Blog Archives

LLSC – ACA Strive App

1/20/2025

Alpine Canada recently launched their new Strive App which aims to provide a platform for coaches to be able to track and communicate athlete progress with parents, athletes and other coaches. The Strive program is modelled after ACA’s previously well known Snow Stars program, but it is has some newly added and updated content.

Our younger programs will be using this app throughout the rest of the season, as we pilot using this instead of traditional mid-season and end of season reports for athletes. Our hope is that coaches will be able to communicate athlete progress on a more ongoing basis and ultimately give more timely feedback to athletes and parents.

To use this tool across our club, parents must create profiles for each of their athletes. Please download the app to your mobile device (Apple or Android) and follow the steps the set up the athlete profiles.

Set up athlete profile

Ensure that only 1 parent creates the athlete profile
You must select the appropriate ski club for which you are registered with (Ex. Lake Louise Grizzlies Ski Club for all Grizzlies athletes)
ACA numbers are not required to enter, but entering it will make it easier to make sure your athlete has only one profile associated with them year to year. To find your athlete(s) ACA Number click this link search for their ACA Points Profile.

Find athlete ACA number

More communication will come your head coaches as to how this App will be utilized with each group.

Emily Clarke

Head Coach, Lake Louise Grizzlies Ski Club

Let our competitive season begin!

1/20/2025

The middle of January marks the start of the race and comp season for most of our Race and Freeride athletes, while our Grizzlies eagerly wait for their chance to emerge from the den and showcase their skills in upcoming competitions.

Over the past three months, our athletes have poured their time, energy and passion into on snow preparation for this season. Now, it is their time to shine! Whether you are charging down the freeride venue, or looking for the fastest line through a GS or SL, this is where all the hard work comes together. We couldn’t be prouder of every athlete who pushes out of the start gate with excitement, confidence and the drive to chase their goals.

A huge shoutout to our amazing coaches for their continued guidance, expertise, support, and behind the scenes planning that make this all possible. Your dedication and advocacy ensure our athlete are set up for success, both this season and for many to come.

What to follow along and support the Lake Louise Ski Clubs? Race and comp schedules, along with results can be found on Alberta Alpine, FIS and IFSA websites.

To all our athletes: we wish you the best this season! Ski fast, stay focused, have fun, and enjoy every moment as you proudly represent LLSCs.

Good luck and here’s to an incredible season ahead!

Jennifer Clarridge

Athletic Director, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

December RISE Ambassadors

1/10/2025

The community of the LLSC lives by the RISE principles of Respect, Inclusion, Support, and Effort. These are things that we ask our athletes, coaches and parents to display on daily basis to ensure our community is welcoming, unified and striving for excellence. With sponsorship from Gear Up in Canmore, we are proud to once again acknowledge individuals each month who go above and beyond in upholding RISE. Congratulations to December's RISE Ambassadors

Leah Landero GRIZZLIES

She is always willing to try new tricks in the park, for example when we started learning 180s she gave it a try on the first run. When we did a partnering activity, she partnered up with one of the girls who is a bit shy and made sure to wait for her to catch up at the bottom of each section of the run. I have also seen her cheering on the rest of her teammates as they push themselves in the park.

Savina Johnston, Grizzlies Coach

Nico Johnston RACE

Nico has proven himself exemplary when it comes to RISE values this season. His effort and willingness to becoming a better version of himself physically in the gym and getting out of his comfort zone has led to big changes in his skiing and given him a new confidence. Nico reaches out to teammates when they are having a down day, offers a unique sense of comic relief to the group and he is working hard to make new connections with all his teammates. He is learning to respect the process and long-term outlook of become a better skier; he’s always prepared, knows the plan, and no matter how his day went he always says THANK YOU to the coaches! Keep up the great work Nico!

Jennifer Clarridge, U16 Head Coach

Matthew Gray-Donald FREERIDE

Matthew Gray-Donald encompasses everything we stand for regarding respect, inclusion, support and effort here in the LLSC. Firstly, he demonstrates the highest regard for respect, not only towards me as a coach, but towards his teammates. He always treats everyone with kindness and goes out of his way to be a role model for the rest of the group by staying attentive and engaged at practice. He shows great deals of support and inclusion by ensuring to cheer on his mates when going for a big send outside their comfort zone. I can always depend on Matthew to ride up the chair with anyone and everyone; no complaints in sight. Finally, what makes Matthew a standout athlete is his continuous effort to become a better technical skier. It has been a pleasure coaching Matthew so far, and I look forward to his future achievements with the Freeride Club.

Liam Morrison, Freeride Head Coach

Maggie Burns COACH

As a young, dynamic coach, Maggie brings an infectious energy to the slopes. Her passion for skiing is contagious, and it’s clear that her athletes and fellow coaches thrive in her presence. Maggie’s eagerness to learn and grow makes her an invaluable member of the team, and she’s always ready to share her love for the sport with those around her. At the end of each day, you can find Maggie recounting her athletes' successes with pride, often sprinkling in some hilarious stories along the way. Her enthusiasm and positivity make her a standout coach and an inspiring presence on the team. We’re so excited to see all the great things Maggie will accomplish this season!

Emily Clarke, Grizzlies Head Coach

Chris Rittman PARENT

Chris always has an amazingly positive attitude on the hill, whether he is volunteering at a race, club event, ripping around the mountain or greeting people at the base area. He is willing to help with whatever is needed, including sharing equipment. Chris very kindly offered an extra set of poles to a new Grizzlies athlete who lost one during their first ski day of the season. It is these types of actions that make our LLSC community so welcoming and great to be a part of. Keep being awesome Chris!

Emily Clarke, Grizzlies Head Coach

Santa SL 2024

1/10/2025

The race club hosted their first event of the season with the inaugural Santa SL.

The race is an Open format which allows south zone Alberta racers u14 and older to compete together. We were fortunate to have LLSC athletes from U14, U16, FIS and the current Alberta Ski Team.

Having the opportunity for our athletes to understand what level they are trying to achieve and giving them to ability to measure themselves against the provinces best, is unique, and super fun.

The event was successful for most, but we do have to wish AST member and LLSC's Caleb Brooks a speedy recovery as he did injure himself while inspiring our up and comers.

Gavin Preziosi

Executive Director, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

Freeride Kicking Horse Camp

1/9/2025

The LLFSC crew had an amazing time at Kicking Horse this in December for our first away camp of the season. The coaches thoroughly enjoyed watching the athlete’s progression as we broke off groomers and mellow slopes, onto steeper freeride terrain. The snow was amazing and provided our athletes with the opportunity to shift toward focusing on IFSA style skiing prior to the competition season!

This camp was a great opportunity for those participating in the upcoming Kicking Horse Jr IFSA event (December 16 – 19) to look at the venues and scope fresh lines prior to the event. For those athletes who are not competing, the camp provided a space to practice larger features, working on technique, control to link those features, and have fun enjoying the terrain Kicking Horse has to offer.

Liam Morrison

Head Coach, Lake Louise Freeride Ski Club

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