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Samual Andy's ancestors are the traditional owners of the New South Wales Snowy Mountains, but he hasn't spent much time in the alpine country.
When the 18-year-old Ngarigo and Djiringanj man first visited the NSW snowfields this year, he said being on the land helped connect him to his culture.
"I feel much better spiritually, connecting back to my ancestors," Mr Andy said.
"It's very special for us to come out here so we can connect back with our country."
Samual Andy and other Bega High School students spent a week in the NSW snowfields. (ABC South East NSW: Alasdair McDonald)
Mr Andy was one of the 24 First Nations high school students who spent the last week at Perisher Valley, taking part in a snow-sports program hosted by the NSW Office of Sport.
Ngarigo and Djiringanj elder Aunty Glenda Dixon said the students attended daily snowboarding lessons and cultural sessions with elders.
Sophia Harriden, Mr Andy, Makai Thurston-Mundy and Robbie Townsend. (ABC South East NSW: Alasdair McDonald)
"We come up here as traditional owners, this is our country," Ms Dixon said.
"It's an eye opener when you see what our country has to offer and why people spend a lot of money coming from overseas to see [the snowfields]."
Glenda Dixon says she is the first traditional owner to deliver a welcome to country on the slopes. (ABC South East NSW: Alasdair McDonald)
Accessibility barriers
The snowfields in NSW and Victoria are a $3.3 billion industry, but concerns have been raised about its accessibility.
The Bega Aboriginal Land Council's community connector Robbie Townsend said many of the students had never set foot on snow before the program.
Mr Townsend has been working on projects to connect First Nations kids to country. (ABC South East NSW: Alasdair McDonald)
"A lot of us Ngarigo mob don't get to spend a of time up here [at the snow], which is unfortunate," he said.
Mr Townsend – a Ngarigo and Djiringanj man himself — said the students developed confidence throughout the program.
"Snowboarding … and spending time in nature teaches you a lot about yourself," he said.
"One thing the kids have got from this is resilience.
"They kept pushing on and I was so proud of them by the end of it. It was just special."
Makai says he enjoyed the thrill of his first time snowboarding. (ABC South East NSW: Alasdair McDonald)
Makai Thurston-Mundy, 15, joined his peers on the slopes this week and hadn't been on the snowfields since he was a small child.
"This is a very special place for my mob. Our tribe has been up here in the mountains for years," he said.
'Snowball effect'
The NSW Office of Sport's southern region director Lachlan Clarke says there are plans to continue the program.
"[We hope] that we can create a pathway for many First Nations students to continue participating in [snow sports] and perhaps develop an athlete pathway program in the future."
The students took part in the National Interschools Snowsports Competition. (ABC South East NSW: Alasdair McDonald)
Aunty Glenda Dixon says keeping the younger generations connected to the land remains her priority.
"One day it's going to be their jobs and their responsibility to come on country with people and show them what a beautiful land we came from.
"If we can continue with that tradition of bringing them back up on country, then what more can you ask for?"