Conveying the fun of skiing and the charm of science to children through snow. NOK Kids Backcountry Tour

Backcountry program for parents and children

Skiing down snowy mountains is an essential way to enjoy skiing and snowboarding, which has existed since the days when there were no ski resorts. And it's not just an adult's game. I want children to share the charm of skiing on snowy mountains. Rather, I want children to slide.

NOK Kids Backcountry Tour was started with such a wish.

This is an initiative that started three years ago, mainly in the Minamiuonuma and Yuzawa areas of Niigata Prefecture, and is a backcountry program that parents and children can participate in.
Parents who enjoy backcountry skiing can let their children experience the splendor of nature, the beauty of snowy mountains, and the fun of skiing. and scenery. It is also an opportunity for children to grow by touching various scenery and experiences. This is a rare opportunity for parents and children to safely enjoy backcountry skiing. This tour is becoming more popular every year, and the number of participants is also increasing.

Now, what does it mean when I say "I want children to skate" at the beginning?
Therein lies the impetus for this initiative. We asked backcountry guide Takuzo Nagai, the founder of the project, to tell us about the background of the project.

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A form of environmental education that scientifically conveys the charm of nature while skiing

“This NOK Kids Backcountry Tour was started with the hope that children could experience backcountry skiing and snowboarding together, which is something their fathers and mothers enjoy, and deepen the bonds between parents and children. It was held only once, but it soon reached capacity, so we decided to hold it six times this season so that more parents and children can participate.

Of course, we want them to enjoy climbing and sliding down the snowy mountains together, but we are doing this as part of our environmental education. While climbing a snowy mountain, "Why does snow look white? "Why does it snow so much?" ] and other things related to snow and nature that are not taught in ordinary schools are properly explained based on scientific grounds. At the same time, it is also an important role of this program to tell people that nature can be destroyed by humans.

As a flow, we will climb the mountain with our handmade slides. Then, during breaks, I teach while looking at the slides, and then walk and take breaks during class. And at the end, we will have you experience sliding on the "snowy mountain", which is the essence of skiing and snowboarding.

We believe that it is important to understand things with a scientific approach. Because everything around us can be explained by science, knowing science means knowing our lives, which is essential for living. So, one of my goals is to increase the number of children who like science more while they are children.

This initiative is a program for children (strictly speaking, parent-child), so we are not thinking about getting money. In today's world, the value of "experience" is increasing. If by accumulating various experiences, it will be connected to the future and will be an opportunity for growth, I would like to make it possible for all children to obtain that opportunity.

Also, until last year, the event was held in the Yuzawa and Minami Uonuma areas, but from this season, we are preparing to go outside the prefecture and hold it in national parks such as Tateyama and Oze.
Today's national parks have defined boundaries, but their use and awareness are not very active. I don't think there are many adults who know about national parks with mountains unless they are familiar with mountain climbing. I believe that if children learn about the existence of national parks from an early age and become familiar with them, more people will be able to use them and learn about the richness of nature in Japan. I hope that this program will play a part in that.”

*Some children do not carry shovels and sondes on their backs due to their physique, but they always wear beacons.

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Here are the dates and locations for this year's event: Don't miss this great chance to enjoy backcountry skiing and snowboarding with your kids.

1st 2/26 (Hakkaisan) *Full
2nd 3/12 (Maiko Snow Resort)
3rd 3/21 (Kagura) The
4th to 6th times will be announced from the link below after the venue is decided.

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