Membership in the Far West Ski Association starts with the Councils. Councils are members of FWSA. Clubs belong to Councils and individuals belong to clubs. If you belong to one of these clubs, you are a member of FWSA.
You can also join FWSA as a direct member.
Benefits Far West offers member benefits and provides a number of programs you can participate in. The 2024-2025 Member Benefits pages have all been updated. The majority of ongoing partners for ski rentals, transportation, lodging and ski gear have renewed their agreement with Far West for the coming year. PLEASE take the time to look at ALL of our partners, as there have been some changes, and a couple NEW partners to point out to you: Besides Meier Skis, we now have Crystal Inn & Suites in Salt Lake City. Rossland Red Mountain Inn & Suites, in Rossland, BC, is now Sure Stay by Best Western. Check out the benefits when you are planning a ski trip. You can find some very good deals on lodging, rentals and services. Give the Transportation Network, in Park City, or Go Alpine, a call when you go to Park City or Steamboat. They will get you to your destination quickly and safely, and at a reduced rate. To keep that tan going, try some sunscreen from Peak 10. They are happy to give our members 25% off sunscreen and skin care products.
Affiliations
FWSA, as well as most of its councils, is a member of the National Ski Council Federation (NSCF). As a member of FWSA you are eligible to receive any of the benefits offered by NSCF. Go to their website and request a user id and password for access.
FWSA is an associate member of the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), giving FWSA membership access to information about what is happening in the snowsports industry, which can be found in any number of our publications.
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FWSA to go to digital membership cards for 2025-2026!
FWSA MEMBERSHIP COMES WITH BENEFITS: Membership in your club, council, the FWSA, and the National Ski Council Federation (NSCF) comes with benefits and discounts. Your Digital Membership Benefits Card Is Access To:
• Exclusive Discounts: Save on services, hard goods, lodging, equipment and gear and more at participating resorts and businesses across the West!
• Members-Only Deals: Access special offers not available to the public
• Stay Informed: Receive the latest news, reports, and updates from the FWSA
• Support Skiing & Snowboarding: Support FWSA's mission to promote and protect snow sports.
• Convenient & Contactless: Generate your card online and present your card to vendors online and offline anytime, anywhere!
Stay tuned! We will launch the beta version at FWSA Annual Convention in Palm Springs from June 12-15, 2025 so members can generate Digital Membership Benefits Cards online.
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FWSA Travel
Here’s the latest update on upcoming FWSA trips:
FWSA's 2027 Ski Week will be held in Big Sky, Montana, January 23-30, 2027! Stay tuned for details!
FWSA's annual Dive Trip will be held at Cayman Brac Beach Resort September 26-October 3, 2026 (details HERE), followed by a second optional week to Compass Point Dive Resort on the East End of Grand Cayman from October 3 -10, 2026 (details HERE).
FWSA 2027 ALYESKA SKI & IDITAROD ADVENTURE TRIP: Sandy Gaudette and Skigroup.net, will be the tour operator for the 2027 Alyeska Ski and Iditarod Adventure Trip. Trip dates are Feb.28-March 7, 2027. We will be staying at Alyeska Resort Feb. 29-Mar. 4, 2027; then the Clarion Suites Mar. 4-6, 2027, checking out March 7, 2027. The ceremonial start of Iditarod is March 6, 2027. Sign-ups will begin in March of this year, so check the website: www.fwsa.org. Let your friends know that this Alaska ski and Iditarod trip will sell quickly, so people should sign up early to secure their spot!
Future Adventure Trips: FWSA is planning future trips to Greece in 2026, the Galapagos Islands in 2027, New Zealand in 2028, and a bike & barge trip along the Rhine in 2029!
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FWSA CONVENTION 2026 - Ski.Con:
2026-2027 FAR WEST ELECTIONS
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FWSA has special AWARDS at Convention, some of which include ski trips as prizes!
FAR WEST CLUB & COUNCILS AWARDS & RECOGNITION PROGRAMS
In volunteer organizations such as your club or council, or Far West Ski Association, nothing happens without individuals contributing their time, energy and talent. These dedicated people could never be compensated for the contribution they make. For these volunteer organizations, recognition is the most valuable “thank you” that can be offered. We have many opportunities in Far West for these aspiring individuals, all of which are noted below. Take the time to think about that ONE individual you know, who best fits into one of these many categories, and consider nominating them for that particular Award or Recognition. For more detailed information on each of these, just click on www.fwsa.org/awards to read more. Applications are due March 31, 2026!
RICHARD LUBIN SAFETY PERSON OF THE YEAR: This yearly award honors the person who has done the most to promote safety consciousness within the association. This year the winner receives receives an engraved crystal trophy and certificate along with a 4 night lodging package sponsored by Holidaze Ski Tours and Mammoth Mountain Ski Area is sponsoring 3 of 4 days lift tickets for 2 people.
FAR WEST COUNCILS’ VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: This award is presented to an outstanding individual at the grassroots level. Selection criteria is based on each individual’s involvement in snowsports, club, council, regional and national activities and knowledge and enthusiasm for snowsports .
The Far West Councils' Volunteer of the Year has been sponsored by Big White Ski Resort since 2001. The winner receives a 5-day ski/board package for two that includes
5 Nights Lodging at Big White Inn in Big White (dbl. occ.)
5 Day Lift Ticket
5 Day Rental
WESTERN SKI HERITAGE AWARD: The Far West Western Ski Heritage program is to raise awareness for Snowsports participants and non-participants alike of the contributions made by individuals, groups, independent scholars, authors and companies to all aspects of Snowsports.
The winner receives a 5-day ski/board package for two from Steamboat that includes:
5 Nights Lodging
5 Day Lift Ticket for Steamboat Ski Resort
5 Days Ski/Snowboard rentals from Steamboat Ski & Sport
Half Day Lesson at the Ski & Snowboard School
On Mountain Tour given by a Mountain Representative
Lunch at Ragnar's Restaurant with the Director of Sales & Sales Manager
ENVIRONMENT AWARD: This recognition program encourages development of awareness and programs that educate club and council members about sustaining snowsports through conservation and protection of our environment. The Awardee receives an engraved crystal trophy and certificate and a 5-day lift ticket at Aspen Snowmass, 3 nights lodging at The Crestwood and 3 nights lodging at the Timberline Condominiums.
CHARITIES & OUR COMMUNITY SERVICE RECOGNITION: The intent of this recognition program is to encourage charity and community service involvement in all our FWSA councils and clubs. To recognize a club/council for its outstanding financial and/or volunteer support to one or more charitable organizations and show the ski world how much the FWSA encourages that volunteerism and charity involvement.
What Recognition Will You Receive
All clubs and councils that apply will be SHOWCASED at the FWSA convention.
Every participating club and council will receive a medallion to be used on their webpage.
At Convention, all participating clubs & councils will receive a recognition certificate.
This is the FWSA’s way of publicly supporting our clubs and councils in that same giving spirit.
HISTORIC SKI CLUBS, COUNCILS, SKI SCHOOLS OR SKI PATROLS DESIGNATION: Clubs, Councils, Ski Schools & Ski Patrols with over 50 years of operation may be eligible to be designated as a FWSA Historic Organization. The organization must provide proof of operations with their request.
CLUB, COUNCIL, & LEAGUE HISTORY AWARD: The objective of this program is to develop club, league and council histories, by compiling a set of histories that collectively describe the history of organized skiing as a whole.
COMMUNICATIONS & OUTSTANDING CLUB AWARDS: The club and council communications awards are designed to promote excellence and outstanding performance. Entries are for the following four competitions: Wentworth Outstanding Club Publication; Wentworth Outstanding Council Publication; Outstanding Club Website; and outstanding Council Website. Club classes will be determined by the club’s performance over the previous 4 years.
TOLLAKSON OUTSTANDING CLUB AWARD: Presented to a club based on club activity, member participation in racing, membership growth, communication frequency, contributions to the community, volunteerism, and leadership.
OUTSTANDING CLUB OR COUNCIL SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD: Clubs and Council compete collectively and those that wish to compete for this award will submit their Facebook insights file for either or both the pages or groups.
CHARITIES AND OUR COMMUNITY: Charitable activities are organized all year, and with the holidays upcoming, many more opportunities are available for your clubs to be involved in charitable events, which we encourage you to capture in photos & short videos for the FWSA Charity Recognition Video, to be featured at the FWSA Annual Convention in Palm Springs, June 2025. We would like YOUR club, and also your council, to be included in the 2025 video, which once again will be produced by Paul Vlasveld of Bay Area Snowsports Council (BAC). 2024 video is available here FWSA Charity Video 2024 final 06052024. How to be a part of our Charity video: 1. Take lots of photos and short videos during your Charity Activities. Try to save originals, they work so much better in a video. If there are just a few people in the photo, make note of the names, so they can be recognized. Also make a note of who took the pictures. We may use the photos in the Skiers Guide or the Councilman, where we recognize the photographers by name. 2. Send print quality logos of your Charities & your club or council. 3. Submit your input to Sigrid Noack, FWSA Chairperson of Charities & Our Community, charities@fwsa.org. Please send whatever you have ready, whenever you have it ready. 4. The deadline for sending/receiving your input is early March 2025.
A complete list of ALL of these awards has been sent to FWSA ski clubs and councils. Members are highly encouraged to participate to ensure that our sponsors continue to support these programs.