THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUB NEWSLETTER

THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUB IS A NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONISSUE 168January 2018 HTTP://WWW.SKIDONDIEGO.ORG

SKI CHATTER

Non-members are always welcome at club meetings. Mem-bership applications are available there and you may join andget your membership card right away. Membership applica-tions also can be downloaded from the club web site:

www.skidondiego.org

Or if you desire, you may contact our new membership chair-

person Ellen Locke (760-231-8821) who will mail a member-ship application to you.

The yearly club dues are $30 for a single membership ($45 fora family membership) and you obtain the newsletter from ourweb site. For an additional $10.00, the newsletter will bemailed to you.

M E M B E R S H I P I N F O R M A T I O N

Upcoming ActivitiesThe next Don Diego Ski Club meeting,Thursday, January 4 at the Rockin’ BajaLobster Coastal Cantina starting at 5:00 PM.

Jan. 7 - 12, Mammoth Midweek #1 ski trip:Our 1st ski trip of the season.

Feb. 4 - 9, Mammoth Midweek #2 ski trip:Our 2nd ski trip of the season. (See the flier on page 6)

March 4 - 9, Mammoth Midweek #3 ski trip:Our 3rd ski trip of the season. (See the flier on page 6)

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

As I write this (on December 24) Mam-moth Mountain is open top to bottom,with 20” of snow at Main Lodge, 45” atMcCoy, and 60” on top. Looks like weare setting up for good conditions forCarolyn and her gang on the January trip.For 2018 we are adding some new perksto make our trips even better. Watch andsee!

Payment for the February trip will be due by January 5, so mailyour application and check soon, or bring them to the club meet-ing on Thursday, January 4. In addition to the other new en-hancements, we will have our favorite musical friends joining usin February.

All 46 attendees seemed to enjoy the 2017 Christmas Party at theSouthwestern Yacht Club (see the pics on page 4). Many thanksto Rose Emry (for helping Ellen and me decorate,) to BonnieFritts (for arranging the Toys for Tots pickup,) and to Dan Henry(for getting us access to this fine club.)

We wish everyone in Don Diego Ski Club a healthy and happy2018!

Ed Offstein - DDSC President

FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN

If you have not yet renewed your mem-bership in DDSC for 2017/2018 pleasego to the membership page of the websiteand download the membership applica-tion. Mail the completed form with yourpayment to my attention – mailing infor-mation is on the application. By renew-ing your membership, you will be eligi-ble to participate in our mid- week skitrips to Mammoth. Remember our tripsoffer round trip travel in our deluxe coach, 5 nights at the BestWestern High Sierra, 5 days of excellent skiing on uncrowdedslopes, and most importantly the opportunity to ski with awarm and friendly group of skiers of all levels.

All the trip and details can be found on the website under SkiTrips. Your membership also includes access to other clubactivities such as weekly hikes, weekly bike rides, clubparties, etc.

Best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous 2018!

Ellen Locke, Membership

Share Your Hobby This February

Calling for four DDSC members to share and display theirhobbies at the February 1, 2018 meeting .

Our last hobby-sharing event was a BLAST! Say “YES!"and send your reply by January 13 to Judy Porter at

judyp4110@gmail.com.

THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUBSKI CHATTER Page 2

Ski Trip dates for Don Diego Ski Club for the 2018 Season:

Mammoth Midweek #1: Jan. 7—12, 2018 Trip Leader: Carolyn BlumenthalMammoth Midweek #2: Feb. 4—9, 2018 Trip Leaders: Ed Offstein & Ellen Locke

Mammoth Midweek #3: March 4—9, 2018 Trip Leader: Keith Bowen

(See the trip fliers on page 6 for the details. See the last page for CST/TCRC information)

Mammoth Midweek #1:In less that a month we will be schussing downthe white groomed slopes of Mammoth. Hope-fully everyone is getting themselves in shape(unlike me).

We still have room for one more lady and onemore man, so if you know anyone who wants

to come please have them give me a call.

Carolyn Blumenthal, trip leader

Mammoth Midweek #2:Happy 2018! A great way to start the newyear is to join us on the February trip toMammoth. Imagine spending the days on theslopes with your ski buddies. After comingoff the slopes you meet for a beer at TusksBar or return to the hotel for a jacuzzi.Nighttime events offer the opportunity tograb a bite to eat with your friends and swap

stories. At the end of the week you will have memories of anoth-er wonderful DDSC ski trip to Mammoth.

To reserve a spot on the trip you must let us know prior to thedeadline date, which is January 4th. Your paperwork and pay-ment may be mailed to us or you can hand it to us at the January4th club meeting.

We look forward to skiing with you.

Ellen Locke & Ed Offstein, trip leaders

Mammoth Midweek #3:We are looking forward to our March trip. Wecan expect more fresh snow and longer day-light. We will be staying at the Best Westernwith a full breakfast included plus heated in-door pool and spa. As with our other Mam-moth trips bus ride and club dinner is includ-ed. Deposits are coming in now and we needyour deposits so we know how many roomsto reserve.

If you have any questions please give me a call or email me atKeithRBowen@aol.com

Keith Bowen, trip leader

TRAVEL/TRIP REPORT

American Alpine Skiing Icon Calls It Quits: The most deco-rated American Olympic skier inhistory, Bode Miller, an-nounced that he would be heading to the Olympics in SouthKorea as an analyst for NBC rather than a competitor. After sixOlympic medals across five winter Olympic Games, he is retir-ing ahead of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games. Known forhis fearless skiing, Bode was often the most entertaining raceron the World Cup circuit, win or lose. He made a habit of mirac-ulously saving his run from certain crashes, including skiing upand along course safety fencing during the 2008 World Cup stopin Kitzbuhel, Austria. While his retirement puts a dent in theU.S. men’s chance at a ski medal in 2018, we will wish himwell, and cheer on the rest of Team USA in PyongChang.

Mt. Bachelor Opens a New Lift: Mt. Bachelor, known for its;Blue-Bird days, and great, light powder, has opened a new lifton the southeastern side of the mountain. Cloudchaser addssome variety for those who are looking to get away from thefogged-in Outback chair, the windy Northwest chair, and trysomething new and fun. Already, it is a hit for all ages. An eight-minute ride to the top, you’ll feel the light snowflakes on your

face and welcome a new area to take a fresh breath of air andski. The 635 acres will give you a chance to ski new trails, gul-lies, ups and downs and just enjoy a great day of skiing. SaysDrew Jackson, Director of Sales for Mt. Bachelor, “It chases theclouds away”. Try it out on your next trip to Bend, Oregon.

Colorado Ski Areas Adding New & Fun Activities: MountainCoasters are coming to Colorado. Steamboat opened theirs earli-er this year. Aspen Snowmass, Purgatory Resort and CopperMountain will be close behind.Aspen Snowmass will host Olympic Qualifying events January10-14, 2018 for US Athletes in the Grand Prix competitions forsnowboarding and freestyle team ski team. Copper Mountainhosted qualifying events December 6-10 for halfpipe and big aircompetitions. Steamboat, along with former Olympian and goodfriend of FWSA, Billy Kidd and Bronze Medalist, Nelson Car-michael will hold a “send-off” to all Olympic Team Membersand former Olympians on January 27, 2018. Copper Mountainwill host two family events on February 10, and February 20and Wolf Creek will hold their own Olympic Slalom Race onFebruary 25, 2018. WOW! Come join in the FUN!

Some Ski Industry News (reprinted from the FAR WEST NEWS FLASH)

SKI CHATTER THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUBPage 3

President Ed Offstein 760-231-8821Past President Pete Michael 858-560-8520Vice President Eileen Weiner 858-334-8876Secretary Leslie PallyTreasurer Kathy Hendrickson

Directors at Rose EmryLarge Dan Henry

Karl CiksteLeslie Pally

Membership Ellen Locke 760-231-8821

Advertising Anne Heye 858-279-8178Council Rep Martin WascherSunshine Rep Anne Heye 858-279-8178Historian Helen Harris 619-283-8559Racing Carl Cobb 619-222-5015Public Affairs Leslie PallyPublications Karl Cikste 619-442-2160Programs Judy Porter 858-453-4453Social Bonnie Fritts 858-836-1556Webmaster Karl Cikste 619-442-2160

Club Founders Joe Harris Bruce Barr

Lack of snow did not dampen the spirits ofthe 70 skiers that attended the San DiegoSki Council’s trip to Aspen. Snow wasmissing from many runs but two of the re-sorts, Aspen Mountain and Snowmass werefeverishly making snow every night andwhen it was cold enough, during the dayalso.

Snowmass only had three runs open butoffered a little different type of excitement with the opening oftheir new sled ride. Ajax or Aspen Mountain had 10 runs open,serviced the gondola and 2 chairs. Of course there is alwaysshopping for those who didn’t ski.

They have tried to model the trip after the FarWest Ski Weekwith evening activities every day. A welcome party the firstnight, happy hour the second, trip to an historic hotel for dinneron the third, a pub crawl on the forth and a martini party on thelast. Even if the snow was marginal, a ski trip with old friendsand new acquaintances is always a lot of fun. Hope to see moreDon Diego members on next year’s trip.

UPCOMING TRAVEL DATES:

February 3 – 10, 2018 FarWest Ski Week to Banff,Canada (10 openings)

Feb 25 to Mar 4, 2018 FarWest mini ski week toAlyeska, Alaska

March 4 – 11, 2018 FarWest International Ski Week to LesTrios, France

March 11 – 18, 2018 FarWest side trip Vallee-Brides LesBain, France

Fall of 2019 Australia/New Zealand/Fiji

Spring of 2019 Bike and Boat Amsterdam to Brudge

End of Jan 2019 FarWest Ski Week to Steamboat Springs

EARN A FREE WEEK OF LODGING AND SKIING. FarWestSki Association has three awards each year that are presented attheir convention in June. ANY SKI CLUB MEMBER can com-plete the requirements and vie for the awards. Each award issponsored by a ski resort and in addition to receiving the recog-nition for the award, the winner also receivers a free weeks lodg-ing and skiing at the sponsors resort. There has been limitedcompetition for each award in past years and the sponsors wouldto see more participation for their contribution. The awards arefor Safety, History and Environmental Involvement. Individualsor small groups (2 or 3) are encouraged to look at the require-ments on the FarWest website under Public Affairs. One ofthese topics could provide a fun and rewarding experience forone or more of our club members.

John Walsh of North Island Ski Club has joined the CouncilCommunications staff and is facilitating the inclusion club infor-mation and pictures on the San Diego Council of Ski Club’sFacebook page. Send club or personal items to John at“johnwalsh37@sbcglobal.net

SAN DIEGO COUNCIL of SKI CLUBS REPORT by Martin Wascher

DDSC Officers and Directors (2017– 2018)

From our younger days, things we don’t do (or maybe never did) anymore….. Inner tube racing at Big Sky, 1976

SKI CHATTER Page 4 THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUBDownloaded from www.apexskiboots.com

SKI BOOT MYTH BUSTING

Most of us use seatbelts religiously. We try to avoid “unhealthy”foods. We exercise. We floss. In many parts of our lives, we fallin line with “Conventional Wisdom”. Makes life easier. And inselecting our ski equipment, conventional wisdom like havingour bindings regularly checked is often a good thing. But con-ventional wisdom can fail us when its advice is outdated; whentechnology has brought new products into the sport. You don’tneed a heavy wool sweater when a breathable soft shell is warm-er and drier.

One of the biggest improvements in equipment design over thepast 20 years has been in ski geometry and construction. Canyou imagine going back to 207 cm Rossi Stratos for bumps orpowder? Me neither. Yet when it comes to ski boots, a lot ofconventional wisdom is a holdover from the days of long, nar-row, straight skis. Those designs were unwieldy, hard to turn andeven harder to carve. Boots had a lot of heavy lifting to do backthen. And the sad truth is that most ski boots designs are un-changed from the 1970’s!

At Apex, we believe that modern skis and modern skiing de-mand a modern approach to ski boots. We reject the idea thatyour feet should be packed into a shell two sizes too small just tocreate enough support to edge effectively. We reject the need forextreme forward stiffness, and for the folly of buying a bootbased on a fictitious “flexindex” when there is noneed to load up a ski tipthat’s way out yonder. Wereject boots that bulge andcompromise lateral sup-port when modern skis arespecifically designed torespond to subtle edging.And we reject having toaccept cold achy feetcaused by an unyieldingoverlap shell. Enough ofall that!

The patent-pending Apex design is different, and better. A supercomfortable, Vibram soled walking boot provides individuallycontoured fit via almost infinitely adjustable Boa closures. Thewalking boot fits perfectly into a three buckle Open Chassiswhich integrates with any alpine binding. Forward flex, easilyadjustable via Apex’s Tri-Flex inserts, is moderate and comforta-ble. Medial support, on the other hand, is firm, consistent andsuper responsive. That’s the way modern skis are designed to bedriven and since the Apex chassis is open in front for easy entry,the medial and lateral support structure can be much stiffer thanyour old overlap shell. That design had to be a compromise: Theshell had to be soft enough to be pried open to get in, but stiffenough to provide some measure of medial-lateral support. Bycontrast, the Apex design allows the chassis to do one thing ex-tremely well: transfer your leg energy efficiently and powerfullyto your skis for control like you’ve never felt before.

Now, it IS possible to get Apex-quality responsiveness in a con-ventional boot: Downsize. Crush your foot. Grind and stretch.Minimize insulation. And accept unneeded extreme forwardstiffness to get reasonable lateral support when the shell bulges.How is all that going to feel after lunch? Are your feet up to it?To consider the alternative, check out the smiles on the faces ofApex converts from first chair to last, day after day. Our advice:take conventional wisdom with a grain of salt. Challenge author-ity. Consider whether a boot designed when Nixon was presidentwill let you access all the performance in your modern skis. Ourfriendly suggestion, as committed skiers ourselves, is to giveApex a try and see what you’ve been missing!

Here are some picsfrom our Christmas

party at theSouthwestern Yacht

Club on Dec. 19

Toys for Tots

A very pensiveSanta (Shannon)

OrganizersEd & Ellen

THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUBSKI CHATTER Page 5

HIKING/FITNESS

HIKING:We have finished the second hike inour Coast-to-Crest Challenge. Threemore to go. If anyone missed those 2first hikes, but wants to do the Chal-lenge, they are easy to make up. Justcall or email me and I'll go with you!We have until June to finish all five.

FITNESS:Muscle is your best friend when it

comes to aging and quality of life. On average, we lose about 8percent of our muscle mass each decade, starting at age 50.This can lead to weakness, fatigue, balance problems, and in-creases fall and fracture risk.

The best remedy against muscle loss is a combo of resistanceexercise and a protein-rich diet (lean meat, seafood, beans andnuts). Weight machines, light hand weights, exercise bands andyour own bodyweight provide the resistance. You can find exer-cises at The National Institute of Aging website. Start with 15 to20 minutes of resistance exercises 3 or 4 times a week!

Please look for details for our Thursday hikes in your email boxand the Don Diego Meetup at www.meetup.com/san-diego-skiers

Sabine, Your Hiking Leader

Here are some pics from hikes last month:

History Corner: Joe and Helen Harrisby Pete Michael

Joe and Helen Harris played im-portant roles in forming and grow-ing the Convair Ski Club and theDon Diego Ski Club. After highschool Joe joined Reuben H. Fleet’sConsolidated Aircraft (ConsolidatedVultee, or Convair) as flight engi-neer for the new seaplanes, and Joeflight tested most of the PBYs builtin San Diego. During the 1942 bat-tle of Midway, a PBY located theenemy fleet resulting in an im-portant allied victory. PBYs sawcombat service patrolling for sub-marines and rescuing downed American pilots in the Pacific war.But where was Helen during this period?

During the War, young Helen Navoy was accepted into a univer-sity program in the first group of women allowed to train as aero-nautical engineers. (Ironic historical note: at the university, wom-en were not allowed to eat with the men. It was a different time.)

After the War Helen worked for Chance Vought in Connecticuton the F4U-8 Navy and Marine Corps fighter. Her job was todevelop the aeronautics of the mighty Corsair’s wing flaps. Hel-en transferred to the Vought plant in Fort Worth and worked onthe supersonic F8U Crusader Navy fighter and supersonic Regu-

lus II cruise missile. In Fort Worth,Helen joined Convair and transferredto the Convair plant in San Diego.

Meanwhile, Joe was busy startingConvair Recreation Association clubsin San Diego. He had launched theConvair Ice Skating Club, andalthough he didn’t know much aboutskiing, launched the Convair Ski Club.Joe and club members would drive toBig Bear and Mammoth Mountain toski. At Mammoth Mountain with thehelp of founder Dave McCoy, Joewould walk up the ski hill carrying bamboo poles to set slalomcourses for ski club racers.

During the late 1950s the YMCA Ski Club under the name DonDiego Ski Club merged with the Convair ski club. Don DiegoAlvarado had been a major land owner during the late 1800s inthe Del Mar area and since the 1940s Don Diego had been por-trayed under that name by the popular greeter for the Del MarFair, actor Tommy Hernandez. Convair employees joined theConvair club and civilians joined the Don Diego club. The twoclubs worked in parallel with members riding to Mammoth onweekends. Joe and Helen focused on club racing in the San Die-go Alpine League program, the San Diego Council of Ski Clubs,and the Convair Ski Club. At home Joe worked on the boats ofthe Convair Waterskiing Club.

(Continued on page 6)

Helen & Joe at Big Sky,1976

Joe, ready to hitthe slopes

SKI CHATTER THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUBPage 6

January 20, 2018 Saturday: Rokka 1 GS race (full day, 4runs) No January race camp or Friday clinic

February 9, 2018 Friday: Rokka Slalom Clinic

February 10, 2018 Saturday: Rokka 2 Slalom race (fullday, 4 runs)

March 9, 2018 Friday: 1-3pm Rokka Slalom and GS clinic

March 10, 2018 Saturday: SoCalcs Championships. GSin the morning and Slalom in the afternoon (full day 4runs)

April 6-8, 2018: FWRA Championships at Mammoth (GSand Slalom)

Helen and Joe led learn-to-ski sessions on the gently rollinglawns of Balboa Park near the International Cottages, bringing inshaved ice to show non-skiers the fun of skiing on snow. Thecouple were race chairmen and club officers, participated in raceclinics at Mammoth, and were delegates to the San Diego SkiCouncil. When General Dynamics left town in the early 1990s,the company took the Convair Ski Club Name with it and Con-vair members then transferred to the Don Diego Ski Club.

Through time no matter the name of the club, Helen and Joe con-tinued with their love of alpine skiing. A common sight fromChair One at Mammoth was the two of them in their sixtiesspeeding down the mountain during downhill racing clinics.They wore racing helmets before recreational helmets becamepopular.

After she lost Joe, Helen continued herwork with the San Diego Council of SkiClubs. She rode with us to Mammoth andskied until a few years ago. The clubhonored Helen at her 90th birthday party.Unfortunately, we don’t see Helen asoften now that she’s moved to New Jer-sey to be near her family.

All of us wish Helen long life and happi-ness. We hope Helen will stay in touchwith her many friends in San Diego.

-----Don Diego Ski Club members are skiers, hikers, and outdoorpeople from a wide variety of backgrounds. In addition to Helen,the club has several Convair aeronautical engineers as members,including Millie Gallaher, Bill Gallaher, and Jim Roberts.

(History Corner continued from page 5)

Revised 2018 Racing Dates(All events at Mammoth)

Helen today

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31

January 2018

THE DON DIEGO SKI CLUB is a NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION and a MEMBER of the SAN DIEGO COUNCIL & FAR WEST SKI ASSOC.

FEBRUARY HEADS UP

Feb 1 Club meeting at the Rockin' Baja. Lobster Coastal Cantina

Feb 4- 9 Mammoth Midweek #2 ski trip

CST REFERENCE NUMBERThe paragraph below explains what CST (California Seller ofTravel) means. You will see the number referenced on everyflyer. Please read this paragraph thoroughly. It is a requiredfor all club trips to make this statement available to you.

CST 2056054-40

California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust account orbond. This business has a trust account. All payments for transportation ortravel service not provided to the passenger shall be promptly refunded, inaccordance with the agreed-to-terms and conditions, unless the passengerotherwise instructs the seller of travel in writing. This business is a partici-pant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporations (TCRC). You, thepassenger, may request reimbursement from TCRC if you are owed a refundof more than $50 for transportation or travel services which was not refundedin a timely manner by a seller of travel who was registered and participatingin the TCRC at the time of sale. The maximum amount which may be paidby the TCRC to any one passenger is the total amount paid on behalf of thepassenger to the seller of travel, not to exceed $15,000. A claim must besubmitted to the TCRC within six months after the scheduled completiondate of the travel. A claim must include sufficient information and documen-tation to prove your claim and $35 processing fee. You must agree to waiveyour right to other civil remedies against a registered participating seller oftravel for matters arising out of a sale for which you file a claim with theTCRC, if your were located in California at the time of the sale. You mayrequest a claim form by writing to: Travel Consumer Restitution Corpora-tion, P.O. Box 6001, Larkspur, CA 94977-6001; or by faxing a request to:(415) 927-7698.

Check out these websites foradditional ski and club information:

www.skidondiego.org (Our website)

www.skisandiego.org (San Diego Council)

www.fwsa.org (Far West Ski Association)

www.skifederation.org (National Ski CouncilFederation)

Thomas Wisniewski 01/01Tom Fox 01/06Marina Gulko 01/11Carol Carr 01/18George Bradley 01/19Janet Tremaine 01/24

Christa Mueller 01/24John Bauer 01/28Karl Cikste 01/29Janice Nyberg 01/29Dale Switzer 01/31

January Birthdays

DD SKI CLUBMEETING5:00 PM @

Rockin’ Baja LobsterCoastal Cantina

Deadline forNewsletter

Copy

—————————————— Mammoth Midweek #1 ski trip ———————————————

New Year’sDay

“Decked out” Christmas Holiday displayat the Southwestern Yacht Club

NEXT CLUB MEETING: Thursday, January 4, 2018@ Rockin’ Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina (5:00 PM)

8223 Mira Mesa Blvd., San Diego

DONDIEGOSKICLUBNEWSLETTER2001CantaLomasElCajon,CA92019

SKICHATTERJanuary2018

PHONE:(619)-442-2160*e-mailkcikste@cox.net*websitewww.skidondiego.org*DonDiegoisamemberoftheFarWestSkiAssociation

See our club website for directionswww.skidondiego.org