Snowmobiles are taking over Silver Star mountain resort from skiers and snowboarders this weekend for the third annual Vernon Snowmobile Association Hill Climb.

The three-day event, which begins Friday, will feature both racing sleds and snow bikes taking to the hill to race in the novice to professional levels.

鈥淚t鈥檚 sort of the equivalent of dirt bike racing, but this is more unique in that you don鈥檛 usually get to see mountain sledders in an environment like this,鈥� said Vernon Snowmobile Association president Ben Drodge. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity for spectators to see these guys on sleds smashing up a mountain.

Among the pro riders competing is B.C.鈥檚 Brock Hoyer, the defending hill climb champ and the X Games Snow-bikecross winner in Aspen, CO.

The event is open is open to snowmobilers and snowbike riders who can register online until 6 p.m. Friday at. Racing begins at 7 p.m. Friday night and continues through Saturday and Sunday.

For the first time, races will be run on two tracks instead of one,

The public is welcome to watch the racing free of charge.