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NSC President’s Message, March 2024

by Armand Gutierrez, President

Presently I’m on my annual FWSA International Travel ski week in Madonna di Campiglio, and will be here from 23 Feb – 3 Mar. And after that I’ll be in Milan, Verona, and La Spezia for the extension week, returning soon 11 March. This is my first time skiing Madonna so I’m looking forward to new scenery, meeting new people and, as usual, great Italian cuisine.

FWSF’s Spring See’s Yum-Raising

FWSF is launching their Spring See’s Yum-Raising event. The Far West Ski Foundation, founded in 1964, is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization that is dedicated to conducting fundraising programs to provide grants to non-profit organizations that support adaptive and rehabilitative snowsports programs, athletic scholarships for junior racers, and various snowsports industry initiatives. If you are a chocoholic and interested in supporting the See’s Yum-Raising event then take a gander at the flyer in the newsletter.

2025 NSC Ski Week

The 20245 NSC Ski Week will be at Sun Peaks, BC with a tentative date from 25 January to 1 February. So mark your calendar and start planning on a ski week to Canada’s second largest resort with 4,700 skiable terrain acres. Also, check your passport’s expiration date.

Board Nominations

Now that it’s March it’s time to think about Board Nominations for the 2024-25 season. If anyone has an interest in joining the board for the next season and has questions about what it entails then just drop a note to any of the current board members, or perhaps you have someone in mind to nominate for the board. Please keep in mind that the Nisei Ski Club relies on volunteers to be on the board and undertake the running of the club. It’s not all work and no play. Board meetings this year have been online using Zoom. It is a convenience to attend a Zoom board meeting from the comfort of home, but I do miss the face-to-face interaction and the lunches afterward.

QotM: Passion is the genesis of genius – Galileo Galilei

Best of Eastern Canada – Nisei Ski Club’s First Vacation Week Trip. ( NO Skiing – Just FUN!)

by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

After April 11, the Price goes up! ——Sign up now!

The Easiest Way to Sign up for the Eastern Canada Vacation is to hit hyperlink below & sign up under Nisei Ski Club # 1197844

1. Sign up Online   https://gateway.gocollette.com/link/1197844

   Typing your own information assures all that it is correct

   Pay by credit card and get points!

   Collette Travel Insurance covers more than Trip Cancellation. It covers Medical Expenses and more.

2. Complete the Nisei Ski Club Membership Form

     Fill out the Form and Send it to Tina Woo Membership Chairperson

     With a Note that it is for June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025 Fiscal Year

     Sign up before May 31 ~ Early Bird Registration at $25 versus $30

     See Attachment for here. Membership Form

  • Transportation to the San Francisco Airport
    • Flight to and from Toronto
    • All the Excursions everyday including 
    • Niagara Falls – Maiden of the Mist the boat ride
    • Niagara on the Lake
    • Thousand Islands National Park
    • Ottawa
    • Quebec City
    • Montmorency Falls
    • Maple Sugar Shack
    • Montreal
    • 9 days
    • 12 Meals – 8 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners

After April 11, the Price goes up! ——Sign up now!

Collette Trip Insurance: https://partner.travelexinsurance.com/policy/?plannumber=365ZA-0123

1. Cost of the Trip including the Deposit

The Cancellation for Any Reason ~ No Medical Reason Needed

2. Emergency Medical Expenses Covered in Canada

Medical needs including hospitalization up to $50,000  

Note: Your medical insurance policy may not cover medical expenses in another country

3. Travel Delay Coverage:    Example: If your travel partner needs to stay in a Hospital for any Medical Emergency, your expenses to stay in Canada with your partner will be covered up to $150/day up to $2100

4. Emergency Dental Expenses ~ $750

5. With the Collette Travel Insurance there is No Deductible.

This is Amazing insurance! It includes more than mentioned above.

Collette Registration Form https://www.niseiskiclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/3_Collette-East-Canada-Registration-Form-NEW.pdf

Collette Credit Card Authorization Form https://www.niseiskiclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/4_Collette-Credit-Card-Authorization-Form-NEW.pdf

I am excited that you are going to Canada with us! Jeanne

Moose on the Run – NSC Skis Jackson Hole, Wyoming

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Fifty NSC members gathered for a week of skiing at Jackson Hole, Wyoming. We didn’t get any fresh powder but we did have a great time.

We left SFO and flew into Jackson Hole, Wyoming arriving in the afternoon. It was a simple, quick flight. We arrived on time and our 2 shuttle buses were waiting for us. On the way to Teton Village, we made a pitstop at Albertsons where the frenzies had an hour to shop. It looked like a scene from the Supermarket Sweep game show.

It’s Saturday night and we decided to unpacked, get hydrated and settled in with a home cook pasta dinner. We were ready for our first day of skiing the next morning.

Highlights of the Trip – First day of skiing and It was quite Foggy – No sun in sight. Braille skiing is what I was told.

I can’t see…WHO’S THAT IN FRONT OF ME?
Foggy Sunday

We all know about the outcome of the 49ners performance at the Superbowl. Don’t forget, they did win the NFC Championship game. Our condo Rendezvous D4 had a NFC Championship potluck gathering with Rendezvous B2. Frank Chang and his buddies are 49ner Season ticket holders. So, its customary that we watch the crucial game together. We wore our 49ner gear proudly and we decorated the condo with 49ners banner. Just a reminder that it was a somber mood for the first half of the game, then the cheers came on for the 2nd half. On to the Superbowl … you all know what happened there. Sniff, Sniff

Rooting for the 49’s for the win!
Decorations are in place
Chili and Cornbread

Monday Another foggy day and I’m already taking a day off. Yes, I’m becoming a wimp with my gimpy knee.

Tuesday – Inversion Blue Sky Day – Blue skies above the clouds. A great day of skiing.

We had our traditional NSC Condo potluck. Rendezvous and Teewinot combined forces and held our pot luck dinner in 2 Rendezvous condos.
Some delicious highlights were Shepherd pie, Midnight noodles (I need the recipe – Chris Yee) Tamale casserole and numerous healthy salads. 7-layer Jello and Nuttzo – 4 ingredient cookies that were also a hit. ( SEE WEBSITE FOR RECIPE) We had about 22 people participating between the 2 condos.

Blue Skies Inversion Day

Nez Perce had their own potluck across the street with Steam salmon and Mac and Cheese. Everyone stayed within their building. Who wants to walk in the cold on frozen ice? Just to cross the street for more food. Forget about that.

Wednesday – Inversion Blue Sky Day – Blue skies above the clouds.

It was beautiful on top. I can actually see where I’m going. But once I hit that cloud layer, it was blindfolds on. This was not good for my gimpy knee. We met for lunch daily at the Rendezvous Lodge at 12:00pm. Tables were held for our members and we ate together, chatted and figure out where to ski next.

Our condo went to town that evening and had our dinner at the Gun Barrel Steak and Game House. We feasted in Elk Loin, with red wine and huckleberry reduction and slow roasted Bison Prime Rib – Medium rare. No complaints from the carnivores at the table.

Thursday – Another Inversion Blue Sky Day – Blue skies above the clouds.

I took the tram out at the end of the day with Sandy. We took pictures and tried out the waffles at Corbet Cabin. We didn’t ski down around the Volkswagen size moguls, but we did have the tram to ourselves and enjoyed the music and view. Check out the Video

Waffles at Corbet’s Cabin
Me and Sandy

That evening, NSC hosted the farewell dinner at the Mangy Moose located at the base of the mountain.

We feasted on Jumbo shrimp skewers with garlic, lemon, old bay and buttermilk fried chicken sliders with, tangy fire sauce, pickle, ranch, slaw, fried onion.

There was a buffet set up of Prime Rib, Steel head trout and grilled vegetables. Everyone had a ticket for 2 drinks and I’m thinking some of the Hawaiians boys from our condo ordered some expensive MaCallen12 year old whiskey. $$$

Friday – Our last day of skiing.

It was cloudy and a storm was predicted for Friday evening/ Saturday morning.

I took my last runs and took another ride on the Aerial Tram. Something about the view is so amazing.

On Saturday, we departed from our condo without any hiccups. No snow storm in sight. We said our goodbyes and reminisce the fun times we had together.

Now I need to figure out how to add the music

More Highlights

We had 15 newbie members on the trip. I’m still waiting for an article about their first-time experiences on a weeklong trip with NSC.

ZDid you hear about the moose on the loose that galloped down a green run near the base and made headline news. (Article) 2nd Article

I think this is the same moose that was hanging outside at our condo.  It was a young bull with one antler. I think it’s the same moose – See the pics and compare them for yourself.

It was great trip. It was fun meeting and skiing with the old and new members.

We hope you next year at Sun Peaks, Canada in 2025 . Are you coming? Please fill out those Survey…

Blue Skies above to the clouds below

Doris with an “E”, Skis Jackson Hole, Wyoming

by Dorise Ouye, NSC Member

I just want to thank everyone that attended the Jackson Hole weeklong ski trip. This is my first-time experience on a ski trip with NSC. The members were friendly and they made me feel welcomed. A really nice group of people.  I normally don’t ski with groups or out of state and this was a totally new experience for me.

A special thank you to the advanced skiers (Armand, Wendy and Wayland). Their patience was tested when I skied with them at Grand Targhee. I appreciated all the tips on and off the slopes. My first time skiing in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.  I had the chance to visit the Jackson’s National Elk Refuge with Carol W and Ahn.  Prior to the trip, I had never eaten bison or elk.

Visiting St John’s hospital wasn’t planned on my agenda. But thanks to Carol F who drove us multiple times to those hospital visits.

We had fun time shopping around the town square in Jackson Hole.  We stopped by the Million Dollar Bar & Silver Dollar bar. At the end, it was a very memorable trip.

Thanks to NSC board for all of your hard work and coordination. I just want to let you know that I appreciated all the work you did to make this a successful trip.

A Slope Side Memorial

by Armand Gutierrez, President  

The Nisei Ski Club (NSC) had their ski week at Jackson Hole, Wy, and was joined by members of the Hawaiian Snowriders to honor Lloyd Maeda in a slope side memorial. Lloyd’s friends from the Hawaiian Snowriders included Jay Fukuda, Ed Ho, and Wesley Lum. They had traveled from Hawaii to join NSC for a week of skiing at Jackson Hole, Wy. From 27 January – 3 February.

So who was Lloyd? Lloyd loved to snowboard with his friend Roland Kutaka (they were from the dark side) in the club they organized called the Hawaiian Snowriders, with Jay Fukuda, Ed Ho, Beverly Uemura, Randy Chu, Tom Ho, Fran Tone, Stephen Sang, and Dave Lee. Jackson Hole was one of Lloyd’s favorite places to snowboard. In November of 2014 Lloyd, aged 59, passed after several years of suffering from the effects of Lou Gehrig’s disease. In 2015 the Nisei Ski Club held their annual ski week trip in Jackson Hole, and it was befitting that we decided, with the blessings of his family, to spread some of his ashes here at Jackson Hole off of the Casper chair lift, at the base of the grove of trees between the Sleeping Indian and Wide Open runs.

On Tuesday, 30 January, members of NSC joined the Hawaiian boys to visit with them at the same location, had a toast of Jack Daniels and Fireball and enjoyed each other’s company. The 3 days we had been skiing here had been overcast and near whiteout conditions caused by fog, but Lloyd cleared the fog with some blue skies for us today!  He watched over us while we are here and to keep us safe from harm. We miss you and will see you again. Aloha and ahui hou.

A little tribute from Jay Fukuda

Jackson Hole Picture Link

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

What a difference 9 years make. Here is the NSC group picture from 2015 and 2024.

Can you spot yourself?

Nisei Ski Club Recipe Corner – Nuttzo Cookies – Credits – Carol Tom Wong

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

This month we are posting a cookie recipe. The cookies were made and served at the NSC Jackson Hole Potluck Night on Tuesday.

Thanks to Carolyn Wong, she packed a large cookie sheet in the bottom of her luggage.

This recipe requires only 4 ingredients.

The fun part after eating the cookies is picking out the fine seeds (Chia Seeds, Flax seeds) that got stuck under your crowns and in between your teeth. Sharpen those pinky nails or using a good toothpick will do the job,

This recipe is for a 26-ounce container of Nuttzo purchased from Costco. Skippy or Jiffy smooth peanut butter or almond butter may be substituted for the Nuttzo.

Allison Toy Showing off the cookies

Enjoy

Bon Appetite – Julia Child and Karen Soo share the same birthday.

Ingredients

NuttzoBrown SugarRegular SugarBaking SodaEggsMakes      (small)
52 oz         (2 Jars)13 oz     (368 g)13 oz       (368 g)Pinch (1/4 tsp)510 dozen (120)
26 oz         (1 jar)6.5 oz     (185 g)6.5 oz      (185 g)Pinch (1/4 tsp)35 dozen (60)
260 g        (1 cup)65 g65 gPinch (1/4 tsp)1 
ORIGINAL PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE RECIPE
1 Cup1 Cup Brown SugarX1 tsp1 
You can find Nuttzo at Costco
  1. Mix together the brown sugar and regular sugar and break up the lumps.
  2. Mix in the Nuttzo (or Nut Butter)
  3. Add a pinch of baking soda
  4. Mix in the eggs
  5. Cool in the refrigerator
  6. Use a teaspoon and make balls
  7. Cook at 350 degrees for 11 minutes (do not overbake) ( Use Silicone mats)

Notes:

  • When making a large batch, use a metal serving spoon to mix.
  • Using a teaspoon to measure out the batter makes small cookies
  • A large batch uses 4 large baking sheets

The Price of Lift Tickets Keeps Going Up and Up..

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Here’s interesting article that was printed in the San Francisco Chronicle regarding the price of lift tickets.

The price of lift tickets keeps going up. Eventually, we either pay the price or find another sport that is a little less expensive like pickleball or golfing on the weekdays. What do you think?

https://www.sfgate.com/renotahoe/article/private-ski-lesson-cost-lake-tahoe-18652272.php

Nuts and Chews – Help Far West Ski Foundation – Spring See’s Yum-Raising

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

What could be sweeter than chocolate for a good cause?  Buy delicious See’s Candies to show your support for the Far West Ski Foundation.  The deadline to make a purchase is: March 15, 2024.

The overarching objective of the Far West Ski Foundation is to sustain snowsports to ensure that the inspirational experiences of snowsports will remain for future generations.  FWSF missions are:

The overarching objective of the Far West Ski Foundation is to sustain snowsports to ensure that the inspirational experiences of snowsports will remain for future generations.  FWSF missions are:

  • Building for the Future – with its Athletic Scholarship Program for junior racers.
  • Rehabilitation and Renewal – with its support of adaptive and rehabilitative snowsports programs.
  • Sustaining Snowsports – supporting snowsports industry initiatives, such as, climate control, youth and family development, and diversity.
  • Preserving the Legacy – with research, preservation, education and publication of snowsports history.

Visit our shop to pick and choose your favorites and buy and ship your candy online.  It’s that easy!  Ship to your family and friends!  Our storefront is located at the following link:

https://www.yumraising.com/secure/farwsf_far_west_ski_foundation60/JanWyc9529/

The Nuts and Chews See’s packaged box is one of my favorites. If you feel like sending me box, I would not turn it away.

Happy shopping and thank you for your support!

FWSF is an autonomous public benefit corporation, in compliance with law and regulations Under Section 501c3 of the IRS Code (https://farwestskifoundation.org).  For additional information please contact Jane Wyckoff, FWSF Vice President, 949-933-9607, janewyckoff99@gmail.com.

NSC President’s Message, February 2024

by Armand Gutierrez, President

Welcome to the Chinese Year of the Dragon! Yes, the Chinese New Year starts February 10thand celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on February 17th. People born in the year of the Dragon (1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, etc.) are often considered to be charismatic, ambitious, adventurous, and fearless.

Well, it’s happening again: the atmospheric river is cruising at altitude over northern California bringing wind, rain, snow, and stay-at-home conditions. On the bright side, our snow-capped mountains in the Tahoe area are the recipients of increased snowfall, and that is always a good thing.

2024 NSC Jackson Hole

The Jackson Hole crew has returned from a great week of skiing in the fog, a few sunny days, return of the fog, and a few days of light snow at the end of the week.  Unusual warmer-than-normal temps caused by an inversion layer created the low-visibility fog and it was necessary to use “the force” to guide us down the hill. Look for eyewitness reports in the March newsletter.

QotM: No amount of evidence will ever persuade an idiot. – Mark Twain