We are getting a head start on March with an earlier than usual newsletter publication, since I will be traveling soon. Here’s what you can read:
President’s Message, by Armand Gutierrez
Into the Great White Open, by Judy Bracken
First Impressions of an NSC Ski Trip, by Ellen Szeto
Thai Cooking with Soo and Woo, by Tina Woo
by Armand Gutierrez
Last year at this time Mother Nature was quite busy with record rainfall north of the Bay Area and snowfall in the Tahoe region. So, what happened? February is going down in the record books as the driest February with no rain, and definitely no snow. Temperatures have been in the 50s in Tahoe and I’ve heard reports that some runs are showing brown patches of dirt. Not good. Historically, March is usually a wet month with plenty of rain and snow in Tahoe. And last year at this time Squaw Valley was advertising skiing on the 4thof July. Let’s hope March comes through with rain and snow so we can all enjoy pursuing our favorite winter endeavors.
Whistler Ski Week
We’re back from the Whistler trip and I’m pleased to report that everyone had a great time experiencing a variety of weather and snow conditions. There was one clear day where everyone enjoyed the fresh powder from a good overnight snowfall. The other days were met with cloud and low visibility conditions at the top, but still great powder skiing thanks to new snow almost every day. One of my favorite experiences was watching the Whiskey Jacks (local term for the Canada Jay) as they use people as their landing targets. Yes, that’s one of them on my head. My arm is extended because they also were feeding on a crumbled granola bar. The Whiskey Jacks were found at the base of the 7thHeaven lift on Blackcomb and the Symphony lift on Whistler.
2020 FWSA Ski Week to Davos, Switzerland
Judy Bracken, Elaine Graves, Roland Lee, and I are off to Davos, Switzerland for a week of skiing with FWSA. There are six resorts to choose from in the Davos Klosters area, and I’m hoping to ski the more popular resorts (Parsenn Davos, Parsenn Klosters, Jakobshorn, and Rhinerhorn). Davos Klosters offers 300km of snow pistes, 110 slopes, and 57 transport facilities (cable cars, gondolas, lifts, and T-bars). Like Whistler, there’s enough skiing to keep us busy for the week.
2021 NSC Ski Week to Breckenridge, CO
Next year’s ski week will be at Breckenridge, CO from 23-30 January, 2021. Breckenridge is part of Vail Resorts so you can pick up an Epic Pass for the next season. Once again, Sports America will be offering the Epic Pass promotion-lodging rebate of $30 for an Epic Local Pass and $50 for a full Epic Pass.
Board Nominations
Now that it’s March it’s time to think about Board Nominations for the 2020-21 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 are fairly informal and afterwards we usually go out for lunch and talk about skiing or upcoming club events.
Whistler 2020 Recap
by Judy Bracken
After a delayed departure but on time arrival flight, we entered Canada via Vancouver, B.C., and boarded our comfy bus for the two hour ride to our final destination at Whistler. The dramatic, snowy peaks made a spectacular backdrop, as we grabbed our parkas and entered the icy cold mountain air at Whistler village. People settled into their condos, met with roommates that took other flights or drove cars, and got ready for a week of fun, fun, fun!
Impressions of the first ski day ranged from “It was okay” to “I haven’t waited in lines this long for ages!” On the positive side, encounters with the whiskey jacks, friendly birds that hang around the ski lifts, landing on outstretched hands to get bits of free food from skiers, entertained us while waiting in line. Also some lucky folks found swatches of new powder snow, and Rick, a long-standing NSC member, unexpectedly got into Andrea’s pants! (He forgot his ski pants and borrowed Andrea’s extra pair!).
At the end of the day we gathered to watch the Super Bowl, in which our home team the San Francisco 49ers played against the Kansas City Chiefs. Karen organized a random football pool with 100 squares at $5 apiece. Elaine was the first quarter winner, Roland won second and third quarters, and Sheldon got the big jackpot at game end. Many of us were saddened to see the 49ers lose to the Chiefs, 20-31. Even so, the party atmosphere in the two host condos was in full swing.
Blue, sunny skies and cold, fresh snow greeted us Monday morning. The crowds remained, but the mountain views and soft snow got us smiling from ear to ear. Some of us ventured over the ridge to ski atop the Blackcomb glacier, while others spent the day on the Whistler side skiing together in several groups.
We arose on Tuesday to blustery weather and all over whiteout at higher elevations. What a change from Monday! The snow was really good, but in some places it was like skiing with eyes shut. Vertigo was the theme of the day. The Peak-to-Peak gondola reopened, which made traveling from Whistler to Blackcomb sides much easier. The gondola was an amazing piece of engineering that spanned the valley between the two connected resorts. On one of those rides, Elaine made friends with two Canadian snowboarders who invited all 9 of us in our group on a guided tour to the ice caves on the Blackcomb glacier. How could we resist? We all survived the T-bar ride and rigorous climb to the ridge, but it was hard to see at the top. We carefully made our way down the glacial valley and followed our guides to an icy opening at the bottom. We shed our skis and slid into the cavernous hole, marveling at the boulders encased in the ice ceiling and walls. It was a novel experience and one of the trip highlights. In days to follow, a few other NSC skiers also went to the cave. It may not be there for long, since the glacier is constantly moving and melting.
At the Tuesday night potluck, we roamed the third floor host condos, with dishes ranging from baked salmon to chow mein, curry, and beef stroganoff, along with scrumptious salads and desserts. One of the highlights was the Russian-themed condo with folk music, candlelight and vodka shots to the toast of “na zdarovje!”
As the week and stormy whiteout days continued, we heard glimpses of news from home…Trump’s acquittal, the Iowa caucus, the corona virus, killer avalanches in Turkey. Some folks took days off to rest and enjoy other activities, while others continued to explore the slopes despite the uneven light and snow conditions. Our motto became “follow the lollipop trail” when whiteouts prevented us from seeing where we were going (blue and orange posts marking the paths). We ventured onto lifts named 7th Heaven, Symphony and Jersey Cream, with runs named Panorama, Ode to Joy, and Wishbone. One of my favorites was the Dave Murray downhill, which drops more than 3300 vertical feet in 1.5 miles. This was where the downhill and Super G Olympic events were held in 2010, and named after a man who had been a famous alpine racer and later ran the Whistler ski school. It was said that the average downhill racer made just 30 turns on this run; on my count I did at least 130 turns!
Many of us soaked our weary muscles in the hot tubs after skiing, and on the last day we tubbed under a canopy of large, wet, gently falling snow clumps, catching them in our hands and mouths. It was magical!
We finished off the week with a lively cocktail hour and tasty meal in the conference room of our Delta Suites hotel. Armand recapped the week’s activities and announced next year’s trip to Breckinridge, Colorado. Kudos and thanks to Armand and Karen for organizing such a great trip.
Traveling back to San Fran on a bright, clear day, we thought about the powdery runs, the long and winding ski roads, and the joy of schussing down the slopes of that beautiful Whistler Blackcomb mountain.
Photos from Bill Lee can be viewed here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hH9BFobCTcVCC1sM8
by Ellen Szeto
“Hope 2020 is off to a great start for you.” This was my typical sentiment to friends and colleagues in the beginning of the year. Then, that sentiment became true for me with an unexpected ski trip to Whistler! What started as a casual email inquiry to Nisei Ski Club became an awesome trip, not only because I got to check off an item on my LIFE list*, but also because I got to know a great group of fellow skiers who are fun loving, friendly, considerate, intelligent, and inspirational (to keep skiing even into my 70’s and 80’s). Contrary to David T’s allegation that the people in the club’s website photos were hired models, my week-long interactions with the club members confirmed that they were actually friendly, real people!
Even though the snow conditions were not ideal, it was a fantastic trip filled with lots of good times. Here are just a few highlights for me:
I am looking forward to next year’s trip to Colorado which is also on my LIFE List!
*Since I dislike the connotation of a “bucket list” so I call it my LIFE list (Life Is For Enjoyment).
by Tina Woo
Sandy and I had a great time traveling in Thailand. Sampling many types of Thai cuisine was one of the highlights.
“Iron Chef” Karen Soo has offered to lead a Thai Cooking Demo on Sunday, May 17. A sample menu might include a Thai soup, appetizer, curry and or noodle dish, veggie dish and of course, mango sticky rice!
A nominal fee of $12 will be charged for groceries and spices. Is this of interest to you? You will learn to cook the foods, then you get to eat the dishes afterwards!
Patt and Rick Dumlao have graciously offered to host this event at their home in Union City from 1-5 pm on May 17.
Please RSVP to membership@niseiskiclub.org or tripdirector@niseiskiclub.org if you will be attending. Class is limited to 12 -15 people.
More details to follow. We look forward to seeing you at this event!
PS What is your spice level from 1 (mild) to 5 (super hot)?
Bring your appetite!
Did you know that your membership in NSC also makes you an automatic member of two other larger ski groups? Besides our wonderful Nisei Ski Club trips, we have many other opportunities to travel with both the Bay Area Ski Club Council (https://www.skibac.org) or the Far West Ski Association (https://fwsa.org). Here is a listing of upcoming trips. Check the websites for more info.
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