FWSA Awards

Even before the ‘94 Northridge, CA earthquake crunched what remained of the old Far West Ski Association (FWSA) Ski Week Council perpetual trophy, Gene Fulkerson (FWSA VP Travel ‘91-’97) had been on a quest to obtain a new award. For five years, there had been much talk of Canada donating one.

Typically plans to look into the new trophy would be discussed at the Convention and then forgotten until Ski Week. 1996 proved to be different. Gene ran into Sandy Best of Lake Louise Resorts in Los Angeles a mere two months before the 1997 FWSA Ski Week in Steamboat. One drink lead to another and pretty soon they had an idea of an innovative trophy design. Sandy commissioned Rudi Peet.

This original keepsake is very special and literally a work of art. Rudi Peet, a Canadian jewelry designer and goldsmith, created the masterpiece for FWSA. The center is a sterling silver Canadian bear that was hand-crafted by Rudi. The fierce looking bear is perched upon “Rundle Rock” from the Canadian Rockies which sits atop a Canadian Cedar block. Behind the bear is etched glass resembling a mountain complete with ski runs.

Sandy was on hand at the 1997 Ski Week in Steamboat to unveil this precious work of art. He re-presented this trophy to FWSA at the 1997 Convention in Portland, OR.