Press Release following 2025 FWSA Convention

FAR WEST SKI ASSOCIATION Features USSSHOF Keynote Speaker, World Champion Athletes, Climate Control Experts and Club Leadership Training at 92nd Annual Convention

PALM SPRINGS, CA: The Far West Ski Association conducted its 92th Annual Convention and Meeting June 12-15, 2025 at the Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, California, hosted by the Orange Council of Ski Clubs. World champion speed and freestyle skiers, specialists in climate change, and award-winning authors joined together with ski club members for “Changes in Latitude.”

The convention featured networking with leaders in organized snowsports, educational workshops, and recognition of individuals who have made an impact in snowsports. Optional events included pickleball, golf competitions, a tour showcasing Palm Springs homes of past and present-day celebrities, a Spa Day, and the Aerial Tram at Mt. San Jacinto State Park. The 39th Annual Silent Auction and Trade Show on Friday evening raised over $22,000 to support FWSA programs. The highest bidders won deals for ski and adventure trips, and equipment including goggles and accessories.  A portion of the proceeds benefited the United States Adaptive Recreation Center (USARC) in Big Bear.

Saturday’s program featured a Public Affairs Panel on “Climate Change and the Future of Snowsports,” with expert panelists Erica Fleishman, Auden Schendler, Curtis Shuck, Dr. Thomas Spiglanin, and Tony Crocker, led by FWSA Environment Chair Dave Tragethon. Snowsports Leadership Academy training sessions, Club Marketing and Outreach, were facilitated by FWSA Vice President of Membership, Craig Caples.

A live auction of three ski packages donated by Whitefish Mountain Resort and the Lodge at Whitefish Lake, was conducted at the luncheon for the Far West Ski Association’s Athletic Scholarship program. A total of $4,000 was raised for Athletic Scholarships through the auction, a raffle, and signed posters by world champion athletes sold at the International Skiing History Booth.  In 2024 we distributed $13,700 to 25 deserving junior athletes who have potential to be named to the U.S. Ski Team in the future.  Since its inception in 2004, we have awarded 278 scholarships totaling $217,000 to 163 athletes.  

Keynote Speaker Samantha DeBoer, Director of Communications for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum, shared an insider’s view into the Hall of Fame honored member program, and its importance to the legacy of snowsports. The Far West Ski Foundation presented a grant to U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Ishpeming, Michigan, in support of showcasing the stories of athletes, pioneers and visionaries, who have significantly enriched the global sports of skiing and snowboarding.

Annual recognition awards were presented to members of the ski industry, media, volunteers, racing leagues, councils, and ski clubs. Ross Anderson, world champion speed skier and advocate for Native American youth in snowsports, and Phil Carter, owner of Phil’s Ski & Snowboard in Costa Mesa, California, with over 40 years of service to the snowsports community, were the recipients of the Snowsports Builder Award. This award is given to individuals who have made positive and indelible contributions to snowsports. Industry Awards were presented: the Tommi Tyndall Award for outstanding ski industry contribution, to Skigroup.net; and the Bill Mackey Award for outstanding ski industry employee, to Debbie Helms, Roatan Charter. The Jimmie Heuga Award for outstanding humanitarian, went to Dr Dale Hull, Neuroworx. Dave Tragethon (Happy Valley, OR) received the Jordan-Reily Award for achievement in the Public Affairs Environment program. Media awards included: the Bill Berry Award – Featured Article presented to Eddy Starr Ancinas, for her book “Olympic Valley & Alpine Meadows: Tales from Two Valleys”; the Bill Berry Award – Hard News to Tony Crocker, Freelance Writer and Snowfall Statistician and Analyst; and the Warren Miller Modern Media Award went to SYNC Production for “Rogue Lines - The Independent Ski Racing Journey.”

Sandra Knapp (Los Angeles, CA) received the Hans Georg Award for long-term service to organized skiing. Other volunteers receiving recognition awards included: the Elizabeth “Schatzi” Wood Award for a decisive contribution to skiing to Barbara Blase (San Diego, CA); J. Stanley Mullin Award for a decisive contribution to skiing to David Felker, (Bonsall, CA); Richard Lubin Safety Person of the Year for promoting snowsports safety to Linda Johnston (Scottsdale, AZ); Environment Award for activities in protecting our environment and preserving its resources to Joe Houde, North Country Climate Change Alliance; and the Terry Smith Award for greatly contributing to the advancement of recreational ski racing to Karen Albrecht (Foster City, CA). The Councils’ Volunteer of the Year program, sponsored by Big White Ski Resort, recognized Debbie Kelsey (San Mateo, CA) of the Bay Area Snow Sports Council. The President’s Award for advancing the immediate goals of Far West snowsports for the past year, was presented to Debbi Kor (Vancouver, WA) and Sheri Parshall (Fairview, OR). Jane Wyckoff (McKinney, TX) received the Golden Lifetime Legacy Award, presented to an individual with over 50 years of sustained service to Snowsports and the Far West Ski Association.

The Western Ski Heritage Award, sponsored by Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, was presented to Dana Mathios Zapfel, Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame & Museum, for her work in preserving the enduring legacy of snowsports. The Club & Council History Recognition Award was given to Karyn Tablada, Far West Racing Association, author of, “A Story: Ski Clubs & Ski Racing 1960’s – 1990’s.” Historic Ski Clubs contributing to snowsports and their communities for over 50 years were recognized: Big Pines Ski Club – Founded 1932; Leavenworth Winter Sports Club – Founded 1928; Mountain High Snowsport Club – Founded 1975; and The Unrecables – Founded 1975. An Historic Council was also recognized, the National Brotherhood of Snowsports Western Region – Founded 1975.

The Sierra League & Council again had a highly successful racing season, winning the Roma McCoy Trophy for most points per racer. At Far West Ski Week at Banff, Alberta, Canada, Sierra League & Council won the Lake Louise Trophy for the council with the most points for the GS and the Sierra Direct Members won the Joe Ross Trophy, for the club with the most points for the GS.

The Dave Tollakson Outstanding Ski Club had nine entries this year, and the overall winner was Skiyente Ski Club from Northwest Ski Club Council. Wentworth Outstanding Club Publications were: Masters – The Unrecables, Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs, Editor Gordon Cardona; Advanced – Bogus Basin Ski Club, Northwest Ski Club Council, Editor Carol Peterson; and Novice – Skiyente Ski Club, Northwest Ski Club Council, Editor Elie Jacobsen. Outstanding Club Websites were: Masters – Webmaster Emilio Trampuz, Mountain High Snowsport Club, Northwest Ski Club Council; Advanced – Webmaster Ashkan Ahani, Inskiers Ski and Snowboard Club, Bay Area Snow Sports Council; and Novice – Webmaster Carol Peterson, Bogus Basin Ski Club, Northwest Ski Club Council. The Outstanding Council Website was presented to Webmaster Linda McGavin, Northwest Ski Club Council, and Wentworth Outstanding Council Publication was Editor Gordon Cardona, Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs. The Club & Council Social Media Award was presented to Get Off Your Rockers Facebook Group, San Diego Council of Ski Clubs. The Charities & Our Community Program recognized 14 clubs and one council for their participation and achievements.

Elections were held at the June 15th Annual Business Meeting and Election of Officers. FWSA Officers for 2025 – 2026 are: President, Linda Westlund (Scottsdale, AZ); Secretary, Betty Donellan (Conroe, TX); Treasurer, Randy Lew (Battle Ground, WA); Chairperson Board of Trustees, Sheri Parshall (Fairview, OR); VP Council Services, Tom Bundgard (San Diego, CA), VP Public Affairs, Steve Coxen (Ridgefield, WA); VP North American Travel, Nancy Ellis (Verdi, NV); VP Marketing & Sponsorship, Gail Burns (Woodside, CA); VP Communications, Joe Harvis (Mine Hill, NJ); VP Membership, Craig Caples (Las Vegas, NV), VP International Travel, Gloria Raminha (Bakersfield, CA); VP Racing, Bob Ellis (Verdi, NV); and Trustees, Bob Ellis (Verdi, NV), Todd Hood (San Diego, CA); and Fran Long (Paso Robles, CA). Bylaws amendments were passed to allow direct members of our member councils to be voting members of FWSA, and to allow for conducting the annual meeting of the general membership and any special meetings remotely and/or in person.

The Far West Ski Association is appreciative of the many sponsors who are a big part of the success of the FWSA Annual Convention. They included: Aspen Snowmass, Big White Ski Resort, Copper Mountain, CoralTree Residence Collection, Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites, Karbon (a division of Schure Sports), Holidaze Ski Tours, Limelight Hotels, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Mt. Bachelor, Snowmass Tourism, Sports America, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, The Crestwood, The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Vail Resorts, and Whitefish Mountain Resort. Product donors included: Balletto Vineyards and Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs.

Founded in 1930, the Far West Ski Association is a volunteer, non-profit organization representing over 140 affiliated ski clubs located throughout nine regional councils located in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Association conducts active programs in public affairs, skier safety, ski heritage, athletics, racing, communications, travel, council development, ski industry and community outreach. This year’s convention was hosted by the Orange Council of Ski Clubs. The 93rd Annual Far West Ski Association Convention is scheduled for June 10 -14, 2026 at the Marriott Mission Valley, in San Diego, California, hosted by the San Diego Council of Ski Clubs. For additional information regarding the Far West Ski Association, please visit www.fwsa.org.

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Pictures available upon request.