Mogul skiing vs tree skiing.

[RuffusCorncobb]

I thought this may make an interesting topic.

While skiing in a glade this past weekend my companion made a comment about the way many skiers were skiing the trees using the same methods as they would skiing zipper lines down the mogul runs and how that creates the long skinny moguls that you get on a mogul run and that these types of mogul makes skiing the trees via looping back and forth around the trees impractical as it requires you to criss cross at 90 degree angles multiple steep sided moguls with vary narrow tops. To ski these you need to take a line that follows the fall line down the slope which pretty much turns it into just another mogul run and seams to detract from the essence of tree skiing.

I thought about it for a while and then realized I had picked my line down thru the tightest part of the trees where zipper lines weren't developing and was having much more fun skiing there than I was on the more open areas in the trees.


I doubt there is anyway to change anything but figured it would be worth a discussion
We do enjoy skiing moguls as much as skiing trees, I don't want this to appear to be a whine because we cant ski moguls, we spend as much time on mogul runs as trees if not more. I may not be pretty or fast while skiing them but I have just as much fun as anyone.

What do think? Do you prefer to loop back and forth around the trees or hit the zipper lines down thru. the trees like you were Glenn Plake with your Mohawk on fire?

 

[kingslug]

After watching a few vids on tree skiing, I'm jelouse of those who can do it well. Seems the best conditions can be found in there most times. I've skied some open glades but will not dare go into stepp and close ones. So I pretty much loop around them slowly and try not too pick up too much speed. Last thing I want to do is hit one and end my season...or life.

 

[JimG.]

I'd rather stay in the fall line as much as possible. Looping around the trees is akin to hunting for a line in bumps by traversing back and forth. I'll add that trees usually have a bit more loose snow/powder and that turning skis sideways makes skiing those conditions alot harder in my opinion.

So turn 'em or burn 'em.

 

[kingslug]

It's also a question of nerve and skill to hit that zipper line. I think it would be safe to say that you can find the best skiers in the trees. I'm going to try it out again up north this weekend. I hear Jay is the place to go for it.

 

[Newpylong]

Depends on snow conditions. In fresh pow, you can afford to get tighter.. if it's packed down, I tend to go with the flow and follow the beaten path. One screw up and you and a tree are making love.... not cool.

 

[dmc]

Often times riding in steep tree lines is riding in bumps...

 

[Treeskier]

I personally like untracked snow best. I've learned that thwack is my friend. I've also learned to make glunking turn. (in deep snow you push your heals down to slow down but not lean back) which means you can make a fall line almost straight turn to slow down. This allows you to take the most aggressive line between some very tight trees. This does not work in minimal depths. Have had a lot of practice recently with the 80+ inches of new snow. In the spring corn you have to make more pronounce turns to check speed.

 

[riverc0il]

nice call by Treeskier on the thwack. one application of my racing background is being quick with a pole block to avoid eating branches. Treeskier speaks science with a lot of sage advice in not so many words. i should only learn to be that concise!

bump skiing is an essential tool for all tree skiers to have at their disposal, especially if you are skiing the more well known lines or have not had a refresher storm in a while. many main routes do form standard bump lines but i dare say if you know the woods well enough and ski the right areas at the right times, you will need full on bump skiing in the woods much less than half the time. if you hit the more well known lines at ski areas not having lots of snow and don't hit the right days, you will generally feel every tree run is a bump run.

in the trees, i generally like to look for a tight slot off the beaten path... a long extended line down 100 vertical feet of uninterrupted short turns in about eight feet diameter between the trees with plenty of bail space if speed check is needed. if you have a straight path without hazard available and keep your momentum in the proper direction, you can loosen up the speed check a bit and enjoy the descent more... preferably bump free. when tree skiing becomes bump skiing, it is still fun, but not purely of the tree skiing aesthetic.

 

[gladerider]

why do people ski the glades? because it is not boring and its mega fun.
why do many people dont? because they are afraid and they know they can't handle it.

zipping through or loop around, once you are in the glades, you need good control. because, sometimes, you will find yourself in real tight woods. just wide enough to fit 1 body, steep and narrow with path already carved out. only one way out.

i would agree with kingslug. i've seen some of the best skiiers in the glades and the parks....