Why YOU should attend the Far West Ski Association Convention in Portland June 9-12, 2022
This event only comes to the Pacific Northwest every 6+ years, and the last time NWSCC hosted it was in 2014, in Bend! This was originally scheduled in 2020.
This is the best opportunity for ski club members to:
* Meet, mingle, and share ideas with members of clubs from across the Western United States
* Attend educational sessions designed specially for ski club officers, trip leaders, and members
* Meet and socialize with members of the ski industry, ski areas, and tour operators who might not otherwise come to Portland
* Participate in fun optional activities such as a Mount Hood Adventure on Thursday (June 9), Pub Crawl in the "Couve" Thursday night, Not Your Daddy's Golf Tournament and BBQ Lunch (June 10), or Wine Tour (currently sold out)
* Attend the FREE TO THE PUBLIC Silent Auction and Trade Show Friday evening, June 10, meet with ski areas and tour operators in person to get information to plan your trips, and bid on lodging, skiing, and other items at the auction, often for bargain prices! One free drink ticket provided from 6:30-8 pm.
See this short VIDEO for an idea what Convention is all about, and read the article Convention 101 on the NWSCC website for more on what to expect.
Deadlines:
Full registration is $199, which includes all meals on Saturday and Sunday, all panel sessions, and the Banquet Dinner and Dance on Saturday night.
Other registration options include:
$50 Meetings only
$55 Meetings and Saturday lunch
$45 Saturday luncheon only (must purchase in advance)
$65 Awards Dinner and Dance only (must purchase in advance)
Please sign up online through the website or submit all forms and payments (see link to forms below) to: FWSA Registrar, c/o Jean McCasey, 10635 Esmeraldas Dr., San Diego, CA 92124.
ACTIVITIES
Activities are for Convention attendees, but if you are local and would like to participate, you could check in with organizers around June 7 to see if there are any openings available.
Thursday, June 9 - Mt. Hood Adventure - $85
7:00 a.m. WAKE UP! We’re going on a bus tour of Mt. Hood. Board the bus for a scenic drive to Mt. Hood and Government Camp. Arrive at Timberline Lodge for a scheduled Lodge tour. Then leave Timberline for a stop at the historic Mt. Hood Museum and tour the Museum. Leaving there, you’ll head to Cooper Spur Ski Area for lunch. Following lunch, you’ll head around the north side of Mt. Hood to Hood River (possible stop), then on to the world-famous Multnomah Falls for a quick stop (have your cameras ready!). Then, back to the hotel around 3 pm. Organizer, Steve Coxen
Thursday, June 9 - 25th Annual Pub Crawl - $81
At 6:00 pm you will board a bus to take you across the mighty Columbia River to beautiful Vancouver, USA, or “ The Couve”. Our first stop will be at the Heathen Feral House, for a drink and snacks, then on to Who Song & Larry’s for a yummy Mexican dinner. Afterwards, you’ll have the chance to walk off dinner along the Vancouver Waterfront, enjoying the view, or maybe another drink before boarding the bus back to the hotel at 10 pm. Organizer: Shawn Storey
Friday, June 10 - "Not Your Daddy's" Golf Tournament - $89
Meet in the lobby for a drive out to the Pub Course at McMenamin’s Edgefield, where you will tee up for an 8:30 Shotgun Start to the 15th Annual Michael German Memorial Golf Tournament. A fun-filled, 20-hole course, where the longest hole is just 125 yards away. Pick up your 2 golf clubs, a beer, and you’ll be set. Golf will be followed by a fantastic B-B-Q, at Chez Parshall, on beautiful Blue Lake. Organizer: Sheri Parshall
Friday, June 10 - Southwest Washington Wine Tour - $79 (waitlist)
We’ll begin our day at 11:00 a.m. at Mary Hill Tasting Room on the Vancouver Waterfront. From there, we’ll head to Bethany Vineyards for tasting and lunch, followed by a visit to Windy Hills Vineyard, and then back to the Hotel. Organizer, Steve Coxen
Friday, June 10 - Host Hotel - FREE
There will be the usual Pool Party (free snacks and 1 drink) and Club Happy Hour (hosted hors d'oeuvres, no-host bar) on Friday,
The 36th Annual Trade Show & Silent Auction will be held on Friday night. THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, and we encourage everyone to attend. Bid on lift tickets, lodging, and packages that may go for bargain prices! The Travel Expo will be incorporated into the Trade Show, so be prepared to present your Club Profiles, and take some extra time to chat with your favorite resorts to plan those future club and council trips.
Saturday, June 11 - Educational Panel Sessions
8:45 am – 10:25 am Snowsports Leadership Academy – “Strategic Travel in a Changing World”
Moderator: Debbie Stewart Scheduled panelists include Sean McErlean, Holidaze Ski Tours; Gloria Saiya-Woods, ski.com; Sandy Gaudette, SkiGroup.net; and Maxine Jensen, Alpine Adventures
* Interactive discussion on successful travel planning in a post COVID environment.
10:45 am – 12:15 pm – Snowsports Leadership Academy – “Avalanche Safety and Mountain Rescue” Speakers will include Paige Baugher and Steve Rollins with Portland Mountain Rescue.
10:45 am – 12:15 pm – Public Affairs Panel – “Weather Changes Effecting Mountain Operations and Public Safety”
Moderator: Randy Lew Speakers will include Matt Zaffino, KGW TV Chief Meteorologist; Scott Kaden, US Forest Service representative; Matthew Drake, President of Mt. Hood Meadows; and Elliot Jordan, President of Northwest Ski Areas Association.
Saturday's luncheon will be followed by the Convention Keynote Speaker: Phil Mahre, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, from 1:30-2:30 pm
2:40 pm – 4:00 pm – Snowsport Leadership Academy – “How to Jumpstart Your Facebook Social Media Presence”
Speakers will be Todd Hood, National Brotherhood of Skiers Western Region Treasurer and Marc Galt, founder of Ski the Northwest and a NWSCC Board member. This SLA workshop will share actionable steps so attendees can use standard free Facebook tools to grow their social media audience immediately. The facilitator is a two-time FWSA award-winning club and council Facebook Social Media Admin. Who better to learn from than an individual who has grown Facebook Group membership by nearly 25% in a 28-day period to 10,000 members? Now, as a Far West Ski Association annual convention attendee, you have the chance to hear his secrets. Bring your laptop so you can participate!
2:40 pm – 4:00 pm – Public Affairs Panel – “Athletes Panel and 10th Mountain Division”
Moderator: Randy Lew Speakers will include Trux Dole, President of the 10th Mountain Division Foundation and grandson of Minnie Dole, founder of the National Ski Patrol and 10th Mountain Division; Phil Mahre, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist; Luke Winters, US Olympian – Alpine Skiing; and AJ Kitt, retired US Ski Team member.
Saturday Night Awards Banquet and Dancing to "Thrillride"
Sunday, June 12
General Meeting, Elections, and BRUNCH!