The news report is succinct: “A severe weather advisory is issued today for the Puget Sound. Snow is expected in the passes; traction tires are recommended.”

No doubt left, winter’s finally here, and the peaks surrounding the Sound greet the morning sun with a frost-shrouded chill that invigorates the senses and energizes the soul. 

A veritable wakeup call for the snow-sect, sailors across the northwest are starting to pull their skis and snowboards out of their closets. “It’s time to sharpen those edges, and check the release tension on those bindings,” said Marijo Umlor, hot off the task of managing the last northwest ski expo at NAVSTA Everett. “Now comes the countdown - we’re anxiously waiting for that first season opener snowfall!”

To help inspire that anticipation, Navy Region Northwest recently held three pre-season ski expos at NAS Whidbey Island, NAVSTA Kitsap and NAVSTA Everett.  Hosting close to 700 accumulative attendees, along with more than 30 sponsors or vendors, these expos generously distributing over $9,000 in prizes throughout the region, and literally helped to launch the advent of ski season, stirring all attendees with excitement about the approaching ski season.

“I’ll admit that winning lift tickets and ski rentals to Whistler, B.C. was a great way to start the season,” said HM2 Steven Church of Branch Medical. “I didn’t expect it, but man, it gets you into the spirit pretty quick.”

“One of the benefits we hoped to emphasize at these expos was the Navy’s new partnership with ski resorts, in which our Sailors can now rent their ski rentals directly at the mountains, instead of lugging them up from regional outdoor programs facilities,” said Ed Dunning, recreation director for Westsound’s Community Services. “This makes it much easier for our Sailors - especially for those who may not have ski racks or cargo boxes on their cars, or for those who take our ski shuttles up to the resorts.”

NAVSTA Everett’s expo, which was held on Wednesday, Nov. 17 around the lunch hour, followed two other expos held the prior Monday and Tuesday at Westsound and Northsound respectively.

“All three events exceeded my expectations,” reflects Dunning, who indicted that the expos all achieved their primary goals and generated more base awareness about upcoming winter programming and Community Service events offered to the northwest Navy population. 

“Our Northsound expo, particularly, also offered a convenient, one-stop ski and snowboard shopping opportunity for our customers and introduced them to a new delivery method for ski and snowboard rental equipment directly at the slopes,” said Ken Cornia, Outdoor Recreation manager at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. “Even the skeptics were smiling when they heard about the many rental options now available to them at the mountain destination of their choice!”

The expos also helped to launch information about regional ski shuttle programs, along with details about various winter excursions planned throughout the various bases.

“We’ve also negotiated some great military-specific lift ticket discounts with local resorts such as Crystal Mountain, Schweitzer, Mission Ridge, Stevens Pass, Summit at Snoqualmie, Mount Baker and Whistler/Blackcomb,” said Nancy Evans-Jones, a manager at Naval Base Kitsap. “And the rental voucher program now available through the Navy’s regional Information, Ticket and Tour (ITT) offices make it very simple for sailors to just purchase vouchers on base, and then go to the mountains directly for discounted rentals of skis and snowboards.”

The regional expos also provided an opportunity for local area business to promote themselves to the Navy audience throughout the Puget Sound.

“It was absolutely worthwhile for us to meet with some new potential patrons,” said Mike Palmer, owner of Cascade Crags Climbing Gym in Everett. “We understand that the Navy provides a number of programs for active-duty sailors, but it’s nice to be able to meet these Sailors and offer our own programs, which sometimes fill the gaps.”

Vendors and event sponsors included businesses from throughout the state and British, Columbia, Canada. The list featured Kitsap Sports, Bremerton Ice Arena, Kitsap Federal Credit Union, Embassy Suites, Howard Johnson’s, The Everett Mountaineers, Costco, the Naval Hospital, Mountains Northwest, Hidden Wave Board Shop, Play It Again Sports, Island Outfitters, Leisure Connections, REI Alderwood, Mount Pilchuck Ski & Sports, Everett Mountaineers Club, Outdoors NW Magazine, Bothell Ski & Sport, Cascade Crags, Embassy Suites Lynwood, and Chase Manhattan/John Scott Realty.

Events sponsors included Whistler/Blackcomb, The Summit At Snoqualmie, Crystal Mountain, Northwest Snowboards, Silverdale Cyclery, Pacific Edge Outfitters, Liberty Outfitters, Bremerton Ice Arena, Steven’s Pass, Mount Baker, Mountains Northwest, Hidden Wave Board shop, Leisure Connections, and Island Outfitters, and Native Eyewear.

While sponsorship is seen as an important partnering function among the Navy, it should be emphasized neither the Navy, nor any other part of the Federal government, officially endorses any company, sponsor, or their products or services.

“Our main goal, when all is said and done, is to provide our sailors with some great deals and opportunities to get some quality recreation time throughout the winter season,” concluded Marijo Umlor. “The expos were really a way to spread awareness about new Community Services ski rental systems and program offerings to our various audiences, as well as a chance to get some of the local businesses exposed to our Navy population.

The overall success of the program is perhaps best summarized from a customer’s perspective: “MWR has given me the means to become a snowboarder this winter,” said GM2 Ray Lofthouse of the USS Momsen, who won a Rossignol Stratos snowboard with bindings at the NAVSTA Everett event. “I was trying to figure out how to afford gear and get to the mountains this year, but after attending the expo, I now have my board, and I know how to get discounted lift tickets, and a ride to the mountains… the whole experience will make becoming an active snowboarder much more possible for me!”

To get more information about the winter programs and skiing trips from each base, contact the following information resources: NAVSTA Everett Outdoor Programs at (425) 304-3125, NAS Whidbey’s Nor’Wester Activity Center (360) 257-2295, or Naval Base Kitsap Trips and Tours (360) 535-5700 or Naval Base Kitsap’s Pacific Edge Outfitters (360) 535-5919.