by Jeff Honda, Board Member
Join Nisei Ski Club and try out your bowling skills on Sunday, April 6th. Lunch to follow at Fourth Streel Bowl. Check out their extensive breakfast / lunch menu. https://4thstreetbowl.com/coffeeshop/
by Joel Hayashida, Board Member
Saturday, May 10 2025: Meet at Lafayette Reservoir Parking @9:30AM
Join the NSC for a beautiful spring Bay Area hike at the Lafayette Reservoir (East Bay MUD Link), and continue the fun by strolling the Walnut Creek Downtown Broadway Plaza (Link) zone “après hike” and explore the shops, brewpubs, and eateries led by former NSC President, Joel Hayashida. The baseline 3-mile morning hike that encircles the reservoir (AllTrails Link) has gentle hills and refreshing water views. Depending on group interest and abilities, we can also take the 4-mile Lafayette Reservoir and Rim trail Loop (AllTrails Link). Along the way, we will see late spring flowers, trees, the lake, and perhaps wildlife! Park at the Reservoir parking lot (Google Maps Link). The all-day parking fee is $7 per vehicle and the kiosk accepts major credit cards and quarters. Bring: hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, water… Downtown Walnut Creek activity will be ad hoc but with a plan based on group interest. Target eatery is True Food Kitchen in Broadway Plaza.
True Food Kitchen Link: True Food Kitchen | Seasonal Restaurant & Scratch Bar
Everyone invited to eat with us after the hike Approximate Time to meet: 1PM
Lafayette Reservoir Link: Lafayette Reservoir :: East Bay Municipal Utility District
Final details will be provided to signees via email around May 5, 2025.
Registration & Questions: Email Joel Hayashida at Diablohike@niseiskiclub.org
First Name: ________________ Last Name: ___________________________________
Cell Phone: _______________________ Email: ________________________________
Please register so that we know you are attending and for more details. We will email details on parking and plan for the NSC Diablo Valley hike and stroll within a week of this event!
by Tina Woo, , Board Member
36 Nisei Ski Club members, family and friends will be going to Oracle Park to cheer on the SF Giants battle against the LA Dodgers on Sunday, July 13 at 1 pm. We are sold out at 36 people but if you’re interested, please contact Tina Woo asap as this game is sure to be “sold out.” Ticket prices are approximately $86 for View Reserved Section seats.
Please email Tina Woo for if you are interested at baseball@niseiskiclub.org
BEAT LA! BEAT LA! BEAT LA!
by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
Jeanne Katsuro has generously gifted me a cookbook call Everything from Soup to Sushi. This cookbook was created from the United Methodist Women of the Wesley United Methodist Church located in San Jose, California.
As I scroll through 450 pages, I will pick some interesting vintage recipes for the next few months.
The recipes are categorized under Appetizers & Beverages, Breads, Soup Salads, and Vegetables, Main Dishes, Desserts, Asian Dishes and Beyond Sushi.
The first printing of this cookbook was 1990. Let me give you a heads up, some of the ingredients used in the recipes does not have any healthy, nutritional value.
Maybe you can choose one of these recipes and make it for the NSC Picnic on August 10 at Las Palmas Park, Sunnyvale. Just a suggestion…..
Thank You Jeanne for the cookbook.
Enjoy!
Bon Appetite – Julia Child and Karen Soo share the same birthday.
Makes 1 Log
Ingredients
- 1 Can Red Salmon 15 1/2 oz.
- 1 – 8-ounce package cream cheese softened
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoons grated onion
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash of pepper
- Paprika
- Parsley
Directions
- Drain and flake salmon, removing skin and bones.
2. Beat cream cheese with lemon juice, liquid smoke, grated onion, horseradish, salt and pepper until fluffy in a small bowl of electric mixer.
3. Stir in salmon.
4. Chill thoroughly and shape into a log.
5. Chill several more hours before serving.
6. Sprinkle log with paprika and garnish with parsley sprigs.
7. Serve with crackers.
Only in New York..
Apr 1
by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
A Stevie Wonder sighting or a new Easter Bonnet.
by Karen Soo, Trip Director
The Far West Ski Foundation is conducting its Annual Spring See’s Yum-Raising to benefit its missions, with programs that include: U.S. Ski Team Junior Racing Scholarships; adaptive & rehabilitative snowsports programs; sustaining snowsports through supporting industry initiatives in climate control, youth/family development and diversity, plus support of underdeveloped athletic programs; and preserving its legacy through snowsports research projects, museums & libraries.
Visit our shop to pick and choose your favorites and buy and ship your candy online. It’s that easy! The deadline to order is April 4, 2025.
https://www.yumraising.com/ secure/farwsf_far_west_ski_ foundation51/Jan@yc5944/candy
FWSF is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) autonomous public benefit corporation. Happy shopping and thank you for your support!
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. Karen
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.
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. Karen
Happy shopping and thank you for your support!
FWSF is an autonomous public benefit corporation, in compliance with law and regulations Under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code (https://farwestskifoundation.org). For additional information please contact Jane Wyckoff, FWSF Vice President, 949-933-9607, fwsajane@gmail.com
by Armand Gutierrez, President
Presently I’m on my annual FWSA International Travel ski week in Tignes and Val d’Isère, and will be here from 28 Feb – 8 Mar. And after that I’ll be in Marseille and Nice France for the extension week. There are six other NSC members heading to France for a week of skiing in the French Alps. I first skied Tignes in 1980 (yeah, that’s a real long time ago) and it has really grown with more lifts, more terrain and, of course, more lodging and people. A skiing day in Val d’Isère is also in the plans
Membership Report
There have been no new members and our total remains at 86.
2025 NSC Sun Peaks Ski Week
The Sun Peaks team has returned and everyone had a great time, despite the very, very cold temps (-5° to 10° F). And yes, that is the coldest I have ever skied. The cold temps kept the snow in great condition and the sunny skies made us feel a little warmer.
2026 NSC Ski Week
Park City for 2026 was announced at the Sun Peaks Farewell Dinner. Date is still TBA and I’ve got true ski-in/ski-out condos lined up (tentatively). Park City is on the Epic Pass and you might want to consider getting an Epic Pass for this trip. This season’s lift ticket prices are not exactly user-friendly and group rates might not be available. So, stay tuned for further developments in the coming months.
Board Nominations
Now that it’s March it’s time to think about Board Nominations for the 2025-26 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 or can nominate yourself. 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 and Board meetings 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.
Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org
QotM: A library is a hospital for the mind. – Anonymous
by Patti and Art Moore, New NSC Members
Art and Patti live in Wenatchee, Washington and joined the Nisei Ski Club at the invitation of the President, Armand Gutierrez. We were excited by the opportunity to come to Sun Peaks in February for the wonderful eastern British Columbia snow.
Despite the VERY cold Canadian temperatures Patti was able to accumulate 5 ski days at Sun Peaks. During that time, Patti skied on every chair at the resort. Her favorite run was either Sundance or Crystal. She had a fantastic time and, at the end of the trip Patti had a total of 28 ski days under her belt.
Meanwhile, Art was busy trying to heal from injuries suffered in early January while skiing at our home ski area of Mission Ridge, Washington. I spent most of the trip with a heating pad or an ice pack on my back.
The Crystal Forest Condos were wonderful and our roommates David Tom and Bill Lee were fun and very sociable. Another new friend who we also greatly enjoyed meeting and interacting with was Carolyn Wong. We really enjoyed all their company and all of the other Nisei Ski Club members who we met and spent time with.
The Sun Peaks village was within easy walking distance and offered many distractions and wonderful places to eat, drink and shop, of which we took advantage as much as possible.
Part way through the trip we heard that another Nisei Ski Club member, Wendy Sam, had suffered an injury in a fall and needed to be taken to higher level Emergency Care than was available at the ski area. Since we were there with our car it just made sense not to wait for an ambulance to come out for Wendy and so Art loaded Wendy and Sheldon up and drove them into Kamloops for treatment.
The trip was very well organized with just the right mix of organized social activities and free time to explore on our own. All in all, we made many new friends and had a wonderful time with the Nisei Ski Club at Sun Peaks!
by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
Check out Bill Lee ‘s photos and videos from the recent NSC Trip to Sun Peaks. B.C.
Thank You Bill for creating great memories for us.
PHOTOS:
(2-01-25 Sat. to 2-08-25 Sat.) Photos of NSC’s trip to Sun Peaks, B.C.
VIDEOS:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/e8TJ1WKEun2bkFTGA
ENJOY!!
by Karen Soo, Trip Director
While 22 NSC members endured freezing weather at their weeklong trip to Sun Peaks, BC, another 6 NSC members planned a week trip to Vail, Colorado, February 1st to 8th.
We didn’t get any of the fresh stuff but we had nice weather and the snow held up for the week.
Our lodging was located at the Lionshead Village. The walk to the Gondola took about 10 minutes. So no local Vail shuttle bus were needed.
A lot of home cooked dinners were planned for the week. Thanks to Amy and David, BBQ Grill master Jim Sanchez and Janice Malena.
Overall, we had a fun time skiing and eating with good company. No accident to report.
See you all next year at Park City with NSC in 2026!
by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President
Welcome to Nisei Ski Club Social Calendar for 2025
April 6, Sunday – Bowling Event – Jeff Honda
4th Street Bowl
10am – 12pm
Lunch at 4th Street Bowl after Bowling
May 10, Saturday – Hiking Event – Joel Hayashida
Location and time to be announced
May 17 or 31, Saturday – Hydro-biking – Angela Ren
Monterey Bay – Elkhorn Slough
June 14, Saturday – Bike Ride – Roland Lee
Tiburon Loop
Time to be announced
June 28, Saturday Mahjong – Judy Hom / 3 hours
July 26, Saturday Mahjong
August 30, Saturday Mahjong
To Be Announced
July 13, Sunday – SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers – Tina Woo
15 tickets reserved tickets so far
August 9 or 10, 16 or 17 – Karen Soo
Annual Membership/Luau Picnic
Date to be announced
September 6, Saturday – Pickleball/ Potluck – Tina Woo
9:30am – 3:00pm
September 20, Saturday– Bike Ride – Curtis Otaguro
Location and time to be announced
October 23 – November 3, 2025 France 12-day Trip – Jeanne Katsuro
23 signups
15 openings
January 17, 2026, Saturday Martin Luther King Weekend
Potluck and Games
Miraido Village Party Room
550 N 6th Street
San Jose, Ca 95112
by Jeff Honda, Board Member
Join Nisei Ski Club and try out your bowling skills on Sunday, April 6th. Lunch to follow at Fourth Streel Bowl. Check out their extensive breakfast / lunch menu. https://4thstreetbowl.com/coffeeshop/
by Tina Woo, , Board Member
BEAT LA! BEAT LA! BEAT LA!
Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,
I don’t care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for GIANTS (OR DODGERS),
If they don’t win, it’s a shame.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out, at the old ball game.
Come see the 2024 World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers play against the San Francisco Giants. See the players: DH Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, to name a few, including Most Valuable Series player, Freddie Freeman. They beat the New Work Yankees 4 to 1 in an exciting final win!!
Would you be interested in joining fellow Nisei Ski Club members in the classic battle between the SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers. If so, please complete this survey. How many tickets can we order for you: Sunday, July 13, 2025 at SF Oracle Park. Game time: 12:45 pm.
Name & Contact Info_________________________________
____ # of tickets you need?
Please email Tina Woo for if you are interested at baseball@niseiskiclub.org
She would like to start the process of ordering tickets for the game. View Reserved Section 313 beginning with Row 12. Go Giants! Go Dodgers!
by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
Here’s an easy recipe that you can make as a side dish. Make it on a Sunday and you can eat it for lunch for the rest of the week. You can add slivers of cucumbers and carrots for a nice additional crunch.
Enjoy!
Bon Appetite – Julia Child and Karen Soo share the same birthday.
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4-5
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon prepared chili sauce with garlic (Lee Kum Kee brand is recommended)
- 1 – 16 oz. package Chinese noodles or vermicelli
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into matchstick sized strips
Directions
- Cook noodles in large pot of boiling water until tender but still firm (al dente). Drain.
- Rinse under cold water to cool; drain well.
- Transfer to bowl. Toss with 1 tablespoon sesame oil.
- Add green onions, bell peppers, and toss.
- Add enough dressing to coat. Serve at room temperature.
- The salad can be refrigerated.
Dressing:
Combine soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, vinegar, vegetable oil, sugar, and chili sauce in food processor or blender. Blend until well combined.
by Karen Soo, Trip Director
There’s a new store that just opened up in Union City. I was contacted by the Account Manager of Columbia Sportswear. There’s a sale for Ski pass holders.
Ski Pass Holders Get Exclusive Access to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond and Union City until March 31st.
Columbia Employee Store Invitation Details:
- Store is stocked with current season products from our family of brands – Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna – items are marked 40% below retail prices
- For store access, please provide your Ski Season Pass
- Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit
- This offer is for store access (not valid online)
- Valid at both our Richmond and Union City Employee Stores
Ski Pass Holder Access at Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond and Union City until March 31st.
Union City https://stores.columbia.com/ca/union-city/employee-store-423
Richmond https://stores.columbia.com/ca/richmond/employee-store-426
by Armand Gutierrez, President
In December I had plans for skiing Tahoe, a rarity since the snowfall is not usually good in December. To make up for not skiing in December I did spend two weekends in Tahoe and got in 4 days of skiing. I was pleasantly surprised that the snow was in good condition due to the cold temps that prevailed and the ability to fire up the snowmaking equipment. But alas, there still were runs that had bushes and little trees showing. Weather predictions are for rain to come to the Bay Area in February so let’s pray that Mother Nature blesses us with an abundant snowfall.
Membership Report
Let’s welcome Ann Cowels and Joyce Weiss as new members that joined at the NSC Potluck Lunch and our total is now 86 members.
2025 FWSA Summer Ski Trip – Valle Nevado, Chile
The Valle Nevado trip is currently taking applications and if you’re thinking about this possible once-in-a-lifetime ski adventure, then now is the time to step up to the plate and sign up. This is the first FWSA summer ski trip to Valle Nevado, Chile. This is a 10-day trip with 7 nights in Valle Nevado and 2 nights in Santiago. Lift tickets are included on this trip, and if you have an Ikon Pass a discount is available depending on the type of Ikon Pass you have. If you are interested then please contact me at your earliest convenience (president@niseiskiclub.org) or see the flyer for additional details.
2025 NSC Ski Week
The Sun Peaks team is off to Sun Peaks for a week (1-8 Feb) of skiing, schussing, dining, and experiencing the Canadian way of life on the slopes. Bill Lee, our unofficial photographer, will return with his usual album of photographs chronicling our ski week.
Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org
QotM: Actions prove who someone is, words just prove who they pretend to be.
by Tina Woo, , Board Member
BEAT LA! BEAT LA! BEAT LA!
Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks,
I don’t care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for GIANTS (OR DODGERS),
If they don’t win, it’s a shame.
For it’s one, two, three strikes, you’re out, at the old ball game.
Come see the 2024 World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers play against the San Francisco Giants. See the players: DH Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, Tommy Edman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, to name a few, including Most Valuable Series player, Freddie Freeman. They beat the New Work Yankees 4 to 1 in an exciting final win!!
Would you be interested in joining fellow Nisei Ski Club members in the classic battle between the SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers. If so, please complete this survey. How many tickets can we order for you: Sunday, July 13, 2025 at SF Oracle Park. Game time: 12:45 pm.
Name & Contact Info_________________________________
____ # of tickets you need?
Please email Tina Woo for if you are interested at baseball@niseiskiclub.org
She would like to start the process of ordering tickets for the game. View Reserved Section 313 beginning with Row 12. Go Giants! Go Dodgers!
By Ida Gamban – Guest
On January 18th, the Nisei Ski Club hosted a potluck as a reunion for the Nisei Ski Club Eastern Canada Travelers and friends. Bringing together 45 members and guests to the Miraido Village Party Room in San Jose Japantown. This festive gathering provided a wonderful opportunity for attendees to reconnect, share exciting travel experiences, learn about upcoming adventures, and enjoy an afternoon of games and camaraderie.
Event organizer Jeanne Katsuro, along with Collette Travel Coordinator, delivered captivating presentations on past and future travel opportunities. Jeanne recounted her group’s unforgettable journey to Eastern Canada, while Laurie Miller from Collette introduced an array of breathtaking travel possibilities from cruising along the Black Sea in Europe to embarking on an exhilarating safari in South Africa.
Following the presentations, guests indulged in a lavish buffet filled with a delectable mix of Asian and American cuisine. The spread featured everything from a rich and creamy crab dip to savory pineapple cha shu bao, delicate somen noodles, tender pulled pork, and an array of other mouthwatering dishes. Dessert was equally impressive, with freshly baked pies, homemade cookies, and other sweet treats satisfying every craving.
As the afternoon continued, the spirit of friendly competition took over. Some guests gathered around card tables for a lively game of poker, while others engaged in spirited rounds of mahjong, Scrabble, and various board games. Laughter and conversation filled the air as experienced players guided newcomers through the intricacies of different games, creating an atmosphere of warmth and inclusion.
The club’s camaraderie was unmistakable, as members old and new bonded over shared experiences and new friendships formed. To top it all off, attendees were encouraged to take home leftovers from the feast, a perfect way to savor the event long after the afternoon had ended.
With good food, great company, and the promise of exciting travel adventures on the horizon, the Nisei Ski Club potluck was a resounding success, setting the stage for another year of unforgettable memories.
By Sandy Kiyomura, NSC Member
On Saturday January 25th, Seven Nisei Ski Club members boarded the United flight to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Who was on the trip? Elaine Graves, Roland Lee, David Uyeda, Jay Fukuda, Ed Lee, David Uyeda and myself, Sandy Kiyomura. We joined 135 others members from Far West Ski Association. At the airport, I saw an old friend, Jim Stewart from Rusty Bindings. I met Jim on a Far West trip to Japan, once in 2004 and again in 2017. Jim was such a nice person that he treated me to a nice breakfast.
We had a smooth flight to Calgary. Their mountains looked different than the ones in the Sierras. At Calgary airport, we took a bus to Banff. After settling in, Elaine and I went to registered and got my 5-day lift pass. Sorry to say, I only skied 2 out of the 5 days – details to follow.
We met up with the group that evening and we had Pho for dinner. The next day we were excited to ski Lake Louise. David Uyeda, Jim Stewart and I took the mountain tour. I wasn’t used to skiing so fast since I’ve only skied at NorthStar earlier in the month. Our guide Davide from Italy was excellent. He took us all over the mountain. Guides usually cannot take skiers on black runs. We met up with more people after lunch and skied until 3:30pm.
The next day we went back to ski Lake Louise. I skied with Elaine and I’m happy I skied nonstop on a black diamond run. The run was called Meadowlark and I won’t forget it. We skied on this run right after lunch and I experienced a “weird” fall. I twisted and was falling backwards down the hill with my legs split. Ouch. I felt a pop and came to rest with my left ski uphill. A nice ski instructor, Cameron stopped and helped me. Once I told him I just had hip surgery a few months ago he called Ski Patrol and 3 patrollers got me off the slopes. Elaine said they were going really fast down the slopes, but all I could see was the sky. There was a small clinic at the bottom, but they sent me to the hospital via the ambulance. After some X-rays, they determined nothing was broken and I probably tore my hamstring. Elaine and Roland were able to help me back to the hotel by 8pm. So now you know why I only skied 2 days and have crutches and a wheelchair as my mode of transportation for the week.
There were many events planned during a Far Wes Ski trip, both on and off the slopes.
I really enjoyed their dessert night. We attended Council night where Karen Albrecht announced that the exchange rate was so good that she gave each room a $62 bottle of wine in addition to the prime rib or salmon entrée. There was a picnic at the lodge at Lake Louise and a farewell dinner dance. Unfortunately, I couldn’t dance. SNIFF, SNIFF
by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
Baby, It’s cold out there.
New York encountered some cold, frigid weather in the past week. Hats, gloves and down jackets are definitely needed. It doesn’t feel this cold skiing in the mountains.
Nothing beats this weather with some hot soup to warm up this young body. This French Onion soup is a favorite of mine. You know the restaurants are charging between $9.00 to $12.00 for just a bowl of French Onion with the melted Gruyere cheese on top. Make it yourself. You can use half the recipe and smile after that first taste.
Enjoy!
Bon Appetite – Julia Child and Karen Soo shares the same birthday.
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4-6
INGREDIENTS
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 to 4 large red or yellow onions (about 3 pounds), peeled and thinly sliced
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 2 quarts beef stock (8 cups)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon dry sherry
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 8 to 12 (½-inch) slices French bread (from 1 loaf)
- 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyère cheese
DIRECTIONS
- Melt butter in a heavy Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onions and ½ teaspoon salt, stir and cover, letting onions soften for 5 minutes. Remove lid and let onions caramelize until golden brown over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Adjust heat if onions are browning too quickly. The caramelization process may take 45 to 60 minutes.
- Meanwhile, warm broth in a saucepan over low heat.
- Once onions are caramelized, add wine and sherry to the pot and allow mixture to come to boil. Stir in flour and let thicken for a minute or two.
- Slowly add warm broth, ¼ teaspoon salt and the pepper to the onion mixture and boil uncovered for 10 minutes. Add more salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat the broiler, and arrange individual ovenproof casseroles on a baking sheet. Ladle soup into casseroles, and cover top with bread slices. Sprinkle each casserole generously with Gruyère.
- Broil for a minute or two, watching carefully, until cheese melts and browns. Serve immediately.
Tip
- You can prepare the soup through step 4 up to 2 months in advance. Thaw and reheat, then top with the bread and cheese and broil to serve.
by Karen Soo, Trip Director
I love a sale especially when it comes to ski clothes. I mean how many ski outfits do one person need?
There is a new store that just opened up in Union City. I was contacted by the Account Manager of Columbia Sportswear. There’s a sale for Ski pass holders.
Ski Pass Holders Get Exclusive Access to the Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond and Union City until March 31st.
Columbia Employee Store Invitation Details:
- Store is stocked with current season products from our family of brands – Columbia, Mountain Hardwear, SOREL and prAna – items are marked 40% below retail prices
- For store access, please provide your Ski Season Pass
- Invitees can bring up to four additional guests with each visit
- This offer is for store access (not valid online)
- Valid at both our Richmond and Union City Employee Stores
Ski Pass Holder Access at Columbia Sportswear Employee Store in Richmond and Union City until March 31st.
Union City https://stores.columbia.com/ca/union-city/employee-store-423
Richmond https://stores.columbia.com/ca/richmond/employee-store-426
by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
The last time I visited Italy was 1997. Sadly, it was same year we lost Princess Diana.
Twenty-seven years later, I returned to Italy again for a friend’s destination wedding in Stresa, a town north of Milan. We continued to make this a longer vacation and traveled to Cinque Terre, stopped in Pisa for pictures, continue to Florence, Venice with boat trips to Burano, Torcello and Murano and back to Milan for the return trip home.
Time has definitely changed. We have the internet to plan and book our own flights. Booking accommodations from Booking.com and Agoda.com. These days you can “Skip the line” to visit the museums and see Italy’s sightseeing tours, attractions and excursions from Getyourguide.com and Viator.com. Travel blogs, Facebook groups and Instagram are just a few social media resources that were helpful in planning this trip.
After 3 days of wedding events, Curtis and I continued our trip to Cinque Terre. A 3 ½ hour train ride from Milan. Cinque Terre is located along the Ligurian coast of Italy, consisting of five picturesque villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Cinque Terre is known for its colorful cliffside buildings, beautiful hiking trails and breathtaking sea views. The area is part of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The villages are connected by scenic trails, making it a popular destination for hikers and tourists alike.
There are so many people traveling these days. To avoid the crowds, we got up early in the morning and visited these towns. We were able to get some nice photos without any people around. We did our share of hiking from Vernazza to Monterosso and Via dell’Amore.
The Via dell’ Amore, also known as the Path of Love, it connects Riomaggiore to Manarola. This scenic coastal trail offers breathtaking views of the Ligurian Sea and is an excellent opportunity for a romantic stroll with your loved one.
The new path had just reopened in August 2024. It was closed for 12 years due to a destructive land slide that took out the side of the mountain. It took the Italian Engineers 12 years to engineer new anchors and create a new walking path for “lovers”.
Searching for good food is always a requirement on these trips. We ate a lot of fresh seafood with pasta and rewarded ourselves with gelato afterwards. We even squeeze in time to take a dip in the Ligurian Sea. Salty sea water is good for the skin.
While taking the train to Florence, we made a quick detour to Pisa. With our carry-on luggage, we arrived in Pisa early in the morning at 8:00am and spent 2 hours taking those fun shots before the massive tour groups arrived. After the photo shoot, we hopped back on the train to Florence.
After we checked into our hotel, we went to the Duomo Firenze and admired the interior beauty of its architecture. We had a 6:00pm reservation to climb up to the top see a closer view of Brunelleschi’s Dome. (463 steps). When we got to the top, we were greeted with view of Florence, with the sunset in the background.
The next day we had the “Skipped the line” passes to see the iconic Michaelangelo’s David (Naked of course). We brought advance passes to visit the Uffizi Gallery, Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens.
Florence is home to world-famous art and architecture, including masterpieces by artists like Michelangelo, Botticelli, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Florence is also famous for its vibrant culinary scene. You can’t leave Florence without trying the Florentine Steak. We carnivores came out in style and devoured that steak.
From Florence we took the train to Venice. Again, massive crowds of people all around. Venice features a network of canals instead of roads, with gondolas and boats serving as the primary modes of transportation.
We took a tour of the St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the iconic Rialto Bridge. Also included with our tour was a ride on a Gondola. It’s my first time taking the ride and the Gondoliers do not sing like they do in Vegas.
On the next day, we purchased a 24-hour boat pass and went to the islands of Burano, Torcello and Murano.
One of my bucket lists was to visit Burano. It’s known for its vibrant, colorful houses and lace making traditions. Burano is full of brightly painted buildings creating the perfect picture postcard scene.
Torcello is one of the oldest islands in the lagoon and less populated. Its peaceful to go there because there wasn’t a lot of tourists. The island offered natural landscapes with marshland and wetland.
Murano, famous for its glassblowing artistry. You can walk around the stores and see the intricate glass blowing art work.
It was nice to visit these islands. It took us away from the hustle and bustle of Venice.
The last place we visited before flying home was Milan, known for its culture and one of the fashion capitals of the world.
We visited the Duomo di Milan, one of the largest gothic cathedrals in the world. We had reservations to climb to the rooftop for breathtaking views of the city. I mean how often do you walk around the rooftop of a Cathedral?
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, the famous shopping arcade lined with high end luxury boutiques and cafes. Prada, Gucci and Louis Vuitton, as well as other high-end boutiques were there.
One of the highlight was seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, the iconic mural housed in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
We had our last supper with friends at Osteria Treno. This restaurant that was featured in CNN Stanley Tucci’s Searching for Italy.
We had the regional Milanese Osso Buco with saffron risotto and it was delicious.
Curtis and I had great time on the trip. We didn’t get picked-pocket nor we lost our luggage. Traveling for 2 weeks is stirring up my interested on where to go next? The world is a huge place. Stay tune for 2025.
Love Is in the Air
Jan 31
by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
Happy Valentines Day!!
Just a friendly reminder Valentine’s Day is February 14th, don’t forget to get your sweetheart flowers, chocolates and a Valentine’s card.
Here are some of my favorite “Love” tunes to get you into that romantic mood.
by Armand Gutierrez, President
As of this writing the only Tahoe ski resort open is Mt. Rose. The other Tahoe resorts said they were going to open on November 21st, but that didn’t happen. One look at their webcams shows why they aren’t open (yet). Next to Thanksgiving perhaps the Christmas season is my favorite time of the year. There’s nothing like listening to Christmas music (old standards and new versions), watching the neighbors put up Christmas lights and decorations, and everyone getting into that Christmas spirit that permeates the atmosphere. And then again, it also means that the ski season is starting and the white slopes of Tahoe will once again become my playground. This is when Mother Nature does some of her best work, laying down a carpet of endless snowflakes and transforming the hillsides and mountain vistas into a true Winter Wonderland.
2026 NSC Ski Week to Park City, 7-14 February
The Park City trip is fully booked with 34 Park City Warriors occupying nine condos. Now all we have to wait for is Mother Nature to provide the snowfall for the season.
Christmas Greetings
This has been another good year for NSC with the many events during the year- membership finally broke 100 members (currently 106), a non-ski event to France, the annual Luau/Membership Meeting picnic, the One Warm Coat Drive, and Mahjong and Pickleball events. On behalf of the NSC Board I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org
QotM: Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it.
by Armand Gutierrez, President
Last month I had hopes and dreams of getting up to Tahoe for some early skiing. And although the resorts did have a decent layer of snow on the ground it just wasn’t enough to open the main lifts and runs that I usually frequent. But Mother Nature has once again made several visits and created that winter wonderland that we all look forward to on the slopes. Since the Sun Peaks trip is coming up I definitely need to get up to Tahoe and start my season before the trip.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Welcome to the Chinese Year of the Snake! Yes, the Chinese New Year starts January 29h and ends February 2nd. People born on Snake Years (1929, 1941, 1953, etc,) are believed to be wise, calm, and graceful, with great introspective traits. Are you one of them? Do you know anyone with those traits?
Coming up on Saturday, 18 January, is an NSC Potluck at Miraido Village in San Jose, Japantown. See the newsletter for details.
2025 FWSA Summer Ski Trip – Valle Nevado, Chile
Is skiing in South America on your bucket list? It’s been on my list for a number of years and I can’t pass this one up. If you’ve skied Canada, and Europe, now is the chance to add Chile to your list. This is the first FWSA summer ski trip to Valle Nevado, Chile. This is a 10-day trip with 7 nights in Valle Nevado and 2 nights in Santiago. Lift tickets are included on this trip, and if you have an Ikon Pass a discount is available depending on the type of Ikon Pass you have. If you are interested then please contact me at your earliest convenience (president@niseiskiclub.org).
2025 NSC Ski Week
Final arrangements for the Sun Peaks ski trip have been made and in less than a month we’ll be flying the friendly skies of Alaska to Seattle and then to Kelowna followed by a scenic bus ride to Sun Peaks.
Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org
QotM: Actions prove who someone is, words just prove who they pretend to be.
