2017-2018 Far West Skier's Guide - 43

Public Affairs Panels
Convention - 2017
by Paula Hazzard
VP - Public Affairs, FWSA
The morning Public Affairs Panel at the
Convention featured an impressive panel of
snowsports experts. Shown left to right are:
Ron Abramovich - U.S. Department of
Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation
Service, Natalie Hurst - News Anchor KBOITV (CBS), Amanda Wiebush - Interim
Executive Director of the Squaw Valley
Ski Museum Foundation, Mike Sanford VP of Public Affairs, Eve Chandler - Historian
and Author of "Building Bogus Basin", and
Bob Looper - President of the Idaho Ski
Area Association. Cindy Sherman Photography

Lively and informative Public Affairs
Panel sessions were conducted on Saturday
during the Far West Ski Association Convention, held in Boise, Idaho. The Impressive
group of panelists consisted of a number of
local snowsports experts. Mike Sanford, VP of
Public Affairs, served as Moderator.
The morning Public Affairs Panel featured topics that included: media coverage of
snowsport organizations and activities, snowsports history, the United States Forest Service,
and climate change.
Natalie Hurst, veteran News Anchor,
KBOI-TV, CBS Affiliate, informed attendees
about the correct avenues for submitting press
releases. Her enthusiasm encouraged all to
have their clubs submit activities information
to their local news, whether in print or on the
air. Eve Chandler, Historian, reviewed the true
story of Bogus Basin, which was constructed
during the great depression by volunteers. A
Boise native, Eve is the author of "Building
Bogus Basin".
Amanda Wiebush, Interim Executive Director of the Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation, provided an updated inside report of
the museum's progress and all that it has to
offer. The Squaw Valley Ski Museum Foundation collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets western skiing heritage and the legacy of

It's a new shotski-to-be, with the ladies of Skiyente Ski Club, along with Women's Ski
Jumping USA guests. (L to R): Linda Coxen, Sandi Schaub, Jackie Smith, Sheri Parshall,
Sarah Hendrickson - the 2013 World Champion and first woman to ever jump at an
Olympics, Coleen Stroeder and Laura Sankey - President of Women's Ski Jumping USA.

the 1960 Olympic Winter games.
Stephaney Kerley, Mountain Home District
Ranger for the Boise National Forest, informed
the attendees how policies of the USDA Forest
Service impact ski area development and expansion. Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation
Area is located partially in the Boise National
Forest.
Bob Looper, President of Idaho Ski Area
Association and Ron Abramovich, a water supply specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service,
each have decades of expertise in their respective fields. They led a poignant discussion regarding climate change and how it currently is
impacting ski resorts, and how it could impact
the future of snowsports. Ron offered an insider's view of this year's current snow pack,
moisture content, and touched on the runoff

from the remaining snow pack entering our
streams and reserves.
The afternoon Public Affairs Panel
featured topics related to the United States
Ski Team and Women's Ski Jumping USA,
as they prepare for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang. The panel included: Laura Sankey, President of Women's
Ski Jumping USA; Alan Alborn, an American former Ski Jumper and Women's Ski
Jumping USA Head Coach; and, Sarah Hendrickson, the 2013 World Ski Jumping Champion who in 2014, was the first woman ever
to jump at the Olympics. Panelists reviewed
the history of Women's Ski Jumping USA,
the fight and eventual victory to add
Women's Ski Jumping as an Olympic sport,
and what the future holds for the sport. ss

Far West Skier's Guide 2O17 - 2O18

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2017-2018 Far West Skier's Guide