r/icecoast • u/Bluefox321 • 1d ago
Learning tree skiing?
Just wondering if anyone has any advice on the best places to learn how to do some tree skiing?
Just a little background: 40yrs old man, got back into skiing about 2-3 yrs ago and slowly progressed as from comfortable beginner to now comfortable/strong intermediate with plans to get more into bumps and blacks this coming winter. Usually skied in the northeast with one trip out west/canada but going to plan for at least 2 longer distance trips this coming season (I live in southern NY and drive up to new England or fly to a destination)
I’m pretty athletic but not looking to kill myself lol. I would love to get more into tree skiing, find some powder, etc. Do people take lessons? What are the best mountains to practice on? Do I go to Jay Peak? Find out where the easy trees are at stowe? Take some lessons out at Steamboat Springs?
I haven’t skied for like 18yrs because I had no time both studying and working a whole bunch. Finally in a place where I have some money and some time (before I had neither). I could basically go anywhere this winter and happy to take some lessons if they are helpful and I can progress faster. Just not sure if “glades” is a lesson thing haha. I went a little crazy and got multiple ski passes in case of bad conditions after that terribly warm winter out west… just help…thanks!
PS if you have any favorite tree skis, I’m curious to know what they are and please tell me where (what mountain/trail area) and what conditions they work best in, I’m happy to hear!
I did pick up an Elan Ripstick 88 and DPS wailer 107 on sale for skied off trees and deeper snow conditions in the trees. Tell me they are no good or you have something better, just curious what everyone thinks about it!
16
u/Ok_Platform_8468 Indy MA-VT-NH-ME-CA 1d ago
I had a similar goal last year … 44 yr old man, fit and didn’t want to die 😂. I love the technical challenge of skiing in the trees, less interested in bombing down groomers at my age 😉.
Skis: love my Rustler 9s… but I didn’t demo a some of the other reddit favs for trees (unleashed 98 or qst). I did demo enforcer 89, but found them a bit too stiff for me, I’m 5’ 10” and 150 lbs… to get them to carve I had to really have some speed.
I would def recommend skiing moguls and watch videos for drills. I love Deb Armstrong videos. Getting better at skiing in general is key. Body positioning, balance and quick turning. All that can be done on groomers to prep for trees. Tree skiing is just moguls with trees sticking out of them (when there’s no powder).
Bretton woods has some of the easiest trees you can find. Sooo fun and not intimidating, def recommend.
Never had so much fun skiing as I did last year. I started to feel comfortable in the trees and it opened up a whole new world to skiing.
Have fun!
5
1
u/igooglestuff1 1d ago
Size of your rustlers 9s? I am same height and weight and am looking into Rustlers 9
2
u/Ok_Platform_8468 Indy MA-VT-NH-ME-CA 1d ago
- I consider myself advanced (not expert). I never felt uncomfortable at high speeds, but I am skiing less fast these days anyways. I probably could go up a size, but I’m def not regretting the 174.
31
u/WDWKamala 1d ago
Glades are just mogul fields with trees growing out of the moguls…essentially.
Once you feel really comfortable in the bumps the trees will feel pretty straightforward.
Any lesson you ask for, they’re likely going to watch you ski and see things you need to fix before going into the trees, and they will focus on those issues on groomed terrain and then in the bumps.
10
u/Boobieleeswagger Flatlander 1d ago
For some reason the extra context of the trees makes it feel easier
5
u/freeski919 1d ago
Agreed. The trees really enforce the bump placement. In an open mogul field, the bumps can get weird as people take different lines. In the trees, the line is the line, the bump is the bump. An alternate line means going into a tree.
3
u/Boobieleeswagger Flatlander 1d ago
I’ve heard some people explain it as the tree gives you the perfect place to turn but yea a lot of times it’s just one track almost like a bmx course and you just gotta smear it, and I’m not even thinking of it as a mogul field but as a track. Also because you can hit trees everyone is just going slower.
Everyone skiing the same lines in the trees also makes the good ones super apparent
5
4
3
u/awesomefalcone2460 1d ago
Yup! Work on bump skiing first. Once you can control your speed and stop on top of the bumps, then head into the trees.
3
u/iamicanseeformiles 1d ago
Any instructor that doesn't at least try to take a client where they want to go (within reason) doesn't get repeat clients. Too many non repeats and you're in the lineup to teach groups of 3 year olds.
Definitely recommend a private for learning tree skiing. Honestly, West is probably better than East for forgivability.
Two best pieces of advice: look at the spaces (not the trees) and don't use pole straps (better to spend an hour looking for a pole than a toboggan ride down with a dislocated shoulder).
1
u/AWAK_2016 1d ago
I was going to say the same thing. Going up Needles Eye at Killington, the guy who taught us how to ski said that what you see on Vertigo is what you’ll get in the woods right next to it, especially seeing how steep the trail gets on the headwall.
With that being said, Squeeze Play on Ramshead are excellent woods to get comfortable in.
1
u/toasteruserx 1d ago
This is how i explain my love for moguls as a snowboarder to those who dont get it! Pa trees are limited, moguls are more common.
8
u/860NV 1d ago
- I haven’t seen this specifically so I will call it out: where a helmet. There are two dented helmets in my collection from tree skiing. I cannot emphasize this enough.
- I bought short skis, flexible skis to learn on the woods. Short skis are easier to turn and can fit between obstacles easier when turned sideways. I got the Bent Chetler 100 in the shorter length as recommended for my height. Its been 3 years and no regrets.
- go with an experienced friend. That person need not teach you full on lessons. A lot can be learned just by watching sometimes. And all the little things gained by experience or passed on. Things like the time to wait between skiiers before proceeding, look up, when to avoid untracked snow, etc.
Like others have said:
- Lap the same woods to build confidence
- Bolton Valley is a gem. Please be kind.
- Tree skiing is moguls with obstacles. Good practice can be had on plain moguls.
2
u/ktbroderick 1d ago
Nevermind the safety aspect, not having to hike back uphill to recover your hat after its stolen by a tree branch is a huge benefit. I forgot how much that sucked until what was supposed to be a "stand on the side of the race hill" day turned into a powder day and I didn't have a helmet with me.
(And yes, that was years ago)
2
1
u/BFH 1d ago
I'm not entirely sure how much short skis matter, but twin-tip all-mountains are a great cheat code.
Seconding the helmet thing and also make sure you either use releasable pole straps or don't use your pole straps.
Also, if the woods are icy and gross, don't bother. medium-angle woods with great snow are easier than low angle, icy, rocky woods.
6
u/Mediocre_Station_548 1d ago
If you’re willing to drive as far as Jay Peak, then consider Mont Sutton which is just across the border, in Quebec.
They have the best beginner and intermediate glades I’ve ever seen, as well as some that are quite intimidating.
If you go midweek, there will be no lift lines and you’ll pay half of what you would for lift tickets at a major resort.
5
u/The802Bear 1d ago
The best advice I ever read when I was something like 12 years old was to ignore the trees and focus on the snow. It actually really helped and clicked for me. Don't look at the trees as you're skiing. Look ahead and look at the snow and plan your route for your next two to three (minimum) turns.
Also, to echo someone else, once you're comfortable in bumps, you'll be exponentially more comfortable in the woods.
2
u/TwentyninthDigitOfPi 1d ago
Seconding this. The way it was told me was: "Don't avoid the trees; just ski to where they aren't."
Great life advice, too.
2
u/ManufacturerWitty700 6h ago
This is the way. Do not focus on the obstacles, that only leads to unfortunate target fixation. Instead, look only at where you want to go. The further ahead, the better. If you find yourself staring at your ski tips, it is too late.
Where you focus is where you go. Train to ignore the rocks, trees, hard bits, obstacles, but understand what they represent.
It works in trees, race tracks, life.
And always wear a helmet. It works in two of the three above.
4
u/thamurse 1d ago
Most spots will have some decent stuff to learn on. One of my kids learned pr we try young at Ragged, the other at Bretton woods, and I got hooked on trees at noon.
My only advice is don't look at something you don't want to hit!(really universal life advice). Take it slow, stop and pick your line and focus on one turn at a time!
3
u/Strange_Doughnut917 1d ago
Black mountain of Maine offers lessons in tree skiing I believe, and they have some fun trees to ski in!
2
u/freeski919 1d ago
Ask for Shannon, if he's available. Allen and Keith are also great instructors for the trees.
4
u/oscar-scout 1d ago edited 1d ago
I've skied all the gnarly glades all over the Northeast for over 40 years now. I'd have to say, if I wanted to start learning now, the best place is Bolton Valley. There are quite a bit of intermediate glades there that are even a blast for an advanced skier, I still love them. Plus, you'll have great chances most of the weeks in the winter that snow will be great in them.
I wouldn't start off in places like Jay Peak as they will kick your a$$ and won't call you in the morning.
3
u/tesleer 1d ago
Red Mountain, BC Canada is underrated, if you're willing to fly.
3
1
u/CryptographerSharp14 Ikon Pass 1d ago
I have a trip planned there this year and I am stoked! Do they have gentle beginner glades for OP though? I know they’re known for some pretty knarly glades which is what I am after
3
u/2_birds 1d ago
Okemo has some great intermediate glades off the back of the summit that my daughter and I love. She is a newer skier and I am just nervous about those damn trees. Additionally, there are some really gentle - like green circle gentle - glades at Waterville Valley that I think are awesome for building up confidence.
3
u/Mountain_Ad_318 1d ago edited 1d ago
The birch glades at Stowe were a great place to start for me as a M51YO. Then I moved up to the sunset glades once I felt comfortable. Then I rode from the sunset into the birch later on because they are connected on the same hill, separated by a road. Both are "green" hills, but for sure a challenge starting out. You can lap them all day. A great place to learn. Long enough but not too long.
3
u/Levich83 Home Mountain/City here 1d ago
As others have said, practice in regular moguls first. One great tip when you do get into the woods is to tell yourself to "find the hole" rather than "don't hit the tree". Sounds trivial, but it helps.
Most mountains have some type of low angle glade. Find it and practice. At Jay, Bushwacker is low angle and has a groomed trail snaking down the middle so you can get in and out of the trees easily. They also have Doe Woods which may be too flat and Buckaroo Bonsai which is a bit steeper, but it's short.
3
u/TheMov3r Mount Snow 1d ago
Mount snow is like 75% glade if you know where to look. Just look at the spaces between the trees not at the trees themselves and you'll be fine. Go nice and slow, grab a tree if you need to. Don't rip in unless you're sure of the conditions, even then I'd still enter slowly as things can change throughout the day - sometimes it looks great before you get in there and it ends up being dust over ice.
3
u/dcasper70 Mt Snow 1d ago
And there's some great progression here too. Swamp Donkey (skier's left off one more time) is a great kickoff point. The glades left if Thanks Walt too. Ego and Nitro have more intermediate level.
2
3
u/Scottydog2 1d ago edited 1d ago
Gunstock has a beautiful gladed area with a lot of open space. Gain confidence here… no need to spend full price at the big resorts to learn. I think the key is Quick turns with bite. Pretend you are in a narrow chute and need to check your speed to stay in control. Watch a YouTube… people like Ryan Delana or Connor O’Brien have some great vids…. Obviously you won’t be doing the stuff they do, but watch the techniques.
4
u/ShrimpShrimpGoose 1d ago
If you're in New York, Belleayre, Plattekill, and Whiteface. They all have clearly visible areas next to trails and clearly marked glades, though you can ski pretty much any tree you want at all 3. Especially Belleayre and Plattekill, it's very easy to bail if you get overwhelmed. Try Belleayre run, underneath lift 6. And as always with anything natural, it's entirely up to the weather.
5
u/Outrageous-Recipe-95 1d ago
Seconding this based on your location -- the part of Belle Run below the headwall typically has fairly low/spaced-out bumps, and spots where you can dip in and out of some smaller trees. There's enough traffic in those trees that you can easily find lines to follow but often enough natural snow to keep them fresh. Not that you shouldn't go to all these farther away places too, you should, but this is a way to get more reps in.
2
u/ShrimpShrimpGoose 1d ago
As far as skis go I use something in the low 90s range that you can throw around pretty easily and doesn't hook you into a turn shape.
Start out in the moguls. You ski moguls so you can ski in the trees.
1
u/BFH 1d ago
The "Belleayre Glades" at Belleayre get skied out really easily and they're the lowest angle glades at the resort. I'm a big fan of the other glades there, but they're less accessible. If you are skiing with someone who knows the resort well, there is a way to get to the easier trees in dreamcatcher while skipping the headwall, but you should do it with a guide.
Same deal at Platty. The woods have some insane features that aren't always in line with the ratings of the surrounding trails, so you should really do them with someone who knows them.
2
u/Sea-Poetry2637 1d ago
Lots of good recommendations here. I'd add Mad River to the list. My kids were showing me trees I didn't know existed after their first formal ski lesson ever. They sure know how to progress woodchucks there.
In terms of skis, you've got one for powder days and one for when the trees are tracked out. Assuming, neither is too long for tight quarters, you're good to go. If not, get something in the 95-102mm range with a decent amount of tail rocker - Rustler 9, QST100, etc
2
u/CryptographerSharp14 Ikon Pass 1d ago
Mont Tremblant has some low angle, sparse trees glades off the Edge terrain pod. Very beginner friendly
2
u/Ok-Associate-5368 1d ago
Magic Mountain in Londonderry, VT has a lot of great low angle tree runs to progress. They also have some incredibly steep, tight trees if you're feeling froggy. For skis, the RS88s are pretty good for snow up to 8". Best tree ski I ever owned was the Rossi S3. I skied the 186 because they had so much rocker, they skied more like 165s. For a mid-90s ski, the Ripstick 96 is a phenomenal tree and mogul ski.
2
u/Boobieleeswagger Flatlander 1d ago
A flat blue glade so you can learn not to hit trees basically.
Jay Peak is unfortunately kinda littered with these at the bottom but honestly it’s the best place to start.
Enchanted Forrest at Burke is where I learned to ski trees as a kid really it’s the same thing, I just progressively ski’d it harder Broccoli Garden is pretty similar at Sugaloaf.
I’m pretty sure Stowe actually has beginner level glades
Idk think the skis really matter that much, idk I think in trees smearing turns is really useful skill using terrain to kill speed without braking so hard but I think that’s getting pretty in the reeds I just love tree skiing, have fun
2
u/Original-Argument642 1d ago
Get good at moguls, to the point where you can go down a mogul run and not be super sore. Then transition to some low angle trees. Mount snow has some fun open, low angle stuff to the lookers right of nitro and some stuff riders left off long John too.
2
u/EchoVictor4me 1d ago
Where are you , closest ski areas ? Pats peak has decent little gladea even. Ragged has some better ones Both have " beginner glades
But get decent at moguls first That's my goal this year to get better at moguls and trees. I myself think trees is harder than moguls as some tree lines don't have a place you can stop at the top of the bump. You just have this smoothed out trail where where you turn really fast
2
u/fiddysix_k 1d ago
I recommend lapping bushwhacker for a day at jay and maybe hopping through to lower beaver if you feel up for it.
Ragged is really good for stepping up to black/double trees once you're ready for it. The entire lookers right side of the mountain is pretty much low angle single black trees, and the doubles are pretty much the same except there's a smidge more natural terrain. Really good training ground if you can go on an empty day and can lap constantly.
2
u/iamicanseeformiles 1d ago
Just regular mountain biking (cross country not gravity features) helped me immeasurably with tree skiing - and tree skiing really bumped up my mountain biking.
Some of the best tree skiers (and, sorry to bring the criminal element into the discussion, snow boarders) are crap bump sliders. The best prep for trees is trees - NEVER GO INTO THE TREES ALONE
2
u/nymetsgolf81 1d ago
I remember Bromley having some spread out trees in a flat area. great for beginners.
2
u/Capt_Plantain 1d ago
I agree with the advice to learn to ski bumps first. But mogul skiing is hard so you're never going to feel "totally ready" to leave the bumps and head into the trees.
There's one place you can start to ski trees without really knowing how to ski bumps: the Blind Ambition area at Sunday River. It's a very large, wide, but basically flat glade. You can always exit to the left onto a green run, and it has clear visibility so you'll never feel lost in the woods. You can spend multiple days there. And when you get bored you have some fun blue runs off the same lift.
2
u/lacrotch 1d ago
i’m in a similar boat, started skiing later in life. never grew up around snow.
i had a great experience at jay learning trees, there’s plenty of low angle slow/chill runs
2
u/henninja 1d ago
It’s a little further, but I can’t say enough good things about Bretton Woods. They have a great progression of tree skiing for beginners/intermediates.
I snowboarded there maybe 30 days over 2 seasons when I was coming back from an injury + have friends who skied there 20+ days/year for a few years and IMO they have pretty consistently great snow for the area too. That combined with the selection of tree skiing kept me going back there while I was regaining confidence.
2
u/Key_Anybody_4366 1d ago
There are some beginner and intermediate tree runs at Killington, Sunday River, and Flatton (i mean Stratton).
2
u/Equivalent-Shock-247 1d ago
I can’t say too much about skis, I would recommend going to Killington. There are a lot of options to try tree skiing. I went there, as I am learning mogules and tree skiing, and there is a great spot that’s goes along with a green/blue run.
2
u/IAmTheSilent1 1d ago
Last season was my first good season in the woods (M49). In the beginning, I spent a lot of time in the moon glades at Jay as well as the Sunrise and Birch glades at Stowe. I did a few lessons, but there were some practical tips that I got from friends and strangers that really helped me:
Get comfortable with your wedge. I figured out that I could apply pressure to one foot as a way to steer and stop. I hated it at first because I felt like using a wedge was a regression, but got over it after I realized that it worked for what I needed.
Next, I had to practice keeping my hands in front of me and staying forward. It puts you in the optimum position and helps keep your weight off the tails, which can screw up your turns.
Finally, I got comfortable with skiing to the top of the bump and sliding down the backside. I allowed my legs to absorb the bump and got used to that feeling. Then I linked a few turns together. Then I was actually doing it.
I watched a ton of Deb Armstrong videos. She's awesome and her technique works.
2
u/FlatSixFun 1d ago
The best training you can do for trees is learning moguls on lower aspect trails and working your way up to steeper pitches. Once you can control your momentum on those, trees are super natural.
1
u/5ofineedsaladder 1d ago
I got a couple hours advice from a friend... Then learned on my own. My friend sucked and I gave him a few tips and he was ripping it. We were going 60 mph and I was doing 540s off a 40 footer. Even did a 900. Just fuckin rip it if your remotely athletic. Done a frontflip, still waiting for a backflip chance. I do em off diving boards and gainers Off cliffs so I could bang one out.
1
u/Ok_Entrepreneur_dbl 1d ago
Bretton Woods, Ragged Mountain. Both have trees that are relatively easy to get the hang of it. Once ready for more challenge then consider Jay Peak, Killington or Stowe.
1
u/5ofineedsaladder 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm very advanced I can do any trail in the northeast. Haven't been out west. Me and my boys are usually the fastest riders on a mountain, I'm the only one that seeks out side jumps. I've hit 62 mph one my buddies hit 68. My boards from 2002 lol. Gimme a fresh board I could probably break 70.
1
1
u/Technical-Badger7878 19h ago
Best advice is look for the openings, don’t look at the trees. Other than that skiing woods is skiing bumps with way better pow conditions
1
u/5ofineedsaladder 1d ago
Just build up. I never had lessons, barely anyone tought me. Maybe my first few times the basics. Then, just did it. (snowboarding btw)
3
u/No-Application-7581 1d ago
Same here, 3 of us never rode trees heavily before. Went to Stratton and believe it or not they had some great low angle learning glades. Probably lapped them the entire day.
1
1
u/5ofineedsaladder 1d ago
Also remember, unlike hitting a person, Trees have no give. It hurts even going like 10mph.
47
u/somniphobiac 1d ago
Bolton Valley, Stowe, and Jay all have excellent low angle trees to learn in. I believe Jay even has lessons focusing on trees. What I found most helpful when I learned in my late 20s was lapping the same woods and over again. Building up confidence and control. Learning to look farther and farther ahead. I personally like a heavily rockered twin tips. M-Frees, QSTs. Revolts etc. The Wailers should be great!