There was a time when skiing glades - pockets of trees between trails - was
forbidden. In the 80's, ropes went up alongside every trail to keep you out
of the stashes of snow between the groomed and bumped boulevards. Trail maps
and tickets had disclaimers that skiing off trail would result in the loss
of ski privileges.
Like everything, skiing is cyclical. The era of restricting skiers to trails
has been replaced at some ski areas by a dropping of the ropes and a
boundary-to-boundary "ski wherever you like" philosophy. Several New England
resorts including Jay Peak,
Smugglers' Notch,
Sugarbush,
Sugarloaf,
Saddleback, and
Bretton Woods have cut
significant glades and now mark them on their trail maps. Out west, some of the best
glade skiing is at Heavenly and
Steamboat.
Glades skiing is a unique treat - off the beaten groomed path, you can often
find preserved powder days after a storm, not to mention glades are
beautiful. Birch and pine trees stand among sparkling snow, with rays of
sunlight streaming in.
Kids love glades for the ups, downs and around, skiing the trees is fun and
dynamic. Glades are good for your skills too, as you must turn and react to
the ever-changing terrain. And glades are not necessarily more dangerous
than groomed open trails as long as you adhere to a few glade safety rules.
Here are a few glade skiing tips:
Ski more slowly in the glades. Natural obstacles exists,
including the obvious trees, tree roots, stumps, rocks, and low hanging
limbs. You need to be prepared for anything Mother Nature has in store
overhead, and under a shallow dusting of snow.
Use the buddy system, don’t ski glades along. Ski in groups
of three or more, and keep a safe but in sight distance with your fellow
skiers or riders, ideally several turns apart. An occasional hoot helps you
group know you are safe and having fun.
Pick your path prudently, and ideally follow tracks if it’s
your first time on that glade trail. You don’t want to end up in a gulley or
a river bed. No tracks could mean no good, or no easy way out (read: hiking
in ski boots).
Focus on the space between the trees, not the trees
themselves. Look where you want to go, not where you fear you might end up.
Beware of tree swells, the ground surrounding a tree has
softer, warmer snow pockets that you can easily get trapped in. Give trees
their space, don’t ski too closely to the tree base.
Kids love glades for their adventurous nature. Just caution them to slow
down and use their head – well, not literally. Helmets are
a good idea in glades.
Don’t ski glades too late in the day. As the light fades,
and the ski patrol want to sweep and go home, you don’t want to be lost on
the mountains in the woods.
Try a glade, with a friend. It’s like skiing before chainsaws, groomers and
snowmaking. Glade skiing is good, and good for the earth too.
Best Eastern Glade skiing resorts: Jay Peak, Smugglers'
Notch, Sugarbush, Sugarloaf, Saddleback
Best Western Glade Skiing resorts: Heavenly, Steamboat
More Ski Tips | New England | Rockies | Fun in the Sun
