Ninety-six racers from eight different ski clubs competed in the Red Deer Ski Club’s Regional Race last weekend at Canyon Ski Resort.

They ranged in age from U-14 all the way up to U-21.

“It’s a learn-to-compete stream of skiing. They’ve come out of the learn-to-ski group and they’re learning how to race and having a little taste of competition on the hill,” said Cei-Anna Hallman, a coach with the Red Deer club.

“We always want them to have a good time, have fun, build some team spirit at the same time. It’s an individual sport so they’re setting goals and trying to smash those goals today.”

The club is sending four skiers to the upcoming Alberta Winter Games in Fort McMurray next month.

Emmitt Pollitt, 13, is one of them. He’s been skiing with the club for six years and said he just wants to soak up the experience. Qualifying for the Games has been a goal of his for a while.

“I just know that I’m going to try my best. I’m really excited just to go. I’d like to do good but I’m just more excited I get to go,” Pollitt said.

Pollitt will be joined by Kennedy Brinkhurst, Adam Johnson and Bradbury Gould.

The club’s Joelle Johnson said they’ve all been racing with the club since they were five years old and train three days a week at Canyon Ski Resort.

She said attending the Games will ignite a passion for the sport that will keep them in it.

“Once they go and get to compete against other people in the province, they start to have those dreams, and that Olympic dream so it will be a great time,” she said.