by Armand Gutierrez, President  

In 2012 Curtis Otaguro and I went on the FWSA Chamonix trip (my first). We stayed at the Hotel Alpina, skied four of the ski resorts, skied the Vallée Blanche, and skied one day in Verbier (where I met my buddy). Well, here it is 2026 and I’m making a return trip to Chamonix, leaving on 26 Feb and skiing Chamonix from 1-6 March, then the extension week in Paris and Normandy (another first). The Hotel Alpina went through a major upgrade and is now the Hotel Alpina Eclectic.

In the past few seasons it seems like I always miss out on big snow dumps. Park City had poor snow conditions. That is, after we left it dumped 2’ of dry, powdery snowflakes. Then Tahoe got the big dump. Again, I missed out because of my upcoming trip to Chamonix. With all that snow in Tahoe I hope many of you will get up there for some great skiing.

Membership Report

Let’s welcome Katherine & Mel Young, Doug Higashi and Shari Fujii; returning members that joined in February and our total is now 113 members.

2027 NSC Ski Week

It was announced at the end of the Park City ski week that next year’s destination is Snowmass, CO, from 6-13 February. Look for details later in the year. Snowmass is on the Ikon pass and includes Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only option.

By Sally Shimada-Lee and Ski Buddies, NSC Members

From February 7–14, 2026, we had the pleasure of joining our first Nisei Ski Club trip to Park City.

I joined NSC one year ago and invited seven of my ski buddies to become members as well. We all enjoy skiing, playing pickleball and cards, and traveling—and eating—together, so this felt like the perfect opportunity to experience new adventures and meet new friends among the warm, welcoming members of the club.

Bringing together a group of 34 members takes a great deal of planning, organizing, and communication, and we truly appreciate the excellent job Armand did as trip leader.

Thanks to his hard work, the trip was a wonderful success, and we look forward to many more fun adventures with this active group in the future.

The locals even joked that we sunny Californians brought much-needed snow to Utah—and shortly after, our own Sierra Nevada received record-breaking snowfall as well. To all skiers: enjoy this fantastic season, and ski safely.

Tim Hadlock, New NSC Member

The February 2026 Ski trip to Park City/Canyons Ski Mountain in Utah seemed to go by so quickly.  During the week there the weather and conditions included everything from sunny Spring skiing conditions on Super Bowl Sunday to fog and thunder snow storms later in the week.   We all got in plenty of skiing and ended each day sore, tired, hungry, and happy.  The accommodations where we stayed, Snow Flower Condominiums, were conveniently located just next to the Park City Village.

This was my first trip with the club and I was impressed with how well organized everything was and how smooth the trip went.  Pretty much everyone was a new face to me; from our condo leader – Wes, to the others we skied with – David, Greg, Winnie, Wendy, Guy, Mary, and others.  Everyone got along well and we looked after each other on the slopes.  With some encouragement, I took on some new challenges to up my game on moguls and I made some progress. 

After long days of skiing some of us rested up in the heated pool/jacuzzi and then small groups would either go out for dinner or cook in the condos.  I felt lucky to have some good cooks in my group.  Even in an unfamiliar kitchen, they managed to cook healthy and tasty dinners for several nights (kudos to David, Greg, and Wes).  We ate out a couple of nights, one at a local Ramen restaurant which we walked and the other night we took the bus downtown to an Italian restaurant. The walls of the restaurant were covered in framed quotes about food.  One I liked was:

“Fish . . . to taste right must swim three times – in water, in butter, and in wine.

A Polish Proverb”

We had two nights during the trip where everyone got together. The first get together was to watch the Super Bowl and the other was “Pot Luck” night.  At the Super Bowl party there were lots of snacks and at the Pot Luck party every condo brought a main course and a dessert.  There was plenty of great food and everyone enjoyed the get together.

A big thanks to Armand, the condo leaders, and everyone else who helped make the trip a success!

Check out the slideshow….

by Sandy Kiyomura, NSC Member

In January, seven NSC adventurers set off for Crested Butte, joining nearly 150 skiers from every corner of the country for the Far West Ski Association’s annual ski week.

Crested Butte itself feels like it was plucked straight from a storybook — a tiny, gingerbread‑trimmed town tucked outside Gunnison, Colorado, where every storefront looks dusted with powdered sugar and the mountains rise like hand‑painted backdrops. Colorado never skimps on scenery, but Crested Butte has a charm all its own.

The cold was the kind that makes your breath sparkle — minus four degrees — yet somehow it didn’t bite the way you’d expect. A few of us kept warm the old‑fashioned way: skiing fast enough that the wind couldn’t catch us. With the low snowpack closing the double blacks runs, we carved long, easy arcs down the blues, cruising nearly 20,000 vertical feet a day.

At the welcome reception, the NSC crew gathered — Dan Lew, Kathy Fang, Carol Henri, Elaine Graves, Judy Bracken, and Sandy Kiyomura — with Jim Stewart somewhere just out of frame. Along the way we picked up a new friend, Sandra Mirones from LA, who slipped seamlessly into our group and spent the week skiing with us. There’s a great shot of her and Dan under a towering Christmas tree, glowing like ornaments themselves.

And if you ever find yourself in Crested Butte, promise me one thing: go to Secret Stash Pizz. Calling it “pizza” doesn’t do it justice — it’s an experience, the kind you remember long after the snow has melted. https://www.secretstash.com/

Check out the slideshow….

By Xiang Liao MD, NSC Member

Under a cloudy February sky
After the Magnolias have peaked their blooms
After the lovers exchanged their thousand kisses 
The chocolate strawberries have not melted 
Allured by the wilderness, the skiers glided into the rugged Mountains leaving their earthy life behind
Perhaps for a temporary escape
Black bird, Frog Lake, Castle Peak
Mother-nature, tight embrace 
All white, all white
Breathtaking, all encompassing 
All white, all white
They have turned into snow angels
Radiant, bright, beautiful, warm , kind
Snowflakes shivering 
Pine trees weeping 
Sisters hand in hand
Snow Angels sing.

by Joel Hayashida, Board Member

Meet at Lake Chabot Marina Parking @9:30AM

Join the NSC for a beautiful Bay Area hike at the Lake Chabot Regional Park (East Bay RPD Link), and continue the fun by strolling the Castro Valley Creek Downtown (YouTube Link) zone “après hike” and explore the shops and eateries led by former NSC President, Joel Hayashida. 

The 3.8-mile loop (396 foot elevation gain) hike that links portions of the Indian Cove, Ten Hills, Cameron Loop, and East Shore trails (AllTrails Chabot3) has gentle hills and refreshing water views.  Along the way, we will see early spring blooms,  trees, the lake, and wildlife!  Park at the Lake Chabot Marina Parking Lot (Lake Chabot Parking Entrance). 

The all-day parking fee is $5 per vehicle and the kiosk accepts major credit cards and quarters.  Carpooling is suggested.  Bring: hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, water… 

Downtown Lake Castro activity will be ad hoc with a plan but with a plan subject to change based on group interest.  The plan is to park at the Luckys.

The target après-hike eatery is Canyons Barbeque (BBQ) as there is a good amount of seating. 

Final details will be provided to signees via email around end of March.  Please sign up so that the hike leader can provide last minute fine-tuned details.

by Jeanne Katsuro, Vice President

We have only 2 remaining seats on the trip!

Total capacity is 24 people and Everyone is part of Nisei Ski Club!

Join our adventure to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand

An Extraordinary price at $7149 for double occupancy for 19 days and 31 meals

With an Additional Pre-tour of 6 days and 4 nights in Singapore Starting Oct 24

And an Additional Post-tour of 4 days and 3 nights in Thailand Ending Nov 19

We always have a Great Time Exploring and Sharing Together.

Join us! It is so Much Fun!

Sign up: Fast!  This is a Very Popular Trip! https://groups.gocollette.com/en-US/link/1337636

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

This 3-Ingredient Yogurt Cake is balanced between the creaminess of flan and the subtle tang of Basque cheesecake. No mixer, flour, butter or oil are required.

Just a few simple ingredients and you’re on your way to dessert bliss. Its light texture and wholesomeness makes it a guilt-free indulgence.

You can add fresh fruits or powdered sugar on top to give it a nice presentation.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups yogurt (plain or vanilla)
• 4 eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, optional
• 5 tablespoons cornstarch

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).

• In a bowl, add the yogurt and eggs. Whisk well.

• Add the pure vanilla extract and cornstarch. Whisk again until the batter is completely smooth.

• Pour it into a lined loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

• Let it cool and top with fresh berries, maple syrup, or honey! Enjoy.

• Note: This cake can be made with vanilla yogurt or any flavored yogurt like coconut. The cake will turn out sweeter if the yogurt is flavored. You can also add 1/4 cup of sugar to the plain yogurt if you don’t want a lower-sugar option.

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Spring is almost here!  It’s time to buy delicious See’s Candies to show your support for the Far West Ski Foundation.  The deadline to make a purchase is: March 20, 2026. 

FWSA’s overarching objective is to sustain snowsports to ensure that the inspirational experiences of snowsports will remain for future generations. Visit our website at https://farwestskifoundation.org to learn about the athletes who have received scholarships, and non-profit organizations that have received grants under our four missions:

• Building for the Future – with its Athletic Scholarship Program for Far West Junior Racers in U.S. Ski and Snowboard.
• Rehabilitation and Renewal – with its support of adaptive and rehabilitative snowsports programs.
• Sustaining Snowsports – supporting snowsports industry initiatives, such as climate control, youth/family development, diversity, and for underdeveloped athletic programs.
• Preserving the Legacy – with research, preservation, education and publication of snowsports history.

Visit our shop to pick and choose your favorites and buy and ship your candy online.  It’s that easy!  Ship to your family and friends!  Our storefront is located at the following link:

https://www.yumraising.com/store/spring-2026-far-west-ski-foundation-8917/JanWyc5944

FWSF is an autonomous public benefit corporation, in compliance with law and regulations Under Section501(c)(3) of the IRS Code. For additional information please contact Trustees Jane Wyckoff, fwsajane@gmail.com, 949-933-9607 or Joe Harvis, harvisja@gmail.com, 973-964-0834.

           Happy shopping and thank you for your support!

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: