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HOUGHTON -- For the past 50 years, the Mont Ripley Race Team has given young skiers the ability to develop their alpine ski racing skills.

The program has club and high school racers, and some are members of the United States Ski Association.  Those members compete in USSA races around the Midwest. The racers range in age from 6 to 18. 

This sport takes a lot of dedication, but each member gains a lot of personal development.

"They certainly have to put in a lot of time outdoors," said Mont Ripley Race Team Coach Bob Vial.  "In the winter months, we get a variety of weather so they've got to be ready for a lot of different things.  It takes a lot of courage.  Alpine ski racing is very fast."

The skiers spent most of the day working on giant slalom techniques.  These techniques are the bigger and faster turns between sets of poles.

This type of racing is an extreme winter sport and can be dangerous for skiers because of the high amount of speed.