2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide - FWSA31

90th Anniversary Booklet/FINAL.qxp_90th Anniversary Booklet 12/6/20 2:07 PM Page 31

erhood of Skiers - Western Region, a skilled speaker
in engaging audience participation. His presentations have centered on current issues with ski clubs,
with developing leaders, and succession planning.
Beginning in the late 1990's FWSA Conventions began to feature special guests and keynote
speakers. Mike Sanford, Randy Lew, Steve Coxen,
and John Watson, all Past Presidents, were particularly adept at inviting and securing Olympic, World
Cup and US Ski Team athletes to attend. Billy
Kidd, Olympic Silver Medalist in 1964, attended the
1970 FWSA Convention, as the recipient of the
Hans Georg Award. Since that time, he has attended numerous FWSA Conventions to meet and
greet attendees and sign posters at the Steamboat
booth, speak at the Luncheon or Awards Banquet,
and present the FWSA Safety Award that Steamboat has sponsored since 2000. His teammate Jimmie Heuga, Bronze Medalist at the 1964 Olympics,
also attended several FWSA Conventions and is the
namesake of the Jimmie Heuga Award for outstanding service to adaptive skiing programs. Other notable athletes included: Phil Mahre, AJ Kitt, Debbie
Armstrong, Bill Johnson, Chris Klug, Chris Davenport, Glen Plake, Bob Salerno, Sarah Hendrickson,
Jessica Jerome, Lindsey Van, Wayne Wong, Candace
Cable, Reggie Christ, and Curtis Fong. Of special
interest to attendees were junior racers that were recipients of the FWSA Athletic Scholarship Program,

such as Lila Lapanja, Kayleigh MacGregor and Jordan Schweitzer. We have also been honored with
such esteemed guests as: Dave McCoy, Founder of
Mammoth Mountain; Richard Kun, President,
Snow Summit Ski Corporation; and Deedee Corradini, President, Women's Ski Jumping USA.
The primary purpose of the FWSA Annual
Meeting/Convention, has always been to conduct
Association business and hold elections. It has provided an opportunity to present panel sessions, educate current and future leaders on " how to " conduct
primary functions in running a ski club or council
programs. It also served a higher purpose, to conduct the FWSA Conventions in various locations to
introduce local members to the Association to learn
more about the organization and create an interest
in becoming involved.
It changed since the beginning from just a
meeting to conduct business and choose officers, to
also be a showcase of FWSA programs. The
Awards Banquet provided the opportunity to honor
and award volunteers and industry partners. The
Councils' Man and Woman of the Year program
recognizes outstanding council volunteers, and has
been sponsored by Big White Ski Resort since 2001.
The Western Ski Heritage Award was started in
2000 and has been sponsored by Steamboat Ski and
Resort Corporation since the program began, to recognize excellence in preserving snowsports history.

Telluride and Mountain Lodge Telluride have sponsored the Richard Lubin Safety Person of the Year
Award from 2015-19. Mammoth Mountain Ski
Area is the new sponsor. Aspen / Snowmass, The
Gant and Crestwood Condominiums have sponsored the Environment Award since 2015, recognizing efforts to protect our environment. The
outstanding club and council, club and council communication, and charities programs provide many
opportunities to recognize club and council excellence in programs. Most important, it has always
provided an opportunity for snowsport enthusiasts
to share ideas, be educated about their sport, and to
have a voice in the protection and promotion of it.
The current FWSA Convention model requires a large volunteer staff from the host council
and FWSA. In recent years, smaller councils have
been able to host conventions by combining with
another council to co-host, or been provided volunteer support by another council. Some of our
members have attended numerous conventions and
show up every year and volunteer their services.
The convention has evolved over the years as
needed, and will continue to do so in the years
ahead. And, we will continue to look forward to
each and every convention to see friends from across
the Far West on an annual basis, make new friends,
have fun and have stories to share. We'll look forward to seeing you in San Diego next June! n

The mountains are still calling. And after 90 years,
Far West Ski Association is still helping you stoke on fresh
powder and first tracks. And Reno Tahoe is still anything
but normal. No matter when you drop in. Epic single track
and rushing rivers meet urban climbing and art-filled
streets. Make it a wild ride at VisitRenoTahoe.com.

FWSA 90th Anniversary Booklet / 1930 - 2020

http://www.VisitRenoTahoe.com https://www.aspensnowmass.com/plan-your-stay/groups

2020 - 2021 Far West Skier's Guide

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