SKI SEASON ENDS WITH POTLUCK

     Fifteen club members gathered at the home of David and Barbara Mayeda on May 13 for the final meeting and social event of the season, the annual spring potluck.  After a brief greeting and happy hour, the club first held its final meeting of the season.  Then for the remainder of the evening members dined and socialized, telling stories about the great winter season of skiing just experienced. 

 

OFFICERS ELECTED FOR THE NEW SKI SEASON

     During the May 13 meeting, officers for the upcoming season were elected.  Most ran unopposed with one change and one addition. 

     Reelected were Woody Hogan, President;  Debbie Stewart, Vice President and Vice President of Travel;  Sherry Babagian, Secretary;  Nancy Hamar, Treasurer;  Rosalie Fisher Shimasaki, Membership;  George Stewart, Webmaster; and  J. D. Fischer, Newsletter Editor.

     Newly elected were Social Chairman Tom Babagian and Racing Director David Mayeda.

     

 

CLUB RACERS HAVE SUCCESS AT NORCALS & FWRA 

     Three club members sped down the slopes and through the gates of success at two recent racing venues.  Debbie Stewart, George Stewart, and David Mayeda all took home medals at races held at Squaw Valley and Mammoth Mountain.

     The Norcals were held at Squaw Valley, with Debbie taking first place in class S8 Veteran Female Slalom, David first place in class S6 Veteran Male Giant Slalom, and George second in class S6 Veteran Male GS.

     At the Far West Race Association event at Mammoth Debbie was third in class S7 Veteran Female Slalom, George second in class S6 Veteran Male Giant Slalom, and David second in class S5 Veteran Male Giant Slalom.

     Congratulations to these club racers for their successes on the slopes.

 

RELAY FOR LIFE COMING SOON

     Sherry Babagian, assisted by Janice Brown, is heading up the organization of the club's involvement in this year's Visalia Relay for Life to fight cancer to be held on the weekend of September 11 and 12, once again at the College of the Sequoias track from 9 am Saturday to 9 am Sunday.  Now is the time to begin thinking about getting pledges for the event,.

     Sherry recently sent an email to club members explaining how to get involved.  Read the directions carefully on how to get and complete the form and about the different events held leading up to the relay.  If you have any additional questions contact Sherry.

     The club has participated over the past several years, and it is a chance to do something for the community and to make ourselves known.  We will have some kind of club booth set up and hope to have as many walkers on the track as we can.  More information will be available as we get closer to the event.

 

SEASON WRAP  -  There is a delay in the official changing of the name of Sierra Summit under new ownership back to its original name China Peak ++++ Squaw Valley reopened some of its runs during the Memorial Day Weekend ++++  Mammoth Mountain also has had some late season skiing ++++ If you are going on next season's ski week, a reminder that the first payment of $325 is due July 1 to Debbie.  Don't be late.++++ Remember that as a club member you are a part of the Far West Ski Association and can find a lot of useful information on the FWSA web site and Sierra League web site.

 

 

 

IT'S HAPPENING IN SUN VALLEY - A LEGEND AWAITS

     In the last issue I presented some reasons why you won't want to miss out on next season's FWSA ski week at Sun Valley, Idaho.  Here are a few more tidbits to mull over.

     On the trail map are listed quite a few green runs, but these runs are green in name only because they are the easiest ways down the mountain.  In reality most of these runs are more like gentle blue in nature.  There are also plenty of black runs.  The runs from the top of this 3,500 vertical feet mountain are very long and rollicking all the way to the bottom.  The resort is known for both its extensive snow making system and its great grooming.

     Last season the resort put in the new Roundhouse Gondola which takes you from the bottom of the River Run Plaza up 1,928 vertical feet to the Roundhouse Restaurant.  What is so important about this restaurant?  Here is how it is described on the trail map.

     "Looking for a bit of nostalgia?  Opened in 1939, Roundhouse was the first day lodge on Baldy.  It is situated mid-way up the mountain, at 7,700 feet....  Open for full-service lunch around a four-sided fireplace, Roundhouse is the most elegant mountain dining experience you'll find."

     There are TWO base lodges at Sun Valley.  River Run Plaza is considered the main access to the mountain.  The River Run Lodge offers gourmet breakfast and lunch, a full-service bar, apres ski menu, and frequent live entertainment.  It is a hub of mountain life.  The second entrance to skiing is at the Warm Spring Plaza, a couple of miles away.  In addition to its lodge and plenty of food, especially popular on sunny afternoons is the Warm Springs patio for live music and refreshments.  This place is a favorite of locals.

     Vertical - at Sun Valley there is plenty of it, more than at many resorts with more acreage.  Did you know that 10 lifts rise to more than 1,300 vertical feet, with 2 of them of them going well over 2,000 feet.  The Lookout Express at River Run rises a huge 2,673 feet, while at Warm Springs, the Challenger Express rises a mind boggling 3,142 vertical feet.  Several blue and black runs go directly all the way to the bottom right next to the lift. 

     Are you a cruiser junkie and prefer your runs to be blue or green rated?  From my previous trip to the resort, next issue I will offer some of my favorite choices.  Some of the black rated runs are also frequently groomed.  Be ready to soar.

 

MEMBERS TO ATTEND FWSA CONVENTION

     Debbie and George Stewart along with Woody Hogan will attend the annual Far West Ski Association annual convention to be held June 10-13 at the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa at Indian Wells, California.  This year's convention is hosted by the San Diego Council.

     Members of the Far West Ski Association will be attending from throughout the western United States and will participate in numerous activities.  Most of those activities were listed in the last newsletter and can be found on the FWSA web site.  The long weekend will conclude with annual awards and the election of association officers.  A report on the convention will be given in the next newsletter.

 

STEWARTS GO DIVING

     Debbie and George Stewart will be going on the FWSA sponsored scuba diving trip at Cozumel on September 5-12.  Remember that as a member of the club, you are also a member of the Far West Ski Association and are eligible to go on their sponsored trips.  Many other activities and trips are listed on the web site.

     In addition to the annual ski week which many of our club members attend each year, next season the FWSA will also have its International Ski Week at Engleberg/Interlaken during the week of Feb. 26 - March 7, 2011.  Also offered is an extension the following week in Bulgaria and a second week in Bucharest and Romania.

 

PLEA FOR MEMBER INPUT  Our club is small in number currently at about 30, but I encourage any of you to write something for the newsletter.  If you had a particularly good skiing experience you would like to share or have a ski related opinion, please let me know.  If you don't feel you are a good writer, I can edit it for you and even write it up if you give me the information.  Have a happy off season -  J. D.