FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 27, 2010                                                        

 FAR WEST SKI ASSOCIATION CHOOSES JACKSON HOLE MOUNTAIN RESORT FOR 2012 SKI WEEK

RENO, NV:  The Far West Ski Association (FWSA) conducted its summer Board of Directors and Board of Trustees meetings July 23rd to July 25th, 2010 at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno, Nevada. The Far West Ski Association, founded in 1930, is a volunteer non-profit organization representing 180 affiliated ski clubs located throughout eleven regional councils in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  The Association conducts active programs in public affairs, skier safety, ski heritage, athletics, racing, communications, travel, council development, ski industry, and community outreach.

The association, after analyzing many bids, has chosen Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Sports America Tours as the destination and tour operator for its 2012 North American Ski Week.

A program is being developed under the Public Affairs Safety Committee to inform children and parents of the dangers of skin cancer for Snowsports enthusiasts.

The Far West Ski Association is appreciative of the many sponsors who were a big part of the success of the FWSA summer meeting. Sponsors included: Grand Sierra Resort & Casino, Alpine Meadows, Homewood Mountain Resort, Northstar-At-Tahoe, and Sierra-At-Tahoe.

The 79^th Annual Far West Ski Association Convention is scheduled for June 9-12, 2011 at the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry Hills, California, hosted by the Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs.  For additional information regarding the Far West Ski Association, please visit www.fwsa.org .

Randy   Lew, FWSA President and Kerri Countess representing the Grand Sierra Resort
Photos available upon request 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 15, 2010                                                

FAR WEST SKI ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES DOUG PFEIFFER 

WITH THE SNOWSPORTS BUILDER AWARD  

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA:  The Far West Ski Association conducted its 78th Annual Convention and Meeting June 10-13, 2010 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells, California, hosted by the San Diego Council of Ski Clubs.  The Far West Ski Association, founded in 1930, is a volunteer, non-profit organization representing 180 affiliated ski clubs located throughout eleven regional councils in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  The Association conducts active programs in public affairs, skier safety, ski heritage, athletics, racing, communications, travel, council development, ski industry and community outreach.  In addition to the 180 ski club delegates attending the annual meeting, about 100 ski and sports industry representatives participated in the weekend’s events.
 

The 25th Annual Silent Auction on Friday evening raised over $40,000 to support FWSA programs.  The highest bidders purchased ski trips, golf and adventure trips, and sports and recreational equipment.  Saturday morning’s Travel Expo enabled industry representatives to meet with travel decision makers from the Association’s clubs and councils.  The FWSA Athletic Scholarship Program raised over $2,000 due primarily to the generous donation of a Canadian Mountain Holidays Heli-Hike package. Saturday afternoon was dedicated to a presentation by Steve Reneker, who participated in a 1995 expedition to the summit of Mount Everest carrying FWSA banners to the top of the world. The key presenters in the Public Affairs panel were Doug Pfeiffer, skiing legend and former editor of Skiing Magazine; Chuck Morse, former Executive Director of Far West Division, USSA; Walt Roessing, ski journalist; and Austin McInerny, Senior Facilitator/Mediator & Natural Resource Land-Use Planner. Far West Race Association held their annual meeting and selected Alpine Meadows Ski Area as the site for the 2011 Championships on April 1-3.  Bids were presented to the FWSA Travel Committee for selection of the 2012 FWSA Ski Week with the result to be announced later in the summer.  The 2011 FWSA Ski Week January 22 – 29 will be held in Sun Valley, Idaho. 

Annual recognition awards were presented to members of the ski industry, media, volunteers, racing leagues, councils, and ski clubs.  Industry Awards were presented: (1) the FWSA Tommi Tyndall Award for Outstanding Ski Industry Contribution, to Mammoth Mountain (2) the FWSA Bill Mackey Award for Outstanding Ski Industry Employee, to Brian Flickinger of Vail Resorts, and (3) the FWSA Jimmie Heuga Award for Outstanding Humanitarian, to Linda Whittle (Boston, MA). The FWSA Bill Berry Awards were presented to Mckay Jenkins for Feature Article for his book “The Last Ridge”; to Sylas Wright, Sierra Sun Sports Editor for Hard News; and the FWSA Warren Miller Modern Media Award to Darin Talbot and Robert Frohlich for their video & audio “Around Tahoe – Skiing & Snowboarding Tour Guide”. The 3rd FWSA Snowsports Builder Award was presented to Doug Pfeiffer (Big Bear, CA), a teacher, author, innovator, and skiing legend.

Sigrid Noack (Los Angeles, CA) received the FWSA Hans Georg Award for long-term service to organized skiing.  Other volunteers receiving recognition awards included: (1) the FWSA Elizabeth “Schatzi” Wood Award as Woman of the Year, to Gloria Raminha of Central Council (Bakersfield, CA); (2) the FWSA J. Stanley Mullin Award as Man of the Year, to Dick Shawkey of Bay Area Snowsports Council (Arnold, CA); and (3) the FWSA Jordan-Reily Award for Outstanding Contribution to Public Affairs, to John Wentworth (Mammoth Lakes, CA). The FWSA Councils Man & Woman of the Year program sponsored by Big White/Silver Star recognized Helen Harris of San Diego Council of Ski Clubs and Jim Sommer of Sierra Council.  FWSA Presidents Awards were given to Jane Wyckoff of Los Angeles Council and Lindsey Vonn of the US Ski Team, the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Gold Medalist in Downhill and the Woman’s Overall World Cup Champion.

The Tollakson Award for the Outstanding Ski Club was presented to Mountain High Snowsports Club for Class AAA and North Island Snowdrifters for Class AA. The Wentworth Award for the Outstanding Publication was presented to Mountain High Snowsports Club (Class AAA), North Island Snowdrifters (Class AA) and to the Unrecables Ski Club (Class A).  The Outstanding Website Awards were given to: Apres Ski Club (Class AAA); North Island Snowdrifters (Class AA) and to Single Ski Club of Los Angeles (Class A).  The Outstanding Council Publication went to Northwest Ski Club Council and the Outstanding Council Website Award also went to Northwest Ski Club Council.The Club & Council History Recognition was accepted by Scott Knutson on behalf of the Fresno Ski Club and the Charity & Community Service Recognition went to Skiyente Ski Club of Northwest Ski Club Council.

Special presentations were made to Richard Rizk of the Northwest Ski Club Council with the FWSA Safety Person of the Year Award, sponsored by Aspen Skiing Company with lodging provided by The Gant and the Crestwood Resort Condominiums. The FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award sponsored by Steamboat Resorts was presented to Jane Jackson (Flagstaff, AZ) for historical research into the early days of skiing in Northern Arizona and the experiences of Jimmie Nunn and friends.

Elections were held at Sunday’s General Session.  FWSA Officers for 2010 – 2011 are:  President, Randy Lew (Wilsonville, OR); Past President, Mike Sanford (San Diego, CA); Secretary, Debbie Stewart (Visalia, CA); Treasurer, Cindy Krupp (Santa Monica, CA); Chairperson Board of Trustees, Linda Westlund (Scottsdale, AZ); VP Communications, Linda Scott (Cheyenne, WY); VP Council Services, Don Anderson (Pocatello, ID); VP Marketing, Debbi Kor (Vancouver, WA); VP Membership, David Krupp (Santa Monica, CA); VP Public Affairs, Scott Bowker (San Jose, CA); VP North American Travel, Gloria Raminha (Bakersfield, CA); VP International Travel, Norm Azevedo (Walnut Creek, CA); VP Racing, Bob Ellis (Truckee CA); Trustees, Steve Coxen (West Linn, OR); Fran Long (Paso Robles, CA); and Jane Wyckoff (Irvine, CA).

The 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:  Aspen / Snowmass; Big White Ski Resort & Silver Star Mountain Resort, BC Canada; Canadian Mountain Holidays, BC Canada; Grouse Mountain Lodge, MT; Mammoth Mountain; Mt Bachelor; Ogden Convention & Visitors Bureau; Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority; Ski Banff Lake Louise Sunshine; Ski Dazzle; Ski Oregon; Snowbasin, a Sun Valley Resort; Snowmass Tourism, Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp.; Sunriver Resort; Sun Valley Resort; Taos Ski Valley; Telluride Ski Resort; Vail Resorts - Heavenly, Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone; Whitefish Mountain Resort; and San Diego Council of Ski Clubs.

The 79^th Annual Far West Ski Association Convention is scheduled for June 9-12, 2011 at the Pacific Palms Resort in Industry Hills, California.  For additional information regarding the Far West Ski Association, please visit www.fwsa.org.