The Ladies' Ski Club promotes ski racing and good fellowship among British women skiers and encourages friendship amongst the skiing nations.
The Club organises the British Schoolgirls' Races, a popular annual event which takes place in the Alps at the end of January. Prizes are spread across the board for all categories of teams and racers. For many, the British Schoolgirls' Races are an introduction to racing.The Club also supports Britain 's women skiers. Financial bursaries are made annually to racing members, be they just starting out on the international circuit, or the more experienced who need help and support. Fund-raising activities vary from year to year and have included Grand Draws, second-hand ski clothes sale every autumn, and a sponsored walk.
Club members are kept up to date with members' news and skiing activities through the LSC Bulletin, an annual magazine, and a drinks party held after the AGM in the autumn.
The Lady Blane Award, in memory of a past President, is given to a member for an outstanding contribution to Ladies' skiing. This is not an annual award and is given at the discretion of the Committee and Lady Blane's family.
The Club also helped to set up the Kirsteen McGibbon Award, now administered by the Skiers' Trust, and has a representative on the selection committee. This is an encouragement award which is presented annually to a promising junior girl.
A recent addition to this list was the inauguration of a Ladies' Ski Club award to be given to the best overall girl in the Children II age category at the BARSC (British Alpine Racing Ski Clubs) Championships in early January each year, and the British Children's Championships held annually at Easter.
The LSC was founded in Murren in 1923 by the leading lady racers of the day, with the encouragement of Sir Arnold Lunn. Most of Britain's best female skiers are, or have been, members. In 1924, the Swiss ladies formed their own ski club, the Schweizerischer Damen Ski Club (SDS), so that they could compete against the British girls. The Ladies' Ski Club is the oldest alpine ladies' ski club in the world. |