History of the Calgary Ski Club

The Calgary Ski Club has a proud history of pioneering the sport of skiing in western Canada. Through its early ski trips and ski trains, the club did a lot to establish skiing at Mt. Norquay, Sunshine, Temple Lodge and Lake Louise. Since 1979, it has built and improved cross-country ski trails at Lake Louise. The Calgary Ski Club has groomed and trackset Shaganappi Golf Course for Calgary Parks & Recreation since 1993.

Founded in 1920 by a handful of enthusiasts, the Calgary Ski Club organized a ski jumping contest at Elbow Park, Calgary, as one of its first events. It was chartered in 1935 and hosted downhill skiing competitions until 1971.

Inspired by its experience with competitions and ski lessons, the club played a major role in Winter Olympic bids prior to 1972. In 1988, when Calgary hosted its first Winter Olympic Games, many club members helped make the games an international success through their enthusiastic efforts as volunteers and staff.

In the late 1940s, the club started the Calgary Ski Patrol, forerunner of the CSPS. After introducing a ski mountaineering program in the 1950s, it helped the Alpine Club construct backcountry huts during the 1960s.

In 1963, the club started Canada's original New & Used Ski Sale in Calgary. In ensuing years, this sale became a model for community ski-sales in Vancouver, Toronto and elsewhere.

Since the 1970s, the club has extended its activities beyond the ski season. It now offers a popular hiking program and fun social activities.