Glade skiing
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Glade skiing, sometimes called tree skiing, is any form of downhill skiing (alpine skiing, telemark skiing, alpine touring) performed off-trails in the woods or in a maintained woods trail. Glade skiing is dangerous and usually for experts only, although some trails exist for beginners. Maintained woods trails can be extremely steep and tight, or gentle and open.
[edit] Locations
Most ski resorts have maintained glade trails or boundary-to-boundary policies, the latter being that one can ski in any woods within the area boundaries. Some hazards, such as cliffs or streams, may still be blocked off by the ski patrol.
[edit] Dangers
Many hazards exist in glade skiing so it is usually only for advanced skiers. Hazards can be tree wells, cliffs, logs, stumps, water features (such as creeks or streams) and the trees themselves. It is also more difficult for ski patrollers or mountain rescuers to perform a rescue among trees.
One of the greatest difficulties in glade skiing is executing turns, especially at high speeds or in tight spaces.
[edit] Motivation
Many expert skiers and riders enjoy the challenge that glade skiing presents. Some also enjoy being off an open ski trail, and in the woods instead. Others go glade skiing to ski on better snow, such as powder snow. Woods usually hold better snow longer because of the shade and shelter that trees provide.
