Wyoming winter conference: think snow!

The Winter 1998 meeting of the WSLCA will be held at the Snow King Resort in Jackson Hole,Wyoming, January 7-9.

Located in the majestic Teton Mountains, Jackson Hole ("hole" is a term used by early explorers to describe a high-elevation valley nearly surrounded by mountains) offers some of America's best ski terrain.

The seat of Teton County, and that county's only incorporated town, Jackson Hole is unique for being part of the largest undeveloped natural ecosystem in the temperate zones of the earth. Limited development has preserved the scenic beauty and wild lands which are home to an abundant array of wildlife.

Remember, this is wintry Wyoming: the average January temperature in Jackson is 25° during the day and 2° at night, and there could be anywhere from two to five feet of snow on the ground. Bring your warm clothes!

The Snow King Resort is located at the base of Snow King Mountain, minutes away from not only world-famous skiing but art galleries, theatres and shops in Jackson Town Square. Room rates at the Snow King for the conference will be $80 for a single and $90 for a double.

Registration for the conference will be Wednesday, January 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (pre-registration packets were sent out in November for your convenience).

In addition to an executive committee meeting and a committee chairs meeting on Wednesday, a welcoming reception and a trip to the National Elk Refuge are planned.

While you're registering, and during the reception, you will also be able to visit displays featuring a wide variety of activities taking place on Wyoming state lands.

On Thursday, following a welcome from Governor Jim Geringer, we'll get down to business with a general session and committee meetings, both in the works at this writing. A panel discussion with representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and Minerals Management Service will discuss current affairs and issues affecting western states.

After a long day of work, what could be better than dinner at the National Museum of Wildlife Art? This museum is home to the nation's premiere public collection of fine art devoted to North American animals. The evening will include cocktails and a private tour of the museum; the meal will be an exquisite wild game dinner prepared by the museum's chef.

We'll wind up Friday with more committee meetings and the business session. Wyoming's U.S. Senator, Craig Thomas, is scheduled to speak at the luncheon.

While the conference is going on, spouses and other non-WSLCA guests can fill their time with a shopping trip and a tour of Jackson Hole on Thursday, and a wildlife tour on Friday.

For more information, contact Jim Whalen or Jamie Van Hatten at the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments (307-777-6637). See you in Jackson!