by Armand Gutierrez, President  

May is here and that means it’s time to bring an end to the NSC 2025-2026 season. This was not exactly a great ski season with less-than-average snowfall in Tahoe, but we did have numerous non-ski events for this season:

• Miniature Golf Event
• SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers (twice)
• Annual Luau and Membership Picnic
• Pickle Ball Event (twice)
• Bike Ride – Alameda Creek/Fremont
• France 12-day trip
• Bike Ride – Tiburon
• Lake Chabot Hike
• NSC Potluck at Miraido Village
• Park City Ski Week
• FWSA Chamonix Ski Week
• Lake Chabot Hike

Upcoming Events

There are numerous events scheduled for 2026 and a few for 2027. Many thanks to Jeanne Katsuro for putting together a Calendar of Events and those events are now on the Events & Ski Trips tab on the website at: https://www.niseiskiclub.org/events-ski-trips/.

There are a several events coming up:

• 9 May, Saturday – Pickle Ball with Tina Woo.
• 20 June, Saturday – Mahjong with Judy Hom
• 20 June, Saturday – Tiburon Bike Ride with Roland Lee

Membership Report

There were no new members and our total remains at 114. June is next month and that marks the start of the NSC 2026-2027 season, and it’s time to restart the upcoming season with a return of our standby events and a few new ones. Beginning this month you can take advantage of the $5 membership discount if you sign up and submit your membership form by May 31^st (there were a few early birds in April). Please submit your application to Armand Gutierrez (Membership Chairman).

2027 NSC Ski Week

Plans for Snowmass for 2027 are in progress, with lodging at the Timberline Condos confirmed (again) for 23-30 January. Yes, there were some changes since we could not get enough units at the Crestwood (6-13 Feb). The Ikon Pass includes Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk, and the Ikon Base Pass is good for only Snowmass. If you don’t want to get an Ikon Pass then Sports America is offering 5-day (adult/senior) lift tickets that will be good for all four mountains. So, stay tuned for further developments in the coming months.

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

Use this for Ikon passes: https://www.sportsamerica.com/ikon-nisei (requires a password that was sent earlier as a separate email).

Board Nominations & Elections

The nominations process is complete and the next step is elections. The elections designee (that would be Karen Soo) has indicated that there were no new nominations, and two board members are not returning for this season. Therefore, the slate will consist of the incumbents that are returning to the board. The election ballot will be distributed in the coming weeks.

Questions: contact president@niseiskiclub.org

QotM: Doing what you love is freedom. Loving what you do is happiness. (from a fortune cookie)

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Nisei Ski Club’s elections will be held in the month of May and we need you to vote. Most of the 2025 Officers and Board members are coming back for 2026. Sadly, board members Joel Hayashida and Jeff Honda will not be returning. We hope to see you at the NSC picnic in July…

Ballots will be going out next week. Please do your civil Nisei Ski Club duty and VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great news, we have 2 written articles from long time member Haruko Nagaishi and new member Christie Dews. Thank you for your submits. See slide photos below.

By Haruko Nagaishi , NSC Member

On April 4, 2026 19 hikers and 3 dogs went on a beautiful hike at Lake Chabot Regional Park.  It was led by Roland Lee and Judy Fong and Judy’s husband Winston Fong.  It was a 3.8 mile hike on a loop with the last part on the East Ridge Train which was on wooded trails in the shade and overlooking the lake.  This was much appreciated because of the heat.  After the hike, many of us went to either Bass Seafood Express or Canyon BBQ in Castro Valley.  Many thanks to the leaders for a well planned outing.

By Christie Dews, NSC Member

It was a beautiful day for a hike and another memorable event with the Nisei Ski Club—proof that the group offers much more than skiing.  The hike at Lake Chabot drew an excellent turnout and the weather could not have been more ideal.

Participants enjoyed a scenic route with views of the surrounding landscape, rolling hills and the lake itself during the latter part of the trail. The setting provided a perfect balance of sun and shade, making it a really enjoyable and refreshing experience.

The event was well organized and offered a wonderful opportunity to connect with new people. 

There were plenty of good conversations along the trail, including an especially inspiring one with Alyssa. 

We parted ways at the end and went on to two different venues for lunch, rounding out a fulfilling day of activity and connection. 

Fun excursions like this continue to highlight the variety of experiences the NSC and Bay Area have to offer and there is great anticipation for the next outing.

CHECK OUT THE SLIDE SHOW

By Angela Ren, NSC Member

Thirteen Nisei members headed out on Collette’s Painted Canyons of the West trip for 9 days in late April.  We all had a fabulous time immersing ourselves in some of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes in our country if not the world while meeting and spending time with old and new friends.

Here are some of the highlights:

Denver, CO:

Our whole group met in Denver where we began our over 1,000-mile journey to be covered over the next 7 days.

Grand Junction, CO:

We headed out of Denver early the next morning on our way to Grand Junction, CO.  We spent most of the day riding the bus as we admired the gorgeous scenery of the Rocky Mountains and the Glenwood Canyon which was carved by the Colorado River more than 3 million years ago.  Our bus arrived in Grand Junction at a winery called Varaison Vineyards & Winery right in time for us to enjoy a private dinner that was specifically catered just for our group.  Besides being treated to a wonderfully prepared dinner, the winemakers also gave us an incredible lesson in how to choose and drink the different varietals of wine.   We all learned and experienced wine tasting in way that made us realize we have been choosing and drinking the wrong wines for decades!

Moab, UT:

Our journey continued from Grand Junction the next morning to the Colorado National Monument.  We saw sheer-walled, red rock canyons along the twists and turns of Red Rock Drive.  Our bus made a few stops through the park to allow us to take some selfies and ussies with breathtaking views as our backdrops.  As we made our way to Utah on the Upper Colorado Byway, known by the locals as “River Road”, we rode alongside the Colorado River and marveled at the Fisher Towers which looms over spectacular mesas.  We arrived in Moab around dinnertime and had another fabulous dinner at one of the most popular restaurants in town.

The next day, we set out to explore the otherworldly oases of 2 national parks – Arches and Canyonlands.  At these 2 parks, we discovered a world of mesas and canyons.  At the Island in the Sky in Canyonlands, we looked out over a landscape of ethereal valleys and dreamy horizons.  Our last stop of the day was a pilgrimage atop the sheer sandstone cliffs of Dead Horse Point State Park.

Bryce Canyon City, UT

Traveling through the dramatic Utah desert on Scenic Highway 24, we visited the Capitol Reef National Park.  This Park is named for the curved white walls that resemble the US Capitol building.  As we continued on the Million Dollar Road, we took in the stunning views of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, where layers of warm reds and oranges melt into smooth sided peaks. 

The next day, we spent the entire morning at Bryce Canyon National Park where we saw the famous hoodoos – vibrant rock formations likened to fairy chimneys.  Some of us took advantage of our allotted time and did a short hike to get up close and personal with the graceful geology.  We also took in the sprawling vistas walking along Sunset Point, leading into Sunrise Point Rim Trail. 

Springdale, UT:

At Zion National Park, the first item on our agenda for the day was taking a ride on Zion’s open-air tram where we trekked along the Virgin River through the 2,400-foot deep, half-mile wide Zion Canyon.  The rest of the day we were given the time to explore the Park on our own.  All 13 of us had a plan to do some of the hikes that were within our limitations.  Once we reached the banks of the Virgin River, 4 members of our group decided to roll up their pant legs, remove their shoes & socks, and braved the frigid waters of around 55 degrees to hike as far as they could go through The Narrows hike.  The rest of us who decided to keep our feet warm and dry, continued on a few more leisurely hikes and then called it a day.

Las Vegas, NV:

The last full day of our trip ended with an overnight stay in Las Vegas.  A few members of our group decided to try their luck at the casinos, while a few more attended one of the numerous live performance shows. The remaining group members decided to have dinner at a Chinese restaurant.

We all had an amazing trip and many of us want to make plans to visit these parks again in the future.  Although these parks by themselves are extraordinary, this trip was more memorable because we all enjoyed this time together with fellow Nisei members who are all fun and easy to get along with which was the main reason that this trip was amazing!

CHECK OUT THE SLIDE SHOW

by Tina Woo, NSC Member

Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 11:00am – 2:00pm 

Sunnyvale Tennis Center

$20.00 per member

$25.00 for non-members

One of the 4 courts will be designated to teach Beginners how to play

Lessons will be given by intermediate Nisei Players.

Please bring a potluck item to share at 12:30 pm

We’ll play from 11:00-1:00pm – Snack and eat until 2 pm.

The Club will provide pickleballs and water

For more information email Tina Woo pickleball@niseiskiclub.org

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 Roland Lee, Board Member

Join Nisei Ski Club for bike ride around the Tiburon Loop on Saturday, June 20th, 2026

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, June 17
Please let us know if you are a Bike Rider or Non-Bike Rider.
Email to Roland Lee Tiburonloop@niseiskiclub.org

by Judy Hom , NSC Member

Email Judy at mahjong@niseiskiclub.org to be added to the wait list..

by Karen Soo, Trip Director

Please join us on Saturday, July 18th at Las Palmas Park in Sunnyvale for our annual Nisei Ski Club Luau Picnic.

Time – 12:00pm – 5:00pm

You will receive your Evite invitation at the end June. It will be sent out from Armand G.

Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, July 15 so we can order the right amount of food for the picnic.

by Armand Gutierrez, President

The Nisei Ski Club has participated in a variety of charitable organizations, and over the past few years we have supported the Asian Pacific Film Fest, Achieve Tahoe, and a one-time donation for the victims of the Lahaina fire in Hawaii in 2023 through cash donations. Now NSC has an opportunity to make an impact on people’s lives by participating in the One Warm Coat Drive. The One Warm Coat organization https://www.onewarmcoat.org/ is a national nonprofit organization that embodies a movement of kindness through the donation of coats to people in need.

This charitable opportunity is now available to the membership and for you to join Jeanne Katsuro and I on this charitable endeavor. So how can you help? Simple. At the Annual Membership Meeting and Luau Picnic on July 18, all you need to bring is one warm coat (or more if you have them). The coats can be for adult or young kids, and should be clean and wearable (no holes or rips). The coats collected at the picnic will be picked up by Jeanne or myself, and stored until October or November when they can then be taken to one of the One Warm Coat designated drop off locations. From there they will be distributed to people in need during the Thanksgiving or Christmas season.

by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor

Discover the 2026 AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Guide
San Francisco’s Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is your gateway to exploring vibrant traditions and diverse cultures. Our carefully curated guide features an array of exciting AAPI cultural performances, workshops, film screenings, community festivals, and author talks taking place throughout May 2026. Consider this guide your passport to experiencing the rich heritage of our community.

https://apasf.org/#guide