Branching Out: Skiing the Trees
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For many of us, skiing through the aging process means no longer going places we once skied without thinking twice. Now, approaching my 80’s, my mantra is never to overstep my capabilities and always watch out for the other guy!
Anticipate turns when skiing the trees! Illustration: Mike Roth
I’ve always loved skiing in the trees and still do on occasions when conditions are right, and I’m feeling up to the task. I enjoy the silence, the natural snow, and the general absence of other skiers. But I’m always on guard avoiding the trees and their branches.
My Favorite Eastern Glades
Some of my memorable tree runs have been in the East, where I do most of my skiing.
Mount Snow’s North Face tree runs are challenging. However, the tree run on the main face to the left of “One More Time“ is a delightful intermediate. Also, at Carinthia, the trees between Mineshaft and Nitro are fun.
Killington offers plenty of tree runs, for skiers of all ages and abilities. A favorite of mine is Squeeze Play, to the right of Ramshead’s Timberline trail. It is easily handled.
My favorite at Gore Mountain is Twister Glade. Like many other gladed runs, it needs a certain amount of natural snow.
Bromley’s Avalanche Glades are fun. The area’s Everglade to the Glade is a bit easier.
The south face of Okemo is where you’ll find Forrest Bump (cute name), Double Diamond, Outrage, and Loose Spruce. It’s on the latter that a snow snake twisted my leg.
A different take on Glade Skiing. Illustration: Mike Roth
Glade Skiing Rules
Here are rules I follow when skiing glades:
- Never Ski Alone. It’s best to ski with 3 others. If one person is hurt, another can remain, while the third gets ski patrol.
- Don’t Use Pole Straps. Catching a pole on a branch can damage arm and/or shoulder. The release mechanism on some Leki poles helps avoid the potential problem.
- Wear Goggles and Helmet. They are essential protection when skiing trees
- Carry a Loud Whistle. It’s advisable wherever you ski. If you get hurt or lost, a series of loud blasts will attract help.
- Ski Within Your Ability
And a few pointers for tree-skiing:
- Anticipate turns: Look to where you want to go between the trees and try to anticipate your next two turns
- Make smooth rounded turns: In the woods, bumps tend to be soft, with plenty of places to set an edge
We skiers may be getting older, but, with the right attitude and a good dose of caution, we can still enjoy skiing in the trees.
Don Burch: Things I See While Skiing
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This fast-paced, short video from Don Burch combines several artistic techniques, including some fleeting Mondrian-like moments. I think it’s fair to say that Don is developing a new genre of ski video. Watching it evolve is a treat.
Skiing History Magazine (March/April)
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The March-April issue of Skiing History magazine is scheduled to mail at the end of February. Here’s what you can look forward to:
A major tribute to Spider Sabich, the charismatic racer who helped put World Pro Skiing on the map and was shot to death at age 32. Spider will be inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame on March 26, in Sun Valley.
Another new Hall of Famer is Sven Coomer, the man who made plastic boots comfortable and skiable. In an excerpt from his memoirs, Sven recounts the development process, beginning in 1968, that led to the revolutionary Nordica boots of 1971-74.
Because we’ll hold our 30th Annual ISHA Awards Banquet in Sun Valley on March 24, we’ll take a look at one of the overlooked aspects of the resort’s history: The ski-jumping and slalom hill on Ruud Mountain, developed in 1936 by Alf Engen and Sigmund Ruud. Abandoned in 1965, Ruud Mountain hosted two decades of spectacular competitions.
Lindsey Vonn has just published a memoir, Rise. We have a review of the book. Also, we’ll publish the list of ISHA Award winners for this year.
Overcrowding at ski resorts, and delayed opening of lifts and terrain made national news in January. We offer an analysis of the business decisions and economic trends that led to a nationwide skier revolt this winter.
John Allen writes an appreciation of the British landscape artist Adrian Allinson (1890-1959), who created some spectacular canvasses of Alpine scenery.
To read the new issue online in February, and get the print magazine in March, go to skiinghistory.org/join.
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