Nisei Ski Club

Armand Gutierrez, NSC President

The ski season has officially begun with numerous resorts opening during the Thanksgiving weekend thanks to a series of snowstorms to hit the Tahoe area. Of course, these resorts have limited lift operations and perhaps only 5% of open terrain. Northstar has the most lifts/runs in operation at the moment. The resort webcams are great for checking out snow conditions, along with the terrain and lift status. Let’s pray to the Snowgods for more snow in December.

Ride Sharing Service

Don’t forget about the NSC ride sharing service that was established several years ago. This service is for NSC members to facilitate getting to the slopes with other members. The service is called rideNSC and members can make a Post to the group to either Offer a ride-sharing opportunity or make a Request that you’re interested in joining with somebody that might be going skiing. For information contact Sandy Kiyomura skiyomura@gmail.com.

How High Can You Go?

What is the highest elevation that you have skied? Perhaps Breckenridge at 13K? Heavenly Valley at 10K? What about Granite Chief (Squaw Valley) around 9K? Well, those are just a few of the resorts that have skiing at high elevations. But, those are not the highest. Can you name the top five North American ski resorts that have the highest summit elevations? And your bonus question is: name the top five North American ski resorts that have the highest base elevation. There will be a free prize for correct entries.

Vail Ski Week 2018

The Vail trip is a month away and there is time to get in some skiing up at Tahoe before the trip. The Vail Orientation meeting will be held on Saturday, January 13^th so mark your calendars. This will be an opportunity to meet other members on the trip, socialize a bit, and pick-up the souvenir gift. An Evite will be sent out later in December. If you don’t receive an Evite then let me know at president@niseiskiclub.org. Also, Karen Soo is coordinating the potluck dinner and will be sending out an email listing your condo mates so you can get a head start on putting together your potluck menu.

Maybe Christmas, he thought doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more. The Grinch

As part of BAC, NSC is included in discounts that BAC receives. BAC is a valued partner of Sierra at Tahoe and our members can get discounted lift tickets. Below are the details.

Program Details

• No out of pocket money
• Members can access and purchase discounted lift tickets from this link via computer/mobile device
• Tickets are purchased directly through the Sierra at Tahoe website via “promotional code”
• Discounts
  • $10 off Adult
  • $8 off Young Adult
  • $2 off Child
• Web link
  • http://bit.ly/sierraticket
• Promo Code
  • 1940

Valid from now until April 15, 2018

Link to flyer: BAC E-Tickets

Armand Gutierrez, NSC President

Seems like October was more summer-like than fall. Tahoe did experience some rainfall but all of the resorts are bare to the ground and it hasn’t been cold enough to fire up the snowmaking machines. Does this mean a late winter start? And the weather forecasters haven’t made up their collective minds on whether it’s going to be an El Niño or a La Niña year. Nobody guessed the ski resort in the photo, and the correct answer was Sierra-at-Tahoe.

Upcoming Events

SnowBomb Shows in October/November

At the end of October the Snow Bomb show was held at the Santa Clara Convention center. Although I was planning on attending I wasn’t able to make it due to a slight illness. Karen Soo and Curtis Otaguro usually attend the San Francisco event but Curtis was out of town and Karen was unable to attend.

Warren Miller Movie Night – November 11

Warren Miller is famous for his exciting ski/snowboard movies that take you all over the world in search of perfect snow conditions. Showtime is 6pm at the Heritage Theater (Campbell) on Saturday, November 11th.

Vail Ski Week 2018

The Vail trip is fully booked with 62 signups. Thanks to all that made their final payments on time, and to those of you that needed a reminder. Karen Soo is updating the sizing chart since the one on the signup page was for Marmot apparel and the new chart is for Port Authority. Not much difference but do check to see if you have any changes and reply to Karen’s email. There is a waiting list so do let me know in the event that you may have to cancel (hopefully not!).

Judy Hom, Newsletter Editor

My husband Winston pointed out an article in the San Jose Mercury News about defunct ski areas, which mentioned long gone resorts like Powder Bowl, Echo Summit, Edelweiss, Donner Ski Ranch, Tannenbaum, and Iron Mountain. He learned how to ski at Dodge Ridge and Echo Summit. Dodge Ridge is still operating but Echo Summit is long gone. How many of you remember these old resorts?

Organized ski racing in California started in the 1850s. Gold miners strapped 14-15 foot edgeless skis on their feet and raced for cash prizes. It is said that skiers reached speeds of 80+ miles per hours and carried a long pole to act as a brake.

Snowshoe Thompson was an early California long pole skier. Originally from Norway, he came to California during the 1850 gold rush. Between 1856-1876, he delivered mail twice a month between Placerville, California and Genoa, Nevada. He covered the distance in 5 days, 3 days up and 2 days down.

Olympic Hill was the first ski resort in Lake Tahoe and opened in 1924. It is still open but now named Granlibakken. I googled it and it is a very small hill with only 1 run and 2 lifts.

Sugar Bowl opened in 1939. Sugar Bowl got its name because the founder thought the snow looked like sugar. It was the first resort to use chairlifts.

There was a proliferation of ski resorts through the 1970s. 82 resorts opened from 1940-1950. 107 opened in the 1970s. The great California drought in the mid-1970’s took its toll and many resorts closed. Now, there are only about a dozen resorts in the Lake Tahoe area.

Resources

Mercury News – Defunct ski areas why healing is so hard
History of Skiing Lake Tahoe
History of California Skiing
Facebook – Lost Ski Areas and Ski History of California
Experience Skiing History in California Gold Country
Snowshoe Thompson

Happy Thanksgiving

Give thanks that the American system of checks and balances is holding. Remember that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

John F. Kennedy – We must find the time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.

Armand Gutierrez, NSC President

To everyone’s surprise it snowed up in Tahoe and in numerous resorts in Colorado and Utah in September (the 21^st). Although the early snowfall only resulted in a slight dusting of that fine, white powder at least it’s a start for what hopefully will be a good winter season. If you’re a seasoned ski veteran then perhaps you can identify the ski resort in the picture (hint: it’s in California). Drop me a line (president@niseiskiclub.org) if you think you know the answer.

Upcoming Events

NSC Paint Night in San Jose – October 28

This event will be held on Saturday, October 28^th, at the Grill-em Steak House in Campbell. See the flyer for all the details.

SnowBomb Shows in October/November

Coming up in October and November are the annual SnowBomb ski shows in Santa Clara (used to be San Jose) and San Francisco. I usually attend the San Jose event and Karen Soo and Curtis Otaguro attend the San Francisco event. We’re looking for additional volunteers to support the BAC booth at both locations. As a volunteer you get free admission to the SnowBomb event, talk with people about the various clubs that are part of BAC, and do some self-promoting of NSC. Arrive early, or stay later, and visit the other ski-related booths or perhaps pick up something at one of the retail booths that have discounted prices on ski gear. The Santa Clara event is October 28-29 and the San Francisco event is November 4-5.  If interested then drop me a line (president@niseiskiclub.org) or Karen Soo (tripdirector@niseskiclub.org).

Warren Miller Movie Night – November 11

Warren Miller is well-noted for his exciting ski/snowboard movies that take you all over the world in search of perfect snow conditions. Showtime is 6pm at the Heritage Theater (Campbell) on Saturday, November 11^th.

Vail Ski Week 2018

The Vail trip is moving along smoothly and we currently have 55 signups (out of 64). If you haven’t made your 2^nd payment then go find your checkbook and send it in, plus your final payment. If you’re still sitting on the fence about going and haven’t signed up now is the time to do so. Deadline for signups is October 10^th, which is also when the final payment is due.

CMH (“Canadian Mountain Heli-Skiing”) is holding its annual preseason heli-ski celebration in San Francisco and Menlo Park. In attendance at both events will be CMH Guide Brodie Smith from the Bobbie Burns Lodge as well as past guests, like-minded powder hounds and big mountain lovers. The evening will include ski film stoke and a chance to win a free heli-skiing trip.

CMH’s Signature Annual Event in San Francisco

When: Thursday, October 12th, 2017 6-8pm
Where: Begerac
316 11th Street, San Francisco
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served
Space is limited –- please RSVP here or directly to Anne.

CMH in Menlo Park for the First Time!

When: Wednesday, October 11th, 2017 6-8pm
Where:Dutch Goose
3567 Alameda de las Pulgas, Menlo Park
Beer and appetizers will be served
Space is limited — please RSVP directly to Anne.

Just a reminder if you’ve skied with CMH in the past: any friends you bring to either event who book a trip any time in the future will earn you credit for your next trip. Feel free to forward the invite!
I hope to see you in October!

Anne A. Trott
CMH Heli-skiing and Summer Adventures
Regional Sales Rep, California
T: 484-802-0664 | E: atrott@cmh-rep.com
#cmhheli| cmhski.com | cmhsum mer.com
217 Bear St; Box 1660; Banff, AB; T1l 1J6

Paint Nite takes place at the Grill ‘Em Steakhouse in Campbell. The cost from Groupon is $25 per person versus $45 without a Groupon. The ticket price includes the supplies needed to paint your masterpiece. No food or beverages are included.

If you are interested, please contact Karen Soo (tripdirector@niseiskiclub.org). Please RSVP by Saturday, October 21 to reserve your spot.

Link to flyer: NSC Paint Nite in San Jose

Karen Soo

Nineteen NSC members and friends met on a beautiful Sunday morning at the Emeryville Marina parking lot where we rode the Bay Bridge Pedestrian Bike trail. To many, it was their first-time riding across the Eastern span of the Bay Bridge to Yerba Buena Island and Treasure Island.

We departed from the parking around 10:30am and as soon as we got on to Powell Street, one person had a flat tire. Curtis O took the liberty to ride as the sweeper and took time to see what was the problem. Apparently, there was a slow leak in the tire and within10 minutes, we were ready to roll again.

We rode through Bay Street and enter the bay trail where we started the slow climb on to the bridge. The faster riders led the pack and others on their mountain bikes took their time.

The weather was beautiful with blue skies and sunshine. There was a nice cool breeze in the air. You can tell that Fall was just around the corner.

We took a few group pictures along the way and regrouped at Yerba Buena Island. There were 2 options to Treasure Island. Either ride down hill on a single car lane or take the free shuttle van that can take up to 10 riders and their bikes. Safety First…

We gathered for more group pictures and admired the San Francisco skyline from where we were standing. We continued riding with views of the city and a lot of abandon buildings.

By the time we finished our ride, it was time for lunch. We found a nice spot facing the San Francisco skyline. Everyone wolfed down their trip tip sandwiches. Our part time vegetarian NSC member, Jim T was treated to a grill vegetable sandwich. Food was provided by Taste Soo Good Catering.

People ate their lunch while talking to fellow riders and enjoyed the good weather and the view.

After eating lunch, it was time to go back and people had the option to ride up the hill or take the shuttle back. Riding back on the bridge was easier. Mostly it was coasting all the way back downhill.

We all met back at the parking lot, where we had drinks and snacks. A big thank to those who brought snacks to share.

One minor mishap: David T had 2 flat tires on the same tire. We were only 2 miles from the parking lot. It was Amy to the rescue. She road back to get the car to pick up her man. GO AMY.

We rode about 15 -17 miles. It’s a short ride but it was a beautiful day to be outside to enjoy the view. By the way, the rider with the slow lead tire made it back also.

Giving rules of the road
	Riding through Treasure Island
Free shuttle van	View of the Bay Bridge heading west
Lunch time
Flat tire
Group shot on Treasure Island