by Armand Gutierrez, President  

I can tell it’s September by the number of ski resorts and travel agents sending me flyers to bring NSC on ski vacations.  And ever since I took the 2019 FWSA Hakuba Valley trip I’m still receiving emails from Rhythm Japan, the local ski rental shop near the hotel where we stayed. As we get closer to ski season the emails will increase, but I’m pretty good at hitting the Trash icon.

NSC Annual Membership Meeting/Luau Picnic

The NSC Annual Membership Meeting/Luau Picnic held on Sunday, August 10th, turned out to be one of the most attended and one for the books. Not only did the weather cooperate, but also the surprise Appreciation announcement for Frank Chang came as a total surprise. Not only to him but also to everyone in attendance (including the board members). There was a variety of cuisine to dine upon and numerous games to play, I would also like to thank those caring members that brought a “warm coat” for our first-ever One Warm Coat Drive.

One Warm Coat Drive

Our first-ever One Warm Coat Drive was a great success and many thanks to those members that donated coats. There were a total of 33 coats (13 men’s, 13 women’s, and 7 kids). As I was sorting them out it amazed me that many of the coats were in very good condition and a few of them still had new tags on them. This really shows the generosity of our membership and I’m looking forward to this being an annual event to help out people in need.

Website Update

The website has been updated to include two videos related to skiing: Group Travel, and Travel Insurance. The Group Travel article focuses on how group travel for domestic ski trips has changed over the past few years and is presented by Sara Clemons, president of Sports America Tours (our tour operator), and the Travel Insurance is for both domestic and international travel. You can view the videos by going to the Safety+Travel tab.

2026 NSC Ski Week to Park City, 7-14 February

Sign ups for Park City have been coming in and we’ve got 28 Park City Warriors signed up so far, and with a potential of 3 more. There are 36 air seats reserved, and room for 44 people. New signups will be put on a Waitlist until a condo can be filled.

Park City is on the Epic Pass and you will need to get an Epic Pass for this trip. Online lift ticket prices are not exactly user-friendly and group rates are not available.

Use this for Epic passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/epic-nisei

Use this for Ikon passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/ikon-nisei

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

Sort of a Haiku by Charlene Down, New member who sign up at the picnic with Karen Soo filling in the gaps

by Armand Gutierrez, President

Last month I fulfilled a long-time desire to ski in Chile, in particular the Valle Nevado ski resort located just 2-hours outside of Santiago. The FWSA Chile trip had been in the works for about five years and finally came to fruition.  

Getting There

There were 52 participants from various ski clubs and the group was divided into two groups: those on the SFO-MIA-SCL flight (layover in Miami), and those on the LAX-SCL (non-stop) flight. Unfortunately, the LAX-SCL flight experienced engine trouble just two hours into the flight and had to return to LAX and the group had to spend the night. Meanwhile, the SFO flight arrived in Miami with a 6-hour layover and then continuing on to Santiago and arriving the next day early in the morning. I was on that flight, and I didn’t mind the layover since it gave everyone time to relax, have dinner, and then board an early morning flight to Santiago. Our group arrived on schedule on a wet and rainy Friday morning, and the other group arrived on Saturday morning and missed a day of skiing.

The bus ride to Valle Nevado was one for the books that consisted of a steep, uphill climb, on a narrow road with 41 switchbacks and numerous cars/buses going uphill and downhill. And to make it more exciting the weather changed from raining to lightly snowing as we gained elevation to 10K and the Puerta del Sol Hotel.

Skiing Valle Nevado/La Parva

Valle Nevado and La Parva are interconnected and both offer great skiing. Valle Nevado has 5 chairlifts, 1 gondola, and 7 Poma lifts, and La Parva has 5 chairlifts and 9 Pomas. Now, I’m not a big fan of Pomas, especially long and steep ones so I stuck with the more comfortable rides up the mountain. However, there was one Poma that we had to take at La Parva in order to return to Valle Nevado.

Both Valle Nevado and La Parva are above tree level and reminiscent of skiing in Europe, so there were plenty of groomed runs and a number of off-piste runs to play with. The wide-open, off-piste runs bore the tell-tail signs of good powder skiing earlier in the week, but by the time we arrived those runs were typical of heavy and hard to turn powder runs that you find at Lake Tahoe. I did find a few off-piste runs that weren’t groomed with mild bumps.

Since our group arrived on Friday we had the option of skiing six days, and that was a first for me. By the fourth day my legs were telling me that they didn’t want to ski. But, I overruled them and it showed in my form (what form?). As my ski buddy used to say: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

There are two dining areas on the Valle Nevado slopes for dining and restroom breaks. Baja Zero was by far the most popular and just right off the Andes Express lift. The Gondola Cantina is located at the base of the gondola and also provided a variety of food to eat, plus bathrooms. Baja Zero offered inside and outside dining, while the Gondola Cantina only offered outdoor dining. La Parva offered a single lodge with outdoor dining only. One other important item: skiing the backside of the mountain does not offer any lodges or bathrooms, so it is necessary to plan where you’re going skiing.

Some Final Thoughts

Valle Nevado is a destination ski resort given the location atop an isolated mountain, a two-hour drive up a winding road that is subject to closures due to weather, and only two hotels and a number of condos/apartments. Also, there is no village for shopping and dining, only a mini-mart with very limited food items.

There is a clinic for emergency injuries and I did see a helicopter on a helipad, but not sure if that was for medevacs. Entrance to the ski area is next to the Puerta del Sol hotel, and at the end of the day it’s necessary to take a slow beginner lift to return to the lodging area.

The Puerta del Sol hotel includes a gift shop (clothing and souvenirs), rental shop, and a locker room. Our meal plan included a buffet breakfast and dinner, and dinners where either at the restaurants in Puerta del Sol or Tres Puntes hotels. Lift tickets were also included, and there was a discount for Ikon Pass holders.

Valle Nevado can be skied in three days, and La Parva in two days, so a week of skiing is just about right. Skiing Chile was a worthwhile experience.

Tina Woo NSC Member

Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 9:30am – 2:30 pm

Advanced Beginner & Lower Intermediate lessons from 10 -11:30 am – 8 people

Arrive at 9:30am to meet instructor Gary Wong and drop off potluck dishes

Potluck Lunch 11:30 am to 1 pm. Everyone Welcome!

Everyone Else Come at 11:00 am to set up all your dishes & prepare to eat!

Please bring Main Dish or Appetizers

Informal “new” beginner lesson at 11:30 am – 1pm – 8 people

Upper Intermediate lesson 1 to 2:30 pm – 8 people

1.5 hrs of Instruction, 8 people & 2 courts with Gary Wong, an experienced “Pro Instructor”

Nisei Ski Member: $70.00

Non-Member: $75.00

**New Beginners ($20 member/$25 non-member) taught by Intermediate Players**

Location: Mark Tsukuda’s parents

15146 Karl Ave

Monte Serrano, CA

Bring your own CHAIRS, water, electrolytes & protein bars.

Email Tina Woo for information Tina Woo pickleball@niseiskiclub.org

by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

Join our Special Presentation for Nisei’s 2 Vacations of 2026

Two Lucky Participants will win a $25 prize!

Painted Canyons of Utah and Kingdoms of Southeast Asia

Zoom Tuesday, September 9, 2025 7pm

https://collette.zoom.us/j/87082616189?pwd=4mjHRgrJvyONboMTBhfN3l7D5PxFrw.1

Password: 76386403

Meeting ID: 870 8261 6189

by Tina Woo, , Board Member

BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!   BEAT LA!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2025

SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers – Game starts at 1:05pm

Oracle Park View Reserved Section 314. Only 30 tickets available.

Special Price from a Season Ticket Holder

Nisei Ski Club Member $60

Non Nisei Ski Club Member $68

We would like at least one Nisei Member per every 4 tickets.

Meet for Lunch @ 11:30am near the Crazy Crab’z Section 314 inside Giant’s Stadium

Please email Tina Woo for if you are interested baseball@niseiskiclub.org

Please complete the below information PER PERSON

Name: First ____________________________________ Last ___________________________________________

­­­Phone Number: _______________________________ Email _________________________________________ 

Write Check Payable to Nisei Ski Club

Send Check to Nisei Ski Club c/o Tina Woo, 21577 Villa Maria Court, Cupertino, CA 95014

by Curtis Otaguro, Board Member

Interested in getting some fresh air and exercise?  Join NSC for a leisurely, scenic bike ride at Alameda Creek in Fremont.  Our ride will start at the Coyote Hills Regional Park in the East Bay just north of the Dumbarton Bridge.  The trail is mostly flat, with minimal elevation gain.  Some portions of the trail may be bumpy.  There is a diverse range of scenery, including the creek, lakes, wetlands, coastal habitats, and grassy meadows. Users can also enjoy views of the Bay and nearby hills.  Riders can choose to ride the full out and back to Niles Canyon (~22 miles) or turn around earlier at Quarry Lakes (Sequoia Bridge (~15 miles)).  Afterwards, we will have a nice lunch at Coyote Hills Park.  Bring some snacks to share if you wish.

If you don’t want to ride, but want to meet our group, meet us at the Coyote Hills Regional Park around 12 PM (or come early, explore the park and meet us later).  Bring your own lunch.

Where to meet:  Coyote Hills Regional Park, Visitor Center Parking Lot   

Parking:  Coyote Hills parking lots ($5 / entry to park); street parking on Commerce Dr. (ride bike into park)
When:    Saturday, September, 20, 2025                               

Meeting Time:     9:00AM, rolling out at 9:30AM                                                   

Cost:    Members:  $12

   Guests:     $15

Drinks, snacks, and bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette sandwich) lunch will be provided.  Please select one sandwich type for lunch below https://www.yelp.com/biz/huong-sandwiches-union-city-2

What to bring:  All riders MUST wear a helmet and should carry a pump.  Bikes should be in good condition.  Bring a water bottle, spare inner tube, patch kit, tire levers, sunscreen, and snacks to share (optional).  Due to unpredictable weather, a light jacket is suggested for cool weather conditions. Directions and information will be sent in a separate email.

Help needed:  Group leaders and flat-fixers needed in case we split up into multiple groups.

No SAG Support but we will be equipped for flats and minor repairs.

SIGN-UP DEADLINE: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Contact:      Curtis Otaguro       alamedacreekbike@niseiskiclub.org

by Roland Lee, Board Member

Join Nisei Ski Club for bike ride around the Tiburon Loop on Saturday, October 4, 2025

Bike riders are welcome to join the event. If you are not planning to ride, you can visit the Museum on the water front walkway path.

The NSC bike ride and museum are all free.

We will meet for lunch after the bike ride. There are restaurants on the main road near the Tiburon Ferry.

Electric bikes can be rented at the Trek bike store next to CHP office in Corte Madera.  They cost $ 100.00 for 24-hours.

RSVP by Wednesday October 1
Please let us know if you are a Bike Rider or Non-Bike Rider.
Email to Roland Lee Tiburonloop@niseiskiclub.org

Send in your deposit to hold your space.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Powdered Gyokuro green tea known as matcha is available in Japanese markets. It is the flavor you associate with Japanese restaurant green tea. The usual combination of cardamom, the green tea and almond extract is a delightful tasty treat. Rectangular slices of shortbread are traditionally known as “highlanders”

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

Makes 2 dozen  cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 1/2 tbsp matcha powder
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• 1/2 tsp salt     
• Course or raw sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. In the work bowl of electric mixer on low speed, cream butter and almond extract.

2. In a bowl, sift dry ingredients together, flour, sugar, matcha, cardamom and salt.

3. Add flour mixture to butter in 4 additions on low speed, mixing until smooth.

4. Divide dough in half and roll each half into a 6-inch log, then press into a long rectangle 6 by 2 by 1 inch.

5. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 2 hours to overnight.

6. Preheat oven to 325 degrees

7. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside.

8. Slice dough 1/2” thick and arrange on baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

From San Jose Taiko

San Jose Taiko’s home concert series returns on Saturday, October 18, 2025 to the beautiful Campbell Heritage Theatre!

Saturday, October 18th 2:00PM & 7:00PM

$40 Reserved seating, $30 students/seniors/groups reserved seating (additional fees of $4-$9 are applied upon seat selection).

Prefer to purchase by phone or walk up? Check out available seats online and contact the CHT Box Office. For hours and contact information:

CHT Box Office info

Presale tickets close 24 hours prior to showtime. If not sold out tickets can be purchased at the door starting 1 hour before the show.

Campbell Heritage Theatre
1 W. Campbell Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008

Doors will open 30 minutes prior to showtime.  Will call will open approximately 1 hour before showtime.

Email info@taiko.org if you have any questions.

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Check out Warren Miller’s new movie SNO-CIETY

Find out where it is playing in your neighborhood. https://warrenmiller.com/film-tour