Early-bird athletes slide into winter training at Yukon ski hill

About 200 athletes were in Whitehorse this week getting an early start onthe ski and snowboard season.

The Mount Simaski hill charges extra for competitive teams to get an early start to training.

The hill's general managerJanet Hink says this year there are teams from B.C., Alberta, Ontario and Quebec.

"It's a big revenue driver. It pays for the snow-making that helps our season last until April,so we really appreciate the teams coming out," she said.

Theski hillhasstruggled to stay open in recent years due to financial pressure,and hastriedtofind new sources of revenue.

Members of Team Canada in Yukon

Jules Lefebvre, who ispart of Canada's national snowboard team, is one those getting an early start.

"This is our first day trying to get our feet back together on the board," he said earlier this week. "We have no snow yet in Montreal, so it's a big change to come here."

The Yukon government has invested in the hilland ishoping that competitive athletes visiting the territory can boost the local economy.

One recent addition at Mount Sima is aplastic-coated ramp and giant airbag, which can be used to practice freestyle ski jumping year-round.