Far West Ski Association
Far West News Flash
October 2012
Who & What's New For 2013
· Ski Season is Here
The race to be the "first to open" was not won by a Colorado resort this year. Instead, Wild Mountain Ski Area, in Minnesota, took that title. In the midst of its annual fall open house on October 7th, officials opted to take advantage of cold weather to expand upon the snow provided for its 2012 Log Jam, by making snow for public skiing and snowboarding on the Dandy novice slope, serviced only by a tow-rope. However, Arapahoe Basin came in just behind, opening in all its' splendor on October 17th with approximately 2,000 people showing up to test the (waters) snow.
· Season Ski Pass Consortiums On The Rise
Ski resorts are working together to offer tremendous deals to skiers and riders this season. Besides the Vail Resorts deal published in last month's News Flash, here are a few others.
The Rocky Mountain Super Pass is back with unlimited skiing and riding at Winter Park/Mary Jane and Copper Mountain, plus six unrestricted days at Steamboat.
The Mountain Collective Pass, is a pass that offers two single day lift tickets to Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Alta, and Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows.
And the Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort in Lake Tahoe has joined the list of ski resorts that are offering extras to its upcoming season. Sierra's unlimited season pass holders can experience three destination resorts this winter in addition to unlimited skiing/riding at Sierra-at-Tahoe.
· Kids Ski Free
Keystone Resort is taking kid-friendly programming to new heights. Throughout the entire 2012-2013 winter season, children 12 and under will ski/snowboard for free at Keystone, so long as their families stay two or more nights in one of Keystone's owned and operated accommodations. If the accommodations condition is met, the program has no blackout dates and is available on all weekends and holidays. There are no restrictions on the number of children per adult.
· MTS Sold
Michael J. Pierson Associates, Inc. (MJPA) has completed the purchase for sole ownership of Mountain Travel Symposium (MTS) from Ralf Garrison, MTS founder and co-partner. Ralf had been involved since the beginning, recognizing the potential, and setting the stage for what MTS is today. Initially, MTS included just the Forum and then the Trade and Group Exchanges were added later and most recently, the Executive Summit. The 38th annual Mountain Travel Symposium is scheduled in Snowmass, Colorado from April 7-13, 2013.
Safety First
· Head Injuries Still Increasing
Injuries and fatalities from skiing and snowboarding in the U.S. have not declined, despite measures aimed at making these popular winter sports safer, according to two studies being presented in Denver this week at Scientific Assembly, the annual meeting of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). "Skiing and snowboarding-related head injuries requiring emergency care have increased at a higher rate than all other ski and snowboard injuries, despite an increase in helmet use," said Mark Christensen, D.O., of Western Michigan University, a study author. "Males, snowboarders and teenagers are most likely to be injured.
Communication News
· Far West Skier's Guide
The 2012-2013 Far West Skier's Guide has been printed and is on its way to councils, ski shows and sport shops. This is our 25th Anniversary issue. In a couple of weeks, the digital version will become available through
www.fwsa.org
www.skifederation.org
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/farwestskiersguide/2012-13/
as well as council and club websites.
Please take the opportunity to look at the digital guide, since it will also have a 32-page insert not available in the printed edition. This is the third annual online edition. Past digital editions have reached skiers and boarders, and others in the majority of the states and provinces in North America. There have been hits from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Let's keep those viewing numbers growing!
Club And Council News
· San Diego Council
SDCSC has 4 openings going to Vail December 6-12, staying at the Vail Spa. Prices range from $830 - $1100 based on air from San Diego and lift package. Air from different locations can be arranged. Senior discounts available. We have taken folks from LA, Orange, Arizona and Portland councils in the past. Contact Mike Sanford at: .
Convention News
· Convention Incentive
Bay Area Snow Sports Council is busy planning for the 81st annual Far West Ski Convention, which will be held June 6-9, 3013 at the fabulous Grand Sierra Resort and Spa in Reno, Nevada. Be sure to visit our brand new FWSA website at www.fwsa.org and link into Convention to download the master flyer and for updated information.
It's not too early to make your room reservations. A grand Sierra Standard Room is $79.00 and the Summit Suites Grand II upgrade is $104 (double occupancy). To book your reservation, call 800.648.5080 or 775.789.2129 and use the Group Name: Far West Ski Association 2013. For booking online, go to https://resweb.passkey.com/go/FarWestSki. No password is required. There are no resort fees.
This year, FWSA is offering an "economic relief" program to provide a ski club the opportunity to send more delegates to the Convention. For every club registering 6 delegates (at the registration deadline), a 7th delegate will receive a free registration, with the registration fee reimbursed following the Convention. The ski club is free to disburse this rebate as it wishes among its delegates.
Far West Travel
· Aspen/Snowmass will be the host for the 2013 FWSA Ski Week. The dates are February 2 to 9, 2013. Check the flyer on the www.fwsa.org or contact Gloria Raminha, VP of North American Travel at .
· Far West Mini Ski Week will be to Mt. Bachelor with lodging at The Riverhouse in Bend, OR. Dates are March 25-30, 2013. This trip is limited to the first 100 people who sign-up and pay their initial deposits. Details are available on the FWSA website at fwsa.org.
· Far West International Ski Week to Innsbruck, Austria March 2-10, 2013, with an extension to Garmisch & Munich from March 10-17, 2013. Sign ups are taking place NOW! Contact Debbie Stewart, VP of International Travel, for more info: .
Member Benefits
· Member Corner
As a member of Far West, you are privy to a number of wonderful perks which can be found on our website. Click on "Member Corner", and arrow down to "Benefits" to check out the numerous discounts you can receive on ski rentals, transportation to Park City, lodging in Bend, and scores of other goodies.
NEW this year are The Powder House, in Bend, Oregon, providing members a 10% discount off rentals and retail merchandise, Park City Peaks Hotel in Park City, and the Phoenix Inn Suites in Bend, Oregon.
National Ski Council Federation also provides a host of benefits as well; so don't forget to check them out. The link can be found at the bottom of the Benefits page. The benefits are updated as we get new partners, so check in frequently to see what's new!
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Far West News Flash – October 2012 page