Tree skiing at local hills?

[powderman]

I think that local ski areas should offer ski tree skiing. Management's argument is "there isn't enough snowfall". So, does that mean they can't be open when there actually IS natural snow? What a good argument. :roll: If these local ski areas don't offer tree skiing, how will anyone know how to tree ski? I wouldn't know how to tree ski if Greek Peak didn't offer tree skiing. If people go up north and don't ski in the glades because they don't know how to do so, what happens? The owners destroy the glades to make way for groomers.

Thoughts?

 

[SnowRider]

If you search enough you can useally find your own unmarked glade runs. My friends and I found one at Wachusett...not like it was lightly traveled or anything :roll:

 

[Beetlenut]

If people go up north and don't ski in the glades because they don't know how to do so, what happens?

More untracked for Tin Woodsman and me! :wink:

 

[powderman]

If you search enough you can useally find your own unmarked glade runs. My friends and I found one at Wachusett...not like it was lightly traveled or anything :roll:

How will anyone be able to learn in an unmaintained glade though:-? The only way people will learn how to tree ski is to ski in glade that's marked AND maintained.

 

[powderman]

More untracked for Tin Woodsman and me! :wink:

Shouldn't I get some untracked powder for suggesting local ski areas should offer glades? :wink:

 

[Beetlenut]

Leave something untracked for me but not for anyone else. :wink:

Ok, you ski around THAT tree, and I'll ski around THIS tree. Rinse and repeat!

 

[severine]

How will anyone be able to learn in an unmaintained glade though:-? The only way people will learn how to tree ski is to ski in glade that's marked AND maintained.

Excellent point.

I would like to learn to ski glades. And I admit to mostly skiing at one of those small local hills the majority of the time...hence, very little opportunity (or exposure). I think it's an untapped market at these areas...

 

[hardline]

glades are not for beginers. i didn't really start riding the woods till i went to school at uvm and by that time i had the skill set to be able to handle my self in the woods. it is skill that you build up to not just jump right in. that said if they had trails that had a more natural feel to them i would be all about that.

 

[severine]

I'm not a beginner. But you're right, it is a skill you buildup to, not just jump right into. Still, it would be nice for some to be available at local hills, just like we now have the opportunity for bump enthusiasts to be born and flourish.

 

[TheBEast]

How will anyone be able to learn in an unmaintained glade though:-? The only way people will learn how to tree ski is to ski in glade that's marked AND maintained.

The best way is to hook up with some locals who know the area. Berkshire East has numerous marked glades and plenty more unmarked that are routinely open with plenty of snowfall. Last year was an outstanding winter for tree skiing at the BEast as I skiied more woods I never knew existed than in any of the past 7-8 years I've been skiing there.

Never hurts to ask. Most might be reluctant to give up their stashes, but if one skies at a local area long enough, you'll be able to figure it out! Just follow the tracks......

 

[hardline]

I'm not a beginner. But you're right, it is a skill you buildup to, not just jump right into. Still, it would be nice for some to be available at local hills, just like we now have the opportunity for bump enthusiasts to be born and flourish.

i was not speaking directly to you skiers in general. bumps are a little safer that trees. the average starter wearing skier. accelerates till something or someone stops them. these are the people that wrap themselves around a tree. i know a good portion of the patrol at my home hill and they wouldn't bat an eyelash at me flying throught the woods but the problem comes when starter joe sees you from the lift and follows. at feeder hills the percentage of people that ski outside their limits is higher than say when you get to the catskills. the bell has a few nice maintained glades for learning.

 

[Greg]

How will anyone be able to learn in an unmaintained glade though:-? The only way people will learn how to tree ski is to ski in glade that's marked AND maintained.

Learn to ski bumps well. It's a skill that comes in handy in marked glades anyway. I've only been skiing trees for a few years, but I've found as I progress in the bumps, the trees seem to come easier to me.

 

[Hawkshot99]

I have no problem poaching into the trees even if they are not a "glade" and un-maintained. I just wish that the mountains wouldnt have a no tree skiing policy, so that I dont have to watch for patrol as well as trees.

 

[hammer]

Learn to ski bumps well. It's a skill that comes in handy in marked glades anyway. I've only been skiing trees for a few years, but I've found as I progress in the bumps, the trees seem to come easier to me.

Isn't tree skiing just bump skiing with obstacles? The few times I've done it that's what it felt like...

 

[Greg]

Isn't tree skiing just bump skiing with obstacles? The few times I've done it that's what it felt like...

Well, most tree skiing purists seem to prefer to head off the beaten path in search of the elusive untracked powder, so not necessarily. This description when discussing on map glades seems pretty accurate without any recent snow. I've found that if you can stick a line on an honest to goodness bump run, than you have the quick turning skill to navigate most on map glades, at least out of the ones I've done. I would even argue that lower angle glades are easier than similar angle bump runs.

 

[PA Ridge Racer]

I think that local ski areas should offer ski tree skiing. Management's argument is "there isn't enough snowfall". So, does that mean they can't be open when there actually IS natural snow? What a good argument. :roll: If these local ski areas don't offer tree skiing, how will anyone know how to tree ski? I wouldn't know how to tree ski if Greek Peak didn't offer tree skiing. If people go up north and don't ski in the glades because they don't know how to do so, what happens? The owners destroy the glades to make way for groomers.

Thoughts?

I gotta give props to my local hill here ... Jack Frost is the only area in the NEPA to actually allow tree skiing. They have a where ever there is snow you can ski policy which is unheard of around here and the primary reason I continue to by a pass there. They'll even blow snow in some of the gladed areas to build a base. Don't get me wrong it's not Jay Peak but I'll take it for my home hill only 10 minutes away.

 

[Greg]

Pats Peak

New Gladed Area – 7 gladed areas to choose from
The Glade-iators of the Mountain Operations team are at it again with the thinning of the woods between the East Wind and Duster trails. This is the seventh gladed area on the mountain, giving even more options to enjoy a variety of terrain. Our snowmaking operation also has this area targeted for coverage.

http://news.alpinezone.com/32928/

 

[billski]

The problem I see with REAL glades at local areas is that it's a formula for 911 calls. It's bad enough you get the yahoos (stereotypical: guys with 2 days under their belts who are game to try anything) who are waaaay-over their heads on the steeper groomed stuff. You know the kind: straight down, poles flailing, swearing up a storm, the skiing style/control of a trash can, then braggin about it in the lodge. Now mix it up with a bunch of trees? No thanks.
The farther north (resort/snow-wise) you go, the more self-selecting they become. That doesn't prevent yahoos from getting up there, but it does minimize the numbers.

 

[Greg]

We all were a yahoo once.

 

[severine]

I don't think you've really minimized the numbers of yahoos up north either. I would think you'd have a great proportion of vacation-only skiers who seek out those areas as vacation spots, only ski a few days a year, likely are on rental or archaic equipment, and feel they can ski better than they really can. I don't think it's a regional thing as far as the concentration of yahoos -vs- experienced skiers goes. So why are the glades then safer at "real" resorts versus local hills, then? Wouldn't there be a greater potential for injury at a mountain with more vert and is generally steeper?

And Greg is right.