How To Ski Trees - 12 Tips To Improve Your Tree Skiing

Tree Skiing is the absolute best!! These 12 tips will help you progress your tree skiing and shred like a pro!
Written Version: riseandalpine.com/2021/12/23/...
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00:00 - Intro
00:16 - Why Love Tree Skiing?
01:28 - Ski With A Friend
01:56 - Start On Moguls
03:10 - Ski Spaced Glades
03:53 - Side Hits
04:32 - Stop & Regroup
05:56 - Anticipation
07:06 - Forget About Technique
08:01 - Wear A Helmet & Goggles
09:24 - Break Branches
10:24 - Stay In Control
11:10 - Pole Straps Off
12:00 - Treewell Awareness
13:00 - Leave A Comment

[@ceoofshanghaicorn3096]

You are so lucky to have those condition. And ski in the trees even when the conditions are a bit less favorable (but GO slower) so when those powder days come you can just blast them glades

[@riseandalpine]

So very lucky!!! Nothing is better than skiing the glades in the POW. Where do you usually ski?

[@ceoofshanghaicorn3096]

@@riseandalpine in Oford, Québec or more commonly know as Iceford. It’s so icy that it’s normal to see race skies in the glades. You can see an exemple of the conditions at 2:30

[@jjanderson8235]

​@@ceoofshanghaicorn3096 I love Orford! 👍

[@solome6478]

Im from US east coast and unfortunately there's nothing similar in terms on powder conditions here. It's all icy. Would love to travel to mid west or europe to get a feel more relaxed skiing. Here I'm always anxious I won't be able to stop in time before hitting a tree.

[@Coasterpostalt]

@@solome6478 I was super fortunate to end up at Sugarbush, Sunday River, and Stowe all within 4 weeks. 3 of those 4 weeks, they got a lot of pow. It isn't PNW for sure but amazing for the east!

[@markeaton2003]

Best tip I know about tree skiing is, do not hit one.

[@riseandalpine]

😂 😂 😂

[@solome6478]

Definitely took this to heart. Last season I went to do some tree skiing, but was unable to turn once due to the turn being all ice and hit a tree with my left shin. Had to lay down for a solid 5-10 minutes, but no lasting damage thankfully!

[@caldavis3781]

As an avid tree skier I wanted to see what you had to say and I loved the whole video man, great stuff here! Tree skiing is the most fun you can have on the sticks!

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you love the trees as much as I do!

[@annegillies1056]

Wow awesome. What a ski out!

[@indiggioman]

Words of wisdom for tree skiing: Ski good or eat wood! Good on you for mentioning mogul skiing for tree skiing. If you can ski moguls, you can ski trees as you're going to turn in front of a mogul as you do a tree. Target fixation is a real thing, so practice NOT looking at the trees or you will hit them. Keep telling yourself to look for an opening and not at what you don't want to hit. Great video!

[@riseandalpine]

"Ski good or eat wood" - words to live by! Thanks for watching Stephen :)

[@brianbuch1]

Thank you. There are a number of poles made with straps that release if they're pulled hard. That solves the problem of dropping poles and having to hike back to get/find them.

[@riseandalpine]

Good Shout! Sounds like a good balance between reducing hassle and saving the rotator cuffs.

[@Sqwivig]

The tip about anticipation and looking two or three trees ahead also applies to ski racing! I did it for 4 years in high school and something I had ingrained in my skull was ALWAYS look ahead! Great tip! You also want to turn earlier so that by the time you finish your turn you are past the gate/tree and ready for the next one. If you turn too late you are probably going to crash into that obstical. I usually avoid trees but knowing a lot of racing tips has helped me survive them!

[@riseandalpine]

These are some great insights! There is totally a close connection between slalom skiing and tree skiing skills.

[@samsprague3158]

This video really spoke to me. Love the attitude, love the tips, love the tapes, love tree skiing.

[@riseandalpine]

So glad you liked it Sam!

[@joeykujawski]

Such a great vid, love the energy and articulation. You explained why we love skiing trees so well!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks Joe - skiing pow filled trees is such a joy!

[@FoofyNoo]

Best instructional tree skiing vid I've seen yet! Thanks

[@riseandalpine]

Thank you! Happy you enjoyed the pointers. Lmk if you have any Q's. Always happy to help :)

[@cams3425]

Great tips and advice. Thank you!

[@riseandalpine]

My pleasure. I'm happy you found it helpful!

[@ttruong225]

Awesome video! only other tip i had was getting used to kick turns. Sometimes you didn't pick the best direction to stop moving and don't have enough space to do a hop turn.

[@riseandalpine]

Totally - great call!! Kick turns are a super handy tool and can get you out of some seriously precarious situations!

[@proverbalizer]

I've never been able to do kick turn in my life. My level of flexibility is naturally low. And even when I tried at could never turn my feet that wide There was a time I wanted to be a ski patroller and that lack of kick turn ability was stressing me out, lol

[@LeemeSeeYaJAZZhands]

So in other words, tree skiing is the jazz of skiing.

[@riseandalpine]

I love that!

[@patrick6906]

Great video Jamesy! Folks, I can confirm this man is an absolute rocket in the tree's

[@dontcallmetravis]

Absolutely awesome footage!!!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks Trevor 🌶️

[@jean-francoiscloutier7361]

I'm not a big fan of trees skiing. I mostly ski by myself. After viewing this extremely informative video , you are making me fell like I should do it, and I will do it. I quest I will have to wait untill next year. I'll take all your tips and put them to work. Thanks for this video , so informative. You'r amazing..

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you going to give it a whirl!! If you stick to the gladed runs on blackcomb and Whistler it's totally safe to ski solo!

[@TheStereoField]

Yeah don’t do like I did a few years ago: solo skiiing, get too far into the trees, trapped above a cliff and have to hike back uphill, sinking into waist deep powder with every step, with no one in ear shot

[@proverbalizer]

Generally better not to ski trees solo. Especially in powder. Tree wells are real. And if nobody knows your lost nobody can look for you.

[@jasoncapecod]

also western tree skiing is a different beast compared to eastern... love your vids

[@riseandalpine]

I used to ski out east, I agree, the glades are totally different. Out east you have to watch out for roots not tree wells hahah

[@adamnchicksadventures]

thank you for this!!! going to come back to these tips for next season :)

[@riseandalpine]

You're so welcome!

[@user-jh5zm3lv8c]

Great tips.

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you found them helpful James!

[@tysonk6736]

GREAT VIDEO and tips. I will reference these tips/video when taking out amateur friends. I love tree skiing, My favorite runs are glade-rippers. The interior BC hills offer sooo many tree lines. it never gets old.

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks Tyson! Interior mountains have sick tree lines. I need to head further north this season!

[@jackfenton2271]

It took me 3 seasons to get tree skiing dialed in. That's where the adventure is.

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you've joined team tree skiing! Soooo much fun.

[@chadhalabi4447]

I had a legitimate laugh hearing “better close the hotdog stand”, funny guy

[@riseandalpine]

I was wondering why my willy was feeling a little chilly

[@equsnarnd]

Love it!

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks!

[@jdplus3]

I’m 60 years old and I like to ski well beyond my comfort level. I love tree skiing but I generally do Wide slower turns rather than shooshing the mountain. All of your tips are great I never thought about taking my straps off of my poles. that’s probably a good idea though. Also, don’t be focusing and shooting KZbin footage while your tree skiing. It’s a good way to get yourself in the trouble. I like skiing. For example, at Park city in the aspens. It’s kind of like a little amusement park. But then again wide open places with wider spaced trees are just tons of fun. The hardest trees, I’ve skied recently was the centennial trees at Deer valley . Huge old-growth trees with tons of moguls and fairly dense. But it was beautiful.

[@riseandalpine]

If you're still shredding at 60+ you can turn however you like. And I agree filming + skiing can be quite distracting. I always mellow it out if I'm holding the stick in the trees. Where is Deer park located? Sound beautiful.

[@jdplus3]

@@riseandalpine deer valley is just down the road from Park city. It’s an Uber spoiled rich person, kind of place no offense to people who really like it there. They have people handing out tissues at the top of the chairlift. But The skiing was nice. Yeah I’ve been running for over 40 years and skiing since I was a kid in Michigan and somehow I still have knees- go figure.

[@robertho1770]

Amazing tips and insights - thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you found them helpful Robert!

[@robertho1770]

My first day back in Niseko and able to try out your tips. I found just looking up and further ahead down the mountain so helpful ; and your other great tip of focusing on the snow and not the trees. I am skiing them so much better - thanks a million! I will use the same concepts to ski moguls 🙏🙏👍

[@robsay24]

Love this tutorial type vid. Would enjoy seeing what gear you use too.

[@riseandalpine]

Thanks Rob! I could totally do something about my gear! BUT no one wants to hear anything about my skis or bindings LOL They are falling apart!

[@sconzey]

_just_ getting good enough to start doing tree skiing. Thanks for the tips.

[@riseandalpine]

Enjoy it and watch out for those pesky snow snakes!

[@wisskier]

I always thought bump skiing was the step right before tree skiing. That's what I'm at, mastering the bumps. Solid content!

[@riseandalpine]

Glad you liked it and even more glad to hear you're mastering the bumps! A lot of people skip out on moguls but it does great things for your skiing in the long run. Some of the best skiers I've ever known all had a moguls background!

[@MaticHrovat]

It depends on the forrest type, but keeping the ski tips out of snow is also highly recommended as you never know what you will hit.

[@riseandalpine]

Totally! When the snow pack is low or you're ripping through Pow, sometimes leaning back can save you from linking up with a stump, root or rock!

[@brianbuch1]

Sooner or later the snow snakes are going to bite you.

[@Aboard_and_Abroad]

you dont know what a treewell is until you fell face first into one. scary af love the trees!

[@bigslacker666]

Learned to ski this year after decades of snowboarding. Got really comfy ripping groomers, decent technique, etc. Then I went in the trees on some powder days and it was back to flailing beginner again, lol! I think I should have taken the vid's advice and started on moguls, which I have a hatred of as a boarder. Next season I'll commit to that, I'm guessing being able to navigate a mogul field will make trees more fun on skis!

[@riseandalpine]

Hey Steve, Sweet to hear that you're joining us gentlemen on two twigs. The moguls will help a ton & they're also fun on skis once you get the hang of them!

[@jesboogie]

I resemble this post. They told me moguls are like stairs to navigate the fall line.

[@freedomrider5906]

Great video. Also, if skiing with a partner but perhaps out of direct line of sight, each have a call sign that you can chirp so you can hear where the other is. If you can no longer hear, stop, listen and determine next steps.

[@riseandalpine]

Great Tip! What is your go to call sign?

[@freedomrider5906]

@@riseandalpine Usually a bird whistle or a caw caw caw type of thing. Learned this skiing in South America many years ago and also heli-skiing in BC. You can never stay 100% line of sight so it just gives another layer of communication.

[@jaykuang2264]

Awesome video! Thank you for sharing the tips! After 15 days of skiing, I started to feel comfortable on the moguls like Catskinners. Do you have any recommendations of entry level glade runs in Whistler/Blackcomb for beginners like me to start with?

[@riseandalpine]

My favourite recco for the Whistler side is Arthurs choice on crystal chair. You can kind of enter it from the middle of twist and shout too if the start looks too intimidating.

[@Bigglesworth78]

Excellent, informative video. Sincerely, Middle Aged Mom Skier who is looking to spice things up & get off the groomers sometimes...

[@riseandalpine]

Amazing!! It's great to hear you're still challenging yourself :)

[@proverbalizer]

The best skiing tio I ever read was to focus on the light, not the trees, where you look is where you go. If you ever get fixated on a particular tree it becomes like giant supermagnet

[@riseandalpine]

Great advice!

[@Sqwivig]

Tree wells scare the crap out of me! I got stuck in one once and it was terrifying. I don't really know how to spot them so I usually just avoid going too close to the trees. I CAN ski trees but they scare me sometimes.

[@josiahsimmons9866]

I definitely love moguls too!

[@riseandalpine]

That's what I like to hear!!!

[@proverbalizer]

Go to Colorado, 3 hours at winter park will have you skiing more moguls than 3 years in California

[@MidnightPolak]

I came across your channel from a reddit comment. You have one of the most informative channels on here. You're a fantastic teacher, and I appreciate everything you share about Whistler - you're not just showing off and being cryptic. I've subscribed from both accounts. All the best with the growing channel! Hope to run into you one day... but I probably won't be able to keep up haha.

[@riseandalpine]

Wow - cool to here that my stuff is being shared on reddit organically! I really appreciate all of the support and I as always I'm thrilled I can make everyones skiing experience a little bit more fun :). For sure say hi if you see me on the slopes!

[@MidnightPolak]

@@riseandalpine LOL it was on r/Whistler, someone was asking how to maximize their time on the mountains, and someone else shared your "skiing Whistler in one day" video. Great content.

[@BertMacKenzie]

i love the trees , one comment , always look for the spaces , not at the trees. ! Sounds simple but this is thr golden rule in the woods

[@riseandalpine]

Totally dude! If you look at the trees, get what you're gonna hit?

[@aj-wo4im]

Carry a whistle

[@riseandalpine]

100%. I've actually always got one on my jacket zipper & totally forgot to mention it!

[@chavenord]

Get great rockered skis to make turning in the trees fast and effortless.

[@riseandalpine]

Totally - makes turns alot more buttery!

[@ezpznoob8092]

Also 1 tip is to know hop turns cause when you're on steep trees and you need to get turned around it's harder with more obstacles.

[@riseandalpine]

Totally! Jump turns are useful all the time. Also a great drill to improve stance and balance on skis!

[@paulcook347]

Great job! #13 No drugs or alcohol

[@riseandalpine]

You betcha.. You need every ounce of mental clarity you've got if you want to ski mach chicken!

[@creativecreates]

tree tip: if you're skiing with a buddy and following their line, don't trail right behind them ahahhah. Sometimes the snow gets dense and you stop suddenly which causes a crash

[@riseandalpine]

Great Tip :) Sounds like there is a story there?

[@lovetoride9646]

Thanks for a good instructional video; I like the way your channel is developing. It would be interesting to see a video focussing on tree wells, what they look like, how to recognise them, in which situations they occur, etc with actual examples. I dream of skiing trees in powder as you're always showing in your videos. Here in Europe we don't have so much of it. Always love the sexual innuendo.

[@riseandalpine]

That's a cool video idea! I'll see if I can make it happen.

[@equsnarnd]

Any equipment tips for tree skiing?

[@flapjackson6077]

Wear a helmet and goggles, and don’t use your pole straps. If your pole gets caught on a tree and you’re wearing your pole strap, the tree will yank on your arm and shoulder with such force it could dislocate your shoulder. Those are the equipment tips he highlighted in the video. If the glades are fresh and fluffy, wider skis will be better. If you have only one set of skis with a waist width of less than, say 90mm, deep powder may create problems, but will be decent in less deep powder. Not to step on James’ toes. Just reiterating what he said, and throwing in another thing he’s talked about in other vids. The boy knows his stuff!

[@riseandalpine]

FlapJackson said it best!

[@chrisrich440]

Have you ever looked at the ruroc helemets they are full face and look awesome.

[@riseandalpine]

I've seen them. Looks like you're a storm trooper on the mountain! Not for me though. I'm working hard and breathe so heavy on the hill I think I'd have fogging issues.

[@chrisrich440]

@@riseandalpine I've not had a fogging issue myself and they do have vents. You can remove the chin guard as well. Great video hopefully I make it to Canada to ski one day

[@Ripjaw57]

Must be nice.., I have ice in our trees, wish it was powder but it’s typically packed snow & it’s dug out

[@riseandalpine]

Are you skiing somewhere out east?

[@Denizz._]

I also love moguls :)

[@riseandalpine]

Right On!! TEAM MOGULS Here we Go!

[@Denizz._]

@@riseandalpine you think liking moguls is weird well I DONT LIKE flow runs I like technical and hard runs (not that hard, but like black double blackish.)

[@rodneysherwood4515]

You carry a whistle ? Or a Beacon?

[@riseandalpine]

Good Shout. I Always have a whistle attached to my upper zipper! I only carry a beacon in the backcountry but it never hurts to wear one on deep days.

[@HawgRiderBC]

@@riseandalpine I carry my beacon any time there's more than 18 inches of fresh snow. It's small and I don't even notice it.

[@kellilovski]

i love snowboarding in trees but so afraid to try to ski in there

[@riseandalpine]

It's sweet that you can do both sports! Practice on some moguls on your skis first!

[@darinsmith2458]

i don't know why i am watching these tree skiing videos... they scare the !@#$ out of me;)

[@riseandalpine]

Living on the edge!

[@darinsmith2458]

@@riseandalpine True

[@jackie1871]

Same who do I think I am

[@daviddowie828]

Dont be afraid to break branches? Most tree skiers know that trees in the Alpine grow very slowly. I was tree skiing in Tahoe one season and tried to brush past a thin branch at shin height at 15mph....it was like hitting a wire cable, stopped me instantly and ripped the binding off my ski. So best advice is to assume that tree branches are unflexible and not like skiing through slalom gates.

[@riseandalpine]

Ouch! Are ya sure that wasn't a root hahaha.

[@JayzusMurphy]

Also I might add, Snow Ghosts are not soft!, It’s like running into a concrete post.

[@riseandalpine]

Very true! Learnt that the hard way in BC's interior

[@alexmartel4896]

dont brake ! just the funny part

[@RB-kr1ww]

Some good tips, but what I wanna know is how the hell did you shoot some of that video?!?!

[@riseandalpine]

The insta360 ONE X2 on the helmet mount and invisible selfie stick. Best Camera Ever!

[@davehornsby7174]

Tip #1 - "Drink Hot Sauce " !!!

[@riseandalpine]

How did I forget the #1 tip..... LOL

[@jimf671]

"Ski like nobody's watching!" Most of us do that anyway, and it's not deliberate policy! 🙄

[@riseandalpine]

Good man Jim! I'm all for doing what feels good,. The mountain ain't a fashion show.

[@BlackStaceyspokemon]

Tip 1, find friends. Dang I give up

[@johnsagnella7445]

Tip 7 . Only the trees are watching but not judging 😉

[@riseandalpine]

so true!

[@Libertyjack1]

What about Sonny Bono?

[@riseandalpine]

What about Sonny Bono?

[@Libertyjack1]

@@riseandalpine He died skiing into a tree.

[@whoisthe1412]

Bro I need to ski with you, please organize group skiing event and charge $50/head so I can join.

[@riseandalpine]

Maybe I could organize something next season!

[@mr.nashlund9095]

"Im gonna sHaRe you my to top 12 tips"

[@riseandalpine]

🤣🤣 I was so annoyed when I started editing and noticed I forgot a word in there. Nothing gets by you guys 🤣🤣

[@mr.nashlund9095]

@@riseandalpine lol

[@foyorama]

Easy….. follow a trail and don’t look at the trees, if you do you will eventually hit one …..

[@riseandalpine]

Totally! And even if you don't look at the trees... sooner or later you'll kiss one. It's just the price you pay if like keeping your foot on the gas pedal :).

[@klank67]

Pro tip: whatever you stare at, you will hit!

[@riseandalpine]

100%

[@Luther777Williams]

Great tips! I just started tree skiing last year and now love it after some trial and error. Headed back to Kicking Horse and Revelstoke for more in a couple of months. Yeehaw!

[@riseandalpine]

Yooo glad to hear you've been converted to a tree worshiper as well. They just hold earths best snow and best pillows. I'm planning to rip a trip to Revy and KH too. So Stoked!

[@Luther777Williams]

@@riseandalpine I go with a group of dudes who got me hooked. We've been on three trips (Revelstoke, Aleyska and Banf/KH) with two heli trips. The heli out of Golden with CMH were the tree days and they were glorious. Perfect snow and some great tree skiing/boarding. Keep up the cool videos. Cheers man!

[@valhellion]

Aim for the white spaces. Boards before body.

[@riseandalpine]

Preach it!

[@Sqwivig]

Tree wells scare the crap out of me! I got stuck in one once and it was terrifying. I don't really know how to spot them so I usually just avoid going too close to the trees. I CAN ski trees but they scare me sometimes.

[@riseandalpine]

Oh man - getting stuck in a well sounds very scary. It's always best to ski with a partner. You can see most tree wells but its safe to always assume that there is going to be a well around most trees! As long as you keep your skis on and don't fall head first you'll always be fine. Best to be to always use caution!