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 Travel
Here’s the latest update on upcoming FWSA trips:
FWSA 2025 INTERNATIONAL TRIP TO TIGNES/VAL d’ISERE: The 2025 International Ski Trip will be to TIGNES and VAL d’ISERE, with an extension to the Southern French Riviera, including Marseille, Nice, and much more. The dates for this trip are March 1-8, 2025 for the basic trip to Tignes, and Val d’Isere (Group Air departs February 27, 2025). The extension trip will be March 8-14, 2025. Contact Gloria Raminha, VP of international travel: garski2011@gmail.com. Click HERE for more details.
FWSA 2025 NORTH AMERICAN MINI SKI-WEEK: The 2025 North American Mini Ski Week will be to BIG WHITE MOUNTAIN RESORT. The dates of this trip will be March 23-28, 2025. We will be staying at the Inn at Big White. All units offer a queen bed plus a queen murphy bed. Also included: microwave, mini-fridge, and induction cooker. Amenities include hot tubs and fitness center, with proximity to the slopes. Trip package includes lodging, Welcome Breakfast, and Group dinner. You will receive discounted equipment rentals, and the lift tickets will be 3 and 4-day tickets for purchase. Travelers should utilize Kelowna (YLW) airport for air travel. Registration information is available on the fwsa.org website, HERE.
FWSA 2025 NORTH AMERICAN ADVENTURE TRIP: This will be a CANADIAN FALL FOLIAGE CRUISE aboard the Majestic Princess. Dates for this 10-night trip will be September 9-18, 2025, leaving from Quebec City to Boston. There will be an optional pre-trip night in Quebec, Canada on September 8th. Travelers may select an Inside Room, Balcony Room, or Mini Suite. Trip includes 10 nights, meals, and floor shows. We will have our own cocktail Welcome Party. You can add a drink package, WIFI, and all tips paid for an additional fee. Contact Nancy Ellis, fwsatravelnancy@sbcglobal.net or (530) 414-8261 for more information and to sign up for this fun trip! See Calendar for flier and details.
Newly announced: The 2026 FWSA Ski Week will be held in Crested Butte, Colorado, January 24-31, 2026.
The annual FWSA Convention will be held June 12-15, 2025, at the Riviera Resort & Spa, Palm Springs, CA. Signup forms have been sent to Council Presidents. Details HERE.
FWSA has special AWARDS at Convention, some of which include ski trips as prizes! Nominations are due in early March
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.
WESTERN SKI HERITAGE AWARD: The Far West Western Ski Heritage program annually recognizes the best effort, from the prior two years, that finds, preserves documents, and shares the history of Snowsports in the West. The purpose of 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 – competitive as well as that of outdoor winter recreation and fitness activities.
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. Candidates should have an awareness of Far West programs and, in particular, its public affairs involvement.
RICHARD LUBIN SAFETY PERSON OF THE YEAR: The association is a constant proponent of safe skiing. Safety should be given the highest regard by both ski resorts and participants. Safety should be a forethought, not an afterthought. Safety is having fun consciously! This yearly award honors the person who has done the most to promote safety consciousness within the association during the previous two calendar years This can be done through safety articles, on mountain activities, presentations, public speaking, ski patrolling, creating posters or banners, and other activities.
ENVIRONMENT AWARD: This recognition program encourages development of awareness and programs that educate club and council members about sustaining Snowsports through conservation and protections of our environment. The award recognizes a special action taken, or something put in place that made an impact in the community. This can be done by arranging an event for a club, council or general public. It could be published articles or stories to help spread awareness of effective ways to mitigate climate change and protect our environment, in support of Snowsports industry initiatives such as the National Ski Areas Association “Sustainable Slopes” program or the Snowsports Industries America ‘Climate Policy Agenda”.
FWSA TOLLAKSON OUTSTANDING CLUB AWARD: The Far West Ski Association wants to help you celebrate your dedicated leaders through our industry-recognized award programs. Celebrate your club achievements this year by participating in the FWSA Tollakson Outstanding Club Award Program for clubs based on volunteerism and leadership, activity, growth, communications, contributions to the community, and participation at FWSA Annual Convention and FWSA Travel. Each Council finalist and the Overall Tollakson Outstanding Club will be recognized at the 92nd Far West Ski Association Annual Convention, June 12-15, 2025 at the Riviera Resort & Spa, in Palm Springs, CA. Complete the form online by March 17, 2025: https://fwsa.org/content.aspx?page_id=331&club_id=623165&item_id=34124&actr=3.
Far West Ski Association has a number of other Recognition and Awards that are given each year at our Annual Convention. Some of those include Outstanding Communications and Club Awards; Outstanding Club or Council Social Media Award; Club and Council History Award; Historic Ski Club, Council, Ski School or Ski Patrol Designation. 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.
