Lead by Amelia Espey members of the Red Deer Nordic Ski Club including Lucia Jancusova, her brother Martin Jancus and Marni Stokoe make their way along the roadway at the River Bend Golf and Recreation Area on Thursday afternoon. Although there is little chance of getting on real snow in Red Deer for a while yet the skiers are hitting the trails around Red Deer getting in some preseason dry land skiing in preparation for the winter months. The Red Deer Nordic Ski Club which offers ski programs for young athletes in the Red Deer Area got a boost from the provincial government through the Alberta Lottery Fund this year with grants totaling $5,000 for the purchase of roller skiing equipment.