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December, 2011
EXECUTIVE ORGANIZATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Toby Kravet – 808-224-1065
Vice President – Kevin Okawa
Treasurer - Geof Chu
Susan Murata
Wayne Fujihara
Jon Kleinschmidt
Momi Kleinschmidt
Jonathan Carr
Roy Manzoku
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Club Historian
Jo Yee
Newsletter Editor
Toby Kravet
(Click on Contacts for e mail addresses)
!!!!HAPPY HOLLIDAYS!!!!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE ARE NOT HOLDING A "FORMAL" GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN DECEMBER. THE CHRISTMAS PARTY WILL SERVE AS OUR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING.
Every Monday evening (except on holidays): 4:30 P.M. A group of ski club members and their friends play tennis at Keehi Lagoon courts, off Lagoon Drive. Stay in shape and share refreshments afterwards!
November 24 (Thanksgiving Thursday) 9:30 P.M. Club members, whether or not they are volunteering to assist the Salvation Army in the annual serving of Thanksgiving Dinner to the needy at 11:15 A.M., are invitied to join the volunteers in a potluck brunch.
November 27 (Sunday) Noon. Polo in Mokuleia. See article below and be sure to RSVP Sandy Herron if you are planning to attend.
December 17 (Saturday) 5:00 P.M. Annual Christmas Party/Boat Parade viewing at the Larges home on Koko Marina, Hawaii Kai (See article with directions below).
January 5 (Thursday) 6:00 P.M. General Membership Meeting at Sam Sneads. Come early, before 5:30 P.M., to take advantage of the "Sunset Specials" dinners.
January 20 (Friday) 6:00 P.M. Hawaii Ski Week (Big Sky) Packet Pickup Party at Geof's condominium, 430 Lewers St., in Waikiki.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE:
First some business: The new membership year began on October 1, and this is the last Newsletter which will be sent to old members who have not paid their dues for the 2011-2012 membership year. This is also the case for announcements of upcoming events and other items which are not covered in or changed from the most recent Newsletter. The Newsletter will continue to appear on our website www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com each month. If you haven't yet renewed, you can find the application form on the website: Click on the "Sign Up" link and mail the completed application, with your check, to the address on the form.
Well, the craziness of APEC, with the Waikiki "Green Zone" and the freeway shutdowns, is now behind us, it is f-i-n-a-l-l-y raining again, and the nut grass nursery, which is my front yard, is begging for attention. At this writing, Alta, Snowbird, and Vail just opened, Brighton, Solitude, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain have been open for several days, and Big Sky, our destination for Hawaii Ski Week, only two months from now, is scheduled to open on Thanksgiving day. Time to order new winter clothing if what you used last year is no longer servicable and, if you don't exercise on a regular basis, start on a "crash course" to make sure your first day on the slopes (actually, the next morning when you get out of bed) does not lead to moans and groans (see the websites cited in the "Big Sky Hawaii Ski Week" article for conditioning suggestions)
In my last "President's Message," I was a little concerned over the response, to that date, of last weekend's Chili Cook-Off, but, in the end, no worries: We got the same turnout as last year. Actually, we would have been one over if one of the intended partcipants, whose name, beneficently, will remain anonymous, hadn't, at the last minute, remembered that it was his mother's birthday, dropped off his food item, and gone to honor his "family responsibility." What was really neat, for me, besides the great food and fun of the competition, was the extended time to socialize and meet some of the new members who were participating in their first Club activity. Also, when we asked for a show of hands to indicate interest in attending a post Thanksgiving polo match in Mokuleia, it looked like we had more people, from the cook-off alone, than showed up last August when we last went to a match. The new membership year is getting off to a great start!
Now it's time for me to go out and pull nut grass.
See you at the meetings and activities!
Aloha,
Toby
UPCOMING SKI CLUB ACTIVITIES:
FEEDING THE NEEDY ON THANKSGIVING DAY
Assisting the Salvation Army with feeding an early Thanksgiving Dinner to the needy at the Blaisdell Center has been a Ski Club tradition for, seemingly, forever. Thanks to members who were "chomping at the bit" to do it again and signups from an earlier email and at the Kick-Off meeting, we, have already have reached our limit of sixteen volunteers and have a waiting list. The "dinner" actually begins before noon which gives volunteers plenty of time to complete their duties and go to their own planned Thankgiving celebrations. All Hawaii Ski Club members, however, are encouraged to join the volunteers at the 9:30 potluck brunch on Thanksgiving Day. We meet outside the Blaisdell arena near the parking structure. It's a beautiful way to start off a day of Giving Thanks with friends and great food.
WANDA, TOBY
POLO IN MOKULEIA
November 27 (Sunday) Noon
(copy of email from Sandy Herron)
As a recent transplant from Aspen and newest Hawaii Ski Club
member, I am honored to be given an opportunity to extend an invitation to polo
for Sunday, November 27th to include seating in the VIP section of the
clubhouse, reserved exclusively for Hawaii Ski Club Members on that particular
day. This is a last minute scheduled polo match at the Hawaii Polo Club in
Mokuleia (on the North Shore near Dillingham Field) on Sunday November 27th
highlighting local teams.
Here’s how it works:
From Waikiki or the airport, take the H-1 West, then H-2
North toward Mililani and Wahiawa. When H-2 ends, keep going straight past
Schofield Barracks on the left, down a hill and across a bridge. Keep left
towards Waialua and Dillingham Ranch. From here you'll drive about 20 minutes
along a two lane highway with mostly fields on both side. When you come to the
traffic circle, continue through it and go under the bridge towards Mokuleia.
Drive about three miles, and the polo field will be on your right side.
Gates open at Noon
and Game starts at 2 PM. There will be round tables (comfortably seating up to 8
people per table) with lots of extra chairs and umbrellas where you can spread
out your own picnic lunch and beverages in a reserved section adjacent to the
clubhouse – (lawn area on Haleiwa side of the clubhouse). There will also be
vendors along the outskirts of the field where food and drinks (alcoholic and
non alcoholic) may also be purchased. There is no limit to how many people you
include in your group, just RSVP by replying to this e-mail approximately how
many people will be in your party.
It’s casual, fun for all ages,
adjacent to the beach, easy to find and park, and a nice way to wind up your
Thanksgiving weekend, even welcome some of our troupes home for the holidays.
Live music and dancing has become a tradition for “after the game”
entertainment. Never seen a polo game? No problem, as I worked in the polo
industry for five years before moving to the Aloha state, so I can share some
insider knowledge as to what is happening on the field and off in addition to
the professionals announcing the play by play action over the loud speaker
system.
Print out previous email/this article and put on the dashboard of
your car for special parking and entry fees: you will all get the discounted
military/student rate. Be sure and RSVP e-mail me
back how many people you think you’ll bring so we have enough tables and chairs
set up for you. Feel free to share this e-mail with your fellow
club members and friends. Hope to see you then!!!
Sandy Herron
Cell: (970) 925-4884 E-Mail:
sandy@sandyherron.com
SANDY
ANNUAL SKI CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY
December 17 (Saturday)
5:00 P.M.
Once again, Darrell and Rheta Large
have graciously offered their residence at 585 Kumukahi Place on Spinnaker Isle,
Koko Marina to host our annual Christmas Party. For over seven years running,
their kindness, hospitality, and location have provided us with one of the best
venues for a perfect party. Held in conjunction with the “13th Annual “Festival
of Lights” Koko Marina Boat Parade”, this party is always well attended and one
of our most popular events. The boats, adorned with Christmas lights,
frequently modified illustrate various themes, and often filled with costumed
"sailors" performing crazy antics, is something to see.
Members need to BYOB and bring a dish to share
(Pot luck). The ever popular grab bag will take place, and we ask that a minimum
$15.00 gift value be followed.
To get to the Darrell and Rheta's,
turn off Kalanianaole Highway onto Hawaii Kai Drive, proceed approximately .8
mile until you see Pepeekeo St. on the left: Kumukahi Pl., or the unmarked
entrance to it, will be your next right. After you turn right, you will
immediately come to a T: Take a left at the T and look for the 585 on the left.
Try to get there no later than 5:30 P.M. as
Darrell warns that parking will most likely be at a premium after that time.
TOBY
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Sam Sneads Tavern
January 5
(Thursday) 6 P.M.
This is the first General Membership Meeting of the new calendar year and the last until after our 2102 ski trips. Although the meeting starts at 6 P.M., you'll want to arrive no later than 5:30 P.M. to take advantage of the "Sunset Dinner Specials."
PACKET PICKUP PARTY
January 20 (Friday) 6 P.M.
(tentatively)
The Packet Pickup Party for Hawaii Ski Week will be at Geof Chu's Condominium, 430 Lewers St., which is the block between Kuhio Avenue and Ala Wai Blvd. Although there is some guest parking in the building, more free parking will be made available at a nearby lot with parking passes emailed to participants prior to the party. More details will follow in next month's newsletter and/or by separate email.
SKI TRIPS FOR 2012
BIG SKY HAWAII SKI WEEK
DECEMBER UPDATE
In less than 2 months, 66 Hawaii Ski
Club members will be enjoying the powder and steeps of Big Sky and Moonlight
Basin. After the busy holiday season, Ski Week 2012 will be much anticipated!!!”
Big Sky Ski Resort opens for
skiing and boarding Thanksgiving weekend. For the latest photos and videos of
Big Sky, click on
http://www.bigskyresort.com/index.asp?season=winter
Ski Magazine rates Big Sky as tops for uncrowded liftlines and slopes: “By itself, Big Sky hosts some of the best skiing in America: long, jetway groomers; the hollow-stomach steeps of Lone Peak; wrap-around mountain scenery that induces neck strain; and cotton-candy powder that lasts for days. But with the Lone Peak Pass, including adjoining Moonlight Basin and its stunning North Summit Snowfields and Headwaters Bowl for 5,500 total acres, the place flat-out rules. ‘One of my favorite areas in the U.S.’ attests more than one reader. ‘Amazing terrain’ has always been Big Sky’s strong suit, and it just gets better with ongoing glading, regular lift improvements and ‘no liftlines—no crowds."
Your Trip Committee has been busy for months creating a memorable ski week. If you have not yet done so, you have until December 1st to sign up for snowmobiling or snowcoaching in Yellowstone National Park (see form below). Scheduled Ski Week activities include a Welcome Reception, mountain orientation, pub crawl (led by former HSC president, Dave Broderdorf, because he and Amy Bosich, a former HSC trip coordinator, reside in the Big Sky six months each year), dinner at Buck’s T-4, snowmobiling, and the final awards and pizza party Friday evening. In addition there are numerous other Big Sky activities including a poker table and slot machines at Whiskey Jack’s, ziplining at 8000 ft, dog sledding, and crosscountry skiing.
A full schedule of planned HSC activities will be included in your pre-ski week packet distributed at the PRE-SKI WEEK PARTY, FRIDAY, JANUARY 20TH AT GEOF CHU’S CONDO PARTY ROOM. All HSC members are invited to this pre-ski event. If you have not been working out, now is the time for pre-ski conditioning and stretching exercises. For suggested workouts, click on Ski Magazine at http://www.skinet.com/ski/fitness, http://www.newjerseyskicouncil.org/skiconditioningpreskiing.pdf, or google “pre-ski conditioning for a variety of options.
*********************************************************************************
RESERVATION FOR SNOWMOBILING AND
SNOWCOACHING
AT YELLOWSTONE
NATIONAL PARK
Name:________________________________________________________
Contact phone
number:___________________________________________
Email:_________________________________________________________
Please check the option you wish:
_______ Solo snowmobile rider ($250.00)
_______ Two riders on a single snowmobile ($155.00 for
EACH RIDER)
The name of the
second rider on the above snowmobile_______________
_______ Snowcoach ride ($180 per person)
Day you wish for snowmobiling /snowcoaching: Tuesday, Jan
31______________
Wednesday, Feb
1_____________
Reservation
deadline is December 1, 2011
Make personal check out to “Hawaii Ski Club”
Mail check and completed reservation form to:
Anita Hodges, 98-1006 Palula Way, Aiea, HI 96701
**********************************************************************************
ANITA
MOONLIGHT BASIN
"Spend a day playing in the Moonlight! Moonlight Basin, that is. Moonlight Basin boasts a wide variety of sublime ski and snowboard terrain - 1,900 acres of pristine groomers, tree glades, challenging steeps, and for you “Park Rats” a huge terrain park. And as part of the Biggest Skiing in America® you can enjoy the most skiable terrain in the United States. One ticket, the Biggest Skiing in America® pass, allows you access to the Moonlight Basin – Big Sky Resort interconnect for 5,512 acres of downhill terrain, 4,350 feet of vertical, 27 lifts and 220+ trails. Plus from the top of Lone Peak, you will marvel at unobstructed views of three states and Yellowstone National Park, only 18 miles away!
Moonlight Basin Resort
Moonlight Basin / Big Sky
Skiable Acres
1,900 acres 5,532 acres
Summit Elevation:
11,166’ 11,166’
Base Elevation: 7,000’ 6,800’
Mapped Trails, Bowls,
Chutes, & Glades: 101 230+
Lift-Served Vertical: 2,720'
Vertical Descent: 4,150’ 4,350’
Longest Run: 2.8 miles
Average Annual Snowfall: 400”
Parks & Features
The Zero Gravity Terrain Park offers Medium and Large
features. The Zero Gravity Pony Park offers Small and Medium features. A
feature’s level of difficulty may change with changing conditions, placement,
approach, takeoff and landing zone.
The Zero Gravity Terrain Park is
located directly under the Six Shooter lift. To access the Zero Gravity Terrain
Park, take Elkhorn (Intermediate) to Park Avenue (Intermediate) from either the
Six Shooter or Iron Horse Lifts. An alternate route is to take Runaway
(Advanced) from the Six Shooter lift to the Park entrance.
The Zero
Gravity Pony Park is located directly under the Pony Express lift. To access the
Zero Gravity Terrain Park, take Lazy Jack (Beginner) to Pony Express (Beginner)
from the Pony Express, Six Shooter or Iron Horse Lifts.
Features within
both Zero Gravity Terrain Parks are set up under a progression park philosophy.
Riders that are new to freestyle terrain should Start Small. The Zero Gravity
Pony Park offers small and medium features. The Zero Gravity Pony Park is the
perfect setting for riders new to freestyle terrain, or for riders looking to
perfect their skills before moving on to Large features. Moonlight Basin strives
to offer a selection of features all riders will enjoy. As conditions permit,
features are regularly added, changed and relocated to elevate the park
experience."
If you want to take advantage of this great opportunity you
can add Moonlight Basin to your Big Sky lift ticket at the ticket office
(approximately $27/day – price subject to change).
See you on the slopes!
KEVIN
PAST SKI CLUB ACTIVITIES:
PAU HANA AT PF CHANGS
Nine ski club members enjoyed pau hana October 21st at PF Changs on Auahi Street. This despite the hellacious traffic encountered by some coming from the Ewa side. Mahalo to the waitress who honored happy hour prices to one group, though they arrived a little after 6pm. The restaurant was packed, and one large group had reserved the entire lanai, so we had a reserved table inside. Pupus, beers and wines were $3-$6 during happy hour.
JONATHAN
CHILI COOK-OFF
Mucho Mahalos to Susan and Doug for again arranging our use of the Wai'alae Nui Recreation Center on the heights above Kahala for the second "Return of the Legendary Chili Cook-Off." Twenty nine Ski Club members/guests (the same number as last year) participated, the sunset was pretty amazing (for those who were watching), and nine members (three more than last year), entered their chilis in the contest. It was almost "Deja Vu All Over Again," as, for the second year in a row, a Hodges won first place (prize of high grade tequila and margarita mix), but this time it was Anita, not Bill, as Bill was off in Nevada watching the Warriors play football. Also, for the second year in a row, Rene' and Paul Ferguson took third place (prize of tequila). Taking second place was our host (or is that hostess?) Susan who won a $50.00 dinner certificate. Again, this year, we had a "dubious distinction" (my words) award for last place which consisted of a can of store-bought chile and a certificate for Zippy's Chile won? by none other than Geof who had selected the gifts and only entered the contest so he might win one of the good ones: Now that's what I call "poetic justice." Anita promises ("promises, promises, promises") that neither she nor Bill will enter next year, but I don't know about the Fergusons. Who knows? I might drop my hat in the ring again.
TOBY
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
SNOWBOARD FOR SALE
Craig Shaffer still has an unused size 141 snowboard for sale. $250.00. Craig may be contacted at 261-5989.
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Contributions from the membership to future newsletters are encouraged and will be greatly appreciated: Please e mail them to Toby (see Contacts) no later than 9 calendar days from the end of the month. Thanx much.
Updated club info available at http://www.hawaiisnowskiclub.com/