2023 - 2024 Far West Skier's Guide - 80

National Ski Council Federation
Serves Ski Club Members
Across the Entire Nation
by Joe Harvis, Past President, Current Secretary &
Jo Simpson, Public Affairs Chair, NSCF
The National Ski Council Federation (NSCF) was formed in 1999 by a group of council
leaders to provide snowsports councils across the nation a way to collaborate and exchange
ideas. While the western councils had long had such an overarching organization through the
Far West Ski Association which was formed in 1930, councils in the south, midwest and east
had not. The eastern councils at one time did have an organization somewhat similar to the
FWSA, for a brief period, but it dissolved due to conflicts with many of the ski councils within
the eastern region. All councils and clubs in the Far West Ski Association have been members
of the National Ski Council Federation since its inception.
NSCF is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to strengthen councils, with industry
participation, so they may better serve member clubs through communication, education
and benefits, and to influence issues relevant to snowsports. The Federation is made up
of 29 councils with approximately 640 clubs and 250,000 members. There are four elected officers
who serve two-year terms: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
Club members whose council is a member of the NSCF are automatically entitled to
NSCF benefits. The benefits to individual members and their clubs and councils are extensive
and include discounts on a wide variety of goods and services. We are always looking to add
more providers to our program and need additional help in this effort and to confirm continued
participation in our program with the many providers each year. If you can or know
someone who would like to help with this effort please contact benefits@skifederation.org.
NSCF Annual Meetings, held in the late summer, provide a forum for council presidents
and representatives to gather with representatives of the snowsports industry for two days of
informative presentations and discussions. Council representatives and our industry partners
work together to develop an agenda that addresses issues of mutual interest and concern. An
integral part of each session is the opportunity for participants to have discussions with the
presenters, and each other.
In addition to the Annual Meeting, NSCF holds virtual educational sessions several evenings
during the year for council presidents and representatives. Session topics have included
travel insurance, planning and conducting group trips and equipment maintenance. If you
have any topics you would like us to provide, please send your suggestions to education@skifederation.org.
NSCF
communicates regularly with council presidents and members throughout the year.
The Federation Newsbeat is published monthly via email and contains a compilation of ski industry
news articles. Councils and clubs are encouraged to use any of the articles in their
own newsletters. Councils receive Quarterly Reports, as well as an Annual Report to keep
them informed about actions taken by officers and committee chairs. Additionally, councils
are informed about new benefit partners as they are added.
We initiated a sponsorship program two years ago, and it has been quite successful. We
offer three levels of Sponsorship; Black Diamond ($1,000), Blue ($500) and Green ($150).
We have received a very good response for this program which supports NSCF in offsetting
costs for our annual meeting to reduce the expense to the participants.
This fall, we will be conducting our Fourth Annual Virtual Silent Auction. This auction
is open to everyone all across the nation. The proceeds again help with keeping costs down
for participants in the annual meeting and offsetting the administration of the organization.
The auction regularly has a pair of skis or a snowboard, lift passes, including an IKON and
Indy pass, clothing, boots, and accessories. This year, we enlisted each of our councils to solicit
items from their favorite resorts, ski areas, and ski shops so we have items from across the
country as opposed to one or two regional areas. This year's auction will run for 32 days, beginning
on October 1, and will run through November 1. Again, it is open to everyone. One
doesn't need to be a ski club member, so spread the word to your friends and family, as well
as your fellow ski club members. ss
8O Far West Skier's Guide 2O23 - 2O24

2023 - 2024 Far West Skier's Guide

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2023 - 2024 Far West Skier's Guide