Smithers Ski and Snowboard Club (SSSC) is very pleased to share some exciting news for this upcoming season.

As you may have heard, our SSSC Program Director Leslie Firstbrook stepped down over the summer to pursue a unique opportunity with an international ski academy based in France. SSSC Executive wishes Leslie all the best in her future endeavours and thanks her for her leadership these past two years.

We are grateful to confirm that our U16-U18 coach Dillon Prophet will be returning again this season, starting October 1st. He has big plans for the older alpine athletes and is looking forward to getting back after a current stint in Chile helping coach the BC Ski Team.

With enrolment and program goals continuing to be strong for our club, SSSC remains committed to the Program Director position. This pivotal leadership role defines, builds, and manages ski and snowboard club programming and provide oversight to all club coaching and athlete development, in addition to coaching our older alpine ski team (U14 and up) athletes. With that, we are pleased to announce Claire Challen as our new SSSC Program Director! Many of you know Claire already from her significant coaching commitment the last few years supporting Dick Eastmure, Leslie, and Dillon’s athlete groups in so many ways on and off the slopes. Claire began her ski career with the Smithers Ski Club, making her way to the B.C. Ski Team and on to the Canadian National Team, racing in North America and Europe. She completed her racing career with four years on the NCAA Division I Circuit while attending Western State University in Colorado. Following her racing years, she worked as Head Coach/Program Director for the Smithers Ski Club and the Sun Peaks Alpine Racers. During the winter seasons, Claire runs private ski camps and coaches for Rossignol and ski resorts across North America. Claire loves to spend time at Hudson Bay Mountain at the family cabin and has always remained involved with SSSC. We are delighted to have her return to the PD role!

Claire is already actively planning the coming fall and winter season and you will start to see email communications from her on a variety of subjects; please do take the time to review and respond. Claire can be reached at smitherssscinfo@gmail.com and at 250-847-0376. We have an exciting year ahead!

Stay tuned for more updates- (Registration opening, fundraising events, Fall Workbee/Social, Dryland, Event Schedule, Officials courses, Gear Swap, and much more!) As always, any questions or comments- please connect with an Executive member, or email Smitherssscinfo@gmail.com