With almost 3 feet of fresh snow at Purgatory this past week, the timing couldn’t be better for some tips on skiing and riding in the trees.
For those of you that might be a little intimidated by going in the trees, take it easy and dabble a little bit here and there. There are lots of blue intermediate runs where you can make a few turns on the run and then make one turn around a tree. If you can link short-radius turns on a run, then you can ski and ride in the trees.
An important rule for the trees is never enter them alone. For safety reasons, it’s important to always have a partner when you’re skiing and riding in the trees. The tree wells are crazy deep right now, and there’s nothing worse that trying to dig out of a deep one by yourself.
Another important rule is to always look at the space between the trees – where you want to go – and not at the tree itself.
Finishing your turns is likely more important in the trees than anywhere else on the mountain. Maintaining your speed by properly shaping your turn around the tree and up the backside of it will allow you to stay in control.
Enjoying tree runs can certainly be rewarding, especially on days that might not be the best visibility. When the light gets extremely flat and it’s hard to make things out at a distance, going in the trees will often provide a more crisp definition of the surrounding topography that you can’t get on an open run.
Enjoy the trees and play it safe out there. Is that Poet’s Glade calling?
If you have questions, comments, or a specific topic you would like to see covered over the ski season, email Tex at justin@wellsgroupdurango.com.
