Armand Gutierrez, NSC President

Are you ready for some skiing this season? If not, then feast your eyes on the photo that was recently taken at a well-known ski resort. Yes, this place is already open for business! Granted, it’s probably a lot of man-made snow mixed in with Mother Nature’s early snowfall, but these people are already skiing (and you’re not). And when do we get our share of the ski season? Well, Northstar and Heavenly are scheduled to open on November 20th, and Squaw Valley on the 25th, subject to weather conditions, of course. Karen Soo is already planning two weekend ski trips so look for details on dates and places in her write-up. It’s been several years since NSC has had a weekend ski trip so it’s muy importante that we get as many signups as we can to ensure that these trips are successful. As an added incentive, the first person to correctly identify the resort in the photo AND signup for the first weekend ski trip will get a free one-day lift ticket. Email your answer to president@niseiskiclub.org. (Board members excluded, deadline is 20 November, and only one answer per person so think carefully).

Snowbomb Ski Shows
It’s not too late to sign up for the San Jose Snowbomb show on Nov 7-8. Greg Wong will be there on Saturday and I’ll be there Sunday afternoon. Entry to the show is free by securing passes at this site: http://www.snowbomb.com/ski-board-festivals/ and scroll down and then click on “Purchase Tickets Here” under San Jose. Many thanks to Karen Soo and Curtis Otaguro for attending the SF Snowbomb show.

Park City/Canyons Ski Week 2016
The Park City/Canyons trip is moving along well and we currently have 45 signups. The second payment is due November 10th so be sure to remit your payment if you haven’t already done so. Also, an email was sent out to everyone about a change in our return flight from Salt Lake City. We were scheduled to return at 8:10pm on flight UA5333, and the new schedule is 5:18pm on flight UA5765. For those of you making your own flight arrangements that means you might be able to take the return shuttle bus with the rest of the group.

Karen Soo, Trip Director

Good news, we have finalized the two weekend trips that are scheduled for 2016.

The prices for the bus and the hotel lodging have gone up. We cancelled both weekend trips in 2015 due to lack of snow. Now we have to think positive and hope that we will not cancel our 2 trips for 2016.

We are given early cancellation dates from the bus company and the hotel. If you are interested in going on our weekend trip, SIGN UP EARLY. We will not cash your check until the trip is taken.

We need 35 people to get the bus trip moving, so start asking your friends, co-workers and come on our trips. We will charge you extra if you sign up past the due date.

Discounted Lift Tickets

Did you know that you can get discounted lift ticket if you go skiing on a scheduled BAC race day?  As NSC members, you can go up to the table that is set up by BAC and get a discounted lift tickets.

You don’t have to race, just get there between the hours of 7:00am to 8:00am and tell them you are with Nisei Ski Club. It’s that simple. Please look at the schedule for BAC race dates. There are races scheduled at Alpine Meadows, Northstar, and Sugar Bowl. Link: BAC race schedule.

Editor’s note – check out this October 2015 post on another way to get discounted lift tickets

SAVE THE DATES

Trip 1 – January 29 – 31 Heavenly / Heavenly

Trip 2 – March 11 – 13 Squaw / North Star* (* Depending on snow conditions Sugar Bowl)

Snowbomb Ski Shows

Snow Bomb Ski shows are coming to San Francisco – October 31 and November 1^st and San Jose on Nov 7 and 8^th. Admission is free. You need print out an entrance form. Free lift tickets are included with the Powder Pass or VIP admission fees.

Please refer to the website for more information http://www.snowbomb.com/ski-board-festivals/

 Club Appreciation Day

The Bay Area Snow Sports Council is sponsoring a Club Appreciation Day on Sunday, December 13, 2015. BAC will offer discounted lift tickets. Lunch vouchers and free fun race are included in one price. Detail pricing are still being worked on and will be announced soon. Link: Club Appreciation Day information.

The only obstacle is that we need good snow coverage by December 13 and you have to provide your own transportation. Maybe we can plan a car trip?

Let’s hope we have a fabulous snow season.

Sandy Kiyomura

I am “Vet woman”

This is what you can hear at the starting gate at the top of the race course. BAC (the Bay Area Council of Ski and Snow sports ) has a race league every season. You, as a member of Nisei Ski Club are eligible to race. There will be a free race day on Sunday, December 13 at Alpine Meadows. Discount lift tickets will be available. So if you’re thinking you can’t race, December 13 might be a good day to try. There are ten categories of racers. The “almost pro” racers are level 1 or 2. I’m an “intermediate” level 7. Within each level, there are categories based on gender and age. I am a “Vet woman” (so age has its benefits). When one places first, second, or third in their level/category, points are awarded to the individual as well as the club. There are three types of races: Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Super Slalom. Most skiers will find they are better at one than the others.

Some of the advantages of racing are: you will become a better skier, you will have the best snow on the mountain, you will meet other skiers, and it’s fun. Throughout the season, there are clinics you can participate in. I belong to another ski club and they have a cabin in Kings Beach. On race weekends, they offer not only lodging, but meals for the weekend. It’s like a weekend trip without the bus.

One other advantage is that anyone can get discount tickets on race day if you show up by 8:30 AM where the racers are. Mark your calendar for race days.   https://sites.google.com/site/openleagueracing/home

You may contact me at: skiyomura@gmail.com if you have questions.