Major mogul race at Apex

Photo: File photo

Some of the best mogul skiers in the country are at Apex Mountain this week.

Apex Freestyle Club head coach and general manager Kenni Kuroda said the 2016 Toyo Canadian Selections has attracted athletes from all over.

"The Canadian development team will be here competing, as well as all of the provincial teams from across Canada."

That's expected to bring in about 65 Canadian skiers, with 20 to 25 spots saved for foreign skiers. Most of those are expected to come from Japan, which Kuroda said sends three teams. Skiers from Great Britain, Australia and Korea will also attend.

Despite the foreign presence, the race is mostly for Canadian skiers, and Kuroda said it's one of the biggest mogul ski competitions of the year.

"This is the first one of the season, so everyone wants to do well at this event," he said, adding that Apex is the first mountain to get a full-length mogul course this year, which has drawn athletes to the mountain.

"We've also had teams from all over, really all over North America come for pre-season training here, so we've had probably 200 athletes from all over training here."

Kuroda added that having such a large race at Apex brings good attention to the mountain.

"Just the sheer volume of competitors that will be here, you know, the best in Canada is just a real treat to have them skiing here."

Races run Saturday and Sunday, while Thursday and Friday will be reserved for training.