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FWSA LeadershipInformation PanelSessions Delight &Inform Attendeesby Scott BowkerVice-President - Public Affairs, FWSAOn behalf of Scott Bowker (FWSA VPPublic Affairs), Mike Sanford (FWSA PastPresident) and John Watson (FWSA HistoryChair), led the public affairs panel sessionsconducted at the Far West Ski Association’sAnnual Convention in Ogden. Guest speakersincluded Bill Christensen (10th Mountain Division,Utah Chapter), Harv Forsgren (U.S.Forest Service Intermountain Region RegionalForester, Jock Gliddon (10th Mountain Division,Utah Chapter), Dave Ludwig (founder ofHope On the Slopes program), Richard Neustedter(Jimmie Heuga Center Endowment),Emmet Parker (10th Mountain Division, UtahChapter), and Greg Thompson (co-founderMarriott Library’s Ski Archives program).The wide ranging discussions coveredthe Arizona Snowbowl snowmaking case(U.S. Forest Service approval of the use of reclaimedwastewater by Arizona Snowbowl tomake artificial snow and subsequent chal-lenges by the Navajo Nation, the first majorlegal challenge to the 1993 Religious FreedomRestoration Act, and later by Save the Peakscoalition); new changes in water rights clauses(Clause D-30 from 2011, visit www.fs.fed.us/specialuses/for more information) for ski area permitson USFS lands (NSAA v. U.S. ForestService January, 2012 lawsuit about taking ofprivate water rights); seasonal or year-roundnatural resource-based recreational activitiesat ski resorts on USFS lands (Ski Area RecreationalOpportunity Enhancement Act S.382/H.R. 765 from 2011, www.fs.fed.us/news/2011/releases/11/skicomm.shtml); environmentalimpact of resort development; activities ofWWII 10th Mountain Division veterans duringtheir active service in Southern Italy, includingclothing and equipment plus theirdramatic impact on the development of skiareas and ski industry; the importance of howcharities like Hope on the Slopes have greatlyenhanced the ability of challenged individualsto enjoy the great experiences of snow skiing;how our respective clubs and councils canparticipate or even organize fund raising activities;enlightening history of the developmentof skiing and ski industry in Utah; andorigins/sustaining activity of the Ski Archivesprogram of the Marriott Library at Universityof UT (www.lib.utah.edu/collections/ski-archives/).The Silent Auction is a favorite activity at each FWSA Convention. It not onlyprovides the opportunity to bid on fabulous ski trips, but delegates can meet thewonderful resort and other ski industry representatives to help plan futuretrips. photo by Bill Singleton / Shutterrific PhotographySnowsportsLeadershipAcademy - 2012by David KruppTrustee, FWSAUSSA on Fast TrackOne reason the U.S. Snowsports Teamshave risen to the top in the Olympics in recentyears is due to the development programsin place at the United States Ski andSnowboard Association. The SnowsportsLeadership Academy, one of the highlights ofthe Far West Ski Association’s annual convention,shifted into overdrive this year with animpressive presentation from the folks at theUSSA. Leading the presentation was VicePresident of Athletics for USSA, Luke Bodensteiner.As a two-time Olympian in CrossCountry, Luke knew the challenges the U.S.Team faced after the 2006 Games in Torino.After winning 11 medals in 2006, Vancouver2010 launched the United States Team intothe premier spotlight as the team to beat with21 overall medals. Luke expanded on this bysaying the mission over the past several yearsfor the U.S. Team was to become “Best in theWorld.” Luke went on further to give exampleson how snowsports has expanded to includedisciplines such as skier and boardercross, and slopestyle skiing.Next on the agenda was Troy Flanagan,the Director of High Performance who presenteddetails of sports psychology, training,nutrition, and gear. He went on to explainhow to get the best performance mentallyfrom each athlete (which is different for eachindividual), to the U.S. state-of-the-art trainingfacilities (specifically, slopeside for theOlympics) , the meal regimen for the athletes,to the technology that goes into the fibers ofa speed suit each ski racer wears.Director of Development, Walt Evansthen talked about junior racers at the clublevel nationally (approximately 425 clubs inall) that make up the ranks of the USSA andthe various programs in place to promote development.With eyes on the 2014 Sochi Games, theU.S. is geared for an even greater performancethan the last outing which amounts to alwaysraising the bar. With the USSA on the fasttrack, Luke and his team are poised to do justthat.Marketing, Mentoring, and MediaCreating a “toolbox” of ideas for the30 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O12 - 2O13 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.