December 2025

The snow is falling, and ski season is upon us! The club held it's AGM meeting in October 2025, followed with an executive meeting. 

Here's a few updates on what's being planned & going on with the club:

Executive Changes

• A huge thank you to our executive team who have supported and put time into planning activities, events, and programming for the club over the years! 
• 
  Here is our executive for the 2025-26 season:
• President: Kim Winger
• Vice-President: Brian Deheer
• Secretary: Iva Moen
• Treasurer: Jaclyn Denman
• Director: Derek Bakker
• Director: Lorne Moen
• Director: Brent Magneson
• Director: Ian Cloutier
  
• Director: Donna Cloutier

Membership & Child/Youth Programming (Bunny/Jackrabbit Lessons)

• Membership Fees: the executive has decided to continue with minimized membership fees for the 2025-26 season! Memberships will be $22 (which includes both Nordiq Alberta & Nordiq Canada fees) with additional $10 for any youth programming. PLUS there is a *NEW* Adult Learn to Ski Program being offered this season - more details below.
• Membership fees towards the local club will be $0, as our members carry out some great fundraising activities throughout the season - so it is minimal cost to be a member.  
• Membership sign-up & Programming registration has been available since early October 2025.  
• Have questions about our youth programming? Connect with our Coaching Lead Derek [derekbakker @ hotmail.com] or send us a message on our Facebook Page. Programming is planned to begin on snow Sundays, Dec 21 & January 11 - early March, conditions pending. There has also been some fall opportunities this year for some 'dry-land' training for youth in October & November.
• *NEW* Adult Learn to Ski Sundays - will take place over 4 weeks (Sundays: Jan 18, Jan 25, Feb 1, & Feb 8). Instructional sessions will be held either at Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area-  Group Use Area OR Shaw Lake Day Use Area in Lakeland Provincial Park. This will be a basic instruction in cross country skiing for adults - particpants must pre-register. Requires the $22 Aduly membership, and optional Adult Ski Rental $75 - where you get to keep your equipment for 4 weeks! Must register by January 7, 2026. For more information email [kimwinger @ gmail.com] or call/text 780- 404- 5457.
• PLUS - Did you know the 2026 Youth Winter Games are being hosted in Cold Lake - Bonnyville this year! We hope to have some of our youth (ages 11 - 16) participate in zone qualifiers & hopefully make it to compete at the games this February 2026!

Rental Equipment

• Youth equipment rentals for Bunny/JackRabbit participants will be available for rent on a first-come, first-serve basis for registered participants. If you select 'yes' on the registration form for equipment rentals, you will be contacted to find out the child/youth's height in centimeters & boot size. 
• General youth/adult rental equipment of boots, skis, & poles for daily/weekend use is available. The cost of a rental remains as a donation to the club (with suggestion of $25 per person - for a weekend rental), as we hope many people will try XC-Skiing this season and use the gear to access some beautiful winter trails in the area. For rentals, connect with Kim either through FB Message, or call her at 780- 404- 5457.

Special Events (planned for 2025-26 Season)

• Sunday, January 4 - Moonlight Ski @ Beaver Lake PRA - Group Use Area
• Monday, February 2 - Moonlight Ski @ Beaver Lake PRA - Group Use Area
• Tuesday, March 3 - Moonlight Ski @ Location TBA
• Sundays, January 5 - early March, the community is welcome to come out to Beaver Lake PRA/Shaw Lake in Lakeland PP, as members & coaches will be out with the JackRabbit Program & Adult Learn to Ski Program and happy to give any tips/info on the area - but the lessons are for registered participants only. 
• Event dates & times are subject to change, please stay connected with up to date information thru our Facebook Page

Groomed Trails in the Area

• In the upcoming season, groomed trails will be at the following locations:
• Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area - Group Use Area
• Shaw Lake Day Use Area, Lakeland Provincial Park
• Ongoing updates on conditions & what's available for groomed trails can be found on our Facebook Page. 

We are doing a RAFFLE!

• Mountain Getaway Raffle
• Get your tickets at various special events the club might have a table at, or from any of the club directors!
• Draw will be on February 16, 2026; tickets are $10 each; total of 700 printed. AGLC #755901 - Must be 18+ years of age and be an Alberta resident to purchase.
• Prize #1: 2 lift passes for the 2025-26 winter ski season at Marmot Basin + $100 spending cash.
• Prize 2: 3-night stay at Jasper Gates cabins + $100 spending cash.
• Thank You to our Raffle Sponsors: Marmot Basin & Jasper Gates

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help us run our programs, donate to our club, and purchases a raffle ticket! All these in-kind activities & fundraising opportunities are key to the club being able to offer a very minimal membership fee!

Keep up to date on trails conditions, events, and more through our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/LLBSkiClub.