Far West Skier's Guide 2011-2012 - (Page 46)
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photo courtesy of Taos Ski Valley
The Far West Ski Association (FWSA) www.fwsa.org is a non-profit, volunteer organization with a wide range of programs. Many people are familiar with our programs such as travel, membership and councils. An area of interest that is becoming much more well known is the Public Affairs area. FWSA, as the Association for organized recreational skiers in the 13 western states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming represents approximately 11 regional councils, 180 ski clubs, with over 51,000 recreational skiers and snowboarders representing countless visits to ski areas in the United States. Additionally, FWSA has about 150 supplier donor partners who provide equipment, goods, and services for the advancement of organized recreational skiing/snowboarding and competition. FWSA is also a member of the National Ski Council Federation (NSCF) www.skifederation.org, an organization with 29 regional councils and about 330,000 recreational snowsports enthusiasts nationwide. As the “Voice of the Western Skier”, FWSA has been very active in a whole host of areas that affect ski area development, safety, volunteer liability, transportation, taxation, ski history, and consumer advocacy. The Public Affairs portfolio of programs is designed to present to the outside world the positions of the FWSA. A wide variety of subjects interest the membership. Topics such as airline luggage rules, reduced prices for season passes, news about ski country direct flights and the ever-increasing tendency of areas to develop along the lines of the European ski village environment are of interest to membership. Also, we attempt to better educate our membership in areas such as the impact of changing demographics and the need for increased diversity, snowsports industry efforts like the Model for Growth to address trial and retention, regulatory efforts to modernize state ski laws similar to the Colorado model, expanding snowmaking capabilities, the development of e-commerce in the snowsports industry, resort developments focused on consumer tendencies, the analysis paralysis forced on the Forest Service in resort development, and the need to meet a visiting family’s variation in ages and interests. In summary, the width and breath of the
FWSA Public Affairs program is significant and the FWSA is committed to do its part in communicating issues and educating membership on the wide and interesting variety of Public Affairs topics. Of most significant importance over the last year has been our involvement in area development, consumer advocacy, safety, transportation and history. We strongly encourage you to get involved now in the issues that affect you by writing letters/emails to appropriate government officials, newspaper editors, and other key influencers; to attend public meetings; and share your views with others in a wide variety of situations including on the chairlift. To stay informed about relevant issues visit www.fwsa.org and subscribe to the no-cost FWSA News (monthly electronic newsletter).
Snowbowl; Eldora Mountain, CO; Homewood Mountain, CA; Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, NV; Mt Spokane, WA; Snowbird, UT as well as logging issues such as Forests with a Future. We have been aggressively involved in letter writing campaigns to ensure “The Voice of the Western Skier” is heard as an even handed proponent for rational development. In addition to specific expansion issues, we are strong supporters of responsible resort management and have endorsed the NSAA “Environmental Charter” and the “Sustainable Slopes” initiative. ■ Keep Winter Cool, a joint effort of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and NSAA (National Ski Areas Association) launched in 2003, continued its 9th season as part of NSAA Sustainable Slopes initiative. Examples of this initiative are that 88% have some sort of conservation initiative in place, 38% purchase green power for their operations, 33% are using some sort of renewable energy on-site, and 12% offer guests renewable energy offsets. www.keepwintercool.org www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/ sustainable_slopes/ssar-10.pdf ■ NSAA Environmental Charter is currently endorsed by more than 190 U.S. resorts representing over 75% of skier visits plus partnering organizations and participating organizations. 2011 marks the 11th Anniversary of the Sustainable Slopes initiative launched in 2001. www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/ sustainable_slopes/ ■ Western planned chairlift installations 2011. California: Dodge Ridge – T643 t-bar; Mammoth Mountain – Chair 5 high speed quad; Northstar at Tahoe – high speed quad on the Backside area. Colorado: Aspen – Tiehack Express high speed quad on Buttermilk; Beaver Creek – Rose Bowl Express high speed quad; Copper Mountain – High Point high speed quad; Loveland – Chair 4 triple. Idaho: Bogus Basin – Chair 3/Superior high speed quad. Montana: Whitefish Mountain – triple in Bad Rock area. Oregon: Mt Hood Meadows – Stadium Express high speed quad. Utah: Beaver Mountain – Little Beaver
Area Development
The most prominent topic in Public Affairs is area development, which covers ski area expansion and enhancement, proposed new areas, and the preservation of potential areas for future skiing or recreational use. Action in this arena affects all snowsports enthusiasts; has long-term implications; requires unified regional action; involves the ski industry with us; and can be exasperatingly tedious and drawn-out, as well as very costly. Generally, the Association must deal with county, city and even state governments, the US Forest Service, community organizations, area operators or permittees, and an ever-changing spectrum of organizations interested in protection of the environment. The Council on Environmental Quality has been working to modify the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as appropriate to reduce process gridlock. To further improve the expensive and time consuming NEPA, the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) has suggested categorical exclusions for certain onmountain activities such as lift replacements following the same alignment, additional snowmaking on trails that are already treated with man-made snow and use of existing service roads and trails for new uses like mountain biking. We maintain an active network of “issue watchers” in strategic areas of the western states. There are currently several expansion issues we are keeping close watch on such as the Arizona
Area Development Update
46 Far West Skier’s Guide 2O11 - 2O12 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.
http://www.fwsa.org
http://www.fwsa.org
http://www.skifederation.org
http://www.keepwintercool.org
http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/sustainable_slopes/ssar-10.pdf
http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/sustainable_slopes
http://www.fwsa.org
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Far West Skier's Guide 2011-2012
Far West Skier's Guide 2011-2012
Contents
The Premiere Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide Well Received
Board of Directors, Trustees
President’s Message: FWSA Offers Many Benefits, Trips & Activities
FWSA Committee Chairmen and Other Representatives
National Ski Council Federation Serves Councils & Clubs Nationwide
Far West Members Prepare for Winter, 2012
Council Information
Communications: The Key to Success!
Building Your Snowsports Program
FWSA Individual Membership Form
Order Form / Far West Skier’s Guide
FWSA Travel Program
FWRA Board of Directors
FWRA Program
FWRA Silent Auction Donors
FWRA League Race Chairs
FWRA Race Schedule
Race Trophies
FWSA Athletic Scholarship Program
Far West Ski Foundation Objectives
FWSA 2011 Convention
FWSA 2011 Convention Sponsors
Silent Auction & Travel Expo Participants - 2011
Travel Expo/Silent Auction Milestones
Convention Door Prize Donors
2011 Councils’ Man & Woman of the Year
FWSA Service Award Winners
FWSA Safety Person of the Year
FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award
FWSA Club and Council History Recognition
FWSA Snowsports Builder Awards
Charities & Our Communities
2012 FWSA Convention - Ogden, Utah
FWSA Plans Future Conventions
Public Affairs - 2011 Update
Bernd Ritschel & The Bavarian Alps
Lodging Guide
FWSA Council & Club Information
Clubs, Councils & Families Come Together
Regional Ski Shows
Far West Skier's Guide 2011-2012
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