each year at the TellurideJazz Celebration. The festivalcombines performances on outdoorstages during the day with theaterand club shows at night. Summer isa fantastic time to visit the resort.- Evening at the Jazz Stage in Town Park -photo / Doug Berrydo for everyone: young and older, singlesand couples, skiers and non-skiers.Ten percent of the US populations alreadyknow how wonderful it is to spendvacation time at a mountain resort. Theother ninety percent should be open tolearning to alpine or Nordic ski or snowboard.Or, they should merely venture outwith their skiing/boarding buddies to partakein the other activities offered at mountainski resorts. Try it. You’ll love it!Many of the advertisers in this issueof the Far West Skier’s Guide have opted tohave an automatic link to their websites.Information for both winter and summervisits are on their sites. Please check themout by clicking on their ad website address.

IIt is a reality that people can get hurtdoing snowsports. Injury rates for skiing arecomparable to other active sports at a frequencyof approximately 3-4 per 1,000 skierdays, and slightly higher for snowboarding.The main difference between ski and snowboardinjuries is obvious if you look at thesports. Snowboarders don’t have ski polesand fall a lot, particularly beginner snowboarders.This leads to a lot of upper extremityand head injuries. Of course, snowboardersand skiers can also have the sametypes of injuries so this discussion is foreveryone. There’s just a greater preponderanceof some of these injuries in these different,but similar disciplines.Ski injuries have changed over the years.One may recall the classic broken leg skier sittingby the fireplace drinking the hot toddy.But, with the advent of improved ski boot andbinding design, leg fractures are not as commonas they once were.A few basic terms tobecome familiar with:■ Sprain: tearing or partial tearingof a ligament■ Strain: tearing or partial tearingof a muscleThese are graded by severity I, II, or III.I is a more minor injury, III being severeor completely torn.■ Fracture means the breaking of a bone.There are many grades of severity and thewords chipped, cracked, fragmented, brokenall mean the same thing. Again, there aredifferent severities of fractures.Let’s review some of the mostcommon injury areas:Knee injuries are more common amongskiers. Since both legs are moving independently,one may move uncontrollably withoutyour consent into a bad situation. The mechanismof knee flexion (bending) and externalrotation (turning the leg outward) can stressthe joint a lot. This can tear the anterior cruciateligament or ACL. This ligament in theknee joint keeps your lower leg from slidingforward. With the advent of shaped skis, thesetypes of injuries are increased because the skihas a greater propensity to turn. In recentyears, there has been an offsetting effect becauseof the trend to shorter skis, which createless torsion.Richard Lubin, D.C. ‘the Snowboarding Chiropractor’FWSA Safety ChairTypically the individual feels or will heara loud pop from their knee. They may or maynot have pain, but the knee feels like it cannotsupport weight. Initial diagnosis is made byphysical exam, but is definitively made by anMRI. If your knee feels unstable, or continuesto hurt, you will probably need surgery. Someindividuals tear this ligament and have littlepain or instability and continue their activities.This is possible if the muscles around theknee (hamstrings and quads) are strong andthe rest of the joint is intact. The author hasover 250 days snowboarding on a completeACL tear (confirmed by MRI).Other knee injuries include an MCL orMedial Collateral Ligament Sprain. This ligamentattaches your inner thigh (femur) toyour lower leg (tibia). Pain is noted on the insidepart of your knee. As with all ligamentsprains, the severity dictates whether it is aminor complaint or needs surgical repair.Each knee has two rings of cartilagewhich act like shock absorbers and each ofthese is a meniscus. These can be damagedand require surgical repair. One may even feelclicking with pain when their knee bends.Skiers thumb or a thumb sprain canoccur if your thumb gets caught and tweakedby your ski pole. This can be pesky and takea long time to heal.Snowboarders fall a lot especially whenlearning. Lessons, wrist guards, helmets, andcommon sense can help to diminish thesemaladies. Many of these issues are avertedonce one’s skill level improves. The naturaltendency when falling is to put your arms outto brace the fall. Herein lays the mechanismof many snowboarding injuries. These includesprains and fractures of the wrist, forearm,shoulder, and even head injuries.Interestingly, the group of beginning snowboardersis the same group that is least likelyto wear helmets. A concussion occurs whenone’s head strikes the ground, or is jolted byforce. Even snow can be quite hard. This islike a bruise to the brain. Concussions are responsiblefor the end of many careers insports like football.is a joint on top of your shoulder that joinsyour collarbone to your shoulder blade. If youland on the point of the shoulder, one can separatethis joint.The collarbone or clavicle can be fracturedby falling onto an outstretched hand.The clavicle is the most commonly fracturedbone. This sometimes occurs with an ACjoint separation. Most of the time, it heals byitself. Commonly, there’s a bump later after itheals. If the separation is large or unusual, surgerymay be indicated.A dislocated shoulder occurs when thetop of your arm (humerus) comes out of itssocket. This often requires a health professionalto put it back in place. Often individualswith this tendency can have this occurmultiple times. Surgery and/or rehab may beadvised.The rotator cuff, commonly mispronouncedas ‘cup’, is a group of muscles whichattach to the top of (head) of the humerus andare responsible for allowing your shoulder torotate, as in throwing a ball. Falls can damagethis area, as well. If serious enough, it can requiresurgery.One of the common consequences of anyof the shoulder injuries is that it typicallymakes it hard to sleep. I recommend lots ofpillows and keeping an ice cooler next to yourbed to make it easy to put ice packs on the injuredarea.Back and neck injuries can occur to anyoneespecially with falls, twists, bumps, andassorted accidents. Go see your chiropractorand get straightened out.The ankle is not often injured in skiingbecause of the boots; however, it’s more vulnerablewith softer less supportive snowboardingboots. In addition to sprains, snowboarderscan fracture their ankle. It is sometimesreferred to as a snowboarder fracture.There are so many ways to hurt yourselfskiing; laceration, bruises, tree wells, sunburn,avalanche danger, frostbite, etc. Every injurycannot be described in this short article. Ifyou get hurt and it seems more than minor, gosee a health professional. The best way tokeep safe is to use good judgment, be well conditioned,have good equipment, anticipate dangeroussituations, and be aware. ▲▲Remember,Shoulder injuries are also common.There are all kinds of joints, ligaments, muscles,and bones that are vulnerable.The Acromioclavicular Joint (AC Joint) SAFETY IS HAVING FUN CONSCIOUSLY.Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 53

y Jimmy PettersonI loaded my Salomon Tornados into thebasket under the helicopter. They are 76 millimetersunder the boot—an excellent all-mountainski in almost all conditions. The chopper quicklydeposited us onto a distant peak, and I followedmy guide intrepidly downward. After only ashort distance, it was clear that this was thewrong ski for these conditions. The snow wastoo deep.After one run, I exchanged my boards fora pair of Scott skis belonging to the helicopteroperation—a big-mountain ski measuring 89 mm.under the boot. Now, at least I could turn in thecopious amounts of snow, but it was still noteasy. The watchword of the day was “lean back”,an improper powder technique reserved for onlythe most unusual of circumstances. It was justsuch a day. Only by placing one’s weight entirelyon one’s heels was it possible to negotiate someturns that left a track more rounded than a squiggle.Steeper slopes would have been perfect forthis amount of snow—we were sinking about 80-90 centimeters into the powder, even with fatterskis—but the steep slopes were much too avalancheprone such a short time after a snowfall.This storm had dumped close to a meter-and-a-half of fresh powder onto the upper slopes, andwe would have to do the best we could on descentsof 20-25 degrees.Experienced skiers were all leaning againstthe backs of their boots looking somewhat likewater skiers. Some in the group were using muchmore upper-body motion than they normallywould, to try to help the turns around. After eachslope, our thighs were burning. One time, I gotmy weight a tad forward, dug a tip and almostdrowned in snow. I poked my head back up spittingand coughing. It was really that deep.By afternoon, Hervé, George, and Trevor,our three guides, felt the snow had settled enoughto attempt a few slopes that were somewhatsteeper. We could see by the snow texture wheresloughs had self-released during the storm, andwe surmised that skiing the locations that hadsloughed might mean that the snow would besomewhat more compacted. Pay dirt! Now, insteadof sinking in to our waists, we could get abounce back from the skis at about 60 centimetersof depth. By the time the ski day was finished,we had done 11 runs and skied about 5,500vertical meters of extremely deep snow, and thehotel bar was full of tired thighs and happy faces.Where was this heliskiing taking place?The Chugach Mountains of Alaska? TheMonashees of Canada? Maybe the Caucasus ofRussia? Perhaps the Himalayas of India? Allwrong. We were up to our eyeballs in powder inthe Kaçkar Range of Turkey!When I first traveled to Turkey for skiingclose to 20 years ago, various friends thought Iwas nuts. When I returned to this exotic landwhere Europe meets Asia to heliski in 2010, nutswas just the introduction to my description,which also included crazy and insane. Whilemany friends were perplexed why I wouldchoose Turkey for heliskiing rather than one ofthe more conventional heliski countries, I was ultimatelyjoined by my Danish friend, watchmakerJorn Werdelin, another skier with apioneer spirit. In the end, insane and crazy wereappropriate descriptive words—the two of us enjoyeda week of insane powder, which was crazydeep.Turkey is one of very few countries thathave everything — beautiful seashore, spectaculardesert, stunning mountains, rich culture, long andinteresting history, delicious food and extremelyhospitable inhabitants. Most people know about54 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Much of the heliskiing in the Kaçkars offers views ofthe Black Sea. INSET: A sunny picnic by the choppergives us energy for a dose of afternoon powder.BACKGROUND PHOTO: Turkish powder can be outlandishlydeep. - photos - Jimmy Pettersonthe seaside resorts, many know about the cultureand history, some are aware of the good food andthe extremely friendly locals, but very few areknowledgeable about the mountains, let alone -the snow.Turkey is actually full of mountains, includingthe Armenian Highland of Eastern Turkeythat include Mt. Ararat (5165 m), the Taurus andAnti-Taurus Ranges in the south, and numerousother smaller ranges, but perhaps the group ofmountains that is most amenable to skiing is theKaçkar Range that runs along the Black Sea inthe northeastern part of the country.Krasnaya Polyana, the Russian ski resorton the western flank of the Black Sea that willhost the ski events at the 2014 Olympics, is legendaryfor its powder. So it is strange that theTurks have not built a conventional ski resorthere in the Kaçkars to take advantage of themany storms that blow in off this large body ofwater and keep the mountains drenched in fluffall winter long.In 2003, Swiss born Thierry Gasser discoveredthe potential of this area for heliskiing. Notlong after that, he teamed up with countrymanNicolas Clerc and local entrepreneur FilipAmram. They established bases in the villages ofAyder and Ikizdere and they brought the first 75skiing clients to the Kaçkars. According to Nicolas,he was dissatisfied with a heliski experiencein nearby Krasnaya, and simultaneously foundout from Thierry about his idea to try to buildup a heliski business on the Turkish side of theBlack Sea.Nicolas reflects. “I had only known Thierryfor a couple of hours, but I really felt that he wassomebody I could trust. I gave him a substantial sumof money, we shook hands, and that was it. Thierryasked me, “Don’t you want a contract?” but I said itwas not necessary. He asked why I should give himmoney when he did not have a matching amount toinvest. I told him, Your experience is worth more thanmy money.”“I had spent years involved in internationalbanking. Thierry was not like those people. I rememberthat my secretary thought I was mad, but I toldher, ‘Maybe I am doing the best thing I have ever done— I am getting out of this way of life and getting intosomething that suits me.”And, so it was. Since that time, Nicolas hashardly had time to look back and ponder that decision.Everything between he and Thierry hasworked perfectly from the very start. Thierry wasresponsible for the practical aspect of the operation,including day-to-day operations and guiding,while Nicolas took care of the administrative sideof things. He set up the company, took care of thecivil aviation aspect, and all the other such boring,behind-the-scenes details that are so necessaryin any such operation. In addition, an avidskier, during the season, Nicolas has literallyspent hundreds of days sampling his own product— skiing deep powder alongside his clients.Adding to his own 30-plus seasons of guiding,Thierry has assembled an international teamof guides with a myriad of exploits to their namesand whose total seasons of experience has to becounted in centuries. One of his guides, Swissborn Erhard Loretan, was the third man to climball 14 of the 8000-meter peaks and conqueredEverest in an astounding ascent that took only40 hours! Italian Abele Blanc only needs Annapurnato reach the same lofty status, and JeanTroillet has conquered ten of the monster mountainsand was the first man to snowboard fromthe top of Everest. In between expeditions andadventures, these three have spent most of theirlives working as mountain guides.Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 55

Add to this auspicious lineup, Swiss bornGeorge Robbi, who has done about 30 seasons ofheliski guiding in Canada, New Zealand, andTurkey, Chamonix native Hervé Thivierge, with39 years of guiding under his belt, and KiwiTrevor Streat, who also has more than 30 seasonsheliski guiding experience in India, NewZealand and Turkey, and it adds up to well over200 seasons of ski guiding experience. Suffice itto say that we felt very safe amidst this team ofleaders.Jorn and I flew by way of Istanbul to Trabzon,the largest port on the Black Sea, and weredriven for a couple hours along the northerncoastline. All along the highway, the snow-coveredKaçkars — only 30 kilometers inland—rosemajestically above the rooftops of the drab, rectangularapartment blocks that line the citystreets along the seacoast.Various river valleys stretch upward fromthe sea toward the mountains including the onesthat bring skiers to Ikizdere and Ayder. At firstglance, these narrow canyons look quite similarto their counterparts in the Alps. Rushing waterglides over rocks and boulders alongside a windyroad. Every now and then, a waterfall cascadesdown over the cliffs to meet the stream, and highabove the road, in sporadic clearings that appearin the forest, are small hamlets of old woodenhouses.At closer inspection, however, one immediatelynotices a number of distinct differences thatmake it clear that one is not driving up the AostaValley or the Val d’Anniviers. Interspersed withvarious sorts of pines is an abundance of chestnutand linden trees, as well as a myriad of otherplants and shrubs that one does not see in theAlps. Abundant stretches of land are coveredwith a low growing bush that is cultivated alongthe hillsides here—tea plantations. Instead of theobligatory church steeple that one is used to seeingin the center of almost every settlement inthe Alps, here, the pointy tower of a minaret appearsaround every other bend in the road.Of course, the women that one passes inthe streets of the mountain towns all adorn theobligatory hijab (headscarf). This is not the modern,cosmopolitan Turkey of Istanbul, but the oldfashionedpart of the country. This is Asia… theMiddle East… a location where long-standingtraditions and religious customs live on andflourish.Before even arriving in Ayder, we were perfectlyaware that we would be skiing in a moreexotic location than that which we were accustomedto. If we had not been cognizant of thatfact, the dawn call-to-prayer from the mosque adjacentto our hotel was a subtle reminder. Thebreakfast buffet also looked quite different fromyour standard morning meal in the Alps. Here,alongside the cornflakes and eggs was a samplingof four different sorts of olives, a plate of fetacheese and a large chunk of bee’s honeycomb.As I dragged my tired thighs out of bed andprepared myself for day two of our Turkish powderextravaganza, I was still not sure that I hadfound the best ski solution. I rarely use a wideski because I love to sink deep into the powder. Iadore immersing myself into bottomless fluff,feeling it batter my goggles and spray my faceeach time I reach the nadir of my turn. But forour second day, I chose to use a pair of fat skisthat were 109 millimeters under the boot. It wasnot that the snow was heavy — it was just sodeep!The week that we had chosen to visitTurkey was not a busy one for Turkey Heliski.Both Nicolas and Thierry were not in Aydurwhen we arrived, but we did have the good fortuneto meet Filip, their silent partner, who wasthe third skier in our group. The operation usessix-seat Ecureuil B-3 helicopters as well as Bell407s, which usually make for groups of fourskiers per guide, but our team was a small exclusivegroup of three.Trevor led us on a few superb runs in themorning — two on a north-facing slope calledKangoo and one more on Tachicule. The snowseemed to have settled a little from the day beforeand the fat skis served me well as I bounced blissfullydown one virgin line after another. Threeadditional morning runs on the likes of EasyWoman and Arete a l’Ours were all that wereTOP: Jorn and Georg check out theentry into another bowl of endlessfluff. LEFT: Trevor Streat shows offhis technique. photos - Jimmy Pettersondestined for this day, as high winds gusted upand closed down our skiing after two hours and4000 vertical meters.With some extra time on our hands, Jornand I decided to explore a few of the local townsand villages. We got a ride 18 kilometers down toÇamlihemsin and walked around town, exploringthe old teahouses where the local men wile awaythe hours playing cards, telling tales, and avoidingtheir wives. We admired the many Ottoman stylestone-arch bridges that crossed over the Ayderand Firtina Rivers, and then took a taxi up to themountain village of Ortan.While wandering through the pathways ofOrtan, admiring the houses with hundreds ofyears of sunshine burnt into their old façades, alocal woman noticed me from her window. Apparentlythere are only two homes that are currentlyinhabited year round in the hamlet andshe was curious to see a local visitor. Or, perhapsit was just the famous Turkish hospitality thatinspired her, but Jorn and I soon found ourselvessitting with the woman and her husband drinkingtea in their living room. We came for the powder,but it was very pleasant to also get toexperience the local penchant for spontaneoushospitality.After each ski day, we enjoyed another aspectof the Turkish experience—their excellentcuisine. Turkey is famous for its mezes (appetizers)as well as their kebabs and rich desserts,such as baklava and kadayif. Each evening, therestaurant of the Hotel Hasimoglu laid out a long56 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

uffet table full of enticing salads and mezes andan additional buffet with a choice of Turkishdesserts.After a scrumptious dinner and a deepsleep, the morning sand was still in my eyes aswe wandered out to the heli-pad at 8:30. You canbe sure that a winter helicopter pick-up is quitea wake-up call for anyone who is still a bitdrowsy. The whap-whap-whap began softly andrhythmically from a good distance away until iteventually bombarded my eardrums with an incessantroar. The roar, of course, was accompaniedby a blast of manmade Arctic wind thatsent the snow swirling and flying in all directions.No matter how I tried to cover my face, allefforts were futile, and by the time the whirringblades had retreated into the distance, I wasshaking snow out of my hat, picking bits of iceout of my eyebrows and wiping my face dry.Now all was perfectly silent. Lookingaround me, I could see an endless vista of snowdeckedmountains and valleys in all directionsand beyond the last row of peaks to the northwere the blue waters of the Black Sea. The skyabove was also a deep blue and one could hardlydistinguish the horizon line where the sky metthe sea. Small hamlets of old wooden houses almostburied under large pillows of snow werenestled into many of the valleys and along someof the ridges around us.There was not much time to enjoy theview. The weather and snow were perfect and itwas time to ski. George, Trevor, and Hervé are intheir fifties, but if the Ironman competition includedskiing, they would all be prime candidatesfor a trophy. They seemed to be of the opinionthat heliskiing is an endurance sport. Hervé wasour lead guide on day three, and he shifted directlyinto fifth gear and did not come up for airuntil lunchtime.He was clearly having as much fun as a kidin a candy store—he still skied with the zest andenthusiasm of a young ski bum spending his firstfull winter on the slopes. By now, the snow hadsettled enough that Hervé had no qualms aboutleading us down slopes up to 35 degrees, and wewere sinking in a comfortable 40-60 centimeters.The snow depth was ideal for the slopes wewere skiing.Filip was also in great shape and as a partnerin the operation, he knew the terrain herevery well. He seemed to have no problem keepingup with Hervé, but for Jorn and I, it was asomewhat different story.We both ski old-school, pumping out shortsymmetrical turns in powder. Ten turns…twenty…effortless…thirty…forty…I’m startingto feel my legs…fifty…sixty…doesn’t Hervé everstop to rest?…seventy…eighty…lactic acid overload.I pulled up panting and watched Hervébounce merrily onward toward our waiting chariotof the ski gods. I pushed off again as soon asI had caught my breath, but I never really caughtup all day. With me bringing up the rear, Hervéhad plenty of time to pull out his camera on numerousoccasions and snap some wonderful photosof us.We stayed above the tree line most of theday, landing at around 2700 meters and skiingprimarily runs of 700-800 vertical meters. We didmany lines on a run called Courchevel—a lovelydescent which began with a long pitch of 30-35degrees and mellowed into a meandering cruiser,ending with some turns between some smalltrees just below the tree line. We skied Clariereand la Petite Souri and just before lunch, wedove into some steep pitches in the trees on a descentcalled Arête au Village. By the time thechopper came to rest back at the hotel, we hadamassed 11,000 vertical meters and my legs wereovercooked spaghetti.In Turkey, they have just the solution forsuch a situation. Just a few minutes walk fromthe hotel was a hammam. While a hammam isusually a steam bath, in this case, the local bathconsisted of hot spring water that bubbles out ofthe ground and into a swimming pool at a soothing43 degrees C. A relaxing visit to the hammamfollowed by a few bottles of the local Efes beerand I felt as if I had been the Ironman ratherthan a shadow trying desperately to keep pacewith Hervé. I felt rejuvenated and ready forwhatever tomorrow would throw at me.Tomorrow offered another morning of bluebird.Today, Trevor was our leader, and he musthave commiserated a little with my muscleaches, for he softened the pace a bit. After all,there were 400 different runs available here witha myriad of lines on every run, and there was noway we were going to be able to do them all anyway,no matter how fast we skied. Today, welanded somewhat higher on a few runs, up over3000 meters, and we saw a lot of new terrain inthe Polavit and Zikale Valleys. We skied descentscalled Easy Rider, Alone on the Mountain, Faceà la Mer, Face à la Biere, and a brilliant run calledLes Masses. I was beginning to get my ski legs.We finished with 11 runs and about 8,200 verticalmeters, but I didn’t feel nearly as exhausted asthe day before.Into every life a little rain must fall. On ourfinal morning, we awoke to a light drizzle in thevillage and a snowstorm in the higher mountains,rendering flying impossible. But, we were not secludedaway in an isolated lodge. Here in Turkey,a bit of inclement weather only meant a changeof program. A day of culture and history can easilybe substituted in place of pumping powder. Inthis case, surprisingly, the day included an unwrittenpage of snowsports history.In various villages of the Kaçkars, the localshave been entertaining themselves for four centuriesduring the long, hard, and isolated wintersby gliding around their local mountains on predecessorsto the snowboard that they callLazboards.The Laz people are an ethnic group fromthe Black Sea areas of both Turkey andGeorgia. I hired a taxi to visit the village ofPetra and see the Laz people in action ontheir homemade boards. photo - Jimmy PettersonNicolas had made a phone call to one of thelocals to inform them of my visit, and after a longtaxi ride that culminated with 12 switchbacks upa steep mountain road, I was met at the villagemosque by three or four villagers. They invitedme for tea and cookies and then showed me theamazing Turkish sport that apparently beat JakeBurton by about 370 years. Looking very similarto Sherman Poppen’s 1965 invention, the snurfer,this forefather of the snowboard is about twofeet wide and eight feet long, and looks a bit likea flat toboggan. The rider’s feet are not attachedwith any kind of binding, so he controls theboard by holding a cord connected to the frontand helps steer by holding a long stick in hisother hand, dragging it behind the board like aprimitive rudder.Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 57

The day was mild and sunny, and after finishingour tea, 53-year-old Ali Kurt took me outsideto show me what Lazboarding was all about.I had noticed upon arriving in Petran that thecorn snow amidst the ancient farmhouses wasrife with strange looking tracks, and my suspicionproved to be correct—those odd markings wereindeed Lazboard tracks. According to Ali, 90% ofthe locals participate in boarding—it is indeed oneof the only forms of entertainment that this poormountain village has to offer their inhabitants,and it has been passed down from father to sonfor generations.The hills around the village were gentle,and Ali stood more or less in the middle of theboard and glided smoothly down over the snowcoveredlandscape. He assured me, however, thatone can ride a Lazboard in deep snow and onsteep slopes as well, but one must adjust one’sweight further back for those kinds of conditions.He was skilled and he was confident, and oneknew by just watching him that he was in harmonywith his board and the mountains around him.“I’ll keep boarding until I’m a hunched over oldman…” Ali promised with a chuckle, and I felt acommonality with him, for I certainly feel thesame about my skiing.The famous Greek Orthodox Sümela Monasterytraces its founding to 386 AD. It is a major touristattraction located in the Altindere National Park.photo - Jimmy PettersonMy time was running out, as I had onemore location I wanted to see before my eveningflight back to Istanbul — the famous S¨¨ümelaMonastery close to Trabzon. My taxi driver hurriedme off so that I could get there while therewas still light. It was well worth the trip. Thiswas still one more amazing site — a 1600-yearold monastery built into a cave in a rock cliffabout 300 meters above a river gorge in the valleybelow.While the rain prevented me from a finalday of helisking, I was ultimately grateful for theopportunity to see and experience some extremelyinteresting chapters of local culture andhistory. By the time the last powder dust had settledback onto the mountains and all had beensaid and done about our trip, we realized that wereally had gotten the full value of our visit toTurkey. We had enjoyed some of the deepestsnow we had ever skied, but we had also beenable to experience many things that are indigenousand unique to this remarkable country.We skied on many occasions with snow-toseaviews. We enjoyed the delightful Turkish cuisineand local hospitality every day. We indulgedourselves in an extravagant 21st century mountainand sports experience, but at the same time,,we were able to go back to the roots and see andfeel how local mountain people have livedthrough a broad period of history.Mountain folk have always lived an isolatedlifestyle. They are separated from large populationcenters by rugged peaks and valleys, andthe snow makes their seclusion during the wintermonths that much more intense. The earlymonks chose their rocky environment purposelyso that their devotion to God would not be distractedby worldly diversions. The present-dayLaz people have inherited their isolated environmentfrom their forefathers, but have inherited,as well, a wonderful pastime with which to enjoythe lonely winter months.But, we modern-day skiers are different. Wemay have inherited our snowsports hobby fromour parents; or we may have been inspired byfriends to learn to ski or board. Most of us, however,live in large population centers. We seek apath away from these crowded habitats—back tonature and to the more solitary but peaceful environmentsthat made up the normal lifestyle ofour forefathers.My mother taught me to ski powder andshe also inspired me with a love for deep snow.But, she grew up in Austria in a period of ski historybefore ski lifts, when untracked slopes werethe norm. With a ski-upbringing of that nature,it is not so strange that I and others like me,search far off the beaten path for mountainswhere a helicopter can drop us into solitude atopa peak where there rarely treads a human foot.Here in the Kaçkar Mountains of easternTurkey, it all came together. Jorn and I camesearching for the solitude of virgin slopes and wefound common ground with the local people ofPetran, where an isolated snowsports experienceis still a part of their daily winter life. We wereforced to make one more realization — perhaps…we are really mountain men at heart and ourevery day lives in the large western cities that wecall home are out of synch with our true nature.NOTE: For more information, seehttp://www.turkeyheliski.com. Jimmy Petterson isthe author of the “Skiing Around the World” bookand winner of two FWSA Bill Berry Awards. ▲▲FWSA Plans for Future Conventionsby Jane WyckoffFWSA Convention ChairThe Far West Ski Association has traditionallyannounced the location of the next year’sConvention a year preceding the event. Due tothe space requirements needed for the SilentAuction and Travel Expo and financial considerations,it has pushed planning much farther inadvance in recent years. We continue to workwith other councils across the country to planour convention weekend dates four to five yearsin advance, so we are not in date conflict withone another. This provides our industry partnersthe opportunity to attend as many council eventsas possible, rather than having to chose whichone to attend among those scheduled on thesame weekend. An additional advantage for earlierplanning is that it enables the host council tobetter staff and support the event.At the 2010 FWSA Convention in IndianWells, the Association announced that the 2012FWSA Convention will be held June 7-10, 2012in Ogden, Utah. For the first time, the FWSA’snewest council, the Intermountain Ski Council,will host the Convention. Don Anderson, IntermountainPresident, will be serving as the HostCouncil Convention Chairman. The council hasalready selected a western theme – “Cowboy Up”.Ogden City and Weber County provide acommunity teeming with fun family activities,beautiful mountain vistas and exciting historicalsignificance. The choices for fun, outdoor optionalevent activities are endless. We will enjoythe unique and vibrant downtown setting andbeautiful accommodations provided by the OgdenMarriott Hotel and Hampton Inn & Suites. Meetingswill be held at the state-of-the-art Ogden EcclesConference Center. We are looking forward toworking with the Ogden Convention Visitors Bureauand community groups as the FWSA AnnualConvention will be held at a ski resort.The Far West Ski Association will be conductingthe next Convention in the Bay Area/Reno-Tahoe, hosted by the Bay Area SnowSports Council, June 6-9, 2013. The next twoConventions are scheduled for June 5-8, 2014 andJune 4-7, 2015, with a host selection between theNorthwest Ski Club Council and the Arizona SkiCouncil. The San Diego Council of Ski Clubs,host of the highly successful 2010 FWSA Conventionin Indian Wells this past June, is alreadylooking into hotel locations for 2016.Be sure to mark your calendars for June 9-12, 2011, to attend the FWSA’s 79th Annual Convention,to be held at the fabulous Pacific PalmsHotel & Conference Center in Industry Hills, California,hosted by the Los Angeles Council of SkiClubs. ▲▲58 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

Seriously?Yup! For some of us, hey, nobody toldus, when we joined our snowsports clubs,that we were going to have to be techsavvy,or gadget-friendly, and on top of that,own a computer! But, social networking isthe wave of the future, and what a waveit’s turning out to be. In addition to the simpleones, like your club’s website and listservee-mail, let’s check out a few socialnetworks that work well to communicateand increase your club’s membership.:Facebook and MySpace.....The Granddaddies of social networking,Facebook and MySpace started out asa refuge for young adults; a place wherethey could see and be seen, and “hang out”in a virtual world free from anyone theychose not to allow as a “friend” (i.e.,parental units). Now they’re a fantastictool to tell the virtual universe about yoursnowsports organization: what you do andwhen you do it. You can have fans all overthe world! Best part of all — it’s free!Yahoo Groups/Constant Contact.....Maybe one of the best tools for virtualmeetings, chat rooms, and e-news, YahooGroups and Constant Contact can be tailoredwith more specifics than Facebookand MySpace. You can even build yourown club “bank,” allowing payments foreverything from dues to trips to take placeon-line. They allow a lot more flexibility forcustomization for your club, but you’ll haveto pay for some features.MeetUp.....MeetUp is also a great source for a virtualmeeting. This one costs a little bit ofdough, though…LinkedIn/Plaxo.....Although used more often by professionalsto network, both of these sites canbe used by clubs, as well.Are yourclubs using Social Mediato communicate and helpincrease your membership?Twitter.....Tweet, tweet, tweet! Twitter, whilestill wildly popular, may have peaked as asocial networking tool. If you use it withany frequency, your tweets start increasingto the point of over-tweetness. Plus, themessages are size-restricted. Still, it’s a greatway to get a quick message to your members.These are a few of the most popularsocial networks out there. Of course, thereare more! In addition to all they can do -mentioned above, another cool tool is thatthey will often keep the administrators updatedon new members, page hits, etc.There are some things to keep in mindwhen it comes to social networking: You’llneed to take care that you don’t isolateyour techno-phobic membership by makingsure those who want to can still receiveyour hard copy newsletters. Additionally,you’ll need to have newsletter editors, websitecreators, and social network site administratorswho are on top of not only thecontent, but the technology. A website thathasn’t been updated in six months is so sad,as well as counter-productive. You will loseyour audience since they will figure theyhave already seen it and will not checkback for new entries, scheduling and updates.Ditto with a Facebook page that hasn’thad a post in a couple of weeks.by Sheri Parshall, NWSCC &Linda Scott, Intermountain Ski CouncilMOST IMPORTANT: Once you’veput something into cyberspace, whether it’sthe date of your next ski trip, or your creditcard information, it is in cyberspace forever.You and your club will need to make thedetermination that the benefits outweighthe risks when it comes to the systems youdesign to capture the personal informationof the membership. Companies that set upyour banking processes may sell “security,”but just keep in mind that nothing on theWeb is 100% secure.Thank you for picking up the printedversion of the Far West Skier’s Guide. Thisis a fabulous publication for us west coastskiers and boarders. Although it may be alittle “old school” technologically speaking,you get to browse for councils and clubs inyour area, and all absolutely wi-fi free*.But, we have to thank our kids and theirfriends, who are dragging us, kicking andscreaming - sometimes - into the 21st Century.Of course, they may not thank us. Momand Dad are on Facebook now, too! Tweet that!Editor’s Note: The Guide is even enteringthe twenty-first century with this issue alsobeing converted into a digital edition.Clubs are invited to add the link to theirclub websites, Facebook pages and announcethe new format by “Tweeting” it totheir friends. Contact fwsg@cox.net. ▲▲Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 59

▼Charities: continued from page 49founder Jimmie Heuga, Can Do MS has helpedthousands of people living with MS reclaim asense of dignity, control and freedom by empoweringthem with the knowledge, skills andconfidence to transform challenges into newpossibilities.By focusing on what you can do, these individualizedand experiential programs providea whole new way of thinking about and livingwith MS. You are more than your MS! Youhave the power to live a full life!There are many opportunities to volunteerwith this wonderful organization. Events likethe Can Do MS Vertical Express for MS, theJimmie Heuga Memorial Golf Tournament inCordillera, CO and the Annual Autumn Benefitin New York City all rely on the efforts ofvolunteers. You can plan ahead to participatewith your ski club in a 2011 Vertical Expressfor MS Event happening in your area: Big Sky,Montana – February 2011; Crystal Mountain,Washington – February 25-27; SteamboatSprings, Colorado – February 27; Squaw ValleyUSA, California – March 5-6; Schweitzer Mountain,Idaho – in March. Please check out thesech a r i t i e s a n d h e l p w h e r e y o u c a n .www.mscando.org ▲▲Luxury WaterfrontCondos OverlookingGolf CourseM e s A , A R i z o n ACALIFORNIA/NEVADANORTH LAKE TAHOESOUTH LAKE TAHOEMAMMOTHMAMMOTHVacation • Relocation•Winter Visitors •Relax and enjoy warm,sunny winter days &beautiful sunsets in theArizona desert!2 bedrooms/2 bathsFully FurnishedLease by week or month. Call fordetails, rates & availability.480.600.6099w w w . A l w a y s O n V a c a t i o n . c o m /v a c a t i o n - r e n t a l s / 6 4 6 5 8 9 . h t m lw w w . A l w a y s O n V a c a t i o n . c o m /v a c a t i o n - r e n t a l s / 6 4 6 5 9 0 . h t m lNestled in an intimate alpineenvironment just steps away fromyear-round South Shorerecreation activities.One Lake Parkway,South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150800.822.5950 • 530.541.6655www.forestsuites.com6OFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.

SWITZERLANDGRINDELWALDCOLORADOSNOWMASSIDAHOSUN VALLEYSun Valley - for Less3 Bedroom -www.vrbo.com/813212 Bedroom -www.vrbo.com/218739Mention FWSG & get a 10% discountMONTANAWHITEFISHSpecial FWSA Offer AvailableLet us pamper you in our small,friendly family hotel. We offer you anunforgettable holiday experienceamidst Grindewald's imposing mountainscenery - year around. We’reconveniently located next to theGrindelwald-First Gondola Station,bus stop and it’s just a few minuteswalk to downtown and the rail station.H o t e l S t e i n b o c kC H - 3 8 1 8 G r i n d e l w a l dTe l . + 4 1 ( 0 ) 3 3 - 8 5 3 - 8 9 - 8 9s t e i n b o c k @ g r i n d e l w a l d . c hwww.steinbock-grindelwald.chSteamboat is actually a completemountain range: Mount Werner,Sunshine Peak, Storm Peak,Thunderhead Peak, Pioneer Ridgeand Christie Peak. The resort’s 2,965acres of permitted terrain offer adiversity of trails for all levels ofability. The gladed areas of PioneerRidge, Sunshine and Storm Peak areinstrumental to Steamboat’s claimto fame, providing legendaryChampagne Powder snow in thetrees for the most avid powderhounds. There are 165 named trails,with the longest run over three miles.The resort is blessed with over 350feet of snow per year, on average, butjust in case, 375 acres are enhancedwith snowmaking equipment,creating ideal conditions forsnowsports enthusiasts. -photo ©Larry Pierce/SteamboatBIncomparable panoramas,cordial hosts and a dash ofelegant contemporary styleagainst a breathtakingmountain backdrop await you.Ask about our special FWSA Offer.www.belvedere-grindelwald.chhotel@belvedere-grindelwald.chTel. +41(0)33 - 888 99 99 ■ CH-3818 GrindelwaldSince 1907 / A Swiss Quality HotelTo be included in the 2011-2012 Far West Skier’s Guide / Lodging Guide, please contact Jane Wyckoff at (949) 933-9607 or janewyckoff1@cox.net.Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 61

Arizona Ski Councilwww.arizonaskicouncil.orgPresident: Mike Rogers(925) 360-4052President@arizonaskicouncil.orgARIZONA SKI COUNCILSomething to celebrate! Arizona Ski Council members will make their annualski trip to Telluride in January of 2011. This year, Telluride continues terrainexpansion with the opening of Gold Hill Chutes 2-5. Revelation Bowl opened in2008-09, along with Gold Hill 1. The resort has expanded by more than 400acres over the past three seasons, giving the resort a vertical drop of 4,425 feet,with 3,845 vertical feet lift-served – one of the highest in North America.Arizona Ski Councilby Mike Rogers, PresidentArizona has seen changes in the way bareboat charters and other sea going adventures.people spend their leisure time. In order toExpansion of activities is the key drivermaximize the benefits to club members for this effort.within the council, a retreat over this last The November 6, Welcome in the Snowsummer has defined the way clubs interface Kick-Off Party is a BBQ event bringing all sixin reciprocity. What that means to a club clubs together to greet in the 2010-11 season.within the council might be hosting an event Warren Miller will also have three showingswhich is open to any person who is in a club around November, with the ski clubs presentwithin the council. For example, the hiking to hand out the Far West Skier’s Guide to currentclub is versed in numerous hiking areas of interestand potential new members. For thefor those who like to hike. A ski club 2010-11 season, the AZ Council presents a skimember can sign-up and go on the hike withouttrip calendar, which is the result of a collabocepthaving to join the hiking club. This conrativeeffort between the clubs to open theincreases the social networking between trips to all members. The trip schedule will appearmembers and clubs while reducing costs toon our council website which will alsothe individual club member.list a number of local club events to provideSki trips this year will include Telluride, the one-stop-shopping for fun and social networking.Beaver Creek / Vail, Park City, Copper Mountainand Winter Park. The council is working The AZ Ski Council clubs demonstratewith Mt. Bachelor, Brain Head, and Snowbasin/Powdertheir philanthropy talents in supporting nu-Mountain to provide discounts merous non-profit events. The Phoenix Skifor a weekend get-away for those who have Club each year sends a team to the MS150limited time for trips. Summer events are and members provide numerous donations tobeing planned to cover a number of cultural the Shoe Box Ministry which helps the homeless.and relaxing venues, mostly on weekends.Both the Phoenix and Scottsdale SkiThe summer trips are being planned to be an Clubs sponsor Adopt-a-Highway and additionalescape from the heat.support from all the council clubs goesThe AZ Council is looking to expand the to Toys for Tots, AZ Food Bank, Children’snumber of clubs from a variety of interests to Hospital, to name just a few.join the council. This would increase the Further expansion into the future hasdepth of activities people can enjoy. The AZ been demonstrated in an effort to increase internetCouncil is looking to have clubs in thepresence through Facebook and otherFlagstaff, Tucson and Yuma Areas join. An social networking tools. This effort has beenexample is the addition of a sailing club with the clubs, as well as the council. Searchwhich would provide ready access to cruises, us out and join the fun.62 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11- photo courtesy of Telluride Ski ResortArizona Ski and Social ClubsMember Clubs and Contact InformationARIZONA OUTDOOR & TRAVEL CLUBWebsite: www.azoutdoortravelclub.comPresident: John Nichols480-800-5758Jnichols13@cox.netBOEING EMPLOYEES ADVENTURE CLUBWebsite: www.boeing.com/companyoffices/aboutus/recreation/mesa.htmlClub Representative: Janice Roedeljanice.c.roedel@Boeing.comEAST VALLEY CLUBWebsite: www.evskiclub.orgPresident: Greg Shaffer480-940-4876602-568-1663gregsphx@cox.netPARTY TIME SPORTSPresident: Gary Giertz602-799-3062ggg44@q.comPHOENIX SKI CLUBWebsite: www.phxski.orgPresident: Paul Castaldo480-861-4903pjc2002@cox.netSCOTTSDALE SKI & SOCIAL CLUBWebsite: www.scottsdale-skiclub.comPresident: Jim Nachbar480-289-5300president@scottsdale-skiclub.com“Zonies” stop to admire the awesomeview at Snowmass. - photo / Mike Rogers

Gone is the snowboard. It’s replacedtemporarily by a wakeboard.- Après Ski Club photo shot at Lake McClure /Scott BowkerBay Area SnowSports Councilby Dennis Heffley, PresidentOver the years, BAC has raised over$300,000 for the adaptive ski schoolat Alpine Meadows through theirDSUSA Ski For All fundraiser.- photo / Scott BowkerOh, what a beautiful morning.Oh, what a beautiful day. I have awonderful feeling, everything’s goingmy way! No, it’s not Oklahoma, butthe FWSA Ski Week in Keystone, CO.- photo / Ken CalkinsBAY AREA COUNCIL OF SKI CLUBSThe Bay Area Snow Sports Council(www.skibac.org) is a very active part of theFar West Ski Association (www.fwsa.org) andthe National Ski Council Federation(www.skifederation.org).This past year, our Race Leagues in theBAC were Champions at the Far West Level.While our Racing Leagues (skiers and snowboarders)are an active part of the Bay AreaSnow Sports Council - it is NOT our entirefocus. Our focus is Having Fun! One mightask, “who should join a BAC club?” A very simpleanswer YOU!The variety of trips available through theBAC to go skiing and snowboarding includeclub trips, council trips and Far West trips.The locations include many Tahoe venues, domesticlocations and adventures to Europe.You can kind find members of the BAC goingto the slopes just about anytime during thewinter!The BAC has 30 active member clubsbased in the greater San Francisco Bay areawhich extends as far north as the Napa Valley,south to Monterey / Carmel and east toModesto. We feature two separate leagueswithin the BAC. Our Singles League is madeup of five clubs with their full members beingover 21 years of age. Our Open League hastwenty-five clubs and welcomes individuals,couples, families and their children! Both ofour leagues have a very active RecreationalRacing Program and we bring everyone togetherfor the annual NorCal Championships,Far West Championships and the new AspenNationals.Another wonderful part of the BACclubs and our members is how we volunteerour time and energy through community outreachand fund raising. Our main benefactoris Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA). We havemany annual events with our largest fundraiserbeing the BAC DSUSA Ski For All benefitingtheir adaptive ski school at AlpineMeadows Ski Resort. Over the years we haveraised over $330,000 for the program! In 2010,we held our 5th Annual BAC / DSUSA OaklandA’s Baseball Game, Tailgate BBQ andFireworks event. Ninety members of the BAC,their friends and family had a great night.Thank you to the Oakland A’s Baseball organizationfor supporting our efforts!The history of the Bay Area SnowSports Council is just as amazing as what istaking place today.In late 1947, the Bay Area Ski Federationwas organized “For the welfare of Bay AreaSkiers” and voted to join Far West as the BayArea Council (BAC) Ski Clubs in 1961. Toembrace all snow sports activities, the currentname of the BAC is “Bay Area Snow SportsCouncil”.During all four seasons our BAC clubsare very active!The Singles League portion of the BACholds an Annual Snow Ball in November tocelebrate the coming winter sports season.This year, we are having our 36th Anniversaryof this gala event! The evening consistsof a wonderful black tie optional dinner /dance along with a silent auction and anamazing raffle. Our auction and raffle wouldnot be possible without the tremendous supportthat we receive from the ski industry andresorts!We, in the leadership of the BAC, are veryfortunate to have our clubs and their membersassociated with us along with having theLake Tahoe area in our “backyard”. Our membersare amazing and the amount of historyand diversity of places to ski / snowboard is atrue gift.Our Recreational Race Schedules for2010 - 2011 will be featuring Alpine Meadows,Sugar Bowl, NorthStar-at-Tahoe, Bear Valley,and Squaw Valley! Then, there are the FarWest Championships at Alpine Meadows andthe National Championships at Aspen, Colorado!Become one of our “racers”. Come outand have a great time. Even if you don’t race,please join us at the slopes during any of ouron mountain events!In our continued efforts to share informationwith our BAC members, we have aMonthly BAC general meeting where we welcomeand look forward to having guest speakerswho talk about their resorts, products and/or travel opportunities. This year, we are alsoputting a great deal of energy into sharing informationon how to improve our variousclubs through information and interactiveconversations!If you have any questions or need moreinformation about the BAC, please contact meat bac.president@skibac.org or look at our websiteat www.skibac.org.To our members, clubs and those whodonate and support our efforts, I always liketo say . . .“You’re The One Who Makes The Difference!”“For the Welfare of Bay Area Skiers”Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 63▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼

We can’t stay away from thosemountains! A group hikes Mt Rose -Apres Ski Club BAC photo / Ed Martin▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼BAY AREA COUNCIL OF SKI CLUBSBay Area Snow Sports Councilwww.askibac.orgPresident: Dennis Heffley(925) 825-3262bac.president@skibac.orgBay Area Snow Sport Council Skiand Social ClubsMember Clubs and Contact InformationALL SEASONS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.asscskiclub.orgPresident: Gary Garrett 209-477-0521Slim2700@hotmail.comALPINEER SKI CLUBPresident: Tony Van Winden 707-838-9707vanwinden@comcast.comAPRES AKI CLUBWebsite: www.apres.orgPresident: Edward Martin 408-245-3024edatsunnyvale@yahoo.comBERKELEY SKI CLUBWebsite: www.berkeleyskiclub.orgPresident: Rosemary Johnson 510-245-9735president@berkeleyskiclub.orgBLADERUNNERS SKI &SPORT CLUBLockheed Martin Employee’sPresident: Monique Huygen 408-946-4676monique.g.huygen@lmco.comBOTA BAGGERS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.jaws.com/botabaggersPresident: Bob Ellis 530-414-4270rellis9681@aol.com64 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11CAMBER SKI CLUBWebsite: www.skicamber.orgPresident: Jerry Crawford 831-443-8435jcrawford@redshift.comCARMEL SKI CLUBWebsite: www.carmelski.orgPresident: Stephanie Locke Pintar831.601.3227splintar@mindspring.comCASTRO VALLEY SKI CLUBWebsite: www.cvskiclub.orgPresident: Karen Wehrman 510-538-2872kwehrman@comcast.netCISCO SKI CLUBCisco Employee’sPresident: Dana Gauthier 408-527-4862dagauthie@cisco.comFIRE & ICE SKI CLUBWebsite: www.fireandiceskiclub.netPresident: Zeffie Bruce 831-297-2103Zeffiebruce@yahoo.comFREESTYLERS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.freestylersskiclub.comPresident: Wally Baumgartner 916-744-1231kcoffee1@frontiernet.netINSKIERS SKI &SNOWBOARD CLUBWebsite: www.inskiers.comPresident: Ed Peaseeddel4329@aol.comMARIN SKI CLUBWebsite: www.marinskiclub.comPresident: John Mouraillejohnmori2001@yahoo.comMODESTO SKI CLUBWebsite: www.modestoskiclub.comPresident: Debra Clover 209-613-3410dlbrace@aol.comMONTEREY SKI & SOCIAL CLUBWebsite: www.montereyskiclub.orgPresident: Greg Robinson 831-384-3964gregrobi@ix.netcom.comNISEI SKI CLUBWebsite: www.niseiskiclub.orgPresident: Morgan Hua 408-242-6981president@niseiskiclub.org

- photo courtesy of Aspen Skiing Company photo courtesy of SnowbirdNORTH BAY SNOWONDERSPresident: Mary Redfern 415-507-1510themnmns@earthlink.netOAKLAND SKI CLUBWebsite: www.oaklandskiclub.comPresident: Leslie Blaney 510-530-8452leslieblaney@yahoo.comPENINSULA SKI CLUBWebsite: www.peninsulaskiclub.orgPresident: Steve Heidger 408-893-8035sheidger@sbcglobal.netRUSTY BINDINGSWebsite: www.rustybindings.comPresident: Mark Greenberg 925-705-6792mark@wtplanners.comSAN FRANCISCO SKI CLUBWebsite: www.sfskiclub.orgPresident: Judy Shulman 415-731-1670judyshulman@hotmail.comSAN FRANCISCO VIKINGSKI CLUBWebsite: www.skvikingskiclub.orgPresident: Paul Thompson 510-759-5896paul@pthompson.comSNO*FLAKES SKI CLUBWebsite: www.skisnowflakes.orgPresident: Roy Braley 925-516-7815rebraley@earthlink.netSNOW DRIFTERS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.snowdrifter.orgPresident: Pamela Stewartpresident@snowdrifters.orgSNOWCHASERS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.snowchasers.orgPresident: Walt Kawecki 707-748-12492kawecki@comcast.netSOUTHBAY SKI CLUBWebsite: www.southbayclub.orgPresident: Helen Conwaysbschelen@att.netThe celebration continues. Christmas and the New Year’s Holidays are afabulous time to visit a ski resort. Although the slopes may be more crowded,there are numerous special activities planned by the resorts including a beautifulfireworks display such as this one over Aspen.SUNBURST SKI CLUBWebsite: www.sunburstskiclub.orgPresident: Sue Kane 650-921-7223matissesue@yahoo.comSUNDANCER SKI CLUBWebsite: www.sundancerskiclub.comPresident: Chuck Peters 408-295-5498c1peters@aol.comTHE OLYMPIC CLUBPrivate – Member SponsoredPresident: Steve Bard 650-343-3405steve@bardfamily.orgTOP OF THE HILL GANGWebsite: www.ggtothg.orgPresident: Henry Lew 650-739-0556henry-lew@att.netAlta and Snowbird are convenientlyaccessible for destination travel. LittleCottonwood Canyon is less than anhour from Salt Lake City’s airport.Skiers and boarders can fly into thecity in the morning and be on theslopes in the early afternoon.Known for it’s “dry” snow, thiscanyon averages around 500 inchesannually. A dual resort ski pass canbe purchased at Alta.Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 65

SLO Skiers take time out from skiing at Telluride for a uniquesleigh ride with Rowdy. Pictured left to right are Hal, John,Teri, and Rowdy. - photos provided by Fran LongCentral Council of Californiaby Fran Long, PresidentSLO Skiers camp and bike during a trip to Ojai. Some ofthe group enjoy the beach at Ventura before heading backup the hill to Ojai. Pictured from left to right: FRONTROW: Bill, John, Fran, and Bruce; BACK ROW: Linda,Lloyd, Lauren, Jean, and Kathleen.CENTRAL COUNCIL OF CALIFORNIAA common question asked of manyCentral Council Ski Club members is“Where do you ski around here?” For ourcoastal clubs, Santa Barbara Ski and SportsClub, San Luis Obispo’s SLO Skiers, andCamber Ski Club in Salinas, the answer is,we don’t! We travel to ski areas all over California,the Western United States, and theworld to ski. One of the greatest advantagesof belonging to a ski club is havingaccessibility to a wide variety of ski andsnow sports activities and a group offriends to help you enjoy them. Check thewebsite of any one of the Central CouncilSki Clubs to see the variety of local, US,and international ski opportunities availableto club members. Most Central Councilclubs welcome members of otherCentral Council clubs on their ski trips.Skiing/boarding is the passion thatbrings most ski clubs together, but there isan ever increasing number of club memberswho don’t ski or snowboard. As ourclubs become more active year round, theyare attracting members who enjoy a widevariety of outdoor sports. A club’s summercalendar is now as busy as the winter calendarwith camping, hiking, water skiing,volleyball, biking, etc. It isn’t uncommon tohave 5-10 non-skiers on a ski trip. The nonskiersenjoy all of the other winter activitiesour resorts have to offer. In addition toskiing, ski weeks are packed with snowshoeing,dog sled rides, sleigh rides, shopping,sightseeing, etc. You don’t have to letthe fact that you don’t ski, and don’t thinkyou want to ski, keep you from checkingout your local ski and sports club. You mayfind something just right for you!66 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11For contact information on any one ofthe six clubs in Central Council: Avalanchein Bakersfield, Fresno Ski Club, Santa BarbaraSki Club, SLO Skiers in San LuisObispo, Camber Ski Club in Salinas, orSnow Trackers in Exeter, go to the CentralCouncil website.Central Council of Californiawww.centralcouncilskiclubs.orgPresident: Fran Long(805) 238-1375fancat2007@sbcglobal.net

Central Council of CaliforniaMember Clubs and Contact InformationAVALANCHE SKIAND SPORTS CLUBServing Bakersfield, Kern CountyWebsite: www.centralcouncilskiclubs.orgContact: Donna Barnes, Presidentdbarnes@bakersfieldcity.usClub Hotline: N/ACAMBER SKI CLUBServing the Salinas Valley,Monterey CountyWebsite: www.centralcouncilskiclubs.orgContact: Jayne CamicSki Trips/Activities Directorcamicski@aol.comClub Hotline: (831) 443-8435FRESNO SKI CLUBServing Fresno CountyWebsite: www.fresnoskiclub.comContact: CJ Rouse, Presidentpresident@fresnoskiclub.comClub Hotline: N/ASANTA BARBARA SKIAND SPORTS CLUBServing Santa Barbara CountyWebsite: www.sbski.orgContact: Michael Mead, Presidentpresident@sbski.orgClub Hotline: (805) 895-9697SLO SKIERS, A SKI SPORT& SOCIAL CLUBServing San Luis Obispo, SouthernMonterey, and NorthernSanta Barbara CountiesWebsite: www.sloskiers.orgContact: Hal Rosewall, Presidentpresident@sloskiers.orgClub Hotline: N/ASNOW TRACKERSServing Exeter, CAWebsite: www.centralcouncilskiclubs.orgContact: Helen Salsbury, Presidenthelenzz@aol.comClub Hotline: N/ALEFT: Most southern and centralCalifornia clubs head to MammothMountain often during the ski seasonfor recreational skiing, as well asracing weekends. The resort also hasa Ski Club Appreciation Weekendtoward the end of the normal skiseason. However, their actual seasonextends well into the summer months.- photo / MMSA/PeatrossINLAND COUNCIL RACING LEAGUEThe FWRA Race Program is a favorite event at FWSA Ski Weeks.Inland Council Racing Leagueby Wayne Stolfus, V.P. TravelInland Council was formed in 1971. Thecouncil currently represents five ski clubsfrom the Inland Empire region of SouthernCalifornia with the inclusion of the FlatlandsSki Club based in the Midwest. The counciland its affiliated clubs actively promote a varietyof recreational opportunities specificallydesigned for non-skiers, skiers and snowboarders.Inland Council and Race Leaguehave been active for more than 28 years. Wewelcome volunteers to help organize and runour council programs. If you have an interest,please contact Wayne Stolfus. The racersfrom the Inland Council will participate thisyear by attending the race weekends andevents at Mammoth Mountain sponsored byRokka and Schusski leagues. Some of our racerswill also participate in the races offered bythe Sierra and Open Leagues in the LakeTahoe area.In addition, racers will be a part of theSoCal Championships in March and Far WestChampionships in April at Alpine Meadows.Sitzmarkers Ski & Social Club attended thegreat FWSA 2010 Ski Week at Keystone, andwe plan to participate at Sun Valley for the2011 FWSA Ski Week. We look forward to anotherexciting week with lots of activities, parties,racing and great skiing.Each club schedules trips to MammothMountain and the Lake Tahoe area during theski season, plus outings throughout the yearto other resorts including Mexico, water skitrips, social gatherings, barbecues, and more.Contact a club near you for more information.Inland Council Racing Leaguewww.fwsa.orgVP Travel: Wayne Stolfus909-799-3118spiderRx@aol.comInland Council Racing LeagueMember Clubs and Contact InformationCANYON LAKEALPINE CLUBPresident: Betsy Weilbetsy@inland.netFLATLANDS SKI CLUBPresident: Dan CrawfordCell: 816-805-0384macrci@aol.comPHILLIPS RANCH SKI CLUBPresident: Alan Deines909-620-7709SITZMARKERS SKI &SOCIAL CLUBWebsite: www.sitzmarkers.comInfo Number: 951-780-0188President: Chris Clauticeclautice@aol.comSNO CATS SKI CLUBPresident: Chuck Rue909-985-8856c.rue@prodigy.netYear around social gatherings and activities: Mountain & Beach Resorts!Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 67- Keystone photo / Ken Calkins

The 2010 Intermountain Ski Weekwas held in Sun Valley. Approximately125 snowsport enthusiastseagerly attended. That didn’t includethe one on the right! - photo providedby Don AndersonIntermountain Ski Councilby Don Anderson, PresidentINTERMOUNTAIN SKI COUNCILThe slow economy has been a big challengefor all our clubs this year with decreasesin membership and smaller trips. On a positivenote, we welcome resorts to join us as AffiliatedMembers with Sun Valley and TheCanyons and now, newcomers Snowbasin,Telluride and Teton Springs Resort showingtheir strong support. Our annual council tripwas to the Sun Valley Lodge in late February.Highlights included a pub crawl in Ketchum,a fun relay race down Seattle Ridge and ourBeach Party with the Shot Ski. Our 2011 tripwill be to new Affiliated Member, TellurideJanuary 13-17. Fly, bus, or car pool, just getthere to join us and neighboring ArizonaCouncil for a lot of fun. Club bus trips continueto be popular visiting other resorts likeJackson Hole, Big Sky, Telluride, Snowbasin,Brundage, Mt. Bachelor, Grand Targhee, BogusBasin and Vail. Several clubs have strongNordic groups that do day and weekend tripsinto local forest areas and large parks like Yellowstone.We were proud to present a FWSASafety Thermometer this year to the PaintedBuffalo Inn, in Jackson, WY for their continuedsupport to all of us. (They give all skiclubs a special room rate until April). We havesome other candidates as well, so watch forthem when visiting resorts.Being so close to the mountains, ourclubs enjoy off-season activities like rafting,camping, hiking, cycling, houseboat and waterskitrips, along with outdoor concerts, picnicsand other social events. Most of our clubshave strong youth and family-oriented activitiesand sponsorship programs.The year 2012 seems far in the distance,but since Intermountain has been honored tobe named the host council for the FWSA AnnualConvention in June, we have alreadybegun our planning. The site will be Ogden,UT near the mountains, yet good proximity tothe Salt Lake City airport. The optional activitiesshould be great fun in the mountain setting.The theme will be western so, “CowboyUp”. If you haven’t been to Utah lately, theliquor laws have been modernized, so we willbe having lots of partying and fun!This year our website was rebuilt as an“.org” instead of “.com”. Thank you webmaster,Lennia Machen, for all your hard work onour new site.For more information, visit our website.Intermountain Ski Councilwww.intermountainskicouncil.orgPresident: Don Anderson(208) 238-8081andersonbloom@yahoo.comIntermountain Ski CouncilMember Clubs and Contact InformationBLACK HILLS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.bhskiclub.comPresident: Joel Landeenlandeen777@aol.com68 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11BOGUS BASIN SKI CLUB, BOISE, IDServing Boise and the greaterTreasure Valley areaWebsite: www.bogusbasinskiclubtemp.comPresident: Rosie Roscorosie.rosco@yahoo.comMembership: Bonnie Hillbonniehill51@hotmail.comCHEYENNE SKI CLUB,CHEYENNE, WYWebsite: www.cheyenneskiclub.comClub e-mail: cheyenneskiclub@gmail.comPresident: Pat Lauberpatlauber@naos.orgHILL SKI CLUB, HILL AIR FORCEBASE, OGDEN, UTWebsite: www.hillskiclub.comPresident: Norm Bateswaterski1layton@comcast.netIDAHO FALLS SKI CLUB,IDAHO FALLS, IDServing Northeastern IdahoWebsite: www.ifskiclub.comPresident: Don Raschskibiz@ida.netPARK CITY MOUNTAIN SPORTSCLUB, PARK CITY, UTWebsite: www.pcmsc.orgHotline: 435-645-5350President: David Andersondanderson@dcalaw.org

Dave Miller, Dave Walthall, TedHogander, and Alicia Culbertsonrest a moment on their Europeanski venture. - photo provided byDon Anderson- photo / Brundage Mountain ResortPOCATELLO SKI ASSOCIATION,POCATELLO, IDWebsite: www.pocatelloski.comPresident: Lizbeth Benson 208-232-0054Membership: Betty Andeson 208-237-8336UP THE CREEK SKI & REC CLUB,DENVER, COWebsite: www.upthecreek.orgPresident: Curtis Cloutiersalestrainingdvr@aim.comWEBER STATE SKI CLUB, WEBERSTATE UNIVERSITY, OGDEN, UTWebsite: clubs.weber.edu/skiPresident: Ryan Davies 801-389-4420ryandavies@mail.weber.edu,Membership in Weber State Ski Club is open tostudents at Weber State University only.Located high in the mountains ofCentral Idaho, Brundage Mountainis best known for its powder-packedglades and luxuriously wide groomedruns. The resort is blessed with over320 inches of snowfall annually. The2010/2011 ski season will mark theresort’s 50th season. New this year,Brundage will be opening up a brandnew Children’s Terrain Garden tohelp develop the little one’s snowskills. For the more advanced, overthe summer, a tree trimming projectopened 68 acres to glade skiing inselect areas of off-piste terrain. Checktheir website for activities to help celebratethis milestone year.Compiled by Scott Bowker2010 WESTERN REGION SKI SHOWSSeattle SkiFever &Snowboard ShowOctober 15-17Washington State Convention Center,Seattle, WABoise Ski SwapNovember 5-7Western Idaho Fairgrounds, Boise, IDColorado Ski & Snowboard ExpoNovember 5-7Colorado Convention Center,Denver, COPark City Ski SwapNovember 5-7Basin Recreation Field House,Park City, UTPortland SkiFever &Snowboard ShowNovember 5-7Portland Expo Center, Portland, ORSnowBomb San Francisco Ski &Snowboard FestivalNovember 6-7Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, CASan Diego Snow JamNovember 12-14Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CASki Dazzle Bay Area Ski Show &Snowboard ExpoNovember 12-14San Jose McEnery Convention Center,San Jose, CAUNR Ski SwapNovember 12-14Washoe County Fairgrounds,Reno, NVSnowBomb Silicon Valley Ski& Snowboard FestivalNovember 13-14Santa Clara Convention Center,Santa Clara, CALas Vegas Snow JamNovember 19-21Cashman Field Center,Las Vegas, NVSki Pro Avalanche Ski SaleNovember 19-21Phoenix Convention Center,Phoenix, AZSki Dazzle Sacramento SkiShow & Snowboard ExpoNovember 20-21Cal Expo, Sacramento, CASki Dazzle Los Angeles SkiShow & Snowboard ExpoDecember 2-5LA Convention Center,Los Angeles, CABay Area Snow SportsCouncil volunteers help mantheir council booth at the SkiDazzle Bay Area Ski Showto introduce their clubs to newmembers. - photo by Scott BowkerFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 69

Los Angeles Councilof Ski Clubsby Norbert Knapp, PresidentSingle Ski Club of Los Angeles had its 50th Anniversary Celebration onSeptember 25, 2010 at the Marina City Club, Marina Del Rey. Shown aboveare 31 Presidents of Single Ski Club in attendance at the event.- photo / Peter MitchellLOS ANGELES COUNCIL OF SKI CLUBSThe Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs,with 29 member clubs, is one of the oldestand largest councils in Far West Ski Association.Together, with our sister councils inSouthern California, we enjoy a diverse andwide-ranging home ranging from Mammothand June Mountains in the Inyo Forest toMount Waterman and Mount San Jacinto inLos Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.Our 5,000 plus members, from SantaBarbara to Long Beach, enjoy sports of ALLkinds, winter and summer – snow skiing andboarding, water skiing and wind surfing, hiking,river-rafting, softball, volleyball, golf, andtennis. And, we love to participate in the timehonoredsport of fine dining, as well!But to focus on winter sports, many ofour larger clubs have several weekend or midweektrips to Mammoth Mountain, as well astrips scheduled out of state and/or to internationaldestinations. L.A. Council also runs oneor more week-long trips to various resort destinations,both in North America as well asEurope or to the Southern Hemisphere. Forthe 2010-11 season, one of our trips will becombined with the Far West Ski Associationtrip to Sun Valley the last week of January,2011. Another trip is scheduled in March toSchweitzer Mountain, Idaho.The highlight of our year is our AnnualSnow Gala at the Queen Mary on Saturday,November 6. More than just a wonderfulparty, this event is designed to recognize outstandingmembers of each L.A. Council club.Each club chooses their outstanding man andwoman to represent them at the Snow Gala.It provides everyone a chance to learn abouteach club and about the achievements andcontributions of at least two of its members.At the Gala, our council selects a CouncilMan & Woman of the Year who will go on tocompete against other FWSA Council repre-7O Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11sentatives at the Annual FWSA Conventionin June. Sandy Blackwell, our Vice Presidentof Programs, is in charge of this event.Once we have skiing on our mind, westart the new season with our annual “Learnto Ski, Race and Board Week” in December atMammoth Mountain in conjunction with theinstructors at the mountain. For a modest fee,individuals receive lodging, lift tickets andgroup or individual training as conditions dictate.It is THE BEST way to introduce newor novice sports enthusiasts to the wonderfulworld of winter sports – or to improve skillsat any level.The Los Angeles Council has two raceleagues, ULLR and Rokka. (To find out whatthese mean, contact a local club!) Each leaguehas four races at Mammoth, plus the SoCalChampionships. FWRA also holds theirChampionships at the end of the season. The2011 event will be held at Alpine Meadows.Ski clubs are not-for-profit organizations,as is the council. Members recognize the importanceof social networking and communityinvolvement. Every club and individual membersare encouraged to support local communityorganizations; and of particular interestis the Adaptive Recreational Program servingsnowsport lovers with special needs. The UnrecablesSki Club is comprised primarily ofadaptive skiers who we are proud to countamong some of our busiest clubs.I mentioned the FWSA Annual Conventionin June. In 2011, Los Angeles Council willhost this event at the fabulous Pacific PalmsHotel & Conference Center in Industry Hills,centrally located between the 605, the 10, the57 and the 60 Freeways just off Azusa Avenue.Information on all of our events is availableon our website, along with links to all ofour clubs. Check it out! And – alwaysTHINK SNOW!Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubswww.lacouncil.orgPresident: Norbert Knapp(323) 793-4250lacpresident@lacouncil.orgLos Angeles Council of Ski ClubsMember Clubs and Contact InformationAEA SKI CLUB (Aerospace)L. A. South BayWebsite: www.aeaclubs.org/skiPresident: Tracy Kaber 310-221-1612ASIA SKI & BOARDING CLUB OF L.A.Greater Los AngelesPresident: Warren TanakaAboveboard@yahoo.comAUSLICH SKI &RECREATION CLUBBelmont Shore/Long BeachWebsite: www.auslichskiclub.orgPresident: Bill Holtz 562-439-4952auslichskiclub@gmail.comBEACH CITIES SKI CLUBL. A. South BayWebsite: www.bcskiclub.orgPresident: Nick Gillettpresident@bcskiclub.orgBUCKHORN SKI CLUBLos Angeles, Riverside andSan Bernardino CountiesWebsite: www.orgsites.com/ca/buckhornPresident: Russell Doherty949-360-3757

Snowcatskiing has beenextremelypopular atPowderMountain, Utah.This season, anadditional 1,000acres of expertchutes and bowlshave been addedto the 2,000 acresalready availablefor their SnowcatPowder Safari.The new areawill be known asLa Plata, namedafter a presentday ghost townvibrant in the1890s which waspopulated byworkers innearby silvermines. WolfCanyon backcountryguidedtours will also beavailable.- Courtesy of Powder Mountain, Utah. Photo Credit: Simon PetersonCCSC SPORTSL. A. County (Santa Clarita, San FernandoValley, West L.A.)Website: www.ccscsports.orgPresident: Marsha Simpson 661-259-0410jimsimpe@sbcglobal.comCONEJO SKI & SPORTS CLUBSan Fernando Valley / Ventura CountyWebsite: www.conejoskiclub.orgPresident: Jim Robertson 805-368-7964jrobertson546@gmail.comEDELWEISS SKI & SPORT CLUBLos Angeles & San Fernando ValleyWebsite: www.edelweissskiclub.orgPresident: Chuck Cattanach 818-802-9933c.cattanach@sbcglobal.netEXECUTIVE BOARDSNOWBOARD ASSN.Greater Los AngelesPresident: Keith Green 323-691-1918GRINDELWALD SKI CLUBGlendale, San Gabriel Valley, Pomona /WalnutWebsite: www.grindelwaldskiclub.orgPresident: Bob Wildman 323-663-4618Yelorox1@aon.comHUGHES SKI CLUBL. A. South BayPresident: Steve Klinger 310-802-8190klingersrmk@earthlink.netKRONENSTADT SKI CLUBPasadena and San Gabriel ValleyWebsite: www.geocities.com/kronenstadtskiPresident: Bruce Bailey 323-938-4422bbailey@gwa-architects.comLONG BEACH SKI CLUBLong Beach, Orange CountyWebsite: www.longbeachskiclub.orgPresident: Don Crawford 949-851-5896Cdon2000@sbcglobal.netLOS PADRES SKI CLUBVentura CountyWebsite: www.lospadresskiclub.netMembership: Kent AdamsKda3@verizon.netOVER THE HILL GANGLOS ANGELESGreater Los AngelesWebsite: www.overthehillganglosangeles.orgPresident: Doris Lion 818-980-1053Bendydb@earthlink.netOVER THE HILL GANG VENTURAVentura CountyWebsite: www.vcothg.orgPresident: Hal Ross 805-373-7522lawking@earthlink.netPACIFIC RIM ALLIANCESouthern California & NevadaWebsite: www.pacificrimalliance.orgPresident: Catherine Ohl 858-467-9469ohl@acatmeowz.comRADAR RIVER RATS (aka HEASBWATER SKI CLUB)Greater Los AngelesWebsite: www.radarriverrats.orgPresident: Catherine Ohl 858-467-9469ohl@acatmeowz.comSAGA SKI CLUBHollywood, Long BeachWebsite: www.Sagala.orgPresident: Jim Lawsonpresident@sagala.orgSANTA BARBARA SKI &SPORTS CLUBSanta Barbara CountyWebsite: www.sbski.orgPresident: Michael Mead 805-895-9697president@sbski.orgFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 71

photos / Eric Van PeltStand at the top of Schweitzer Mountain and you’llsee three mountain ranges, Canada and three states.The terrain varies from smooth corduroy groomersto wide open bowls and gladed runs. LAC is planninga trip to this great mountain in 2011 with 92trails on 2900 skiable acres.- photo / Schweitzer Mountain ResortLEFT: Conventions are not allbusiness. We have fun dancing, too!ABOVE: LAC delegates to the 2010Convention gather. It will be adifficult task to surpass the IndianWells Convention, but the council willbe the major force behind creating amemorable 79th Annual Conventionin Industry Hills - June of 2011.LOS ANGELES COUNCIL OF SKI CLUBSSINGLE SKI CLUB OF LOS ANGELESL. A. South Bay, West Side,San Fernando ValleyWebsite: www.singleskiclub.orgPresident: Linda Mero 818-990-8742limero@aol.comSLOPE SURFERS SKI CLUBL. A. South BayWebsite: www.slopesurfers.orgPresident: Chris Kishidapresident@slopesurfers.orgSNOWBUSTERSPasadena, San Gabriel ValleyPresident: Jerry McGhee 626-353-0930skiermon@verizon.netSPACE PARK SKI CLUB(formerly TRW)Southern CaliforniaWebsite: www.therightwayskiclub.orgPresident: Phil Weisgerber 310-921-9341TRI VALLEY SKI CLUBEastern LA County,West San Bernardino CountyWebsite: www.trivalleyskiclub.comPresident: Sharon Stein 951-532-6500sharlynst@aol.comSherrie found a new friendat a Big Sky, Montana Lodge.- photo / Sherrie Marco72 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11UNRECABLESSouthern CaliforniaWebsite: www.unrecables.comPresident: Amade Nyirak 805-300-1451Amade2@gmail.comWAILERS SKI CLUBL.A., Orange, Ventura CountiesWebsite: www.wailersskiclub.orgPresident: Susan Carson-Lewis818-985-7590president@wailersskiclub.orgWESTWOOD SKI & SPORTS CLUBGreater Los AngelesWebsite: www.westwoodskiclub.orgPresident: Scott Peer 818-500-0488scottpeer@aol.comAn Amazing Skier –An Inspiration to AllThe Unrecables Ski Club, LosAngeles Chapter of DisabledSports, USA has a new member,who is an inspiration to all of us.Dianna Digiandomenico put onher first set of skis in Januaryand joined the Unrecables onone of our Mammoth ski trips inMarch. That's seven weeks later.You can imagine our surprisewhen she insisted on going tothe top with us, to ski Cornice!She did ski it, all the way downwith no hesitation! Two monthslater, Dianna appeared on ourMammoth trip with a snowboard.She had learned to snowboardusing outriggers! We weretotally amazed and are still inawe - especially knowing thatless than four years ago, Diannawas run over by a fully loadedone-ton truck and its trailer.- Sigrid Noack

For decades, Taos Ski Valley has been world renowned for its marvelous Ski School, however, for those who want to bone upon special skills in just a short time frame, Taos offers the new and improved, concentrated and condensed mountain sportscamps. They are fast, fun, friendly and focused. Race or general ski improvement, steep and deep, mogul camps to conquerthe bumps, or expand snowboarding skills, too: they’re designed to deliver just what you want to learn. Above, spectatorsgather to watch an event on Kachina Peak. - Seth Bullington / Taos Ski ValleyNEW MEXICO SKI CLUB COUNCILNew Mexico Ski Club Councilby Diane Stearley, PresidentNMSCC is one of the eleven membercouncils of the Far West Ski Association, aswell as, the National Ski Council Federation.NMSCC is made up of three clubs representingapproximately 600 members. A club’smembership in the NMSCC gives it the tripleprivilege of Far West Ski Association membership,as well as the National Ski Council Federation.Membership provides many benefitsincluding travel bargains, membership cards,discounts from several ski industry retailers,networking, educational events, participationin FWSA trips and shared activities withother clubs within the council.NMSCC has a wide variety of clubs,from those with year round activities to skiseason only events. We encompass bothAlpine and Nordic clubs. There is truly somethingfor everyone. Check out the club pageon our website to get a listing and contact information.As the NMSCC continues to grow, wewill see even greater buying power and recognition.If your club is not a member, we wantto encourage you to join us and get involved.We still have a lot to accomplish. If you are interestedin helping form a racing league,newsletter, safety projects or any new ideasyou might have, please contact us.Looking forward to seeing you in the upcomingski season!New Mexico Ski Club Councilwww.skinewmexico.orgPresident: Diane Stearley(505) 281-3755dmstear@att.netNew Mexico Ski Club CouncilMember Clubs and Contact InformationALBUQUERQUE SKI CLUBVirtual ClubWebsite: www.abqskiclub.comPresident: Bill FolkeNEW MEXICO CROSSCOUNTRY SKI CLUBServing the greater Albuquerque areaWebsite:www.naturediscovery.org/skiclub.orgPresident: Janie Gillmaore-DanielsSITZMARKERS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.nmsitzmarkers.orgPresident Paul AdkinMichelle Martinez competes in theSanta Fe Snowshoe Classic held inJanuary, 2010. - photo provided byMichelle MartinezFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 73

NORTHWEST SKI CLUB COUNCILSkiers prepare for a PACRAT race atMt. Hood, Oregon.Northwest SkiClub Councilby Sheri Parshall, PresidentHey Snowriders!Welcome to the Northwest corner of thisyear’s fabulous Far West Ski AssociationSkier’s Guide. Northwest Ski Club Council isstarting its fourth decade of service to wintersports enthusiasts on the Upper Left Coast,and we’re ready to rock and roll! We’ve got anew logo, representing our Northwest volcanoes,and we’re ready to explode into winter!NWSCC clubs represent nearly 10,000snowsports enthusiasts in the states of Oregon,Washington, Alaska and now Hawaii!And, don’t let our name fool you - we’re notALL about skiing. Our member clubs includeservice organizations (Outdoors for All, OregonAdaptive Ski Club, and the Mt. Hood SkiPatrol), a museum (Mt. Hood Cultural Centerand Museum), as well as clubs representingboth Alpine and Nordic skiing. We even havea cycling club and a sailing club (not to mentioncool names, like S’No Joke and WIHSKI).Check us out at www.nwskiers.org.Were you a racer in your younger years(heck, we’re all still enjoying our “youngeryears,” right)? NWSCC has its very own raceSkiyente Ski Club and friends celebrate snow. - photos provided by Sheri Parshallan officially licensed NASTAR franchise, soyou’ll be able to score NASTAR points whileyou race for your club! If your club doesn’tsponsor a team, we’ll find one for you. Checkout www.pacrats.org for schedules, photos ofpast races, and information on racing in theNorthwest.NWSCC clubs are also energetic, generousmembers of our communities. Not onlydo we support our non-profit members, wedonate thousands of dollars and many hoursof time to local charities. Cancer foundations,highway clean-up sponsorships, homelessshelters and scholarship programs are all supportedby NWSCC clubs. Northwest Ski ClubCouncil was extremely proud to have two finalists,out of three, in the 2010 FWSA Charitiesand Our Community Competition: AltairSnowsports Club of Eugene, Oregon, andSkiyente Ski Club of Portland, Oregon. Skiyentewas the winner, for the second time in threeyears. Skiyente Ski Club and Mountain HighSnowsports Club are also sponsor clubs for thenewly created Far West Snowsports Foundation,raising and donating funds for up-and-comingjunior US Ski Team hopefuls. Together, thesetwo clubs, alone, donated nearly fifteen percentof the scholarship funds awarded in2010.Once you join a club, be ready to expandyour horizons—literally! NWSCC clubs travelledto over fifty resorts in 2009-2010, bothdomestically and internationally. And thosewere just ski trips. From our local Cascadevolcanoes to the craters on New Zealand;league, the Pacific Northwest Area RecreationalAlpine Teams, or PACRAT. The bestthing about PACRAT is that you can be a totalrookie in the gates, and still score huge foryour team! PACRAT is celebrating its 27thyear running gates on the slopes of Mt. Hood.Skiers and snowboarders from all NWSCCclubs are allowed to participate. If you likeNASTAR, you’ll love PACRAT!! PACRAT is from Alyeska to the Alps, NWSCC clubs were74 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11there. Traveling with an NWSCC club is thebest of all worlds: great fun, great friends andgreat adventures. Once you join an NWSCCclub, you’re also invited to all the trips hostedby Far West Ski Association. Join us in SunValley in January and Europe in March.We could tell you we’re not yourgrandpa’s (or grandma’s!) ski club, but someof us are! Congratulations to Longview SkiClub, who in 2010 celebrated 75 years of serviceto the skiing community in Longview,Washington. Longview is just one of manysnowsports clubs who have provided camaraderie,travel opportunity, and fun to generationsof snowriders for over fifty years.If you’re a member of an NWSCC club,to borrow shamelessly from Dr. Seuss, “OhThe Places You’ll Go!” NWSCC clubs are goingto be circling the globe in search of fun. Joinus, won’t you?Northwest Ski Club Councilwww.nwskiers.orgPresident: Sheri Parshall(503) 912-0064cougskier@aol.comNorthwest Ski Club CouncilMember Clubs and Contact InformationALASKAMATSU SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUBLocation: Palmer, AlaskaE-mail: johninv@mtaonline.cnet

ABOVE: NWSCC skiers enjoy a powderperfect day. RIGHT: PACRAT team“Kiss My Wax" shows off their teambling at the PACRAT Rat Attack.HAWAIIHAWAII SKI CLUBLocation: Aiea, HawaiiWebsite: www.hawaiisnowskiclub.comE-mail: pres@hawaiisnowskiclub.comOREGONALTAIR SKI & SPORTS CLUBLocation: Eugene, OregonWebsite: www.altairsports.orgBEND SKI CLUBLocation: Bend, OregonE-mail: bendssc@aol.comBERGFREUNDE SKI CLUBLocation: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.bergfreunde.orgE-mail: skiclub@bergfreunde.orgCABERNET SKI & SAIL CLUBLocation: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.nwskiers.orgE-mail: johnoreinhardt@hotmail.comCASCADE PRIME TIMERSSKI CLUBLocation: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.cascadeprimetimers.orgCASCADE SKI CLUB, INCLocation: Lodge at Government Camp, ORWebsite: www.cascadeskiclub.orgEBONY ROSE SKI CLUBLocation: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.ebonyroseskiclubportland.comE-mail:ebonyroseskiclub2002@yahoo.comFOUR SEASONS SPORTS& REC CLUBLocation: Salem, OregonE-mail: 4seasons-of-salem@comcast.netMT. BACHELOR SKIEDUCATION FOUNDATIONLocation: Bend, OregonE-mail: mbsef@mbsef.orgMT. HOOD MEADOWS RACE TEAMLocation: Hood River, OregonWebsite: www.meadowsraceteam.orgMT. HOOD CULTURAL CENTER& MUSEUMLocation: Government Camp, OregonWebsite: www.mthoodmuseum.orgE-mail: mthoodmuseum@centurytel.netMT. HOOD SKI PATROLLocation: Mt. Hood, OregonWebsite: www.mthoodskipatrol.orgMT. HOOD SKIKATSLocation: Portland, OregonE-mail: friendhenry@cnnw.netMOUNTAIN HIGHSNOWSPORT CLUBLocation: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.mthigh.orgE-mail: info@mthigh.orgOREGON NORDIC CLUB-PORTLAND CHAPTERLocation: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.onc.org/pdx.htmlE-mail: membership@onc.orgPDX SKI CLUBLocation: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.nwskiers.orgE-mail: alwaysislandbound@yahoo.comPORTLAND UNITED MOUNTAINPEDALERS (PUMP)Location: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.pumpclub.orgFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 75

Membersfrom variousclubs andcouncils areprovided theopportunity toget togetherfor fun, too,at the AnnualFWSAConvention.See you againnext year!~- photo by Eric Van Pelt- Orange Council photos by Steven BreitbartNORTHWEST SKI CLUB COUNCILSCHNEE VOGELI SKI CLUBLocation: Portland, OregonContact: Dale Parshall (503) 912-0064E-mail: dale.parshall@usbank.comSKIYENTE SKI CLUBLocation: Portland, OregonWebsite: www.skiyente.comE-mail: skiyente@yahoo.comWASHINGTONCOWLITZ COUNTY SKI CLUBLocation: Longview, WashingtonWebsite: www.nwskiers.orgContact: Norvin Peer (360) 423-5422DESERT SKI CLUBLocation: Tri-Cities, WashingtonWebsite: www.desertskiclub.orgInfo Number: (509) 946-4386LONGVIEW SKI CLUBLocation: Longview, WashingtonWebsite: www.nwskiers.orgContact: Judy Merila (360) 575-8470E-mail: lvcruise@adelphia.netNORTHWEST SKI ANDRECREATION CLUBLocation: Bellevue, WashingtonWebsite: www.nwskiclub.orgContact: Steve GriffithE-mail: dancinbaer@yahoo.comOUTDOORS FOR ALLFOUNDATIONLocation: Seattle, WashingtonWebsite: www.outdoorsforall.orgSEATTLE SKI CLUBLocation: Seattle, WashingtonContact: 425-434-656576 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11SKIHAWKS SKI CLUBLocation: Seattle, WashingtonWebsite: www.skihawks.orgE-mail: Skihawks@earthlink.netS’NO JOKE SKI CLUBLocation: Seattle, WashingtonWebsite: www.snojoke.orgInfo Number: (206) 938-5999E-mail: info@snojoke.orgSEATTLE SINGLES YACHT CLUBLocation: Seattle, WashingtonWebsite: www.ssyc.comInfo number: (206) 998-5555SKIBACS SKI &SNOWBOARD CLUBLocation: Seattle, WashingtonWebsite: www.skibacs.orgSKIHAWKS SKI CLUBLocation: Seattle, WashingtonWeb site: www.skihawks.orgE-mail: skihawks@earthlink.netSTARBUCKS ALPINE SKI CLUBLocation: Seattle, WashingtonContact: Don GuerinE-mail: dguerin@starbucks.comVANCOUVER SNOW &SPORTS CLUBLocation: Vancouver, WashingtonWebsite: www.nwskiers.orgContact: Sandy Schill (360) 887-0329E-mail: sandyschill@myexcel.comWIHSKI CLUBLocation: Seattle, WashingtonWebsite: www.afts.com/wihskiE-mail: wihski@afts.comORANGE COUNCIL OF SKI CLUBSOrange Council of Ski Clubsby Judy Thurman, PresidentSince May 5, 1971, Orange Council ofSki Clubs has been addressing the issues ofskiers in and around Orange County andSouthern California. Originating from theSouthern Council to better serve the highconcentration of skiers and snowboardersin this area, this motto was established –“Toward Better Skiing”. We are and alwayshave been an active member of the FarWest Ski Association, and we are also a memberof the National Ski Council Federation.Orange Council offers great travel adventures,supports disabled skiers programs,including USARC, charities, andcontinue to be informed on public affairsissues. Some of the other charity and communityprograms that our ski clubs supportare, the Mammoth Mountain Resort PatrolMemorial Fund, Troops Overseas, FreeWheelchair Mission and many other programs.Orange Council had 25 delegates attendthe 2010 FWSA Convention whichwas held at the Esmeralda Hotel in IndianWells, California. The council would like tothank Jess Gorman, and Betty Bains, OrangeCouncil’s Man and Woman of the Yearnominees for 2009-2010. Congratulations toboth of you for all your hard work.Orange Council and ski clubs travelprograms offer a variety of different skitrips. Our ski clubs schedule weekend skitrips to Mammoth Mountain, between December2010 and March 2011. Many alsorun out of state and international ski trips.If you are interested in ski racing, OrangeCouncil is a member of the SchusskiRace League, with four races held at Mammothbetween December 2010 throughMarch 2011 which leads to the Far WestSki Championship to be held at AlpineMeadows on April 1-3, 2011.

OC clubs offer year around fun! The Pacific Ocean and mild weather offermany opportunities for club activities. However, Mammoth Mountain is aconvenient drive for Southern Californians throughout the year. It is a favoritedestination for club racing programs and recreational skiing. Check out thatsnow! The Mammoth mammoth is a well known feature to skiers and boarders.FLATLANDS SKI CLUBPresident: Dan CrawfordCell: 816-805-0384macrci@aol.comEach year, council members participatein the Far West Ski Association SkiWeek. This year’s trip will be to Sun ValleyIdaho. January 29 – February 5, 2011. Thisis an annual event that brings together allthe ski councils, approximately 500-600people. The week is filled with lots of skiing,après parties, racing, dinners, and camaraderie.If you come on one these tripsand don’t know anyone, by the end of theweek you will have many new friends.This has always been a fantastic event! Itis not to be missed! For information on anyof our ski trips please contact Sheila VanGuilder, V.P. of Travel, svanguil@roadrunner.com.Currently, Orange Council has 11 skiclubs located in the Southern California -Orange County area. We have approximately800 members. Clubs are located indifferent areas to serve the different communitiesin “THE OC”. The clubs in OrangeCouncil have been working togethersince 1972. Each club is unique and offersa variety of different types of activitiesranging from all types of winter sports includingskiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling;to summer sports, such as tennis,beach volleyball tournaments, kayaking,biking, hiking, camping, wine tasting andoutdoor concerts. This year, Orange Councilis very excited to add Flatlands Ski Clubas our 11th club.This past year, our clubs enjoyedmany ski trips within California, as well asout of state. We had club trips to Telluride,Colorado; Whistler, BC Canada; Alyeska,Alaska; and Keystone Colorado. In 2011,some of the out of state trips, will include,Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the FWSASki Trip to Sun Valley, Idaho, and Park City,Utah.Mammoth Mountain is a favorite tripdestination for all of our clubs. Clubs offerweekend drive-ups and bus trips starting inDecember 2010, through April, 2011. Manyof our clubs offer three and four day extendedweekend trips, as well. Some of ourclubs are offering four day trips during theweek for those who are retired and enjoyskiing during the week at MammothMountain. All the trip schedules for all theski clubs are located on the Orange Councilwebsite.Whether you live in North, Central,East or West Orange County, or in one ofour beach communities, there is a club especiallyfor you. For more informationabout our organization and ski clubs, alongwith all the activities, trips please check outour website.Orange Council of Ski Clubswww.orangecouncil.orgPresident: Judy Thurman(714) 779-8534ylskicat@aol.comOrange Council of Ski ClubsMember Clubs and Contact InformationAUSLICH SKI &RECREATION CLUBWebsite: www.auslichskiclub.orgPresident: Dodie Soto 562-432-7249BALBOA SKI & SPORTS CLUBWebsite: www.balboaskiandsportsclub.comPresident: Connie Peacock 949-721-9316Luv2sailandski@hotmail.comFOUNTAIN VALLEY SKI CLUBWebsite: www.fountainvalleyskiclub.comPresident: Kristin Sanderson 951-533-1818skeetbooty@aol.comHUNTINGTON BEACH SKI CLUBWebsite: www.hbskiclub.comPresident: Dick Thiel 714 914-3212rthiel@socal.rr.comORANGE COUNTY SKI &SNOWBOARD CLUBWebsite: www.ocskiclub.comPresident: Joe Reid 714-377-0309joetennis@hotmail.comSHOOTERS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.shootersskiclub.comPresident: Aimee WongAimee.jwong@sce.cominfo@shootersskiclub.comSNOWBOUNDERS SKI CLUBWebsite: www.snowbounders.orgPresident: Jake Jacobson 714-596-5962sljacob@verizon.netSNOWFLIERS SKI CLUBPresident: Jim Hughes 562-593-9905James.b.Hughes III@boeing.comTRI VALLEY SKI CLUBWebsite: www.trivalleyskiclub.comPresident: Craig Beshore 626-335-4178Beshore75300@roadrunner.comVAND BAKKE SKI CLUBMembership: Gloria Madridcasamadrid@earthlink.netFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 77

San Diego Council members did a fantastic job as host council for the 2010FWSA Convention in Indian Wells in June. Kudos to all. - photo / Eric Van PeltSAN DIEGO COUNCIL OF SKI CLUBSSan Diego Council of Ski Clubsby Eileen Sanford, President78 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11San Diego Council of Ski Clubs consistsof ten ski/snowboard clubs representingthe varied skiers and snowboarders ofSan Diego County. The San Diego AlpineRace League is also continuing to promoterecreational skiing and snowboard racingamongst the people in the San Diego area.The SDCSC won the SoCal Championshipsthis year at Mammoth Mountain.Our clubs enjoy a variety of ski trips eachyear from Big Bear Mountain to Mammothto fly away out of state trips. We had destinationtrips to Aspen, Vail, Keystone, BigWhite, and Grundelwald, Switzerland in2009-10. In 2011, we will be going to Aspen,Sun Valley and Austria/Germany for a Bikeand Boat trip.Summertime around the clubs is alwaysbusy. Many of the clubs move theirmeetings outdoors for the season. Membersenjoy getting together for Padre Games,Museum tours, biking, hiking, tennis, horseraces at Del Mar, Bunco parties, and SummerPops concerts.The San Diego Council of Ski Clubshas always supported many charities, suchas the Jimmy Heuga Center for MS, theAmerican Cancer Society, American HeartAssociation, Special Olympics, UnitedStates Adaptive Recreation Center, YouthSports Mentoring Organization and Toysfor Tots. We now are working on Habitatfor Humanity once a month.The official start of the ski season beginswith our Gala this year on November6 organized by Barbara Blasé German andJudy Schultheis. The tickets will be $49 fordinner and dancing with the band NorthStar. The event will be held at the Marriottin Claremont Mesa. The evening will honorour SDCSC Man & Woman of the year andthe Joe Harris Award winner for longtimeservice to skiing and snow sports. The2010 winners, Hobe Schroeder and HelenHarris will host the contest for the 2010winners. Brian Flickinger, National SalesManager for Vail Resorts has been invitedto attend our 2010 Gala. We would like tothank Brian, and Vail Resorts, for sponsoringthe band for us this year.The SDCSC will volunteer to work atSnow Jam which will be held at the DelMar Fairgrounds, November 12-14. This isa great opportunity to earn money to supportour race team. The SD Alpine Leaguewill have a busy race schedule this year.We are planning to send 30 membersto the SDCSC Aspen trip from December8-14, 2010. This is the 12th Annual counciltrip to Aspen. We are also planning to send32 members to the FWSA Ski Week in SunValley from January 22-29. And, we are excitedto announce our first SDCSC foreignbike and boat trip down the Danube Riverthru Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary.It will be September 8-20 and includethree days in Munich during Oktoberfest,plus visits to nearby castles. Please see ourYou can always spot the fun-lovingSan Diego skiers and boarders on theslopes and race courses. They’ll dosomething to set themselves apartlike this boarder on the KeystoneSki Week. - photographer / Ken Calkinswebsite for details.We were very happy to host the 78thFWSA Convention at Indian Wells on June10-13, 2010. We stayed at the beautiful RenaissanceEsmeralda Resort and Spa. It wasa great success for FWSA, our ski industrypartners and our council volunteers.Thanks everyone for a job well done. Formore information about the SDCSC, visitour website, and join us for another greatyear.San Diego Council of Ski Clubswww.skisandiego.orgPresident: Eileen Sanford858-695-1442E-mail: esanford@san.rr.com

LEFT TO RIGHT: New trend in ski outfits? Ski trips are a great way to renew friendships between council members. (Keystone -Ken Calkins) Capital Ski and Sports Club members enjoy lunch at Mammoth Mountain. (Pat Ostroff) Las Vegas Ski & Sportsmembers annually hike Mt. Charleston to escape the heat. Organizer Mike O’Connor, has led the hike 38 times.(Photo provided by Las Vegas Ski & Sports)San Diego Council of Ski ClubsMember Clubs and Contact InformationACTION SKI & SNOWBOARD CLUBPresident: Carmen JahnsWebsite: wwwactionski.orgBAE SYSTEMS SKI &SNOWBOARD CLUBPresident: Ed Langmaid 858-625-59952hvgfun@san.rr.comDON DIEGO SKI CLUBPresident: Larry Pickering 858-755-6580Website: http:www.ski-dondiego.orgGET OFF YOUR ROCKERSSKI CLUBPresident: Linda Sterger 858-748-7356Website: http://www.getoffyourrockers.orgNORTH ISLAND SNOWDRIFTERSPresident: Nick Cowell 619-390-6659Website: www.nisnowdrifter.comPACIFIC RIM ALLIANCESNOW SPORTS CLUBPresident: Catherine Ohl 858-467-9469Website: www.pacificrimalliance.orgSAN DIEGO SKI CLUBPresident: Erin Barber 619-825-6295Website: http://san-diego-ski-club.orgSOLAR SKI CLUBPresident: Bob Morton 858-292-4136E-mail: coolbrees@earthlink.netTORREY PINES SKI CLUBPresident: Hobe Schroeder 858-551-9651Website: www.tpscsd.orgSAN DIEGO ALPINE LEAGUEPresident: Eileen Weiner 858-674-5666Website: http://www/skisandiego.org/sdalSIERRA COUNCIL & RACE LEAGUESierra Council & Race Leagueby Jo Simpson, President■■■■■Have a more interesting skiingexperience.Make new friends.Get group discounts.Check out recreational racing.Go on trips.The members of the 12 Sierra Councilclubs are looking for new members to jointhem to ski and ride, and in other social activities.Our larger member clubs offer avariety of year-round activities, includinggolf, tennis, campouts, hiking, trips to summerfestivals, and opportunities for socialinteraction at meetings, parties and happyhours. Our annual council holiday party inearly December provides an elegant startto the new ski season.A key activity of the council is theSierra Race League. The League holdseight races each season, including a verypopular Super G race that attracts racersfrom other northern California leagues.Sierra racers span all ability levels. Anyskier who can make linked turns can havea fun time on the race course.Sierra League will be sharing the racehill by joining the Bay Area Snow SportsCouncil Singles League for our regular seasonraces this season. This collaborationwill increase competition and hold downcosts for both leagues. Sierra will be offeringtwo race clinics to get new racersstarted and to help experienced racers improve.Because our top league racers volunteertheir time as coaches at theseclinics, the clinic costs are minimal for excellentcoaching.Our members enthusiastically participatein Far West Ski Association trips, clubski days and weekend trips.The Tahoe-Donner Senior Alpine SkiClub is based in Truckee, as is the CabernetSki Club. The Rat Pack club is based on theLake Tahoe south shore, and the SugarBowl Ski Club operates out of that resort.The greater Sacramento area has the CapitolSki and Sport Club and the SacramentoFagowees. The Capital club is offering atrip to Crested Butte. The Code 3 club isbased in Reno. The Sequoia Ski Club is inVisalia, California. The Las Vegas Ski Cluboffers trips to Mammoth Mountain, Aspen,Salt Lake City, Ogden and Brian Head,Utah.The RU Ski Club draws primarilyfrom the Bay Area. In northern Nevada,the Reno Ski and Recreation Club offers afull schedule of social activities throughoutthe year, and ski days at Lake Tahoe resorts.They have a trip to Aspen/Snowmassscheduled. The Top Gun Ski Clubmembers are primarily active and retiredmilitary members in northern Nevada andthe Truckee, California areas. Each club offersa different experience. All enthusiasticallywelcome active adults who enjoyskiing and socializing with others whoenjoy skiing and other outdoor activities.Sierra Council proudly salutes JimSommer of the Reno Ski and RecreationClub who was named FWSA Man of theYear. The Man and Woman of the Year candidatesfrom each FWSA council competefor the award. We are so proud to have oneof our members receive this high honor.The Reno Ski and Recreation Club wonsecond place in the Class AAA OutstandingClub Competition and third place fortheir newsletter.Check out our clubs on the next page.Try racing. It’s a fun way to expand yourskiing experience and improve your abilitywhile making new friends with membersFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11 79

- photo provided by Kathy Stewart - photo by Norman Benedict- photo provided by Kathy StewartLEFT TO RIGHT: Capital Club Bike Ride: John Cypher, Dan Simmons, Rich Fullenbach, Jessica Disney, and Kathy Stewartkeep in shape. Sacramento Fagowees Cruise: The Sacramento Fagowees cruise the Sacramento River. Capital Ski &Sports Club members enjoy a snowy day at Northstar-at-Tahoe.SIERRA COUNCIL & RACE LEAGUEof other clubs in the League. Junior racersare welcome if accompanied by a racingparent or guardian and race free. Our racersare generous with their time to introducenew racers to the world of friendlycompetition, and to help new racers improve.Visit our website for links to the memberclubs, racing information and SierraCouncil activities.Sierra Council & Race Leaguewww.sierraleague.comPresident: Jo Simpson(775) 787-7556jo_simpson@sbcglobal.netSierra Council & Race LeagueMember Clubs and Contact InformationCAPITAL SKI &SPORT CLUBSacramentowww.capitalski.orgPresident: Kathy Stewart 916-756-5635Email: capitalskiinfo@yahoo.comCABERNET SKI CLUBPresident: Donn Bryant 530-550-9452E-mail: gsracer@cebridge.netCODE 3RenoPresident: Jim Sommer 775-322-5805E-mail: Sommerskier@aol.comLAS VEGAS SKI CLUBwww.lasvegasskiclub.comPresident: Ronald Williams 702-580-0056Hotline: 702-458-0469Email: info@lasvegassskiclub.com8OFar West Skier’s Guide 2O1O - 2O11RENO SKI & RECREATION CLUBwww.renoskiandrec.comPresident: Monica Palmer 775-856-1616E-mail: prez@renoskiandrec.comHotline: (775) 747-0233RU SKI CLUBCampbell, CaliforniaPresident: Pavel Bosin 408-374-1648E-mail: pavel@bosin.netSACRAMENTO FAGOWEESwww.sacramentofagowees.orgPresident: Norman BenedictE-mail: Norman_1943@att.netHotline: (916) 491-5999Email: sacramentofagowees@sacramentofagowees.orgSEQUOIA SKI CLUBVisalia, Californiawww.sequoiaskiclub.comPresident: Woody HoganE-mail: woodyhogan@hotmail.comHotline: (559) 594-5129SUGAR BOWL SKI CLUBwww.sugarbowlskiclub.comNorden, CaliforniaPresident: Jim HendersonE-mail: president@sugarbowlskiclub.comTAHOE-DONNER ALPINESENIOR ALPINE SKI CLUBwww.tdski.comPresident: Pete TierneyE-mail: infotdski@prodigy.netTAHOE RAT PACKSouth Lake Tahoe, CaliforniaPresident: Mark LillyE-mail: marklilly@aol.comTOP GUN SKI CLUBPresident: Mike WilliamsE-mail: willy11@sbcglobal.netA skier digs into the deep Montanapowder at Whitefish Mountain Resort,finding a line between Whitefish’sfamous Snow Ghosts. - photo courtesyof Whitefish Mountain Resort / Brian Schott,photographer