FWSA Convention 101 - What happens at a FWSA Convention?

2022 FAR WEST SKI ASSOCIATION CONVENTION 101

“HOW DO I GET THERE” FAQ’S

What is the FWSA Convention?

The Convention is the annual meeting of Far West Ski Association’s council and club leaders and members, along with ski resort sales and marketing personnel from all over the world, snowsports personalities and more! The Convention takes place in late May or early June, and is usually hosted by one of FWSA’s ten councils, at a property located within their respective regions.

What Happens at a Far West Convention?

Events include a silent auction/dance, educational leadership panel sessions, meet and greet with ski personalities like Phil Mahre or Billy Kidd, and the awards banquet and dance. There is also a business meeting on Sunday when officers are elected and other Association business takes place. All of these events (and meals!) are included in your registration fee. Also available (for an additional fee) are optional events such as the Thursday Night Pub Crawl, Michael German Memorial Golf Tournament, wine tours, and sometimes hiking, biking, kayaking or other specialty trips. For 2022 there will be a Thursday Mt. Hood Tour, as well as a Friday Wine Tour.

I Just Joined a Club. Can I Go To Convention?

Of course! Everyone can go to Convention! You don’t need to belong to a snowsports club to enjoy the FWSA Convention, but since most convention events are keyed toward snowsports club activities and leadership, a snowsports club member would benefit the most from his/her convention experience.

What is a Delegate?

“Delegate” is the term we use for snowsports club members or direct members who attend the Convention. There are voting delegates and non-voting delegates.

What is a Voting Delegate?

A “voting delegate” is a club member who is assigned by their club to vote during the FWSA business meeting, including officer elections, by-law changes, and resolutions. Each club is eligible for a certain number of voting delegates, as determined by club size. Clubs are free to use their own method to designate their voting delegates. Delegates who are not appointed to be voting delegates are non-voting delegates. An officer of your club needs to complete and submit the Convention Credentials Form in order for you to be a counted as a voting delegate.

What is a Non-Voting Delegate?

A non-voting delegate is any club delegate who is attending the Convention, but not appointed as a voting delegate.

How do I Become a Delegate?

It’s so easy! You can sign up online on the FWSA Website. Complete the forms, you can pay online or write a check, and either submit to your club president/delegate chairperson, or send directly to the FWSA Convention Registrar. That’s all there is to it! You’re in! Now make your hotel and plane reservations (if necessary), and you’ll be golden!

I’m Here-What Do I Do First?

First of all, check into your room, drop your luggage, and relax! You’re here! When you’re ready, head to the lobby and look for signs pointing to “FWSA Registration.” If the Registration table is open, check in and get your packet and goody bag. If not, you’ll meet lots of fellow conventioneers in the nearest bar while you wait!

I’m Registered – What’s Next?

Open your delegate booklet, and look for the schedule of events. This is extremely important! You’ll want to note when transportation for the optional events is departing, when things like the Silent Auction starts, when meals and free beverages are served, etc. Also find your coupon book. This has the tickets that get you into the events. DON’T LOSE YOUR DELEGATE OR COUPON BOOKS! WRITE YOUR NAME ON BOTH! Now the fun begins!

Thursday Night “Crawl”

This event is SO much fun. Folks from throughout the ski industry always arrived on Thursday (because of the fun activities on Fridays) with nothing to do. In 1997, NWSCC invented the Thursday night “pub crawl” and it’s been a tradition ever since. Ski industry and ski club revelers participate in this Thursday night gathering—it’s a great way to start convention weekend for clubbers and industry.

Optional Activities (extra cost)

Don’t miss your bus! Whether you’re golfing, kayaking, savoring wine or some other activity, the optional activities are the best way to enjoy some fun “down-time” with the industry. They really have a great time at these events because they don’t have to have their “game faces” on (not until Silent Auction, anyway!), and really enjoy getting to know ski club members one-on-one. So have fun! And don’t forget to thank them…they may have sponsored your event!

Friday Silent Auction and Trade Show

Show up early for this event and collect your free beverage. This event is open to the public, and is a great time to gather information about the individual resorts or products our industry is sharing (and what the heck—buy a ski vacation or two or other great items at the Silent Auction. You will find industry participants you do not get to meet at any other event. Trip planners, especially - bring an information sheet with information about you and your club and the type of trips you take to give to the representatives. This is your chance to collect information and brochures about ski areas your club (or you) would like to visit. In addition, you can speak with tour operators who have pre-planned trips or would work with you to set up your own ski club trip.

Saturday – Business!

Saturday begins with a brief business meeting, including introductions of FWSA officers and other VIPs, as well as a call for interested parties to indicate their interest in running for FWSA board positions. Then we recess for…

Panel Sessions

Here’s where you can really learn the nuts and bolts of running a snowsports club, or some aspects of it. Knowledgeable club leaders are there to provide information and share resources with you to help you be a better club member. Other club members are there with ideas and suggestions, too. It’s a great, round-table way to learn more about clubs. There will be a number of different panel sessions on Saturday, so check the schedule carefully. Sometimes you might want to be in two places at once, so your club might want to make sure that there is someone else from your club to cover overlapping sessions of interest.

Caucuses

After lunch, the guest speakers, and more panel sessions, it’s time for Council Caucuses. Each council meets in a different room, and all candidates for all open FWSA offices are given time to make campaign speeches and answer questions from club members. After the candidates depart, open discussion on the candidates’ pros and cons takes place. This provides valuable education that helps us all be informed voters on Sunday.

Saturday Night Awards Banquet

The biggest party of all! This banquet will honor ski industry personnel and club members alike. FWSA awards are presented, as well as the Council Volunteer of the Year award. There’s usually a theme, so use your imagination (for 2022 it’s Black Tie and Blue Jeans)! After dinner, a band will be there so that you can rock the night away. There may even be an “après party” going on somewhere—keep your ears and eyes open!

Eye Opener Party

Behaved yourself on Saturday night, did you? Or you don’t need much sleep (or face it, you’re a glutton for punishment)? Then this event is for you. Starting at 7 a.m. and lasting until 8 a.m., you can help yourself to some morning beverages (including coffee, tea, bloody marys and mimosas), fruit and muffins, and say hello to the day with many of your fellow convention buddies. Fortify yourself for the business meeting!

Sunday Business Meeting

Now for the most important part of the convention—elections!! Every year, the offices of president, secretary and treasurer must be voted upon. Functional VP’s (which include membership, international travel, North American travel, marketing, communications, council services, and public affairs) are chosen for 2-year terms (these are split, so not all offices are being voted upon at one time). There are 2 positions on the FWSA board of trustees to be filled. Additionally, voting may take place on by-law changes and resolutions. It’s important you are there for these important decisions, especially if you are a voting delegate.

If you are interested in running for a position, talk with Steve Coxen in advance (sacoxen2000@gmail.com or 503-679-9022), or you may stand up at the microphone and announce yourself as a candidate.

And don’t forget—they’ll be announcing the location of next year’s convention. You’ll have just enough time to recover from this one!

More questions? Contact: Sheri Parshall, Host Convention Chairman, cougskier@aol.com or 503-706-0522.

COME JOIN THE FUN!! COME TO FAR WEST SKI ASSOCATION’S 2022 CONVENTION!! SIGN UP TODAY!!

FWSA Service and Recognition Awards - nominations due ASAP! (March 25/April 3)

If you have someone you would like to see nominated for one of the Service Awards, due by April 3, please contact Steve Coxen at pastpresident@ fwsa.org or Chris Ciardi at president@ nwskiers.org.

Anything But the "R" Word

In their email of March 2 Brundage Mountain Resort included a very clever description of different types of snow which we are republishing here:

Anything But the "R" Word

Courtesy of Merriam-Webster, here's some unique winter weather vocab for you, while we avoid the "R" word and pray for more snow.

Névé

The partially compacted granular snow that forms the surface part of the upper end of a glacier. Also occasionally called firn. Originated from a word in the Swiss dialect of French and, before that, from the Latin word for snow, nix.

Skift
A light fall of r*** or snow. 

Onding
A heavy fall of r*** or snow. Less than a blizzard but more than a normal snowfall. Used in Scotland and Northern England since the middle of the 18th century.

Graupel
Soft hail. The word has German origins and is the diminutive of the word for "pearl barley" (Graupe). Has been in use since the 1870s when meteorologists thought they needed to distinguish one kind of hail from another.

Corn Snow
Granular snow formed by alternate thawing and freezing. Also referred to as spring snow or simply corn. Came to use in the early 20th century.

Sposh
Soft or slushy snow. Thought to be a combination of the words slush and posh, posh being an archaic term that means "a slushy mass".

Firnification
The process whereby snow is changed to névé.

Winter 2021-2022 is finally here! Is your vehicle ready?

By Tom Arnold, trustmetom@ comcast.net Mid December 2021

Ready! Set! Go! The snow has finally arrived, the ski areas are opening – some just barely [this was written in mid December, and you know what’s happened since!] – and you’re ready to ski.

There are a few things to consider before you head out. I’m going to assume that you and/or your mechanic have already winterized your car, right? You’ve put on your snow tires (or practiced in your driveway with your chains), checked front and rear wiper blades (there are very good ice-shedding blades available), topped up your windshield washer bottle with freeze-proof fluid, checked all your lights – you know the routine.

But wait, there’s more! Be sure that someone else riding with you has a key to your car and knows how to drive it in an emergency. (Ski Patrol will get you off the mountain, but you’re on your own getting home.) Batteries tend to weaken in cold weather, so have a key shop check the battery in your remote. It’s a good idea to carry a key that will unlock your car the old fashioned way, with a twist of the wrist. Carry a BIC lighter to heat up your key in the event your door lock (or ski rack or car top box lock) is frozen.

Windshield wipers. If it’s snowing or looking like it might snow, extend your wipers away from your windshield when you park so they don’t freeze to it. Also, if it has been snowing, take a minute to remove the snow from the trough at the base of the windshield where the wipers park when they’re off. A build up of snow or ice will prevent the wipers from parking and therefore weaken and eventually destroy the bushings in the mechanism that operates them. (You don’t need to understand the details; you just need to do it.)

Roadside emergency box. I carry a Rubbermaid storage box with the following items. Sure, it takes up some valuable space in the car, but I’d rather have all this stuff and not need it than the other way around. I’ve used lots of these items myself and helped a few other folks as well. If you already carry a roadside box, good for you. If you have items in your box that I don’t, I’d like to hear what they are.

1. Jumper cables for dead batteries.

2. Tire chains.

3. Knee pads for hooking up tow straps or installing chains.

4. 8’ by 10’ tarp (helps with (3) above.)

5. Roadside flares or lights.

6. Flashlight (check your batteries) and/or 12 volt floodlight that will plug into your accessory (cigarette lighter) plug.

7. Roll of duct tape.

8. Windshield deicer, ice scraper and snow brush.

9. Pen and note pad in a zip-lock plastic bag.

10. Hand cleaner and towel.

11. Gloves and hat with ear muffs.

12. Space (thermal) blanket.

13. Bottle or two of water and some energy bars.

14. Collapsible snow shovel.

There are any number of portable battery packs suitable for jump starting your car for under a hundred bucks. Costco has some and most auto parts stores have them. I don’t have one yet, but will likely get one. Be sure to get one that shows the charge level so you can keep it fully charged for your adventures. You could substitute one of these gadgets for the jumper cables.

Remember: RED is positive and BLACK is negative. Your mechanic will show you which is which if you don’t already know.

That’s it for now, folks. Remember to turn everything in your car off (front and rear wipers, lights, heater, radio, etc.) before you attack the slopes (and the lift lines.) You don’t want to come back to a dead battery!

A few parting thoughts: Remember to carry an extra mask in case yours gets blown away. Thank a Ski Patroller sometime during the day. Every day. When you are playing on the snow, they are your first responders. Also, if you are skiing/riding at Mt. Bachelor, don’t take your frustration about the fast lane line jumpers out on the lifties. They didn’t create that bonehead policy, Powdr Corp did. The lifties are only in charge of enforcing it. They don’t like it any better than you do.

Be careful, think snow, and have fun!

Tom Arnold is the Eugene Representative for Northwest Ski Club Council, and also manufactures and sells some very useful snowsports accessories. See Tom’s products at https://powdercordpouch.com

Deep Snow, Deep Safety

Contact: Jordan Elliott, President, 877-533-5520 info@pnsaa.org
Release Date: Friday, December 31, 2021

Bend, OR – With successive winter storms blanketing the region over the holiday period, skiers and riders are enjoying some of the best powder turns the northwest has to offer. With more snow predicted for next week, the snow suffocation hazard is high.

Snow Immersion Suffocation (SIS) is not typically on the forefront of our recreational mindset when we head up to the regions many winter sports facilities or back country, but the danger is very real.

• Snow Immersion happens when a skier or boarder falls head–first into a tree well or deep loose snow.

• A tree well is the void around the base of a fir tree containing a mix of low hanging branches, loose snow, and air — treat all tree wells as dangerous.

• In an inverted position you can become trapped under the snow. It is extremely difficult to get out without the help of others.

• Breathing becomes difficult as the loose snow packs in around you.

Without immediate help from your partner, you may suffocate.

All winter sports enthusiasts are advised to be educated on the risks involved with these snow conditions. www.deepsnowsafety.org is a recommended resource that all skiers and riders should utilize. Skiing and snowboarding with a friend is a best practice, always keeping your partner in sight.

# # #

The Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association is a non-profit trade association, which represents the interests of 43 ski and snowboard facilities located in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and California. The Association’s member ski areas – most of which operate on public land – collectively host over 5 million visits annually. For additional information on Pacific Northwest skiing and snowboarding, contact the PNSAA office at (877) 533-5520, or visit www.pnsaa.org to link to the website of your favorite mountain.

Press Release: 2021 FWSA 88th Annual Convention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – October 22, 2021

For Additional Information Contact: Gloria Raminha, President president@fwsa.org

The Far West Ski Association conducted its 88th Annual Convention and Meeting October 7-10, 2021, at the San Diego Marriott, Mission Valley, hosted by the San Diego Council of Ski Clubs. The Far West Ski Association, founded in 1930, is a volunteer, non-profit organization representing 150 affiliated ski clubs located throughout ten regional councils in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The Association conducts active programs in public affairs, skier safety, ski heritage, racing, communications, travel, council development, ski industry and community outreach. In addition to the 120 ski club delegates attending the annual meeting, approximately 35 ski and sports industry representatives participated in the weekend’s events.

Special guests included: Chris Anthony, Keynote Speaker, World War II 10th Mountain Division Veterans; Bruce Campbell and Howard Koch, World War II Veterans, Tom Rice and Gil Nadeau. The San Diego Council and FWSA Athletic Scholarship Recipient; Alexa Wehsener, Junior Racer & FWSA Athletic Scholarship Recipient.

The 35th Annual Silent Auction on Friday evening raised $20,000 to support FWSA programs. The highest bidders purchased ski trips, bicycle trips, diving trips, and tour packages. Saturday morning’s Travel Expo enabled industry representatives to meet with travel decision makers from the Association’s clubs and councils.

Saturday afternoon, following the luncheon, was a presentation by Keynote Speaker Chris Anthony. Chris is a 2018 Colorado Snowsports Hall of Fame Inductee, Award-winning Documentary Producer, Director, Writer and Editor, Best History Film Cannes World Film Festival 2021, Featured athlete in 28 Warren Miller films, Executive Director & Founder of Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project, Professional skier and ski personality, A veteran of nine World Extreme Skiing Championships, Former Alaskan Extreme Skiing Champion and Alaska Helicopter Ski Guide.

Two FWSA Snowsports Leadership Academy classes were held on Saturday, the morning session “Strategic Travel Planning, New, Insights & Updates” by Debbie Stewart, and the afternoon session “Race to the finish, JEDI On and Off the Slopes”, by Todd Hood. One Public Affairs session was conducted in the afternoon with a Q & A session with our VIP World War II Veterans.

FWSA Snowsports Builder Awards were presented to Candance Cable and Schone Malliet. Candace is a nine- time Paralympian, four times in the Summer Paralympics and five times in Winter Paralympics earning twelve Paralympic Medals of which eight were gold medals. Schone Malliet has devoted many years of service to the sport of skiing and he has introduced hundreds of urban children to the sports of skiing/snowboarding. Shone is the CEO and founder of Winter-4Kids at the National Winter Activity Center in Vernon, NJ which was developed out of an initiative of the National Winter Sports

Education Foundation, a national non-profit whose mission is to improve the lives, health and fitness of youth through winter activities

Two FWSA Industry Awards were presented: the FWSA Bill Mackey Award for Outstanding Ski Industry Employee, to Kevin Bracken from Winter Park Resort. The Tommi Tyndall Award for Outstanding Ski Industry Company, to Holidaze Ski Tours. Three FWSA Media Awards, the Bill Berry Award for Featured Article was presented to Jimmy Petterson for his ”Skiing Around the World, Vol II”, the Bill Berry Hard News Award to Shawn Styles, Television Broadcaster and Meteorologist, and the Warren Miller Modern Media Award, was presented to the Keynote Speaker, and film producer, Chris Anthony, for his film “Mission Mt. Mangart”.

Nancy Ellis, FWSA VP of North American Travel received the FWSA Hans Georg Award for long-term service to organized skiing. Other individuals receiving FWSA service awards included: the FWSA Elizabeth “Schatzi” Wood Award for a decisive contribution to skiing to Chris Gill, FWSA VP of Council Services, San Diego, CA. the FWSA J. Stanley Mullin Award for a decisive contribution to skiing to Jim Nachbar, Arizona Council; The FWSA Councils’ Man & Woman of the Year program, sponsored by Big White Ski Resort, recognized Sandi Schaub of Northwest Ski Club Council Council and Bill Benke of Arizona Ski Council. The FWSA President’s Award was given to; Debbie Stewart, FWSA VP of International Travel, from Visalia, CA. The Terry Smith Award was presented to Debi Phelps, Sierra Council.

Outstanding Publications was presented to: Masters Club Newsletter: 1st Place, Emilio Trampuz, Mountain High Snowsport Club (Northwest Council); Masters Club Website: 1st Place, Emilio Trampuz; Advanced Club Newsletter: 1st Place, Gordon Cardona, The Unrecables (LA Council); Advanced Website-Club: 1st Place: Dee Armstrong, The Unrecables (LA Council); and 2nd Place, Bob Burke, Inskiers Ski & Snowboard Club, (Bay Area Council); Novice Club Newsletter: 1st Place: Dennie Warren, Castro Valley Ski Club, (Bay Area Council); Novice Club Website: 1st Place, Judy Fontanellla, Torrey Pines Ski Club (San Diego Council); 2nd Place Tie: Steven Rhodes, Snowchasers Ski Club, (Bay Area Council) and Eleanor Bolen, Get off Your Rockers,(San Diego Council). Council Newsletter: 1st Place, Dennie Warren, Bay Area Snow Sports Council; 2nd Place, Gordon Cardona, Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs; 3rd Place, Linda McGavin, Northwest Ski Club Council. Council Website: 1st Place, Cathy Wilson & Jenn Wilson, Bay Area Council, 2nd Place, Linda McGavin, Northwest Ski Club Council, 3rd Place, Laura Meldrum, San Diego Council of Ski Clubs.

Outstanding Social Media Awards were presented to: 1st Place, Get off Your Rockers Facebook Group of (San Diego Ski Club Council). 2nd Place was Ski the Northwest Facebook Group of (Northwest Ski Club Council) and 3rd place went to NBS Wester Region Face Book Group of the (National Brotherhood of Skiers, Wester Region).

This year six clubs were honored for their charity work within their communities. The clubs showcased in the FWSA “Charities & Our Community” were Skiyente Ski Club of (Northwest Ski Club Council), Four Seasons West Ski & Snowboard Club of (Los Angeles Council and National Brotherhood of Skiers Western Region), Bogus Basin Ski Club of (Intermountain Ski Council), Get Off Your Rockers Ski Club of San Diego Council, Monterey Ski & Social Club of (Bay Area Council) and Snow Buster Ski Club of (Los Angeles Council & National Brotherhood of Skiers Wester Region)

Recognition and certificates were awarded to Orange Council of Ski Clubs in Southern California and Sahalie Ski Club in the Northwest Ski Club Council for celebrating 50 years.

The FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award, sponsored by Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation, was presented to John W. Lundin, author of “Skiing Sun Valley”. The Environment Award, sponsored by Aspen/Snowmass, to the individual who has made a significant contribution with new ideas and creative ways of protecting our environment and conserving resources, was presented posthumously, to Richard Lubin.

The FWSA Athletic Scholarship Program raised over $5,000 during the Convention through a raffle, silent auction and oral auction of two trips sponsored by Whitefish Mountain Resort and Grouse Mountain Lodge, as well as two Ikon Passes, courtesy of Alterra Mountain Company. The FWSA Athletic Scholarship Program, which began in 2004, has awarded 123 scholarships for a total of over $165,000 to deserving USSA racers throughout the western United States.

Elections were held at Sunday’s General Session. FWSA Officers for 2021–2022 are: President, Gloria Raminha (Bakersfield, CA); Secretary, Tan Nguyen (Long Beach, CA); Treasurer, Randy Lew (Battle Ground, WA); Chairperson Board of Trustees, Linda Westlund (Scottsdale, AZ); VP Council Services, Chris Gill (San Diego, CA); VP Marketing, Debbi Kor (Vancouver, WA); VP Membership, Jean McCasey (San Diego, CA); VP Public Affairs, Lina Arnold (San Diego, CA); VP North American Travel, Nancy Ellis (Truckee, CA); VP International Travel, Debbie Stewart (Visalia, CA); VP Racing, Bob Ellis (Truckee CA); VP of Communications, Joe Harvis (Mine Hill, NJ); Trustees Tom Bundgard (San Diego, CA), Sheri Parshall (Portland, OR) and Tucker Hoffman (Livermore, CA).

Far West Ski Association is appreciative of the many sponsors who are a big part of the success of the FWSA Annual Convention. Sponsors included: Alterra Mountain Company/IKON Pass, Aspen/Snowmass, Big White Ski Resort, Brian Head Resort, Club Med, Deer Valley Resort, Grouse Mountain Lodge, Heber Valley Tourism, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Karbon, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Mount Bachelor, Powder Mountain, Riverhouse on the Deschutes, Ski.Com, Ski Dazzle, Snowmass Tourism, Steamboat Ski and Resort Corporation, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Zermatt Utah Adventure Resort & Spa.

The 89th Annual Far West Ski Association Convention is scheduled for June 9-12, 2022, at the Red Lion Hotel on the River, Jantzen Beach, Portland, OR, hosted by the Northwest Council of Ski Clubs. For additional information regarding the Far West Ski Association, please visit our website at www.fwsa.org.

The 2022 FWSA Ski & Snowboard Week will be held in Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado, Jan 29-Feb 5. A Mini Ski & Snowboard Week will be held at Utah’s Zermatt Resort with skiing options at Park City, Deer Valley and Sundance, Mar 20- 25. The 2022 International Ski & Snowboard Adventure will be to Solden, Austria, Feb 26-Mar 5, with an extension to the Black Forest Region, Germany Mar 5-11.

Photographs are available upon request.

Autumn 2021 - Getting Ready for Ski Season!

By Tom Arnold trustmetom@ comcast.net

Hey out there. Can you believe it? Summer is almost over, autumn is fast approaching, and the smell of fresh snow will soon replace the smoky odor of wildfires. Warren Miller and TGR films are beginning to be advertised. Ski shops are opening and with any luck preseason venues like ski swaps will soon be selling good used gear and raising funds for the Ski Patrol.

Are you ready? It’s anybody’s guess how the resorts are going to respond to the challenges posed by COVID 19 (remember parking reservations at Mt. Bachelor and day limits at the resorts around Mt. Hood?) Regardless of the potential hassles, there will be a ski season. So, here are a few ideas to get you prepped for your first day (ok, the whole season) on the slopes.

Getting in shape: You’ve been exercising since the end of last season, right? RIGHT? If not, you still have time to get into a regimen of strength training and stretching, but don’t put it off any longer! Lift tickets are not getting any cheaper, and even if you have a season pass, or an Icon or Epic pass, you still want to get your money’s worth out of them. If you need direction or motivation, there are physical fitness trainers who specialize in prepping athletes (yup, that’s you) for specific sports, so check with your gym or Google for referrals. Get moving!

Get your gear in shape: If you followed my recommendations at the end of last season, you shouldn’t have much to do. Your clothes are clean, zippers and buttons are in good working order, old stuff has been repaired or discarded. (Sticky zippers can be lubricated with non-greasy water-proof zipper wax, available at any SCUBA shop.) You’ve waterproofed your outer wear with Tech wash or Tech wax or other fabric appropriate products.

I neglected to mention in my article last spring – my bad – that you should rinse out your helmet, especially if you wear it without a balaclava. (Don’t forget to take the ear buds out first.) There is still time for it to dry completely before your first day on the snow. Here’s a handy tip: I sewed large buttons to the outsides of the fabric ear flaps of my helmet to facilitate masking and demasking. (On most of the helmets I’ve seen, the shell does not extend down over the ears.)

If the boot fits: Remember at the end of last season when you took the insoles and liners out of your boots and washed everything? They’ve been drying all summer, so now’s the time to reassemble this most important part of your ski gear. Pay attention to the liners; sometimes they look almost identical, but they are left and right so be sure to install them correctly. New liners and even some of the newer shells can be remolded several times over, but hold off going to your boot fitter for the time being. Read below…

Now, the most important part. Put your boots on and keep them on for fifteen or twenty minutes. Do this once or twice a day from now on, increasing the time until you are comfortable walking around for an hour or two with the buckles buckled. Why bother? Well, you’ve been playing all summer in flip flops, aqua socks, tennis shoes, and so on. Your feet have ‘relaxed.’ Unless you’ve been skiing in Chile or Australia, you haven’t had your boots on since April or May so expect some discomfort at first. Remember if you ski a full seven hour day, you don’t want your feet to hurt after the first few runs, right? So, if after a week or two your boots still don’t feel right, by all means talk to your boot fitter. But at least give your footsies a chance to readjust to their plastic prisons before you do.

Before we leave the feet: Have your ski shop check your bindings. Screws can loosen. DIN settings can change. You can change! (Are you still the double black diamond mogul monster you once were? Get real here!) A ski tech can inspect your bindings and perform a function/torque check to ensure they release at the correct pre-determined pressure. For a binding torque check, you’ll need to take your skis AND your boots to the shop.

While you’re there with your equipment, ask the ski tech to remove the over-the-summer storage wax and apply ski wax to your skis. Do your edges need sharpening or do your skis need tuning? Now’s the time.

Get there in one piece: Have your car checked out and winterized. Be sure your mechanic knows you play in the snow so s/he will pay attention to details that might otherwise go overlooked. That should include a bumper-to-bumper safety check, the normal filters and fluids checks and changes, new wiper blades (don’t forget the rear window wiper blade!) brake pads, and of course tire inspections.

If you run studded tires, look and see if any of the studs have fallen out and if the tires will still be effective on snow and ice. If you use chains, I suggest you take an hour to install them in the comfort of your dry, sunny, warm driveway so you are familiar with the procedure when you get to the slushy chain-up pull-out. Chaining up is no fun and it’s even worse when you’re cold and wet and can’t remember exactly how to do it. You’ll be anxious to get to the mountain and start skiing or riding, so make the trip up as safe and hassle-free as you can.

Don’t forget to check your cabin filter. What’s that? Most vehicles these days are equipped with a filter so you breathe fresher air than whatever you are driving through. It’s been a long smoky, dusty summer and chances are your cabin filter is dirty and/or clogged up. Changing it is a relatively easy task (check your owner’s manual or Google it) or ask your mechanic to do it when you get the aforementioned winterization.

One more thing: Get a Sno-Park permit. Even if you ski at an area that plows its own parking lot and no permit is required, I encourage you to get one. Who knows? You may venture to a different area where permits are required and you won’t want to burn daylight buying one at the last minute. An annual Sno-Park permit is only twenty-five bucks (maybe the cheapest ski goodie you’ll buy all season) and the funds go toward keeping the roads cleared so we can play. A Sno-Park permit can be transferred from one vehicle to another and is valid in Oregon, Idaho and California (Shasta anyone?)

Finally, remember to thank a Patroller, just for being there, at the end of the day. Every day.

That’s it! Let’s have a blast this winter. Stay safe, play hard, be grateful.

R.I.P. Jim Rogowski

It is with great sadness to Cascade Ski Club and to NWSCC to announce that Jim Rogowski passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2021, from esophageal cancer. Jim will always be remembered fondly by all for his devotion to the Cascade Lodge and its upkeep. A man of many talents and trades - he worked extensively and tirelessly to maintain and improve the Lodge. Many stories will be told for generations to come about his projects.

It has been an honor and a pleasure to know and work alongside Jim. He was well known within the ski community at Mt. Hood Meadows and around Government Camp. Jim was an accomplished instructor who was active in PSIA and enjoyed sharing his knowledge with many members, friends, and foes. He traveled far and wide, always looking for opportunities to contribute to the ski community and to support his many friends and colleagues.

Jim will greatly be missed by Cascade Ski Club, and the Lodge itself will miss his fine tuning. We will be planning a celebration of life later - early April of 2022 at the Lodge. Jim maintained his sense of humor throughout his brief illness and was spirited to the very end - leaving us with an abundance of advice and lists of chores to do. Yes, Jim - we will keep the windows clean!

Bunk M7 will be permanently designated at the "Jim Rogowski Bunk" and a plaque will be placed in memory of Jim.

Cheers to the great Rogowski!
Jackie Lane and the CSC Board of Directors

Mt. Hood Meadows to Replace Mt. Hood Express Chair with a "6-Pack"!

The U.S. Forest Service is taking comments on a proposed replacement of the 4-person Mt. Hood Express (MHX) chairlift at Mt. Hood Meadows with a 6-person lift, to be operational at the beginning of the 2022-23 ski season!

The MXH chairlift was built in 1994 and has the capacity to take up to 2600 skiers/hour uphill one mile over 1200 vertical feet. It has operated continuously, both for day and night skiing, and has operated at up to 90% efficiency at peak times.

The replacement 6-person lift would follow the same alignment to minimize ground disturbance, and is rated at a capacity of 3600 skiers/hour. The 15 towers supporting the current MHX lift would be removed and 19 new towers would be installed for the new lift. Because the chairs are heavier, the new lift should operate more efficiently in inclement weather, and should do better in high wind or icy conditions.

Removal of the old lift could start at the end of the 2021-22 season, in May, while snow is still on the ground. They would expect to be flying in the new towers starting in September 0f 2022, with a goal of opening the lift by December at the beginning of the season.

See below for the presentation from the June NWSCC meeting. The USFS has recommended the project move forward as a CE - Category Exclusion since the lift is replacing an existing chairlift. Public comments supporting this chairlift are extremely welcome. See the last page of the presentation. Comments will be received at this site.

DEADLINE JULY 18 FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR FWSA OUTSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD

If your clubs and council Facebook Admins have any issues, please email socialmedia@fwsa.org for assistance, but in the meantime, we offer detailed instructions below with the attachments.

As of July 1, 2021, submissions are open for the new Far West Ski Association Outstanding Social Media Award. All clubs and councils will compete together for this award initiated in 2021. Club or Council Facebook site admins can submit Insights files (for either a Facebook Group or Facebook Page) to socialmedia@fwsa.org as of any date between July 1, 2021 and July 18, 2021.

All clubs of FWSA member councils are eligible to submit a Facebook Insights file from their Facebook Page or Facebook Group to socialmedia@fwsa.org.Please make sure to Download Data for the last 28 days of data into a comma-separated values (CSV) file format as of any day between July 1, 2021 and July 18, 2021.

1. To submit a separate Facebook Group for consideration, the Facebook Insights Group Data file is required to be downloaded and submitted as of any day between July 1, 2021 and July 18, 2021. Incomplete or untimely submissions will be disqualified. See below for instructions on saving the Facebook Insights Group Data file [see attached FB Group - All Group Data.jpg]:
- Click Insights on lower left side of your Facebook Group Menu
- Make sure to Download Details for the last 28 days
- Select Comma-separated values (CSV) file format
- Select ALL details
- Save the file with the default filename preceded with Your Club NameTo submit your Facebook Group entry, email the Facebook Insights Group Data file to SocialMedia@FWSA.org as of any day between July 1, 2021 and July 18, 2021.

2. To submit a separate Facebook Page for consideration, both the Facebook Page Insights Page Data and Facebook Page Insights Post Data files are required to be exported and submitted as of any day between July 1, 2021 and July 18, 2021. Incomplete or untimely submissions will be disqualified.See below for instructions on saving the Facebook Page Insights Page Data file [see attached FB Page - All Page Data.jpg]:
- Click Insights on lower left side of your Facebook Page Menu
- Click Export Data at the top of the screen
- Select Page data
- Select Comma-separated values (CSV) file format
- Make sure to Export Data for the last 28 days
- Save the All Page Data file with the default filename preceded with Your Club NameSee below for instructions on saving the Facebook Page Insights Post Data file [see attached FB Page - All Post Data.jpg]:
- Click Insights on lower left side of your Facebook Page Menu
- Click Export Data at the top of the screen
- Select Post data
- Select Comma-separated values (CSV) file format
- Make sure to Export Data for the last 28 days
- Save the All Page Post Data file with the default filename preceded with Your Club NameTo submit your Facebook Page entry, email both Facebook Page Data and Post Data files to SocialMedia@FWSA.org as of any day between July 1, 2021 and July 18, 2021.
Contact socialmedia@FWSA.org with any questions about the process to submit an entry for the Far West Ski Association Outstanding Social Media Award.

Todd Hood
Social Media Award Committee
Far West Ski Association

socialmedia@fwsa.org

203-570-5733

PACRAT 2021-22 Board of Directors Election

By Peter Dodd, PACRAT President

Due to ongoing group restrictions, the PACRAT Board of Directors elections will be conducted electronically again this year.

Most of the current board members are seeking re-election for the 2021-22 season. Below is the list of current nominees for the 2021-22 PACRAT Board of Directors:

Chair: Peter Dodd (incumbent)

Vice-Chair: Mark Stanford (incumbent)

Race Director: Greg Dilger (incumbent)

Results Director: Dale Parshall (incumbent)

Secretary: Dan Lane (incumbent)

Treasurer: Brian Bogatin (incumbent)

Membership Director: Morgan Towle

Party Director: Ulla Brunette (incumbent)

Sponsorship Director: Mark Crawford (incumbent)

​Note: the Past Chair and the two Directors at Large will be appointed by the board, and thus will not be voted on during the election.

If you are interested in running for one of the PACRAT board positions listed above, please contact Peter Dodd at president@pacrats.org

​Per the PACRAT Bylaws, each team from the previous race season shall be allocated one vote with the maximum number of votes allocated to a representative club being limited to 25% of the total teams with at least 6 racers signed up. Teams shall designate the person who gets to vote. In the event a club has more teams than allocated votes, the club shall decide which teams get to vote.

​We had 16 teams this season, so the maximum votes for a club is 4. Based upon this year's number of teams, here is the breakdown of clubs and number of votes:

Mountain High - 4

NWXventure – 3

Cascade – 3

Schnee Vogeli – 2

Skiyente – 1

Bergfreunde – 1

All representative voters will be emailed a link to an electronic ballot on Wednesday, June 16th. Voters will be given two days to complete the brief ballot, with the ballots expiring on Friday, June 18th. The results of the elections will be posted to the pacrats.org website by the end of June.

Everything You Need To Know About Concussions And Snowboarding

By Rachel Cook, Durham, New Hampshire, rcook@slateberry.com

If you snowboard, you probably know someone who has gotten a concussion, or maybe you’ve even had one yourself.

But how much do you really know about concussions?

If you’re going to snowboard, you need to understand what concussions are, how they happen, and what to do if you think you have a concussion. If you don’t have this knowledge, you won’t know to prevent yourself from getting a concussion or recover from one.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through the what, why, and how of concussions. We’ll talk about preventative measures you can take, why you should treat them seriously, and how to heal after a concussion.

Ready? Let’s get started.

Go HERE to continue reading article.

Colorado appeals court agrees that ski pass waivers protect resorts from liability in chairlift injuries

By Joe Harvis, National Ski Council Federation

The Colorado Court of Appeals ruling on lift ticket and season pass waivers — which release ski areas from “any and all liability” — could erase resort safety responsibilities outlined in laws like the Ski Safety Act and the Colorado Passenger Tramway Act.

Read more on NSCF website HERE.

TIPS FOR SKIING & BOARDING IN 2021

NEW YORK TIMES TIPS FOR SKIING IN THE NEW YEAR:  For those of us wanting to ski this season, the New York Times offered some helpful hints in their Nov. 25th issue. A number of our industry partners are mentioned in these articles.  Here’s a summary, some of which you may already know.

“8 Rules for Skiing This Season” by Elisabeth Vincentelli:

1. Think ahead. Many resorts aren’t offering walk-up ticket sales. Food may be available on a limited basis or you may have to bring your own. Access to such amenities as parking, rentals, and locker rooms may also be limited or require reservations.

2. Make the most of newly flexible policies. Many airlines and lodging properties are altering or eliminating their change and cancellation fees. Being a member of a ski club helps since they work closely with the airlines and lodging properties.

3. Check the state’s restrictions. Check the state’s official website since restrictions have been changing over time.

4. Think small. Brad Wilson, Bogus Basin’s General Manager, was quoted as saying, “nationally, there is a sense that small resorts will get a bump in business this year. It’s the soul of skiing.”

5. Bring your own. This includes gear, lunch, sunscreen, water, etc., as you may have no or limited access to a resort’s food and shops.

6. Plan for lunch al fresco. Expect to eat outside or in your vehicle whether you bring your own or take advantage of food trucks on the mountain.

7. Book a lesson. This could help secure access during busy times. Check with the resort to find out what kind of lessons are available.

8. If all else fails . . . Book an entire resort. Utah’s Eagle Point can be rented for $15,000 per day for those days it’s not “open to the public”. This includes lift tickets, rentals and staff for up to 200 people.

 Check out some of the “under-the-radar resorts” which offer plenty of room to turn, and plenty of challenge amid a winter of social distancing.   Some of these include: Sugar Bowl, California; Monarch Mountain, Colorado; Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho; Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana; Mission Ridge, Mt. Baker, and 49 Degrees North, Washington; and Brian Head Resort, Utah.

DANGER IN THE BACKCOUNTRY by Randy Lew

Are you prepared? Are you educated? Have you been trained? I was on a webinar entitled “Danger in the Backcountry” hosted by North American Snowsports Journalists Association (NASJA) and The Bryce and Ronnie Athletic Snow Safety Foundation (BRASS) that was truly thought provoking. With backcountry equipment sales up over 137% in the last 3 years, many more snow sport enthusiasts are venturing out of bounds. Side Country is Back Country… it is not controlled and not patrolled.

 At the end of last ski season when COVID shut down the lifts, there were more than 50 human triggered avalanches in Utah. One lucky victim (he survived) was recording his run on Strava, which showed he tumbled down the mountain at 77 mph! Both California and Colorado also showed large increases in human triggered avalanches. 90% of avalanches are caused by the victim or someone with the victim. 25% of avalanche deaths are caused from trauma, hitting a tree or rock. 38% of avalanche deaths are caused from suffocation, being buried under the snow with has set up like concrete.

 The webinar “Danger in the Backcountry” will be released in the near future on both the NASJA and BRASS websites.

 Highly recommended is the BRASS 101 Avalanche Webinar on Thursday December 3 from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm

• Free 90-minute online webinar

• Presented by certified avalanche safety instructor

• Showing of acclaimed BRASS film Off Piste

• Introduction to avalanche safety featuring Know Before You Go content

• Q&A with instructor

 https://brassavalanche.org/education/

 Get the Gear
Get the Training
Get the Forecast
Get the Picture
Get out of Harms Way

Image by Jan Helebrant from Pixabay

Planning Club & Council Trips 2021

This message comes from Nancy Ellis, FWSA VP of North American Travel, as of November 13, 2020., outlining some options trip leaders might consider when planning a trip this coming year. Nancy reminds us that neither she nor FWSA can give legal advice relating to trip waivers, and it is highly suggested that clubs consult legal counsel to write a waiver that meets the needs of their particular trip. The information in the document is for information purposes only and represents options that Nancy is using in planning FWSA trips this coming year.

See below for comments from Ken Shelton, VP of S’no Joke Ski Club, about issues his club is considering for their trips for the upcoming season.

Planning Club/Council Trips 2021
Liability Waivers—COVID-19
Options to Consider

1. Options to Consider:

(a) Clubs need to have liability insurance if they run trips

(b) Have a liability trip specific waiver. Language in the waiver should warn people of the hazards they might encounter while on the trip

• Ski Trips—hazards of skiing; getting on/off chair lifts; avalanche; uneven snow surface; ice, altitude, etc.

• Dive Trip—difference in water depths, getting on/off dive boat, etc.

• Racing—hazards of racing, etc.

• Adventure trip—walking on uneven ground; weather conditions; communicable diseases in foreign countries, lack of medical facilities in remote areas, etc.

(c) Now being asked to include COVID-19 specific language in all waivers. Find out from the insurance company if there is specific language that needs to be added to your trip waiver. They are not lawyers and recommend that a lawyer be consulted to review the waiver.

• There may be language relating to communicable diseases, including COVID-19

• Language may include that people who feel sick not attend events and self-quarantine

• Have a system for all participants signing the waiver and storing the waiver for 7 years or longer if the participant contracts a serious illness.

(d) It’s important that Clubs take steps to make sure that participants are informed of safety steps and protocols to be followed on the trip to lessen the Club’s exposure to lawsuits:

• Find out the COVID-19 protocols in place for the destination the club is travelling

• Inform participants of the protocols and make sure people follow them, e.g., wearing face masks; social distancing; not attending events when ill

• Encourage people to purchase trip insurance. While the insurance may not cover cancellation for “fear of getting COVID-19 or flying” most will have medical coverage for illness and injury while on the trip; flight delays/cancelled flights, etc. Some travel insurance does have COVID-19 coverage for evacuation if you become sick.

• Provide information to participants prior to the trip about cancellation deadlines as well as COVID-19 protocols in place if the trip takes place. This gives people information to decide whether to cancel or continue the trip knowing what the trip will be like.

• Consider posting signs at group events that remind people to wear face masks, social distancing, and frequent hand washing

• Consider handing out face masks at the door of indoor events if people forget their mask

• Consider giving everyone a small bottle of hand sanitizer or sanitizer wipes

• Find out where hand sanitizer stations are located at the resort and inform participants

• Trip leaders should consider planning a back-up plan if inside events can’t happen.

• Refund money

• Give a gift card for the amount not used for events planned with food or special activities

• Will the restaurant/banquet facility provide take-out?

• Trip leaders might suggest that people drive to trip destinations if that’s an option

• Consider only 2 people to a room and using hotel rooms over condos or rooms with lots of beds. If condos—are the bedrooms lock-offs that are separate from the other bedrooms in the condos. Are there sofa beds in the living room so that roommates can be separated if one is sick.

• Check with the resort what their plans are for people who come down with COVID-19 and who need to quarantine.

• Find out where the closest hospital is located and COVID-19 testing sites

2. Trip Leaders should have plans in place if someone gets sick on the trip

(a) Have sick people go to a doctor or medical facility to get a diagnosis of their illness

(b) Complete an Incident/Illness form that includes a doctor’s note Indicating the person’s condition, treatment recommendation, and the person is cleared to participate in group activities or if they need to be quarantined or sent home. This form should be kept with the person’s trip waiver and registration form in case a lawsuit is filed, or the person files a claim for medical reimbursement from the club insurance.

(c) Assist the person in returning home if that is needed. Work with the tour operator, resort, or medical facility about transportation options

3. Other Considerations

(a) Keep up to date on air flights used by your group. Air flights are being cancelled so participants need to check their flights frequently for changes and make changes to reservations

(b) Participants may want to drive

(c) Ski Resorts are limiting lift ticket sales at the windows. Many are requiring that people purchase lift tickets online in advance of the trip

(d) Vail Resorts are requiring that pass holders reserve dates online for when they want to ski/ride at a Vail Resort. These do not include partner resorts that accept the EPIC pass (Snowbasin, Sun Valley)

(e) Alterra has announced that some resorts with the IKON pass are requiring reservations and that others may require them in the future.

(f) Some Vail Resorts will not accept group reservations for their lodging properties, so clubs should check to make sure they can get their room blocks confirmed.

4. The main thing for Trip Leaders is to communicate frequently with the Tour Operator or Resort representative to keep up to date with what’s happening in the region relating to COVID-19 and the protocols and restrictions in place. Keep your trip participants updated also so they can decide if they want to cancel or continue the trip. The health and safety of our participants are especially important.

* * * * *

S’no Joke Ski Club is one of the NWSCC clubs which usually has more trips than most other clubs. This upcoming season presents new challenges. Ken Shelton, VP of Travel, shares some of their concerns this year.

I didn't plan any fly trips. I know some clubs that did and can't fill theirs. Being on the plane is one problem. Real or not, some people worry and don't book the trip. The airporter bus is another problem. A 56 seat bus can carry only 14 passengers with social distancing. That adds to the per person trip cost. Many places to stay are condos where people must share kitchens and other spaces. Many hotels in the destination areas are expensive and we wouldn't sell many single rooms. No trip to Europe this winter!

For the you-drive trips I decided that we'd sell single rooms, with shared rooms only by request. The club would not assign roommates nor suggest carpool companions. People can do whatever they choose, but the club is out of it. We aren't using the language "single supplement." Every room is a single unless otherwise requested.

For the four originally planned trips to B.C. we got 100% refund provisions in case the hotel, the resort, or the border is closed to us. We've already cancelled two of the trips and are closely watching the February trip. Only one or two of our trips will have the registrants book their own hotel rooms. We're trying that for the first time, and seeing how it goes. We charge a modest registration fee to cover the trip leader's comp and some group activities. We aren't using an agent for any trips this coming season.
We have some members up in years, some with diabetes, asthma, or other conditions, and we need to have everyone feel as save as they want to be.

Mountain High Snowsport Club usually has 3-4 bus trips a year, including one or two to Canada. This year we feel we are unable to offer any bus trips. The one trip planned so far is to Mission Ridge, midweek (February 21-24 or 25), where the club is offering a special group price on hotel rooms, and everyone is making their own hotel reservations. This gives people the opportunity to decide whether or not they want a roommate, and also gives them the freedom to cancel the reservations on their own for any reason, without involving the club treasurer. The participants are also responsible for obtaining lift tickets on their own. Mission Ridge is on the Powder Alliance, which gives 3 free days of midweek skiing at the area. They are also on the Indy Pass, which gives 2 free days of skiing. If people don’t have either of those passes, they will be getting lift tickets on the Mission Ridge website.

Things are certainly a lot different for this coming ski season, and we hope things will be better for 2021-2022!

A Look at the Winter Ahead for the Region’s Ski Areas

Contact: 877-533-5520, info@pnsaa.org
Release Date: Thursday, October 1, 2020
PO Box 6975, Bend, OR 97708

With a nip to the fall air and cooler temperatures predicted in the central Pacific Ocean, the region’s ski areas are preparing for winter recreation, where every aspect of ski area operations will look different in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Ski area staff and visitors alike will need to follow guidelines to maintain the health and safety of our mountain communities. This winter will be different than any other winter we have experienced”, says Jordan Elliott, president of the region’s ski area trade association. “All skiers and riders will need to plan ahead before heading up to the ski areas, and don’t forget your mask.” The ski industry at large has spent the summer months closely monitoring the global pandemic and working with federal, state and local authorities in making plans for the winter. Ski areas will be operating under the shared set of best practices known as, Ski Well, Be Well. “Essentially, there is a social contract for skiing/riding this season”, says Elliott.

Face covering will be required, social distancing will be in effect, and employees will participate in daily wellness checks. Visitors of any ski area will need to call or check the mountain’s website for specific planning details before they head up to the snow. Face covering will be required following state regulations, as well as distancing protocols. When it comes to riding the lifts, those who arrive together will be able to ride together. All restaurants and indoor facilities will be following the same protocols that are already in place throughout the region. It will also be important to stay home if you are feeling sick.

Ski areas have hundreds of acres of wide open spaces and recreation is proven to improve mental health and physical wellness. All skiers and riders are encouraged to work together to be the reason we have a season.

* * * * *

The Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association is a non-profit trade association, which represents the interests of ski, snowboard and other lift served facilities located in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Northern California. The Association’s 42 member areas – most of which operate on public land – collectively host an average of 5.6 million visits annually. For additional information on Pacific Northwest skiing and snowboarding, contact the PNSAA office at (877) 533-5520, or visit http://www.pnsaa.org to link to the website of your favorite mountain.

Information from Epic Pass About Upcoming Ski Season

Our Plan for a Safe and Enjoyable Winter Season

This winter, we are focused on what matters most: your safety and providing you with great skiing and riding. To make that happen, we have been hard at work preparing, planning and dreaming about the 2020/21 ski and ride season. Today, we announced our winter operating plan and key changes we are making to help ensure a safe season for everyone. Read more in this important letter from our CEO Rob Katz, to understand these changes and how it impacts you as a pass holder.

Letter from Our CEO

Quick Summary

For your safety, we will be managing how many people are on our mountains this season and implementing a pass holder reservation system. Reservations will be required to access our mountains. For the vast majority of days, we anticipate our mountains will be able to accommodate everyone who wants to ski or ride at our resorts. The reservation system is designed to give you peace of mind knowing that you will have the space you need to feel safe and physically distance, no matter what day you visit.

In every decision we make, we are striving to put our pass holders first. As a pass holder you will get:

• Exclusive early season access 

• Access all season with week-of reservations

• Priority reservation days for the core season to lock-in before lift tickets go on sale 

• Easy-to-use reservation system

• Epic Coverage

• A refund before the core season if you don’t get the priority reservation days you want and have not used your pass

Learn More

To give you time to consider our winter plans, we have extended our Labor Day deadline to Sept. 17, including the deadline to use your credits from last season. For our pass holders who have already secured a pass for the 2020/21 season and no longer want to proceed, you can request a refund until Sept. 17. Visit Epicpass.com starting Sept. 1 for information on the refund process. And, for 2020/21 pass holders who wish to keep their pass, your original Epic Coverage preferences will be reset, so please ensure you update your preference starting on Nov. 6, 2020 in your profile on Epicpass.com.

We are excited about this upcoming season. And we plan to do our best to ensure your ski and ride season at our mountains is safe and an experience of a lifetime. We hope to see you on the slopes!

Make Your Mountain Time Meaningful! Ski & Ride for a Cure

Ski & Ride for a Cure (S&RC) provides skiers and snowboarders the opportunity to make their day on the mountain meaningful. Our mission is to support local/national non-profit and organizations who are striving to find a cure for diseases impacting our communities through outdoor activities and events such as:

* Mountain Celebrations – On mountain celebrations supporting local/national organizations searching for a cure for cancer.

* Host Your Own Fundraiser - Fundraisers hosted by corporations/private businesses, clubs/organizations, students, groups, fraternities/sororities, friends and families while raising funds for a charity/organization of their choice searching for a cure.

* Virtual Vertical Challenge: On mountain vertical tracking and Après’ Ski hosted after a day on the slopes while raising funds for an organization/charity in search of a cure.

Mountain Celebrations:
White Pass Ski Area · Naches, Washington · February 1, 2020
Eldora Mountain · Nederland, CO · February 8, 2020
Stevens Pass Ski Area · Skykomish, Washington · February 22, 2020
Mt Hood Skibowl · Government Camp, OR · February 29 & March 1, 2020

Virtual Vertical Challenge & Après Ski:
Crystal Mountain · Enumclaw, WA · March 14, 2020
Summit at Snoqualmie · Snoqualmie Pass, WA · March 21, 2020
Mt Baker Ski Area · Bellingham, WA · March 28, 2020

Can’t make it to a mountain celebration or vertical challenge? Host your own fundraiser! It’s your day! Your mountain! Your charity! S&RC will create a FREE custom event package including a personalized fundraising website, marketing material, awards and prizes, swag, and much more. Also, S&RC offers a 50/50 revenue split for NWSCC clubs. Support your club and charity of your choice at the same time by completing these 8 easy steps.

Be a champion and start planning your fundraiser today! Contact Lori Harmer at ed@skiandrideforacure.org or 253.691.0679 or click here to start planning your fundraiser.

Ski & Ride for a Cure
1313 Fryar Avenue #624
Sumner, WA 98390

ed@skiandrideforacure.org

www.skiandrideforacure.org

Press Release: FWSA Winter Board Meeting