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Far West Ski Association
Celebrates 90 Years
by John Watson
President, FWSF

Skiing as a sport began in
the Association in some form
the goldfields of California comor another - even to league racmencing in the 1860s, quickly being - into the 21st Century.
coming what in essence was
Interrupted by a World
league racing coordinated by the
War, the impulse accelerated to
Alturas Snowshoe Club. Far
provide more ski sites, enWest hadn't been born yet so we
hanced by the experience of recan't take any credit for that racturning
10th
Mountain
ing program. Commencing in the
Est 1964
Division veterans. In the minds
1890s, skisport became a spectator sport of some, the inadequacy of California's facilwhich attracted people to the snowy places, ities in the 1929 Olympic initiative demanded
especially those having a ski jump. There was that the Association take a supporting role in
money to be made if jumpers could be perthe development of ski opportunities. Area
suaded to come and provide the attraction. development became part of FWSA's DNA
Facilities proliferated for jumping, cross coun- and in some form or another these activities
try and telemark skiing. But soon, Alpine ski continue in our Public Affairs portfolio.
equipment was available by mail order and
California Ski Association (FWSA since
downhill skiing flourished commencing in the 1946) was a part of the National Ski Associa1920s. The growth of modern skiing was born tion (formed in 1905) and members paid their
in California and globally.
dues directly to CSA. By 1940, though, grass
The Chamber of Commerce saw an un- roots organizations sprung up inside the inderserved industry having great promise. side district organizations of CSA. And clubs
They saw exposure in the Winter Olympics had been formed since the late 1920s, with
as a way to promote California's potential and members paying dues to the clubs. Federation
help launch an industry. Los Angeles was must have been a trendy concept, because orawarded the 1932 Olympics, but neither ganizations composed of clubs became known
Tahoe nor Yosemite could meet IOC's require- as Federations, hence Bay Area Ski Federments for a world class ski center to host the ation and the Federated Ski Clubs of Southern
Winter Olympics. California's potential was California. These became FWSA councils in
not the actual - a hard lesson. But skisport in 1966 and 1946 respectively. Members would
California and globally continued to grow; it still owe dues to FWSA and to their club, later
surged in Tahoe, the Sierra, northern Califoreven council. It is amazing how the argunia, Yosemite, the San Bernardino and San Ga- ments over dues emerged for decades, whabriel Mountains. It is within this century-plus tever the amount of the dues.
of snowsport that the 90 year journey of the
Making a connection between the grass
Far West Ski Association lies.
roots councils and the regional Association
What were the roots and driving energies provided more direct (or indirect) communiof the Association and its members and fol- cation with members. The councils conlowers? The ski people were political in- ducted their own programs more immediately
fluencers and customers for the providers of relevant to their local issues. The direct Asthe ski experience. They organized and pre- sociation connection was made by Southern
sented thrilling competitions. The initial 1930 Council by incorporation including FWSA in
organizing impulse for Far West was oriented its name. The possibilities for increased memaround competition and that thread existed in bership and communication convinced the

Association for a new initiative toward council
development. Council development and affiliation today and in the future defines the geographic reach of FWSA.
The competitors and competition were a
central focus of Far West through 1976. In parallel with competitions conducted under FIS
rules, FWSA created the concept of an intramural racing program between clubs in 1960.
Implementation by leagues began and in 1964
the classic model - the ROKKA League was
formed by six Los Angeles area clubs. The Bay
Area formed two leagues - Singles and Open.
Orange Council operated the Schusski League
and Inland Council was focused on racing as
the Inland League. Participation in league racing continued through 2002 and even further.
It was enhanced by the National Ski Weeks
providing inter council racing and sports. Now
in decline, racing in your league provides fond
memories and a trophy shelf. ss

The Makeup of the
History of the Far West
Ski Association
by John Watson
History Committee Chair, FWSA
Past President, FWSA

In addition to skiing with friends having
common interests in snowsport, an energetic
social life, great apres ski parties and the dazzling bounty of the winter snows, the Association does have a tangible history. The epic
90-year history of FWSA is contained in a
just-published, 80 page booklet. The booklet
could have been much larger in content and
scope, save for the realities of cost, schedule
and staffing. The booklet will be made available through the website www.fwsa.org at a
nominal cost. But here is a compact listing of
the threads that are woven into and make up
that history.
What are those threads that bind?  They
are the first interests in snowsports starting
1895 onward, the growth in numbers of skiers
and ski clubs, satisfying the needs for instructors and organizations that could execute the
drama of competitions which would attract
paying customers, the need for more and
better skiing opportunities (the basic rationale

The Far West Ski Association was born (as the California Ski Association) in the Palm Court of the Palace Hotel at a lunchtime meeting on
October 7, 1930. We were planning an event in San Francisco in early October, 2020 to commemorate our founding 90 years ago. Unfortunately, this
event needed to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the FWSA developed an historical 90th Aniversary Booklet developed by the
Far West Ski Assocation - John Watson, History Committee Chair and his committee. This booklet has been printed in limited copies. However, this
80 page historical account of the skiing in the western United States and the organization of the Califoria Ski Association which later became the Far
West Ski Association, will be inserted into the 2020-2021 Far West Skier's Guide Digital Only Insert, which will be available at www.fwsa.org and the
National Ski Council website at www.skifederation.org, plus many council and club websites.
3O Far West Skier's Guide 2O2O - 2O21 / Visit the Digital Edition at www.fwsa.org.


http://www.fwsa.org http://www.fwsa.org http://www.skifederation.org http://www.fwsa.org

2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide

Index
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - Cover1
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - Cover2
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - 1
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - 2
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - 3
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - Index
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSACover1
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSACover2
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA1
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA2
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA3
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA4
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA5
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA6
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA7
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA8
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA9
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA10
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA11
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA12
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA13
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA16
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA20
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA21
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA22
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA27
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA28
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA30
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA31
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA47
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA49
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA51
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA55
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA58
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA76
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSACover3
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSACover4
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2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - Cover3
2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - Cover4
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