FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 1, 2020
FAR WEST SKI ASSOCIATION TO DEVELOP INITIATIVES TO
EXPOSE, EDUCATE AND MANAGE CULTURAL BIASES
The Far West Ski Association (FWSA) conducted its winter Board of Directors meeting November 2020 utilizing the web platform "GoToMeeting". The Far West Ski Association, founded in 1930, is a volunteer non-profit organization representing 150 affiliated ski clubs located throughout ten regional councils in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, 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 BOD passed a resolution for the Far West Ski Association to be a leader in cultivating cultural harmony in snowsports on and off the slopes. FWSA has a history with a diverse membership. The resolution quantifies and recognizes the addition of National Brotherhood of Skiers Western Region (NBSWR) as a council in FWSA, expanding our diversity and work toward a more diverse and welcoming environment for all who enjoy winter sports.
FWSA will pursue and provide opportunities to expose member clubs and councils to information about managing cultural biases. In addition FWSA will work with the NBSWR to pursue initiatives to cultivate cultural harmony including establishing goals for supporting athletes, benefactors, and vendors of color; conducting programs including inviting guests and speakers of color, highlighting activities and achievements made by people of color in snowsports; and conducting public affairs panels and Snowsports Leadership Academy workshops highlighting issues concerning people of color at the Far West Ski Association Annual Convention.
FWSA with assistance from the Far West Ski Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-profit foundation, has donated $12,150 to fifteen deserving USSA junior ski racers. The FWSA Athletic Scholarship program continues to grow with sponsorship from Whitefish Mountain Resort, Averill Hospitality Group, Schure Sports USA, Far West Racing Association; and partnerships with Skiyente Ski Club, Castro Valley Ski Club, Mountain High Snowsports Club, Los Angeles Council of Ski Clubs, Northwest Ski Club Council, San Diego Council of Ski Clubs, and Sierra Council.
In addition, FWSA passed a resolution enthusiastically supporting the nomination of California’s first ski champion, Vic Hasher, into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Vic was not only a fierce cross-country race competitor, but also competed in ski jumping, became a ski instructor, ski patroller, snow surveyor, and became the exclusive importer of Marker Bindings into the United States.
The 88th Annual Far West Ski Association Convention is scheduled for June 10-13, 2021 at the Marriott Mission Valley in San Diego, California, hosted by the San Diego Council of Ski Clubs.
For additional information regarding the Far West Ski Association, please visit our website at www.fwsa.org.