Greetings!

Welcome to December!

We have had a bit of a slow start to the season, conditions-wise but many forecasts are showing a significant shift in snow patterns the next few weeks.  Fingers crossed this represents a longer term shift!

This month’s newsletter highlights:

  • 4th Annual December Bash – sign up by Tuesday, 12/9!
  • Meet and Greets in Everett and Renton
  • SKIBACS Trips
  • Ski School and Instructor Training
  • Discounts for members
  • Community Events

Looking to get more involved with the club?  The SKIBACS board is still looking for folks interested in contributing across a wide range of skills, including representing retiree interests, managing finances, planning events, developing and deploying marketing content, 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

December Bash – Signup and Parking

If you’re planning on attending the December Bash, make sure you sign up by Tuesday, December 9th to secure your spot!  If you don’t make a reservation at the lodge, make sure you make a separate parking reservation for the days you plan on being on the hill.  Making a lodge reservation gets you parking included – without it you have to reserve parking separately (as normal).

Crystal Mountain Parking Reminder

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.

All of the local hills have been struggling for snow so far this season.  Crystal is still not open; check out their website for the latest details.

SKIBACS Lodge Share

SKIBACS members have a unique opportunity to reserve spots at the Mountaineers Stevens Pass and Mt. Baker lodges (space permitting).  Rates are very affordable and include hot meals.  Log into your membership account and check out the details on the club website here.

Upcoming Club Events — Save the Date!

Meet & Greets

The club will be hosting meet-and-greets to promote the club and stoke the stoke.  Stop by to learn more about everything you get for being a member.

We will also be hosting Crystal Mountain staff which will be on hand to sell 3 day wildcards for $209 plus tax.  These passes are a great way to get on the hill compared to normal window prices.  These passes can be used Mon-Fri and Sunday (not valid on Saturdays or blackout dates).  The pass does not have to be used on consecutive days.  You must visit in person to purchase the pass.

Important note: you must be a current Boeing employee to come to these events as they are hosted in company buildings.

 

Everett                 Tuesday, 12/9, 10a-12p in the 40-92 cafeteria

Renton                 Wednesday, 12/10, 10a-12p, in the 4-21 cafeteria

4th Annual December Bash

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

Location:           SKIBACS Lodge at Crystal Mountain

Status:                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.

The deadline to sign up is Tuesday, December 9th!  We look forward to seeing you there!

SKIBACS 2025-2026 Season Trip Offerings

Sun Peaks, British Columbia

Dates                   Jan. 4th – Jan. 10th 2026

Status                 NEARLY SOLD OUT – only a few spots remaining!

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

Lessons begin January 7th!

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

It’s not too late to sign up to be a ski/snowboard instructor!  We are still looking for Skiers and Snowboarders that would love to share the sport with others by teaching with SKIBACS.

On-snow training is planned to start on December 13th (conditions permitting). Even though dryland training happened back in November, on-snow training is the most important.  If you signup and pay, we can send you a link to all the dryland material to review before you start the on-snow training.  You do not need to be a Boeing employee to be an instructor with ski school.  Let your friends know about this awesome 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?  Check out the great discounts with our partners:

– 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 – 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.

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

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.