q…Who are we?
a… We are employees, retirees, friends and, family of Southwest Airlines. While we are not endorsed by, sponsored by or, affiliated with Southwest Airlines Inc., we do try to represent our beloved airline during our ski weeks
q…Who can join?
a…As stated above, employees, retirees, friends and family of Southwest Airlines are all welcome to be a part of our club. No prior skiing/snowboarding experience is required. In fact, our club offers those new to the sport and, those familiar with it, an excellent opportunity to learn or expand on a healthy and active outdoor sport that we have all come to enjoy and love!
q…What do we do?
a…We get together with other airline clubs several times a year during our “Airline Ski Weeks”. I like to tell people that it’s 90% camaraderie, 10% competition. While there are racing competitions during our ski weeks, participation is totally up to you. The competitions end with podium finishers receiving prizes or medals. The winning club at seasons end receives trophies and bragging rights. What we do best is however is, get together with friends, coworkers and, family to enjoy the great outdoors.
q…What is the membership fee used for?
a…Your $25 annual membership fee is used to purchase year end prizes for you, our members. We also purchase club identification items such as ID lanyards and business cards. Your paid membership fee also adds your name to an end of season drawing for skis or a snowboard from Atomic. We also have an annual fee paid to NAASF to be in their charter.
q…Are there any discounts received from being a member?
a…The Southwest Airlines Ski and Snowboard Club and, the North American Airlines Ski Federation has negotiated discounts on many different snow sports items. From apparel to skis and snowboards, boots and bags and many other related items. The best way to find out, is to just ask us.
q…Who are the North American Airlines Ski Federation and, the International Airlines Ski Federation?
a…The North American Airlines Ski Federation Foundation was created in 1983 to provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants or gifts to deserving individuals and organizations involved in competitive skiing programs. The Foundation operates under IRS 501(c)(3) status.
Throughout the years the North American Airline Ski Federation has raised over $120,000 to benefit junior ski programs, junior skiers, and many individual charities through its foundation. NAASF raises these funds at the airline ski weeks held throughout the winter at various ski areas. This fund raising is an important part of the activities at each airline ski week.
The NAASF Foundation concentrates its support grants on promising young racers at the JIII/JIV level. Those skiers must demonstrate superior academics, dedicated competitive spirit, community citizenship and financial need. Awards funded will be administered by your local Ski Education Foundation. Approximately $2000 to $3000 in awards will normally be divided between two recipients.
The International Airlines Ski Federation started back in 1960 when skiers from Air France and Swissair were invited to take part in ski carnival races at Alaska’s Arctic Valley just outside of Anchorage.Although the races were started at Arctic Valley, they were soon at both Arctic Valley and Mt. Alyeska. They were moved to Mt. Alyeska exclusively and remained there under the sponsorship of the Anchorage Times until 1975.In 1976 the venue moved to Mt. Hood, Oregon and has been held on three continents at many different resorts since that time. This resulted in need for an association or Federation to oversee the conduct and scheduling of future events.Howard Clifford was elected the first president and presided over the first meet under Federation sanction at Les Diablerets, Switzerland in 1977.
The Federation became a non-profit corporation under the laws of State of Washington, USA on 5 December 1977. The purpose of, but not limited to, was the fostering of national and international amateur sports competition and the development and maintenance of the sport of skiing among airline employees throughout the world.
q…What are our different “ski weeks”?
a…As I stated above, we get together several times a year. As many as 7 or more. We have three “Airline Ski Weeks” as part of our NAASF charter. Most often, these take place in January, February and, April at various resorts throughout North America. Most commonly in the western United States. Once a year, we have an International Airlines Ski Week. This takes place in March of each year and, is often hosted by resorts in either the United States or, throughout Europe. However, we have been to Japan for an International Ski Week.
The Southwest Airlines Ski and Snowboard Club also has our own little ski week that we affectionately call a “No-Brainer”. Usually in late February, but not always. We try to keep it true to it’s name, a “no-brainer”. In other words, “just show up at this resort. We’ll have discounts at this place for lodging, these discounts for lift tickets, maybe meet for lunch here, dinner there…etc.”. We have however started something as a group that is really taking off. An afternoon “poker run” on the mountain! Teams of two crisscross the resort looking for “dealers” from which to draw a card. The winning hand at the end of the day, wins!!
Just as our ski club has its own ski week, other ski clubs have theirs. And, just as we invite anyone to our no-brainer, the other clubs invite us to their own little events. For example. The early season is an excellent time to freshen up on your skills, learn new techniques or, learn the sport for the very first time. Having said that, Southwest Airlines Ski and Snowboard Club has a December training camp in Park City, Utah. The United Airlines Ski and Snowboard Club has one at Copper Mountain, Colorado. And, the American Airlines Ski and Snowboard Club has theirs at Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
In addition, the United Airlines Ski and Snowboard Club has an awesome season ending get together at Arapahoe Basin, Colorado.
As if that wasn’t enough. We’re always trying to organize trips to South America in the summer months to get our fill of fresh powder!!
q…Why does the NAASF and the IASF have a registration fee for each ski week?
a…Here is a breakdown of what the NAASF registration fee covered in 2013. That fee of $75 has since increased to $100 with most of that increase going to the host resort.
Most people have the misconception that the fee covers only racing, when in fact very little goes to the races.Jackson Hole in 2013 is a prime example how a ski resort breaks down the fee: Monday night party: $15/personWed night Theme party: $25/personThursday night awards dinner: $20/personNAASF sanction fee: $10/person (this is paid back to NAASF to cover our cost, this past year a lot of that money was spent on raffle prizes in support of the NAASF Foundation)Misc. expenses for the resort: $ 5/person (This is supposed to cover staff for registration, printing of credentials, creating the brochure, race and practice courses)While I do not have the exact breakdown for the IASF, it is in similar proportion to that of the NAASF
q…What happens during the ski weeks?a…Our ski weeks follow a usual schedule with apres ski get togethers, evening parties and ski competition. The parties are a Monday night welcome party, a Wednesday night theme/costume party, and Thursday night final awards party. There is racing (NOT A REQUIREMENT!!) on Tuesday (snowboard), Wednesday (A & B Skiing slalom and GS) and Thursday (A & B Skiing slalom and GS) with awards. Finally, there is a raffle to benefit the NAASF Foundation that gives away scholarships to upcoming ski racers from around the country. The raffle prizes include clothing from North Face and Fuxi racing, men and ladies all mountain skis, sport tubes, US ski team snow board bags and more. Good Stuff!!
The racing is a tradition at NAASF because the organization was founded on it as a competition between the airline ski clubs. It is one of the long standing activities that has helped glue the ski weeks together. It is in no way mandatory to race and, no one should feel overly pressured to participate. That being said, we have found that people who try it get hooked just like we have and find it to be exciting and fun.
q…How do I join the Southwest Airlines Ski and Snowboard Club?
a…I thought you’d never ask.. 🙂 Just follow this link…