How to ride Trees...

[eadsit1]

I've been snowboarding for about 6 years, just found this site through npmb. I'm hoping this community is as welcoming as that one has been. I primarily snowboard at Snow Ridge in NY, its a small operation with only about 600 vertical feet. Lately I've been pushing myself to explore new areas on the slopes and discovered a lot of boardable terrain in the trees. What are some basic rules for riding in the trees? Ski Patrol is pretty lax about off trail riding, so that isn't a concern. I guess I'm just looking for tips. anyone?
Thanks

 

[icedtea]

always look in between the trees, never look at them!!!

 

[Beetlenut]

First rule: Turn good or eat wood!

 

[ripzillia]

Never ride faster than your Angel.

 

[snowmonster]

Welcome to the board!

Be sure to keep your speed in check and be ready to scrub speed when obstacles become apparent.

Don't assume that you can just blow by some branches. Some tree branches can look thin then clothesline you.

Wear a helmet and goggles.

Look for the light.

If you were a skier, I would say, keep both feet on the same side as the tree.

Enjoy!

 

[icedtea]

also you usually generate more heat when in the trees, due to working a bit harder than on a regular trail, so dress accordingly.

 

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

Who the hell rides?
focus on the openings!
But hey if he doesn't there will be one less dirt bag on the hill.Whooo-Hooo

 

[from_the_NEK]

Going in with a few friends/acquaintances is a good idea.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

If you smell a skunk..watch out..they'll eat your Doritos..

 

[Grassi21]

Going in with a few friends/acquaintances is a good idea.

beat me to it. sage advice.

 

[Grassi21]

If you smell a skunk..watch out..they'll eat your Doritos..

f'ing skunks.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

f'ing skunks.

I always smell skunks in the woods but I've never seen one..another reason that you should have a safety meeting at least every 2 hours..

 

[Grassi21]

I always smell skunks in the woods but I've never seen one..another reason that you should have a safety meeting at least every 2 hours..

my wife always detects skunks lurking around the permitter of our home. crazy, those f'ers are active year round...

 

[hardline]

always look at the spaces between the trees and thats where you will go. you body follows your eyes. i actually like riding a smaller pintail in the woods. you can get a forum roost pretty cheep. a 158 rides like a 162.

 

[Brettski]

I always grab a couple of limbs, and lean back

 

[KevinF]

There are two cardinal rules to tree skiing. Follow these, and everything else you can learn as you go:

• Look at the space between the trees, NOT AT THE TREES. You will subconsciously go where you are looking. If you fixate on the trees, you're gonna hit them.
• Make sure both feet go on the same side of the tree.

 

[MarkC]

Start with bumps. If you can ride a bump run well you can ride trees.

 

[Starter Jackets Rule!]

There are two cardinal rules to tree skiing. Follow these, and everything else you can learn as you go:

• Look at the space between the trees, NOT AT THE TREES. You will subconsciously go where you are looking. If you fixate on the trees, you're gonna hit them.
• Make sure both feet go on the same side of the tree.

4got one...
"In the Trees ski in Threes"!!!
if one gets gooned, one goes 4 help and the other goes through the borders pockets to find the bag and sells it for food money. after all the dirt bag is a goner cuz he is stoned and forgot about the tree rules.

HaHa!

 

[JD]

Look farther ahead then you think you need to. Ride in control. Keep your tip up.

 

[riverc0il]

Look farther ahead then you think you need to.

Just as important as looking through the spaces rather than at the trees. If you aren't looking three spaces ahead, you better be sliding at a very slow speed. If you are focusing on the current space or the next space between a pair of trees, you are way behind.

The other thing you want to do is practice outside of the trees. You should be able to ride with good ability natural snow in a variety of conditions including bumps and be able to make quick and nimble turns. "Survival" sliding may look ugly but you need to know how to do it with reasonable proficiency in case you get stuck in bad snow.