COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Although tree skiing can be daunting and extremely dangerous, many slopegoers claim these difficult runs are some of their favorite on the mountain. And it’s true – if you start slow and build your skills, tree skiing can provide an incredible experience. After all, there’s nothing like flying through cloud-like powder amid snow-covered evergreens.
If you’re looking to get into tree-skiing but aren’t sure where to start, here are a few tips:
1. Make sure you’ve mastered the basics first
Tree skiing is challenging and can be dangerous, so be sure you’ve mastered your basic skiing skills before you head into the trees. You should be able to link turns and stop while maintaining control. Not being able to do so can lead to serious injury or death.
2. Practice short, quick turns
Tree skiing often requires making short, quick turns around trees and other obstacles that sometimes seem like they pop out of nowhere. Before you wander into the trees, try making a variety of short, quick turns at different speeds on an open, groomed run. This will help you prepare for the kind of turns you’ll have to make once you’re in the trees.
3. Practice in powder
Powder is often found in tree runs way after the open trails are already skied out, and it is very tempting to follow that snow. With that being said, make sure you can ski some powder before venturing into the trees, because tree runs aren’t groomed. You can try skiing softer snow at the edges of groomed runs, or even take some ungroomed runs as you hunt for deeper snow. It’s also important to note that with powder skiing comes a greater risk of hitting hazards hidden beneath a layer of snow. Always be ready to encounter something that may catch a ski while you’re in the trees.
4. Go when the conditions are right
Start skiing trees in snow conditions that you’re comfortable skiing. Tree runs may seem more approachable when there’s a decent amount of snow, as falling into fluffy powder feels much better than falling on icy, skied-off slopes. Ice on a run can also make it more difficult to stop or control your turns. Don’t let poor snow conditions make a challenging run even more difficult.
5. Choose the right runs
When you’re ready to venture into the trees, start with side hits and widely-spaced trees. As you get more comfortable, you can try more and more challenging runs. Remember – just because you can bomb down a groomed black run doesn’t mean you’ll be able to travel safely at the same speeds when trees are involved. Check out the trail maps to find a good starting trail. There are lots of trees that run along groomed trails, so you can always escape out onto an open, obstacle-free run if you need to.
Many resorts also have beginner-friendly tree runs. Ripperoo’s Glade at Keystone and Jack Rabbit Alley at Beaver Creek are both fun, beginner runs where you can dip your toes into tree skiing.
6. Go with a friend
Even for the experts, it’s always a good idea to ski trees with a friend. And it’s even better if you can find someone who knows their way around tree skiing who you can learn from. Tree skiing includes hazards that aren’t present on open slopes, such as getting lost in the woods and falling into tree wells. Have a plan for sticking together throughout the run, so you can see and hear each other.
7. Visualize your line
Look where you want to go, not at the trees. Tree skiing requires constantly scanning the terrain around you so you can avoid obstacles such as trees, rocks, stumps, low branches and more. Aim to look ahead and visualize your next one or two turns. This will help you turn where you want to go rather than into a tree. You can also take it slow and make a couple of turns, stop, then visualize your next turns. Don’t be afraid to take it slow and steady.
In conclusion
It can’t be stressed enough how dangerous tree skiing can be. When it comes to skier deaths, many are the result of an incident that takes place while tree skiing – be it a collision or getting stuck in a tree well. Proceed with extreme caution and take your time when it comes to honing your skills so that you’re able to tree ski safely.
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This story was originally published February 8, 2024, 4:30 AM.
source: star-telegram
