Armand Gutierrez, NSC President

I’m sure everyone has read about the big El Niño coming this season and that there will be plenty of rain and snowfall. As much as it would be great to think about unprecedented piles of powder in the Tahoe area I’m going to take a wait-and-see posture and see what Mother Nature really brings us. I do believe that Tahoe will get a more-than-normal snowfall and that is most encouraging from the previous years meager snowfall. As such, Karen Soo, our trip director, has already started planning on two weekend ski trips for the season – one trip to South shore and one to North shore. Look for details on dates and places in Karen’s write-up, and although it’s only October, now is the time to start planning for these trips.

Snowbomb Ski Shows

Yes, it’s getting to be that time of year again for the annual Snowbomb Ski Shows. This year the San Francisco show is on Oct 31-Nov 1, and the San Jose show is on Nov 7-8. Last year’s show in San Jose featured numerous vendors from ski resorts and, of course, a humongous ski gear/clothing sale at redonkulous prices. We need volunteers for both of these events so let me know (president@niseiskiclub.org) if you want to attend, represent NSC, and get in on all the excitement that these ski shows have to offer. You can also coordinate with Karen Soo (tripdirector@niseiskiclub.org).

Park City/Canyons Ski Week 2016

The Park City/Canyons trip is moving along well and currently we have 44 signups. If you’re still sitting on the fence about going and haven’t signed up now is the time to do so. Although the second payment isn’t due until November, feel free to send it in now and avoid the November rush.

Sandy Kiyomura

In August, BAC sponsored a fundraiser for Disabled Sports USA. I attended the Oakland A’s game and tailgate party and had a great time (although the A’s lost) and watched the Star Trek fireworks show afterwards. During the tailgate party, I purchased raffle tickets and won a back pack and other small gifts. Another raffle was for a California Gold Pass. This pass allows the holder to ski at most California resorts any day. It is also transferable, which means anyone else may use it (once a day). Well, I had a lucky day.

While I was hiking Machu Picchu in Peru, I received notice that I had won the California Gold Pass! (worth $2,000). This means that I (or anyone I lend the pass to) may ski for free (holidays and weekends too).

Since I have already purchased a Squaw/Alpine pass as well as a Northstar/Heavenly pass, I will “rent” out my card, with proceeds going back to Disabled Sports USA. If you would like to ski for a reduced rate, contact me at skiyomura@gmail.com. Rates will be $60 weekdays, $75 weekends and holidays. Preference will be given to longer rental periods.

While in Machu Picchu, I learned that I won the California Gold Pass!

Jake the Ski Fool says “follow me to Park City/Canyons for our 2016 ski week trip.” For the 2015-16 season, Park City is combining with The Canyons to bring you over 7300 acres of skiing. NSC has not been to Park City since 2001 and it’s time to make a return trip. There’s a new gondola that will take us to Canyons for additional skiing at no extra cost.

Dates: February 20 – 27, 2016
Price: $1375 (Senior – $1310)

Trip price includes:
• Roundtrip airfare from San Francisco to Salt Lake City on United Airlines
• Roundtrip charter bus from Salt Lake City to Park Station Accommodations
• 7 nights stay at the Park Station condominiums (one block walk to Town Lift)
• 5 of 6 day lift ticket (6-day optional, senior (65+) also available) for Park City and Canyons
• Farewell Dinner
• NSC Souvenir
• Mid-week activities at additional cost:
o Winter Zip Tours
o Heliskiing
o Sleigh Rides
o Guided Snowshoe Tours
• Price does not include Baggage Fees. See United Airlines current baggage fees
o Baggage fees as of May, 2015: $25/first, $35/second. Boot and ski bag are considered a single bag.

44 sign-ups received as of September 30, 2015!

Sign up now. Link to flyer and sign-up form: Park City 2016 flyer.
Sign-up deadline: October 10, 2015

Did you get a good view of the harvest moon and lunar eclipse on September 27? I was hoping to see a blood moon but the cloud cover in the East Bay obscured it. I didn’t see the moon like the picture on the left. The picture on the right shows what I saw. The blood phase was just ending and the eclipse phase was starting.
      

One of the ways that Chinese celebrate the harvest or autumn moon is with mooncakes. One of my favorite mooncakes is the traditional one filled with lotus bean paste with an egg inside that looks like the full moon. Boxes of mooncakes are usually adorned with pictures of the moon goddess Chang’e. As a child, I knew exactly what was in the box when I saw her picture!

The moon is a symbol of harmony and unity. The autumn moon festival is a time to get together with friends and relatives to eat mooncakes and watch the moon. This autumn, make plans to get together with your Nisei Ski Club friends!