With the Calgary New & Used Ski Sale rapidly approaching it is time to ensure we fill our required quota of volunteers.  The Ski Sale is the Lake Louise Ski Clubs single largest fundraiser annually bringing in $40,000 for our family of Clubs.  For this to continue we need to contribute 20% of the total volunteer hours required to run the sale.  As of writing this we still need to fill another 40 shifts from October 18-22, 2023.  If you've watched the video above from the 2022 Ski Sale, you'll understand the magnitude of the event and how important volunteers are in its success, as well as how important it is to our family of clubs. 

Who can volunteer?
Any club member, friend or family member who is 16 or older can volunteer.  Please make sure to select the Lake Louise Ski Clubs when signing up to ensure your time is credited to us.

Why do LLSCs members volunteer?
Firstly, to meet your families volunteer commitment for the season, in particular the financial one. You can find the policy here (https://www.lakelouiseskiclubs.ca/volunteering.html) for all the details.  With our casino for the season now done, the ski sale is your easiest way to meet the finanical requirement.  And yes, 100% of your volunteer points can come from financial opportunities.

Secondly, it does not matter when you sign up to volunteer, all volunteers are welcome to stop by the Thursday evening presale before the crowds have access to the merchandise! 

Why do LLSCs friends and family members volunteer?
See reason #2 above!  Friends and family shifts also count towards your families total volunteer points needed for the season. 

What to do if your athlete is under 16 and they would like to volunteer?
New this year, ski sale volunteers must be 16 or older, however, the LLSCs is running a raffle Friday, Saturday and Sunday along with a booth during open hours of the sale to promote a number of club initiatives.  This booth will be run primarily by LLSCs staff, and we inviting younger athletes to help with this endeavour. Athletes will be asked to help with a 2 hour shifts (with a LLSCs staff present at all times), and 2 volunteer points/hour they help at our table with points counting towards your financial credits. Athletes are more than welcome to sign up for multiple shifts. 


We hope that many of you can join us this year and we will continue to update the club on volunteer positions needed until we have met our required commitment. 

Join our staff and ski professionals September 23rd at Bear Street Outfitters. Get set up with any new gear you need for the season, have athletes fitted for boots and ask all the questions you need to set your athletes up for the season!

We are once again offering a fall Karbon order for club jackets. Deadline for orders is Monday, September 18.

Please take a moment to look at the sizing chart https://karbon.com/pages/size-chart​. Karbon's sizing charts are very accurate for men's and youth clothing; we recommend  measuring your athletes, budget for a little growth and select your size. Please size up one size for women's jackets and pants.

Recommendations below for the Tempest Junior Sizing:
XS - 4-6
S - 8
M - 10
L - 12

The club has a few extra sizes of the Freedom and Tempest (puffy) jackets, so this order is on a first-come first-served basis. Karbon might have more sizes but it is not guaranteed. Please note that Freedom jackets are for ATHLETES ONLY.  Parents  and athletes are welcome to  order the Tempest puffy jackets. 
 
We are doing the order virtually so please click on the link below to place your request. All prices are included on the order form. 

Order Here:  https://forms.gle/WXcXXxoJhanUpx6t9. 

Once we have received your order, availability will be confirmed  and  we will issue you an invoice via Square.  Orders will not be finalized until payment is received in full.  Any questions can be directed to jacket coordinator Anne Frick at annefrick@me.com.

With kids back in school it's a reminder that it is time to start gearing up for ski season (YAY!!).  The Calgary New and Used Ski Sale is back and there is no better place to gear up.  The sale is Canada’s largest ski and gear sale, where most items are brand new and the inventory approaches 20,000 items with $2 million in value: skis, ski boots, bindings, snowboards, snowboard boots, Nordic gear (skis and boots), select AT gear (skis and boots), winter clothing, accessories, gloves hats, goggles, poles, packs, and more.
 
Since 1963 the Calgary New & Used Ski Sale has been organized and held as a key fundraiser by the Lake Louise Ski Clubs as well as the Canadian Ski Patrol – Calgary Zone, and the Calgary Ski Club. In recent years attendance has topped 10,000 bargain hunters across the three days of the sale.
 
The sale is our club's single biggest fundraiser that helps raise the money that directly results in a 20% reduction in club fees.  This year the sale is October 20 to 22 at the Max Bell Centre. Consignment nights will be October 18 and 19.  Volunteer sign up is now open.  You can sign up here: https://www.skisale.ca/volunteer-opportunities/volunteer-sign-up/. Make sure you select Lake Louise Ski Clubs as your organization.

Sign up soon to get the shift you want and sign up for as many shifts as you like.  Volunteers must be 14 year of age and older so this is a great way to have your older athletes earn their own volunteer credits!  This will be one of the last opportunities to get your Financial Volunteer Credits to avoid additional fees. Friends and family can also volunteer if they would like access to the pre-sale.  Make sure they they also select Lake Louise Ski Clubs as their organization and let us know their names.  We will make sure their credits go towards your family's committment.

An additional perk and our favourite reason to volunteer is that you get access to the Thursday night pre-sale.  Good gear moves quickly at the sale; being there on Thursday gives you access to the best deals before the general public.  
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We look forward to seeing you at the sale this year!  It’s a fun opportunity meet others from the local ski community while supporting our club and a great way to kick off winter. 

Looking for gently used equipment or clothing for your athletes?  Or do you have ski specific equipment or clothing to sell?  Have a look at the LLSCs Facebook Buy and Sell.  This is a private group for current and past members.  Please click here to request to join.

Winsport Season Passes are available now at Winsport.ca. and Early Bird Pricing is available until SEPTEMBER 17, 2023.

We recommend athletes who are registered for Winsport Add On Packages in U12, U14 and All Mountain purchase a season pass for 2023:24.  

All Mountain athletes MUST also add the $25 ADVANCED TERRAIN PARK PASS to their season pass as we frequently use facilities this pass is required for.

U10 Athletes planning to ski at Winsport should plan to purchase single day tickets to participate in their Winsport Add On Package based on the number of program days scheduled at Winsport. 

U16 Athletes will receive a program specific communication regarding some additional considerations when deciding if a Winsport season pass, or individual lift tickets are appropriate for your athlete.   Note there is no Add On Package for U16 Winsport training, it is included in the base program. 

If you are planning to register for evening Winsport training and have not yet added the package in RAMP, please do so as soon as possible. Not only will you get to take advantage of early bird passes, but it also helps us plan appropriate staffing for these sessions.  All Mountain has limited spots available for Winsport nights. 

Training Times By Program: 
Grizzlies U10 Plus and U12 - Wednesday evenings, 4:30 - 6:30
U14, U16 & FIS - Monday & Wednesday evenings, 4:30 - 6:30
All Mountain - Wednesday evenings, 4:30 - 6:30

**specific start dates and program specific Winsport schedules will be communicated by Head Coaches with Annual Calendars in September**

For Grizzlies and Race related questions about Winsport, please reach out to Athletic Director Jennifer Clarridge -jennifer@lakelouiseskiclubs.ca.  Questions regarding All Mountain Winsport Programs should be directed to All Mountain Head Coach Liam Morrison - liam.m@lakelouiseskiclubs.ca

Back for it's second year, Skis & Hearts  is a fundraiser for and hosted by a number of our Canadian National Ski Team athletes. Join Cassidy Gray, Kiki Alexander, Britt Richardson, Amelia Smart, Liam Wallace, Jeff Read, Erik Read and Asher Jordan Tuesday September 12th 2023 from 4pm- 8pm.  Keep reading to learn about the event and what Skis & Hearts hopes to accomplish in 2023 and beyond. 

"Last year, we could really feel the bridges being built between us National team athletes and the clubs. Our biggest goal last year was to create a community within ski racing that feels like Canada is one team chasing the same dream, because we are one team! We were the exact same as every club kid only 5 or 6 years ago.

This year our fundraiser will be in a very similar style to last year. It will be a family friendly backyard style event with free dinner and entry. All proceeds of the event goes directly to the athletes to cover the cost of their team fees. Come and enjoy the ski community and support your local national team athletes!

As much as this event is a fundraiser, the bigger goal here is to create a strong community in ski racing, so even if you are not able to donate much or at all, please still come join us! " 

- Cass Gray -  

The Lake Louise Ski Clubs are proud supporters of all these athletes as they pursue their ski racing dreams and inspire young athletes along the way.  We are extremely grateful to an anonymous member of the Lake Louise Ski Clubs who has generously donated to make this event FREE and accessible for everyone to attend.  We are excited to see you on September 12th to show our support for these incredible athletes and role models.  

To register please use the following link https://forms.gle/YbwEaYYCzqo38cs18  and head over to Instagram to follow @skisandhearts for further event details and to stay up to date with these athletes through the season. 

See you on September 12th 

Check out the opportunity below offered by club member Kelly VanderBeek!   

The motivation behind this event is anchored in my desire to encourage women explore to new genres of photography with skill, confidence and community.  (Especially SPORT!)
​
I have 1 spot, sponsored by SONY, that I’m excited to offer to a lucky club member.  

To enter the draw, click on www.beginningsbykelly.com/branchout and join the mailing address. I’ll be selecting 1 lucky winner from those entrants. 
(Valued at $549+tx)

When: September 23/24
Where: Canmore, AB

 Kelly VanderBeek

Summer is flying by and we are getting very close to the beginning of our dryland season.  We are excited for athletes to get back to team activities, and more collaboration between Race and All Mountain athletes this fall.  Details on all programs are listed below and specific meeting locations can be found on your Team Snap calendars for your respective group once invites have been sent. For Jr Rippers and Rippers who have added the dryland package, you will be added into a Dryland Team Snap group so you get all applicable communication. 

FIELD DRYLAND: 
The following field dryland programs are open to all U12 and U14 Race, Jr. Big Mountain Comp and Big Mountain Comp, athletes.  U16 and FIS athletes, or those already doing CSI and Trampoline programming should connect with your respective Head Coach to discuss if Monday/Wednesday programs are appropriate for you.  Canmore Saturdays are strongly recommended for all Race and All Mountain athletes. 

Calgary Field Dryland:
Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 - 7:00, St. Andrews Heights.

Banff Field Dryland:
Wednesday evenings, 5:30 - 7:00, Banff Central Park.

Canmore Dryland:
Saturday mornings 11:00-12:00, Eagle Terrace.


DIRT SERIES BIKE SKILLS PROGRAM:
We are thrilled to be offering a fall session put on by Dirt Series again.  This session is intended for athletes U14 age  (2010 yob and younger) and will have options for more specific skill levels. If you participated in the spring session, it is a great way to continue building your skills, and we can still accommodate those new to mountain biking.  Please use the following link to read more on their skill categories and to register. 

September 10th, 17th, 24th and October 1st from 11:00AM - 2:00PM.  Two sessions will be in Bragg Creek and two in Canmore.  Cost of the program is $295+tax.  Please use the following link to read more on their skill categories and to register https://dirtseries.com/product/llsc-youth-fall/

ALL MOUNTAIN VORTEX TRAMPOLINE: 
This year Vortex Trampoline will be in Wednesday evenings from 6:00PM - 7:30PM. We still have limited spaces available for athletes with and without experience. If you are in an All Mountain program and interested in this, registration can be completed in RAMP. 


We will have other exciting group specific team building activities available to athlete this fall. Please stay tuned for information from your Head Coaches as we get further into our dryland season. 

Can't wait tot work with all of you very soon!