With winter soon approaching, it’s time to dust off your skis and boards and get your winter jackets out of the closets. As a devout snow enthusiast from a young age I always got excited with the prospect of the first family ski trip to the slopes in Canada each winter. After a few years of skiing with my folks, I think they realized that the enthusiasm of youth surpassed their concept of what a pleasurable ski day was for them, and therefore enrolled me in a race-training program. This suited me fine, as I could ski as fast as I wanted and please my parents as I developed my technique while supervised by coaches.
I later went on to higher levels of ski racing across Alberta, and then moved on to becoming an instructor. Now I am a ski guide here in Hakuba and help manage a ski school. Those initial years of structured race training and skill development, not only fostered a strong drive to train and compete, but also instilled in me a love of being outdoors and just having fun on the mountain.
This year at Evergreen, aside from our regular lessons, we are offering youth the opportunity to get involved in similar types of programs on the resort. First-timers are more than welcome to join in with our certified ski and snowboard coaches who will get them going on either race- or freestyle-oriented programs. The freeriding component of this program is also encouraged to allow kids to ride the entire resort while working on style and finesse.
Our aim is to give kids the opportunity to try either of these disciplines at a level structured to their ability, and to allow them to create attainable goals in their skiing or snowboarding. Of course, skiing and snowboarding by themselves are wonderful activities; however, besides being just a pastime for youth, adding an element of challenge and competition allows participants to have an avenue to focus their energy. There is something contagiously exciting when one of your kids or students lands their first 360, or beats the fastest time of their teammate on the course. It’s not just about winning; however, but also about camaraderie, having a laugh, and learning the proper methods; and doing it all in a safety-conscious manner while creating foundations for a love of the sport, a love of the outdoors, and a love of setting and achieving goals.
With supervised transport from the Tokyo area to and from Hakuba, meals and accommodation provided, and professional coaching from Evergreen, the program should be a great weekend getaway for kids and parents alike. We may even make a few future Olympians in the process!
For more information please see Evergreen Outdoor Center’s website at http://www.evergreen-hakuba.com or phone 0261-72-5150. — JAMES A. ROBB
FREESTYLE & RACE PROGRAM SCHEDULE
Saturday
07:00 Meet at Shinjuku
07:30 Depart on Supper Azusa
11:30 Arrive at Hakuba, Shuttle to Evergreen
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Get geared up
13:30 Free ride (FR) session starts
16:00 Finish FR session, shuttle to accommodation
16:30 Free time
17:30 Dinner
19:00 Night gate training
21:00 Return to lodge and get ready for bed
Sunday
07:00 Rise and shine
07:30 Breakfast
08:00 Get ready to hit the slopes
08:30 Free ride session
10:30 Warm up and break
11:00 Gates training
12:30 Lunch
13:15 Hot spring or shower
14:10 Shuttle to station
14:30 Board train for Shinjuku
18:30 Arrive at Shinjuku / meet parents
