The Ladies’ Ski Club is 100
6th January 2023
Last modified on January 10th, 2023
The trailblazing British organisation was founded 100 years ago this month. A group of formidable skiers, among them the best racers of the time, formed the world’s first ski club for women. NEW
It happened in Mürren in Switzerland on 23rd January 1923.
At the time competitive sport was largely for men.
But the new Ladies’ Ski Club campaigned fiercely for women’s snowsports.
It remains the sole female-only Alpine ski club in the world and continues with its pioneering spirit 100 years on.
Ladies’ Ski Club circa 1923. Image c/o Ladies’ Ski Club
Today the club gives members of all ages the chance to experience the excitement of Alpine racing through training courses with leading coaches, among them the four-times Olympian Chemmy Alcott.
There are also trips organised to amateur race weeks in Europe.
The club offers racing opportunities for youngsters through its annual British Schoolgirls’ Races held in France each January and at Milton Keynes Snozone each October.
Crucial to the club’s reason for being is funding British female snowsports’ athletes.
Last year it gave almost £17,000 to 15 athletes, four of whom represented Britain at the Beijing Olympics.
Every one of the UK’s top female racers, including British telemark and Paralympic athletes, plus many top snowboarders and freestyle athletes, are members.
Ladies’ Ski Club in Wengen in 2022. Image c/o Ladies’ Ski Club
“The Ladies’ Ski Club is democracy in operation, innovation in operation,” says Ingrid Christophersen MBE, the club’s new president and a doyenne of British ski racing.
“Which other country would even have contemplated forming a ski club for ladies only in 1923 – five years before women in Britain were granted full suffrage?”
She believes all British female skiers should join.
“Every skiing female in Britain should feel honour-bound to become a member, should feel privilege and pride in being part of such an august body, helping to promote British ladies’ skiing at home and abroad.”
Start of the Arlberg-Kandahar Race in 1939. Image c/o Ladies’ Ski Club
Among the commemorative events to be held in 2023 is a 1920s costumed slalom race on 23rd January in Mürren, followed later that day by a celebratory 100th birthday reception.
There will be a gala dinner on 22nd September at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London with illustrious female ski racers past and present as guest speakers.
There will also be anniversary races at the British Schoolgirls’ Races in January and October.
Membership of The Ladies’ Ski Club costs £20 a year.
You can find more information on ladiesskiclub.org and britishschoolgirlsraces.co.uk
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