Join the Hawaii Ski Club for a week of skiing in Hakuba, Japan with an optional side trip to Kyoto after skiing.  The Hakuba ski portion is from Jan 18-26, 2013 and the Kyoto option will be Jan 27-29, 2013.

For details go to their link:    http://www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com/Trips.htm

Nota Bene : this is NOT an NSC trip.  Verify details with the Hawaii Ski Club.

Far West Ski Association Euro ski trip for 2013 will be to Innsbruck, Austria  (Österreich) with an option to take a 2nd week side trip to Garmisch und München (Munich)

Highlights:

• Innsbruck – Mar 2-10, 2013
• Garmisch and Munich extension- Mar 10-17, 2013

http://www.fwsa.org/Travel/2013_Travel/Innsbruck%20Garmisch%20Munich%20flier%20a%20.pdf

Nota Bene – this is not an NSC trip. Verify details with FWSA.

COME TO ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE HIKES ON SATURDAY, JULY 14  by Hoyt Nelson

The hike at the Fall Creek section of Cowell Redwoods is only about 5 miles round trip and is fairly flat and shaded.  It follows the beautiful Fall Creek for most of the way and has a stop at an area with 12 foot high abandoned lime kilns after 1.5 miles.  We lunch a mile later amid the scattered machinery of a barrel factory.

It’s a little far to drive for some, but believe me, it’s worth it.  We take the Mt. Hermon Rd to the right off Hwy 17 just a couple of miles North of Santa Cruz and drive about 5 miles through Felton, continuing across Hwy 9 up the hill for less than a mile to a signed dirt parking lot on the right.  There is also a winery across the road just before the lot for free tasting afterward.  If anybody still has energy, we can stop at one of the best Japanese gardens in the state – Hakone Gardens (free if we take the short trail up the hill) – on the way back in Saratoga.  There are several great restaurants nearby to round the day off.

There are no water or facilities along the hike, but there are at the winery.  Bring layered clothes for changeable weather, a lunch with drinks for the stop at the barrel mill and possibly something to share.  Due to the distance, carpooling is highly recommended.  At the least, we should meet at my house in Santa Clara and form carpools there.  I plan to leave my place at 9:30 AM and can take 5 more people.
For more info. or to sign up, contact fallcreek@niseiskeclub.org.

BY HOYT NELSON

 We meet at 10:00 AM in the parking lot just uphill from the Cliff House (at the N end of Merrie Way).  We will explore the old Sutro mansion site and bath ruins before following the trail E along the headlands toward Golden Gate Bridge.  Trails are mainly flat with some stairs and 5.5 to 7 miles round trip – depending on where we elect to turn around.  Time is 3.5 – 4.5 hours depending on our preferences.  Bring layered clothing, camera, strong hiking shoes, water and snacks.  Bathroom facilities are at Merrie Way, but very limited elsewhere.  There are several restaurants I can suggest after the hike for lunch.  If you are game, I will also lead an optional short walk up Strawberry Hill in the middle of Stow Lake (in GG Park) for some surprises many have never seen.  To sign up or request carpool help, contact Hoyt Nelson at landsend@niseiskiclub.org.  (Limit 15 people)

– by Hoyt Nelson

Two of my favorite Spring hikes are quite close together near the Stevens Creek Reservoir.   Take Foothill W off 280 in Cupertino for about 3 miles.  We will meet at the large parking lot just past the spillway at 10:00 AM.

HIKE 1

∙  Leads up by a pretty stream through emerging spring growth to a lookout over Mt. Eden Valley.

∙  Cross a saddle and climb to Maisie’s Point on the Fremont Older Ridge Trail with a commanding view over the Santa Clara Valley from Redwood City to Mt. Hamilton.  Elevation change is around 900 ft. (one way) but is mostly shady.  Round trip on this semi-loop trail is less than 5 mi.  If we decide to quit after this, picnic tables and water are available near trailhead, but bathrooms may be locked (?).

HIKE 2

∙ The second hike starts at a trailhead back next to the reservoir and climbs up through dense woods and the old Picchetti Ranch orchard with views over the reservoir.

∙  The trail ends at the old Picchetti Ranch for wine tasting and a picnic among dozens of peacocks in the yard (picnic tables, water, rest rooms provided).  Elevation change is around 400 ft. (one way).   Round trip of this semi-loop trail is less than 4 mi.  Bathrooms, water, wine tasting and picnic tables available at Ranch.

Signup – Bring sturdy footwear, layered clothing, hat, camera, food & drink for a picnic.  Number of signups is limited to 20 people, so get on the list soon.  Rain will cancel since trail is steep and muddy in spots.  Call my cell phone at 408-835-5330 for latest info.

For more info or to signup, contact Hoyt Nelson at stevenscreekhike@niseiskiclub.org 

$ 1,191 per person double occupancy (w/o air)

$1,056* for air from SFO (+ $50 for LAX)

*Includes estimated US departure taxes, customs, immigration and fuel charge of $557

Chamonix offers skiing and snowboarding for all levels. It has tremendously long slopes, glade skiing, free ride and off-piste slopes. Chamonix, 1924 Winter Olympic Games site, is a popular tourist destination that links Italy via the Mont-Blanc tunnel.  Read the rest of this entry »

The NSC 2010-2011 season is over and we’re going to have a Post-Season BBQ Lunch. It’ll be held in my backyard. We’ll also have a general meeting to go over club business including the introduction of the new Officers and Board members for the NSC 2011-2012 season.

This is also a Thank You event for those of you who volunteered and helped out at our various events such as Leading Weekend Bus Trips, Nikkei Matsuri, serving on the Board, and leading summer events. If you volunteered, you may attend for free and you may bring a guest for free also. Please fill out the form below and send it in so we’ll know how much food to get.

Date: June 26, 2011, 12-4pm, Sunday
Signup Deadline: June 23, 2011
Location: 783 Mahogany Lane, Sunnyvale, CA 94086
Price: $15 per person, or Free if you were a NSC volunteer.

2011 Post-Season BBQ Signup Form (pdf)