2023 - 2024 Far West Skier's Guide - 44

The Boise Centre welcomed the Far West Ski
Association with a huge sign in the entrance
door. Well done Boise Centre!
Convention photos by Steve Strickland / Strictly Photography
(unless otherwise noted)
Adventure
Awaited,
and We
Participated
June 9 - 12, 2023
by Debbi Kor
Convention Chair, FWSA
Sunshine. Blue skies. Beautiful weather.
Good friends. That's what this year's 90th
Annual Far West Ski Association Convention
called for, and this is what we got! We were
in the amazing state of Idaho. Land of the
POTATO!
ABOVE: The 90th Annual Far West Ski Association Convention kicked off on Wednesday evening,
with a fabulous Paella Feast at Ansots Basque Chorizos! Chef Dan Ansotegui explained the
Basque influences of the Treasure Valley, and the intricacies of the food ingredients. His
granddaughter, Tamara Fricke, assisted with this delightful culinary experience.
RIGHT: Master of the Bar-B-Que, Michael Bouton of Bogus Basin Ski Club, assisted with
providing a hearty lunch for the River Rafting participants.
No, we didn't tour any potato
farms, run any potato races, or have any ice
cream that looked like a potato, like we did in
2017, but they were there, on our tables on
Saturday night during the Awards Banquet, as
part of the centerpieces.
The Intermountain Ski Council, and
Bogus Basin Ski Club did an amazing job
hosting this year's event! A plethora of optional
activities, including dinner at Ansots on
Wednesday evening for a wonderful Basque
Dinner awaited us. Thursday was an adventure-packed
day with Rafting on the Payette
River, led by Jenn Coutts. Following the raft
trip, Michael Bouton prepared a scrumptious
BBQ lunch on his " Big Bertha " barbeque grill
for 20+ people. We also had a fun Bike Ride
along the Greenbelt, led by Kim DeWit and
Paul Markowitz. A nice stop for a picnic
lunch took place along the way, and everyone
arrived back at the hotel in the early afternoon.
This left plenty of time to get ready for
the 26th Annual Pub Crawl. Sherri Lechten
did an outstanding job, taking us to three
lively places: Boise Brewing, Mother Earth
Brew Co., and finishing up at the Basque
Center for dinner. We sampled a variety of
available beverages, along with some wonderful
appetizers at the first two stops, as well as
having time to play a little Jenga at Mother
Earth, before ending up at the Basque Center
for dinner. There was a great patio area for
people to gather, have a cool beverage, some
wonderful food, and time to visit with friends.
On Friday, a group of 32 golfers set out
to try something new....Top Golf. Held at the
local venue, this was a new version of the Annual
Michael German Memorial Golf Tournament.
While the original plan for the day was
to play 9 holes, the most they were able to get
in was 6, but everyone still had a great time!
Bill Coutts was the Activity Leader, Sheri Parshall
handled the hole sponsors, and Barbara
Blasé, along with Mike and Eileen Sanford,
were there to cheer the teams on. A light
brunch was served midway through, so that
people could take time to eat and mingle with
fellow golfers. The second activity of the day
44 Far West Skier's Guide 2O23 - 2O24
was led by Lynda Clark. Lynda planned an
adventurous " Day on the Mountain " at Bogus
Basin, which included a nice drive up the
mountain, a short hike, and a wonderful Italian
lunch in the lodge for the 20 people who
attended. Thank you to all our terrific activity
leaders!
Friday night was the time for the 37th
Annual Silent Auction and Snowsports Trade
Show at the Boise Centre. Another exciting,
fun-filled night, meeting and greeting our resort
representatives and tour operators, to bidding
on ski and stay packages, which also
included a couple of goody baskets from
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area.
There was a trip to Peru from One Seed Expeditions,
and a Tournament of Roses Parade
Event, from Mayflower Tours on New Year's
Day. A portion of this year's proceeds benefitted
the Idaho Youth Ranch, Kuna. We also
had a drawing for two Travel Gift Certificates
provided by our North American Travel Program
and International Travel Program. The
winners were: George Kish, for the North
American trip, and John Walsh, for the International
trip.
The Snowsports Leadership Academy
sessions on Saturday, were phenomenal and
well attended! Thank you, Debbie Stewart,
for your " Group Travel Secrets - Details... Determine...
Destiny. "
It was so interesting, so
informative! Debbie spoke on how to plan

2023 - 2024 Far West Skier's Guide

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