[Real Adventure]

What will I be doing while I am at NORTHSTAR?

While I am here, I will be serving as an intern which includes a variety of jobs. During most seasons, I will work as an outdoor instructor/guide facilitating activities. In this position, I will be working with many different groups as well as individual guests [families or small groups] that come to the lodge.

Some of the experiences these groups and guests might enjoy could be:
[1] Hiking on many of the different trails around NORTHSTAR
[2] Climbing to the top of Mount Norikura
[3] Checking out any of the three beautiful waterfalls located in the Norikura Highland
[4] Going on a river hike up the nearby river
[5] Rock climbing either on our wall in the lobby or to an outside location such as the sport climbing routes in nearby Shirahone Village
[6] Mountain biking on some of the great trails on the mountain
[7] Road biking up the world class Norikura Skyline road
[8] Snowboarding after taking one of our Burton Learn To Ride lessons or just riding on your own
[9] Skiing on the slopes
[10] Taking a backcountry tour up mountain to snowboard or ski on the great powder
[10] Working through our ropes course as a group
[11] Having fun with our team building initiative games
[12] Doing a hand craft or having a cultural learning experience like soba making

As one of the instructors, I will be trained to facilitate any number of these different activities depending upon the season, what I work best with, and what activities the guests have requested. Does this sound fun or what?

The other aspect of my job as an intern will be to plan and teach English as a second language. I will do this once a week following the Japanese school year schedule. I will teach in a nearby elementary and middle school as well as an adult class in the same village. Planning and teaching these lessons can take a bit of time and effort, but they are very rewarding!