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FWSA History

 

In response to significant interest expressed at the 1999 FWSA Convention in Los Angeles, Vice President for Public Affairs Mike Sanford announced the formation of a FWSA History Committee.  The inaugural meeting was held January 2000 at Jane Wyckoff’s house. The committee initially focused on simply getting organized, which included establishing a charter, goals, objectives, schedule and a formal membership and chairman. 

There was much concern expressed in LA over the whereabouts of any number of artifacts that would chronicle the development of FWSA over the years.  The Western SkiSport Museum in Boreal focuses on the development of skiing in the West, particularly in California.  It contains a number of FWSA artifacts however, it is felt there are many additional and valuable articles that should be located, identified and at least logged as to location. 

Additionally, the importance of history to the Association has been frequently highlighted by our membership and a committee that can focus on the historical aspects will provide a valuable input to the Public Affairs program. 

Catherine Ohl, winner of the FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award in 2003, has been instrumental in compiling information on the history of skiing in the West, individual ski clubs, councils and Far West Ski Association. Much of this information is available to view and download on the Pacific Rim Alliance website. Catherine's work on this project is ongoing and the information is frequently updated. For a direct link to this website [Click Here].

Ethan Chickering, winner of the FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award in 2004, is Chairman of the Western Lost Ski Areas Project (WELSAP).  The purpose of this project is to document the lost ski areas in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico.  For a direct link to the WELSAP website [Click Here].

Ingrid Wicken, winner of the FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award in 2005 for establishing the California Ski Library (www.skilibrary.com) in Norco, CA which is an extensive collection of books, magazines, photographs, scrapbooks, oral history interviews, posters, brochures, catalogs, movies, and videotapes pertaining to skiing in the U.S. especially the West.  Ingrid is also the author of the book “Pray for Snow: The History of Skiing in Southern California” for which she won the FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award in 2002 and the International Ski History Association's Skade Award in 2003.

FWSA History Committee members are:  John Watson - Chairperson, Catherine Ohl - Secretary, Mike Sanford, Steve Coxen, Randy Lew, Jane Wyckoff, Janie Hansen, Chuck Morse, Maxine Hanlon, John James, Lisa Collins, Ethan Chickering.