Far West Skier's Guide - 2012-2013 - (Page 52)
The Public Affairs portfolio of programs is designed to present the positions of the FWSA to the outside world. 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. 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 our membership. Also, we attempt to better educate our members 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, 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, attending public meetings, and sharing 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 Far West News Flash (monthly electronic newsletter). 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 Associa52
A proposal has been made to connect The Canyons Resort in Park City, UT to Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Snowsport enthusiasts relax at the Ski Beach Area.
photo courtesy of The Canyons Resort / Justin Olsen, photographer
Public Affairs: 2012 Update
by Scott Bowker
Vice President - Public Affairs, FWSA
tion (NSAA) has suggested categorical exclusions for certain on-mountain 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 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. I Keep Winter Cool, a joint effort of NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and NSAA (National Ski Areas Association) launched in 2003, continued its 10th season as part of the 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 I The 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. The
Sustainable Slopes initiative was launched in 2001, thus 2012 marks its 12th anniversary. www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/sustainable_ slopes/
Area Development
I Western planned chairlift installations 2012. Alaska: Alyeska Resort – New #4 Express high speed quad. California: Squaw Valley – Big Blue Express high speed six, Links triple. Colorado: Vail – Vista Bahn Gondola. South Dakota: Terry Peak – Gold Corp Express high speed quad. Utah: Deer Valley – Mountaineer Express high speed quad; Snowbird – Little Cloud high speed quad; Sundance – quad near Maverick ski run. Washington: 49 Degrees North – Angel Peak double. Wyoming: Jackson Hole – Casper high speed quad. CANADA Alberta: Vista Ridge – Blue Chair quad. British Columbia: Bear Mountain Ski Hill – t-bar; Mt Seymour - Mystery Peak Express high speed quad. I Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act: The Act was signed into law in November 2011, to allow seasonal or year-round natural resourcebased recreational activities that encourage outdoor recreation and enjoyment of nature while harmonizing with the natural environment, provided that such activities are located within the developed portion of the ski resort. Activities expressly permitted include zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, frisbee golf courses and ropes courses. Excluded activities are tennis courts, water slides and water parks, swimming pools, golf courses, and amusement parks. The Forest Service master development plan process and federal environmental review of project impacts are still required. I Arizona Snowbowl: The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, San Francisco, California 3 member panel unanimously imposed sanctions for costs
Far West Skier’s Guide 2O12 - 2O13 / See the Digital Edition of the Far West Skier’s Guide at www.fwsa.org.
http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/sustainable_slopes
http://www.fwsa.org
http://www.keepwintercool.org
http://www.nsaa.org/nsaa/environment/sustainable_slopes/ssar-10.pdf
http://www.fwsa.org
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Far West Skier's Guide - 2012-2013
Far West Skier's Guide - 2012-2013
Contents
Board of Directors, Trustees
President’s Message: FWSA Offers A Variety of Activities & Trips
FWSA Committee Chairmen and Other Representatives
National Ski Council Federation Serves Councils & Clubs Nationwide
Springtacular . . . What?
Council Information
Councils Come Together: Identify Common Strengths & Problems, Assist to Provide Solutions
The New Ski Season is Here
Direct Membership is Available in FWSA
FWSAIndividual Membership Form
FWSA Revamps Website
It’s Been 25 Years
FWSA Travel Program
FWRA Silent Auction Donors
FWRA: Racing is Fun & Helps Improve Technique!
2013 FWRA Championships Alpine Meadows, California
FWRA Board of Directors
FWRA League Race Chairs
FWRARace Schedule
FWSA Athletic Scholarship Program
Far West Ski Foundation Expands Program
FWSA Ski Clubs Continue Generous Donations in Time & Fundraising
FWSA 2012 Convention
Greg Thompsom Shows Way to Preservation of Ski History
FWSA 2012 Convention Sponsors
Convention Door Prize Donors
FWSA Industry Award Recipients
Travel Expo/Silent Auction Milestones
2012 Councils’ Man & Woman of the Year
Silent Auction & Travel Expo Participants - 2012
FWSA Safety Person of the Year
FWSA Western Ski Heritage Award
FWSA 2012 Service Award Recipients
FWSA Snowsports Builder Awards
Harry Leonard Inducted into U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame
2013 FWSA Convention - Reno, Nevada
Reno/Lake Tahoe: Come Early - Stay Longer
Lodging Options
2014 FWSA Convention - Bend, Oregon
Public Affairs - 2012 Update
Chuck Morse Honored - “Veteran of the Year”
FWSA Historic Ski Clubs
Skiing on Grass
Innsbruck . . . The Epicenter of Austrian Sports
Sensory Overload: Helicopter Skiing in the Chugach Mountains, Alaska
Order Form / Far West Skier’s Guide
Visit the 2012-2013 Digital Edition
FWSA Council & Club Information
Regional Ski Shows
Far West Skier's Guide - 2012-2013
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