It was another fantastic week with the Far West Ski Association!  This year was at Keystone, CO. They’re right on when they say the diversity of runs and snow conditions are unsurpassed in Summit County.  This county boasts some of the worlds best ski areas including Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain.  While not in Summit County, Vail and Beaver Creek Ski Areas can be skied on the same Summit County ticket. For those who can’t get enough runs during daylight, there is night skiing Wednesday through Saturday.

While Mary McRory was lodged at the 5-star Keystone Resort, Shirley Thompson and I enjoyed the ski-in and ski-out luxury of Black Bear Condos at River Run.  With the gondola just a few paces from our door, it was a convenient few minutes from slopes to our steamy hot spa.

The week’s activities included a Welcome Party, the infamous Pub Crawl (Shirley took the gold metal on this one), Council Parties, a Mountain Picnic, Apres Ski Party, and Farewell Dinner featuring a Roaring Twenties theme. All this and great skiing for only about $950.

For non-skiers, there were plenty of exciting activities. The three of us, in fact, rented snow mobiles and toured the back country of Tiger Run, then up to over 11,500 feet to the top of the Continental Divide.  We also drove, over the pass,  to Vail Ski Area and explored the wide open runs, as well as the many shops in the quaint alpine village of Vail.

The Keystone Ice Rink provided another venue for an evening of fun and hot cider. Keystone offers a variety of special dining experiences such as horse-drawn wagons and sleigh dinner rides,  or a moonlight gondola ride to the Alpenglow Stube for fondue. This year there were more than 350 participants from nine different ski councils.

In addition to the organized fun, racing, and recreational skiing, the FWSA sponsors raffles to provide athletic scholarships for junior racers such as Dylan Murtha, ranked # for J-3 Giant Slalom.  It’s great to know that while we are having a great time during ski week, potential Olympic athletes are financially supported through our contributions.

Next year Ski Week will be in Sun Valley, Idaho.  Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity.

Ski Ya in 2011!