Welcome message

Welcome to the 2025–26 winter season! Whether you’re a longtime member or joining us for the first time, this month’s newsletter is packed with ways to get involved, enjoy the slopes, and make the most of being a SKIBACS member.

This month’s highlights:

  • Lodge: new lounge cushions, completed kitchen remodel, and locker rentals for the season
  • Club events: December Bash (Dec 12–14)
  • Trips for 2025–26: Sun Peaks (nearly sold out), Steamboat, Hakuba (waitlist), Big Sky
  • Ski School & instructor training registration details
  • Member discounts: deals with Expert Voice, Black Diamond, and Bicycle Centres of Everett
  • Community events: AIARE courses, Crystal Mountain Winter Stoke Block Party (Nov 8) and several ski swaps around the area

Looking to get more involved with the club?  The SKIBACS board is looking for folks interested in contributing across a wide range of skills, including representing retiree interests, managing finances, planning events, and more.  Interested parties can reach out to myself or Dan Nebres, SKIBACS President (president@skibacs.org) directly.

Richard Offhaus

Vice President and Social Chair

richard.c.offhaus@boeing.com

 

SKIBACS Lodge at Crystal Mountain – ‘25-’26 Season Updates

Greetings!  Winter is arriving in the mountains—time to make your lodge reservations! We spent the summer and fall on maintenance and repairs.

Lodge Amenity Improvements

You’ll see NEW cushions in the lounge which were a much-needed upgrade!

The kitchen remodel is pretty much complete.  This past summer & fall, we did not take on any new big projects with the lodge.  Our volunteers needed a well-deserved summer off! However, we did take care of many maintenance issues and repairs. Thank you to everyone who came and helped at the work parties.  A big shout-out to Kevin Reagan, Facilities Chair, for all his coordination and time with the work parties.

Lockers!  Here’s your reminder to either RENEW your locker or rent out a new one for the season!  Enjoy the benefits of a locker at the lodge!  Locker rental is $100 for the season and runs from October 1st- September 30th. Lockers will hold your sleeping bag(s), pillow(s), and other gear.  For those of you who stay at the lodge or ski Crystal regularly, this perk is well worth not having to haul gear each time.  If you are interested in renting a locker for the 2025-2026 season, visit SKIBACS’ website at this link.

A few reminders when planning your stay at the lodge:

  • Please read your confirmation letter after reserving. It will answer any questions you have for your stay. If you need more information, please contact Wendy Welch or Matt Ugland.
  • There is a NO pet policy at the lodge.
  • Children 4 years old and younger are only allowed with advance permission given by the lodge administrator. Please ask before booking.
  • There is NO smoking or vaping at the lodge.
  • Tasks are part of the deal when staying at the lodge. Check the whiteboard for your assigned task. Any questions/concerns please connect with Matt Ugland, Lodge Caretaker.

Crystal Mountain Parking

Crystal Mountain requires parking reservations Saturday-Sunday and holidays. Please be sure to review parking information before you head up to the resort: www.crystalmountainresort.com

If you are staying at the lodge, your license plate will be registered with the “clubs parking portal.” You will not need to make a reservation on the Crystal parking website.  This is ONLY when you are staying at the SKIBACS lodge.

Crystal Mountain is projected to OPEN November 28th! Check the website before heading up!  Fingers Crossed!

I hope you make it up this winter to enjoy some skiing/boarding and an overnight at the lodge. It looks to be a fantastic snow season!

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to me.  See you on the slope or by the fire at the lodge!

 

Wendy Welch

SKIBACS Lodge Administrator/Chair

wenskiwelch@gmail.com

 

Matt Ugland

SKIBACS Lodge Caretaker

skibacs1966@gmail.com

(253) 579-4287

Upcoming Club Events — Save the Date!

4th Annual December Bash

Date:                    12/12/25 – 12/14/25    

Location:           SKIBACS Lodge at Crystal Mountain

Status:                07 / 30 spots taken (space available!)

Event Leader – Tj Marchello – (206)-883-6005 – marchello.tj@gmail.com

Event Flyer – Sign up for the December Bash

SKIBACS is proud to offer this local event at our home mountain, Crystal Mountain Resort! Come stay within walking distance to Washington state’s largest ski resort, at a discount to our already unbeaten rates! The event will start on the evening of Fri. Dec.12th and conclude as the lifts close on Sun. Dec.14th .

SKIBACS 2025-2026 Season Trip Offerings

Sun Peaks, British Columbia

Dates                   Jan. 4th – Jan. 10th 2026

Status                 NEARLY SOLD OUT – 4 spots left!

Pass Usage       Ikon, Ikon Base, or Ikon Session *blackouts dates do not apply*

Trip Leader       Robbi Alberts (206) 396-2420 ralberts@reachone.com

Trip Flyer – Join Sun Peaks 2026

Come ski Canada’s 2nd largest ski area! Near Kamloops, British Columbia, Sun Peaks offers 4270 acres skiable terrain, with 2,936’ vertical!  There are two alpine bowls, 144 trails with 16 gladed areas (32% expert/ 58% intermediate/ 10% novice). Thirteen lifts include 4 high-speed quads, 4 quads & 5 surface lifts. The new West Bowl Express (replacing a t-bar) opened up new skiable terrain for every level. Don’t miss gliding  among the trees on Mt. Morrisey … or skiing down “Five Mile Run” … or flying down the ‘groomed black-diamond of the day’.

Steamboat Springs, CO

Dates                   Jan. 21st – Jan. 25th 2026

Status                 Space Available

Pass Usage       Ikon, Ikon Base, or Ikon Session *blackouts dates do not apply*

Trip Leader       Brandon Hughes (971) 285-1884 hughes.d.brandon@gmail.com

Trip Flyer – Join Steamboat 2026

Steamboat Ski Resort, in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, is known for its “Champagne Powder” snow and diverse terrain.  The resort boasts over 2,965 acres of skiable terrain, including areas for beginners, intermediates, and experts. It’s a year-round destination with a mix of activities and a unique blend of skiing and western charm! A bucket list destination!  The club has booked ski-in/ski-out accommodations and a group outing to Strawberry Park Hot Springs!

Hakuba, Japan

Dates                   Feb. 22nd – Mar. 1st 2026

Status                 SOLD OUT – waitlist available

Pass Usage       EPIC, EPIC Local, or 5 day Adult Lift Ticket ~$350

Trip Leader       Takeo Kuraishi (425) 314-7900 takeo.kuraishi@gmail.com

Trip Flyer – Join Hakuba 2026

SKIBACS returns to Japan! This ski trip presented by SKIBACS will be visiting Hakuba Valley Ski Area.  We will be based at Hakuba Tokyu Hotel near Happo One and explore the ten different areas that comprises the resort. Join us for the snow, food, and hot springs.

Big Sky, Montana

Dates                   Mar. 14th – Feb. 12th 2026

Status                 Space available

Pass Usage       Ikon, Ikon Base, or Ikon Session *blackouts dates do not apply*

Trip Leader       Cameron Haygood (714) 595-7574 cameronhaygood@gmail.com

Trip Flyer – Join Big Sky 2026 Trip

With 5,850 acres spread across 4 peaks and a 50/50 split of beginner-intermediate/advanced terrain, Big Sky has something for everyone and more terrain than your poor legs can handle! Come out to enjoy some incredible days on the mountain, and nights out in downtown Big Sky.

Ski School

Registration for lessons is open!

We are offering the following ski and snowboard lessons this season from ages 5 to adult:

  • Wednesday mornings (the Sonic Boomers return!)
  • Thursday nights
  • Friday nights
  • Saturday mornings
  • Sunday mornings
  • Sunday afternoons

We also offer household group lessons and private lessons.  Click here for more information or to register for lessons: SKIBACS Ski School

Instructor training

We are looking for Skiers and Snowboarders that would love to share their sport with others by becoming an Instructor! Dry-land training starts mid-November.  You do not need to be a Boeing employee to be an instructor with ski school.  Let your friends know about this opportunity!

If you would like to be involved in instructor training, check out this link for more details: New Instructor Training

Club Discounts & Partner Offers

Looking for new gear this season or just starting out?  We’ve secured member discounts with:

  • Expert Voice — select gear offers from 30-70% off
  • Black Diamond — special club pricing, 30-40% off
  • Bicycle Centres of Everett — 10% of rentals and 10% off retail

Check out all the discounts available on the club website here: SKIBACS Member Discounts

Community events

AIARE Courses

SKIBACS is excited to announce that we’ve secured a limited number of spots for AIARE 1 and AIARE 2 courses through a partnership with BOEALPS, the Boeing Employee Alpine Society (website). This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your avalanche education and skills before the winter season kicks into high gear.

AIARE 1

This course is designed for those new to traveling in avalanche terrain. You’ll learn how to plan a trip, recognize avalanche terrain, and make smart decisions in the backcountry.

 

Dates: January 17-18, 2026

Price: $539

Location: Crystal Mountain Backcountry

Link to sign up: BOEALPS AIARE L1 1/17-18

AIARE 2

The AIARE 2 is a more advanced course for those who have already completed an AIARE 1 and an Avalanche Rescue course within the last five years. It focuses on a more sophisticated analysis of avalanche hazards and decision-making.

 

Dates: February 21 – 22, 2026

Price: $539

Location: Crystal Mountain Backcountry

Link to sign up: BOEALPS AIARE L2 2/21-22

Important Information

  • Spots are on a first-come, first-served basis, and we expect them to fill up quickly.
  • To reserve your spot, please visit the Kaf Adventures website at the link above.
  • Housing is not included in the price, but local options are available. A member of the team will reach out with additional information after registration.

Crystal Mountain Winter Stoke Block Party

Crystal Mountain is calling the ski and snowboard community back to the snow mindset with their annual pre-season block party on Saturday, November 8th from 4pm to 8pm. Reignite your passion for the sport as fall leaves give way to winter snow. This free, all-ages party will feature live music, a beer garden, vendors, giveaways, marshmallow & Twinkie roasting, contests, and the chance to win loads of sweet gear in a raffle benefiting Mission Outdoors.

In case you missed them at the Fall Social or meet-and-greets, Crystal Mountain will also be selling their 3-Day Wild Card passes at the event!  All the nitty-gritty details can be found on the event page here.

Warren Miller Sno-ciety Tour

Warren Miller’s 2025 film “Sno-ciety” is on tour in the greater Puget Sound area!  This year’s film highlights locations from around the world with Olympians, urban riders, and local legends, including Daron Rahlves, Britta Winans, Judd Henkes, Sarka Panacochova, Breezy Johnson, Chris Rubens, Juho Kilkki, and more.

Film viewings in our region are at various dates and locations throughout November and December.  Buy tickets here: https://warrenmiller.com/events/wa

Newport Ski Swap

The Newport Ski Swap runs Saturday, November 8th and Sunday, November 9th.  Pick up some great gear or consider selling some off some of your older things.  Check out all the details here: Newport Ski Swap

Tacoma Ski Swap

The Tacoma Ski Swap will be at the UPS campus in the Tennis Pavilion on Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th.    Get more information on the Tacoma Ski Swap website.