What Is Glade Skiing? Learn All About Skiing Through the Trees
What is glade skiing? Glade skiing is essentially downhill skiing through forested areas. That said, there's some debate about the difference between glade skiing, tree skiing, and backcountry skiing. Find out more about glade skiing in the Adirondacks below.
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What Is Glade Skiing?
Glade skiing is skiing through designated wooded areas within a ski resort. These areas are typically cleared by professionals to ensure safety. The trails may or may not be marked.
Tree skiing is a broader term that includes glade skiing, but could take place outside of a ski resort. Tree skiing is through ungroomed wooded areas.
Backcountry skiing is skiing in a completely remote, usually unpatrolled areas that are definitely not part of a ski resort. Backcountry skiing often requires additional, specialized gear, and avalanche safety knowledge. You may need to hike to get to a backcountry ski area.
Why Go Glade Skiing in the Adirondacks?
Maybe you're looking for more of a challenge or perhaps the downhill slopes are getting a bit crowded and you want some fresh powder. Glade skiing offers additional physical and mental challenges as you navigate the wooded terrain on fresh powder.
If you are interested in tree skiing, we recommend starting with glade skiing trails at a ski resort before you venture out onto the backcountry slopes of the Adirondacks. Glade ski slopes at a resort will offer plenty of challenge and you will be able to ski in groups.
Out on the steep, tree-studded slopes of mountains like Lyon Mountain in Clinton County, you will have to make your way up the mountain yourself and there often won't be any trails for you to follow.
How Can I Glade Ski Safely?
Proper gear, including helmets, is essential for glade ski safety. Downhill skiing can be dangerous on groomed slopes, but it is even more so in glades with trees and other hazards.
Before you head into the glades you should make sure you have mastered the following skills and taken safety precautions:
- Wear a helmet and goggles to protect yourself from branches, flying snow, and other hazards
- Don't have your pole straps around your wrists
- Keep an eye out for sudden changes in terrain or obstacles
- Follow the rules and don't start a slope close to sunset
- Respect trail boundaries and ski area closures - they are there for a reason
- Ski in groups
- Make sure you can link hop turn, sideslip, and hockey stop - these skills will help you navigate the often tricky terrain of a gladed slope
Where Can I Go Glade Skiing in the Adirondacks?
Gore Mountain
Gore in North Creek has 28 glade trails of varying degrees of difficulty and is an excellent place to challenge yourself to improve tree skiing skills. You can find glade on every mountain area of Gore, so there is a lot of variety.
McCauley Mountain Ski Area
McCauley Mountain Ski Area in Old Forge is a smaller mountain that packs a big punch. They offer glades, long cruisers, steep bumps, double-black diamond challengers, and more. This is a great place for intermediate glade skiers to practice.
Whiteface Mountain
A popular mountain in Lake Placid, Whiteface also offers glade trails for intermediate and expert skiers. The Sugar Valley Glades are "friendlier" than other glades on Whiteface and are the most expansive.
You might also check out Lyon Mountain!