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LLSCs CLUB UPDATES

Meet Your LLSCs Management Team

9/30/2025

 
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We're excited to introduce you to the LLSCs Management Team! This group works behind the scenes to support our athletes, families and coaches while keeping our programs running smooth year over year.  

​Each of us brings different experience to the table, but we share the same commitment to creating an environment where our community can thrive. From overseeing operations to making sure our core values (Unity, Adventure, Excellence) and RISE stay at the heart of everything we do, we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of the Lake Louise Ski Clubs! 
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Gavin Preziosi:
Executive Director

​Heading into his fourth season with the club, Gavin excited to work alongside our management team as they set their sights on another great year. Each club has its goals lined up, and the strong teamwork between our leaders will help us reach them while keeping the Lake Louise Ski Clubs connected and moving forward together. ​​It will be rewarding to watch our competitive athletes continue to grow and perform this season.

​With our athlete base larger than ever, it’ll be exciting to see the Grizzlies draw inspiration from both the Race and Freeride programs. For our oldest Grizzlies, their transition into one of these streams will highlight not only their individual development as athletes, but also the continued evolution of our programs as a whole.

As for Gavin, he and his wife, Tess, eloped 4 years ago, so they thought it would be a good idea to celebrate with their family and friends and hosted a wedding for 120 people on their property in Golden this past summer. They have a dog, Manchego (cheese), and enough kids in their lives that they do not feel the need to have their own. 
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Jennifer Clarridge:
Athletic Director &
​FIS Head Coach

Jennifer Clarridge first coached at Lake Louise as a U of C student in 2008. Across 8 seasons she worked with athletes from (what is now) Grizzlies to U16. After a 3 seasons of working Zone and PSO teams in Alberta and BC, she came back to the club in 2019 and has been in a leadership role with the club ever since. She grateful to have worked with PL, and now Gavin, both who have been mentors to her and have always helped her stay inspired in this profession. 

Jen now has the pleasure of working with our senior race athletes, and while most of the time you’ll see her on snow with them (we ski a lot, yes), she plays a large role off snow both athletically and administratively.  From the continued development of our dryland programming, to driving our club culture, identity and image, working closely with Steph on membership communication, or coordinating with Emily and Thibault to maintain strong pathways through programs in all clubs, she has at least a small role in almost every aspect of the club. 

Jen's current on snow role is as our FIS Head Coach. She is looking forward to continuing to offer athlete centred programming, and to keep building a culture where athletes all the way from Grizzlies are inspired by those in our FIS program. She is also excited to be a mentor to our Race coaches this season and create strong connections and consistent culture across our staff and programs. 

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Emily Clarke:
​Grizzlies Head Coach

​Emily Clarke has been a dedicated member of the Lake Louise Ski Clubs since 2008, contributing in a variety of roles throughout her tenure. Her primary focus has been coaching athletes in the U12 category, where she has made a lasting impact. Many of the athletes Emily has mentored continue to thrive in the sport, now competing with the Alberta Ski Team, the Canadian National Ski Team, the Freeride World Tour, or serving as coaches within the LLSCs.

In her role as Head Coach of the Grizzlies program, Emily is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Grizzlies operations. Her leadership encompasses program development, seasonal planning, coach mentorship and education, athlete progress monitoring, and more.

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Thibault De Sainte Maresville:
​Freeride Head Coach

Thibault is originally from Chamrousse, a small town in the Alps in France, where he developed a strong passion for skiing. Thibault moved to Canada some time ago, and after three years programming video games in an office in Montreal, he realized his true calling was to work outdoors in the mountains. Thibault discovered immediately that he loved sharing his passion for skiing with everyone and instantly knew that it was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
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From that moment, Thibault has dedicated himself to continuous personal development as an instructor and coach, as he shares his passion for skiing with kids and adults. Thibault has been at Lake Louise the last nine years, working four seasons with the ski school and four seasons with ULLR before joining the Lake Louise Ski Club two seasons ago. He has transitioned into the Freeride Head Coach role for the upcoming season.

Thibault is very excited about this season! He is looking forward to being part of the development of every athlete and coach in the program. He is looking forward to helping every coach have a slightly more structured day, to maximize safety and development of the kids, while still keeping the focus on fun and supportive environment. He is very excited to see how coaches and athletes evolve with all the mentorship we will offer. 
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Thibault is also looking forward to our first season with multiple athletes that will be able to flip on snow, and to manage their training for successful and safe progression. 
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Stephanie Johnston:
​Member Services

Stephanie Johnston first joined the ski club as an athlete herself in 1983 spending the next decade representing LLSC.  She then rejoined the club as a parent in 2013 when her oldest son joined the Grizzlies.  Steph’s role with the club started evolving in the 2016-2017 season when she started supporting the Grizzlies on snow which quickly expanded to managing the Grizzlies administration.  Steph officially stepped into her currently Member Services role in the fall of 2017.
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Steph continues to be active in the LLSC parent community with 2 athletes in the Race program (U16 & FIS) and is super excited to see how their seasons progress with all the prep work they have put in during the off-season!

"Moms Only" Tuning Clinic

9/23/2025

 
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Where: GearUp Mountain Sports, 1302 Bow Valley Tr, Canmore
When: Saturday, October 4, 1-3 pm 
Who: Moms ONLY (Grizzly, Race & Freeride)

RSVP Here
​The Lake Louise Ski Club is proud to support women and girls in skiing. From our coaches to our volunteers, women play an essential role in shaping our community, and we’re always looking for ways to create welcoming spaces for women to learn and grow.

This season we’re excited to launch something new: a Moms Only Tuning Clinic, hosted by Gear Up Mountain Sports. Led by Neil Orchard (ok, so there is one dad allowed!) and joined by some of our strong female leadership, this hands-on clinic is all about learning in a fun, supportive setting. Whether ski tuning is brand new to you or you already know your way around a tuning bench, you’ll leave with practical skills, confidence, and hopefully some new friends. There is no official dress code for this event, however sparkly jackets are highly encouraged! 

Ski tuning can seem intimidating, but with the right guidance, the basics are easy to learn. Properly tuned skis are faster, safer, and more enjoyable. For athletes, they build skill and confidence. For parents, they mean smoother, more fun adventures on every kind of snow.

NOTE: We will be offering tuning clinics open to all as the season gets underway.  Watch your inbox for details!

Stephanie Johnston

Member Services, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

Early Season Youth AST1 Course

9/18/2025

 
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We are once again offering a youth specific AST1 course.  While this course is available to all our athletes 14 and older, this is a particularly valuable course for youth venturing into the back or slack (just outside the resort boundaries) country whether it be with the club on a hut trip or simply a family adventure.

This course is being offered by club member Lisa Paulson - IFMGA Mountain Guide, CAA Professional Member, Parks Canada Avalanche Forecaster, & Visitor Safety Specialist.  

The in-class session will be held at the Canmore Nordic Centre, Sunday, November 2 and the field day will be based out the Lake Louise Ski Resort, Saturday, November 22.

More information about Lisa can be found on our website. 
Course Information and Registration
Sponsored by:
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Stephanie Johnston

Member Services, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

LLFSC Makes a Splash at First Water Ramp Camp!

9/16/2025

 
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The Lake Louise Freeride team wrapped up the summer with an exciting first-ever water ramp training camp! Over three intensive days, athletes honed their skills and learned new tricks, first on the trampoline, then applying them with skis on the water ramp.

The water ramp provides a safe environment for trying advanced tricks, making it an excellent pre-season training tool. This preparation ensures that when winter arrives, these new skills can be seamlessly integrated into daily practice on snow.

The camp was a resounding success, with athletes bravely stepping outside their comfort zones. Many achieved personal milestones, including their first backflips, significant spins, and even qualifying backflips for the upcoming snow season. Congratulations to all participants!

Beyond the training, the camp fostered a strong sense of community, providing a fantastic opportunity for athletes to socialize and for families to connect.
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We were also thrilled to welcome a new partnership with the Golden Freeride Club, whose athletes contributed to the camp's success, helping us offer these activities at an accessible price. It was inspiring to see athletes and families from both clubs interact, pushing each other toward their respective goals.

Thibault De Sainte Maresville

Head Coach, Lake Louise Freeride Ski Club

National Coaches Week - Thank A Coach Today

9/16/2025

 
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As National Coaches Week is upon us, I’d like to take a moment to encourage everyone to thank your athlete’s coaches.
At the Lake Louise Ski Clubs, we are fortunate to have more than 40 certified coaches who not only guide your athlete’s development on snow, but also serve as role models helping to shape character and values. ​​ 

​Through sport, our coaches teach more than skiing. They inspire discipline, perseverance, teamwork, leadership, resilience, goal-setting, and sportsmanship. For that, we are deeply grateful.

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Whether your athlete is part of Freeride, Race, or Grizzlies, you can be assured that our entire coaching team works together with one goal: to support your athlete’s journey toward excellence—on and off the slopes.​

Please join us in celebrating and thanking all of our amazing coaches this week!

Gavin Preziosi

Executive Director, Lake Louise Ski Clubs 

Seeking Two Clothing Floor Managers for Ski Sale

9/15/2025

 
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There has been some interest in filling the role of Ski Sale Clothing Floor Manager from our membership, and we thank those who have already inquired about this volunteer position. After further consideration around the time commitment and responsibilities of this role, we have decided it is better shared between three volunteers instead of just one. This means you would be working within a small team, and have lots of support to keep the clothing floor running smoothly throughout the sale.  

We currently have one person committed and are looking for TWO more volunteers to round out this crew. 

Not sure what this entails? We are happy to connect you with Colleen Garnsey, our outgoing Clothing Floor Manager, who can share further details. Colleen will also be with you for one final season at the ski to share her knowledge, tips and tricks to help you be successful. 

This role is still considered a financial opportunity worth 30 credits towards your overall volunteer commitment. 

We hope you consider being part of this new Clothing Floor Management Team, and part of the larger army of volunteers that make the Ski Sale a success every year.

 Please reach out to me directly so we can connect you with Colleen as soon as possible. 

Stephanie Johnston

Member Services, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

Bear Street Outfitters - Education and Buy Night

9/15/2025

 
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Where: Bear Street Outfitters, 203a Bear Street, Banff
When: Thursday, October 2, 5:00PM - close

Join us for our Annual Buy Night & Equipment Education Session at Bear Street Outfitters.  In addition Bear Street staff, our Grizzly and Freeride Head Coaches Emily and Thibault will be onsite to chat and answer any questions about your athletes' equipment needs for the season. 

The primary goal of this event is to create conversation around finding the right equipment for your athlete. A properly fitted boot, or choosing the right type of ski for the right environment can make a big difference in skill development on snow. 

You can take home new equipment that evening, or simply gain knowledge to make confident decisions around the gear you already have. Either way, you'll leave better prepared for the season ahead. 

We are grateful to offer this event at Bear Street Outfitters and grateful we have the support of a local Banff business for our Bow Valley population.

Hope to see you all there. 

Stephanie Johnston

Member Services, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

Ski West - Buy Night and Info Session

9/4/2025

 
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Where: Ski West, 300, 14th St NW, Calgary
​When: Monday, September 22, 5:30 pm till close 
(there is no scheduled Calgary dryland on the 22nd)
Join use for our 3rd Buy Night & Information Session at Ski West.  In addition to store staff and ski reps, our Head Coaches will be onsite to answer any questions you may have about your athletes' ski equipment needs for the season or general club questions.

While Ski West will have equipment available for purchase for all our LLSCs athletes, our primary goal of this event is to make sure families know what kind of equipment athletes should be using and how to size it.  You can then take this information home to check existing equipment and go from there.

As in past years, Ski West is offering, for September 22 only:
  • 10% off all regular priced soft goods for both athletes and their families
  • 10% off all regular priced hard goods (skis, boots, poles, bindings, goggles, helmets) for athletes
  • 5% off all regular priced hard goods for athletes' family members
We are in the process of organizing a second event at Bearstreet Outfitters in Banff.  Watch your inboxes for more details.
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​We look forward to seeing all of you there!

Stephanie Johnston

Member Services, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

How to Meet your Volunteer Commitment for the 2025-2026 Season & Ski Sale Sign-Up

9/3/2025

 
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The 25/26 season is just getting started with Freeride athletes just having completed a very successful water ramp camp, our FIS team arriving home for Europe today, and we just finished up first volunteer opportunity of the year with a casino this past weekend. If your weren't able to volunteer at the casino, don't worry our next volunteer opportunity is just around the corner!

For those of you new to the club, in order to fully meet your volunteer commitment you must check off 3 boxes:
  1. Meet your required number of points
  2. Volunteer in 1 community opportunity
  3. Volunteer in 1 financial opportunity
​A tracking sheet that will be created and shared with you so that you can keep track of your points. In the interim, we strongly encourage you to read our Volunteer Policy and ask questions if you are uncertain about anything. 

Of the 2 types of volunteer opportunities, the financial one is harder to meet as there are only two primary ways to earn financial credits - the Calgary New & Used Ski Sale and Casinos.  These are the Clubs' largest fundraisers of the season.  

As mentioned, we successfully hosted our casino for this season over the Labour Day weekend. Thank you to our Grizzlies Casino Chair Andrew Kolody for all your work organizing this and to every person who gave up time on the long weekend to work a shift!  At this time we are not scheduled to host any other casinos this season. This leaves the upcoming Ski Sale as the next, and likely only way to earn your financial points. 
Calgary New and Used Ski Sale​
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.  

Sale Dates: October 24 to 27 (Consignment on Oct 22 & 23)
Location: Max Bell Center, Calgary


Volunteer sign up is now open: Ski Sale Sign-up (make sure to check that you are there to support the Lake Louise Ski Club).
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Volunteer Bonus: Access the the Thursday night pre-sale
This is a great place to pick up gear for the whole family and the gear moves fast at this sale so take advantage of this awesome bonus!

Sign up soon to get the shift you want and sign up for as many shifts as you like. This will be one of the last opportunities to get your financial volunteer credits to avoid additional fees.  
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We look forward to seeing you at the sale this year!  It’s a fun opportunity to meet others from the local ski community while supporting our club as well as a great way to kick off winter.  

Any Ski Sale questions can be directed to Kristin at [email protected].
 
Thanks, from the Lake Louise Ski Club, Ski Sale Management Committee 
Kristin Lang & Muneer Gilani
Unavailable to work a Ski Sale or Casino shift? Reach out to me as soon as possible to discuss alternatives.

Stephanie Johnston

Member Services, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

Volunteer Needed - Ski Sale Floor Manager for Clothing

9/1/2025

 
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Colleen Garnsey has filled the role of Floor Manager for Clothing for many years on behalf of the LLSCs, however after many years of her daughters racing with the club they have retired, so we are looking for someone to take over this role. Colleen has graciously offered to work with this person at this year's sale to help them learn the role and be her successor.  Colleen describes this role as:
​It is a super fun, action packed sale and you get to meet loads of other volunteers from LLSC as well as Calgary Ski Club and the Calgary chapter of the Canadian Ski Patrol.  Oh and they feed us really well and you get to shop the sale before the public 😉.
This role is considered a financial opportunity and is worth 20 points.

If this role interests you, please reach out to me and I will connect you with Colleen!

Thank you to Colleen her many years supporting fundraising with the LLSCs!

Stephanie Johnston

Member Services, Lake Louise Ski Clubs

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