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QIKIQTARJUAQ/BROUGHTON ISLAND - A group of lucky Qikiqtarjuarmiut students has just returned from one of the top snowboarding destinations in Canada.

Some of Inuksuit School's "Wake Up and Live" group hit the famous slopes of Banff, Alta., as a reward for their participation in drug prevention workshops.

"Wake Up and Live" initiative members Joy Audlakiak, Jenny Mosesie, Joel Kuniliusie and Nathan Kuniliusie sample the wares of a Banff snowboarding shop. - photo courtesy of Ian Gordon

"It was awesome," raved Joy Audlakiak.

Thanks to Health Canada funding and some local fundraising, four teenagers from the school got to check out the famous ski and snowboard locations, where they shopped and took lessons to improve their skills on the slopes.

"We did some spinning, making jumps, 360s," said Nathan Kuniliuse.

The "Wake Up and Live" initiative in Qikiqtarjuaq started this year as a way to show students ways to have fun while staying away from the negative influences of drugs and alcohol.

"We're exercising and learning more," said Audlakiak.

"And staying away from drugs and not being lazy like sitting around the couch and watching TV," added Jenny Mosesie.

The group of 10 students, four of whom went to Banff, has gathered twice a week since January to watch instructional videos, discuss them, and then head out to the mountains outside Qikiqtarjuaq for some 'board time.

The videos they watch come from California and feature people such as rappers, motocross riders, snowboarders, skiers and rock climbers discussing their ways of reaching a drug-free "natural high."

Two Inuksuit School staff, principal Ian Gordon and teacher Justin Carnahan, have been facilitating the group.

"We provide youth with an opportunity to participate in constructive activities and expend their energy in a positive, drug-free environment," said Gordon.

Gordon said the students may respond better to guidance by "people (kids) deem to be 'cool,'" rather than lectures from teachers.