Glades skiing

[billski]

I always hear a lot of talk about steep and deep recommendations for glades sking, and the infamous stashes. Let's broaden the discussion.

How about some recommendations for beginners or intermediates?
I think a lot of people would try it if they had some suggestions about where to get started without getting in trouble (hey, what's in there? dunno. where's it come out? dunno. nah...)

 

[Grassi21]

I have a related newbie question. What is the difference between glade skiing and tree skiing? By definition, a glade is an open space in a forest. Does that mean one has to cross a patch of trees before they hit a glade? Or does it have to do with how densely packed the trees are in a given area?

 

[SkiDork]

Same thing.

Try Squeeze Play at Killington

 

[Grassi21]

Same thing.

Try Squeeze Play at Killington

Its at Ram's Head right? I have stopped and peered down that trail a few times. Maybe this season...

 

[John84]

I have a related newbie question. What is the difference between glade skiing and tree skiing? By definition, a glade is an open space in a forest. Does that mean one has to cross a patch of trees before they hit a glade? Or does it have to do with how densely packed the trees are in a given area?

I'd say that there's a difference. To me, glade skiing is skiing in a designated area by the resort that has been pruned of smaller saplings and had fallen trees removed or pointed downhill. Tree skiing is skiing in the woods out of bounds, or simply in woods that are not designated as glades.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Trees v. Glades

I'd say that there's a difference. To me, glade skiing is skiing in a designated area by the resort that has been pruned of smaller saplings and had fallen trees removed or pointed downhill. Tree skiing is skiing in the woods out of bounds, or simply in woods that are not designated as glades.

^^^^ Yes.

 

[klrskiah]

sunday river has a couple of awesome glades that would be good for intermediates. Last Tango on Barker mtn, and especially Blind Ambition at jordan bowl. Both are long runs with with wide spacing and room to bail out! They have some pretty sick lines too

 

[rogue rider]

I think they are the same thing. Whether someone has thinned the underbrush or designated it as an official run is just semantics. You are still skiing between trees.

 

[Greg]

Here's another thread with some good suggestions:

http://forums.alpinezone.com/6911-best-low-angle-glades.html

I have a related newbie question. What is the difference between glade skiing and tree skiing? By definition, a glade is an open space in a forest. Does that mean one has to cross a patch of trees before they hit a glade? Or does it have to do with how densely packed the trees are in a given area?

I'd say that there's a difference. To me, glade skiing is skiing in a designated area by the resort that has been pruned of smaller saplings and had fallen trees removed or pointed downhill. Tree skiing is skiing in the woods out of bounds, or simply in woods that are not designated as glades.

My glade experience is minimal. I really want to master bumps before heading in. Based on my limited experience, I've found that some on-map glades have narrow, sometimes sketchy marked entrances. I've found that if you can get through to marked entrance, the glades open up a bit. I would imagine this is meant to keep folks without the skill to handle glades out. Again, this is in regards to marked glades, not OB stuff.

 

[Sparky]

Try Hot Wheeles at Jiminy. Very fall, lots of room. Good place to start.

 

[riverc0il]

i go with the definitions put forth by John84, though bear in mind that all ski areas in the east generally call any trail with trees between the edges a glade and the vary from a few tree islands that groomers can get around right up to the tightest of tree runs. but generally stashes and tight lines off the map are usually way tighter than the more open glade runs that are marked.

if you are looking for a good place to learn to ski the trees, i would suggest Black Mountain, NH, Ragged, some of the easier lines at Burke, and most definitely Jay Peak which has a lot of wide open woods and a quite a few easier, sparse runs.

learning to ski bumps is certainly a helpful prerequisite but mastery of the bumps is not required, especially on the easier glades that don't bump up much. but i don't think any beginner should venture into the trees and intermediates should approach even the more open blue square tree runs with caution. two essential skills are required for skiing trees or glades, being able to look ahead to see turns between the trees and a dependable degree of control of turn. when i am skiing in the trees, i am not watching the tree i am passing, but looking for holes 10-20 feet a head of me. but at any time, feel i can put on the breaks immediately if i pick a bad line.

entrances were brought up but i have had different experiences. while glades sometimes open up once inside, generally what you see is what you get for the pitch and spacing from the entrance for any marked glade. a few marked glades are deceptive, but most are pretty up front from the entrance. it looks deceptive though, because you are skiing open slope than see holes between trees. off the map shots however can have entrances barely four feet wide and then open up to 20-30 feet or more. that is more about being secretive and discrete than scaring people.

 

[Beartrap]

The Boonies is a nice starter glade at Mt. Snow. Nice even pitch with a few drop off's. After that there is Fantasticks, and Saptapper. All of these glades are next to blue square trails on the main face. They usually do not have many people on them during the week either.

 

[JD]

Same thing in my book too. Although most people just call it "Woods" around here.

 

[AHM]

Glade skiing basics.....................

1. Look for Blue glades at the various areas mentioned.
2. For first timers, go when the snow is somewhat soft
3. As Riv said, do not look at the trees, look at the snow, that is where you want to go.
4. Do not let the entrance freak you out. Entrances are often rutted up, maybe scrapped and have a tad of boiler/rock/or dirt. I actually agree with the guy that said entrances are typically tight. That is certainly the case for Jay glades like North Glade, Everglade, Beyond Beaver pond, Valhalla, etc. Same for SB's Eden. Other SB glades like Bear Den off exterminator/bravo are closer to woods runs and would be a good measure of progression for woods skiers as they improve their control and composure in tree runs
5. Take your time in the glade, especially the first time through while you are understanding "where the run goes" and what the rhythm (sp) is.
6. Make sure the first 5 turns are super solid. Billy Kidd (I know this goes back a long way, but he was a pretty good SL skier) used to say make sure those turns are right. The early turns set you up for the steep. Most glades do not start out at their steepest point, so get those early turns done in a controlled, calm manner and do not get in the back seat.
7. Keep your head up and look 20 - 30 feet down the run, be thinking about the turn "after next"
8. Finally, take a lesson and tell them that you want to go glade skiing. Do this on a Friday, make it a private and you will learn a ton. Private too expensive: get 3 - 4 friends who are at similar levels and want to learn the same stuff and then get the private. This will reduce the cost, but add to the fun and then let you work on each other's turns. More later on some of the idiosyncrasis(sp)

 

[WWF-VT]

Sugarbush has a few good areas for what you are looking for Eden, Deeper Sleeper at Lincoln Peak or Graduation Woods at Mt Ellen

 

[dmc]

It's all trees... Big ones - little ones...
If your turns are defined by trees.. your skiing trees...
if your turns are defined by bumps... Your skiing bumps...

 

[castlerock]

It's all trees... Big ones - little ones...
If your turns are defined by trees.. your skiing trees...
if your turns are defined by bumps... Your skiing bumps...

Whoaaahh...Dude.....Cosmic....

 

[thaller1]

sunday river has a couple of awesome glades that would be good for intermediates. Last Tango on Barker mtn, and especially Blind Ambition at jordan bowl. Both are long runs with with wide spacing and room to bail out! They have some pretty sick lines too

As a beginner I recommend only the TOP portion of Last Tango, but all of Blind Ambition..that's a great glade..stay to your left and you have plenty of room to get comfortable..

Last Tango-if you go further than the access point to Right Stuff prepare yourself for one person, no turning, dips and turns around tightly situated trees. I found out the hard way..and there wasn't any powder to break falls!! It was quite an experience for me since I'm not an accomplished glade skier...

 

[skibum9995]

Has anyone ever skied or rode the glades at Gunstock?

I skied one of the glades last year, not sure which one. It was pretty flat and very widely spaced trees.

 

[snowkiter]

Actually, tree skiing is rather a modern term. Thirty or forty years ago, it was either glades or trails. Snow boards and mechanical lifts have created the popular tree skiing phenomenon. However, before it became popular, it was an expert's way of avoiding crouded slopes at lift service resorts i.e. skiing into the woods. It's funny no one has mentioned either Bretton Woods which has great intermediate glades. Wildcat as well has some single diamond type glades. Skiing in the trees would be more a middle or late season activity. It takes longer for the woods to fill up with snow than it does in glades or on trails. However, the trees retain the snow longer than trails. When it comes to definitions here, try using Mad River as an example. In the Paradise area, you start out in the trees and can find a large glade futher down. The same goes for Antelope. You ski the trail to reach this glade where the trail disappears, the trees appear isolated, and are futher apart with clearings in between.