HOW TO SKI TREES | Find your flow

Summary

This video provides tips for gaining confidence and improving skills for skiing in trees and off piste terrain. It recommends preparing physically and mentally before heading into trees, including warming up muscles to respond quickly, removing poles, and lowering goggles for better vision. Tactics are offered such as analyzing terrain zones to find less dense tree areas first, taking the path of least resistance, pausing frequently to reassess conditions, and leveraging moguls for easier turns. Drills to practice rapid stopping and carved rounded turns are also described to control speed, improve timing and line choice through trees. The goal is to smoothly pick lines down the mountain for greater enjoyment of untracked snow.

Takeaways

• 😊 The video provides tips for gaining confidence skiing through trees off the groomed trails
• ⛷️ Assess your parallel turning abilities before skiing trees to manage risk
• ❄️ Remove ski pole straps and pull goggles down to prepare for skiing trees
• 🌲 Look for more open areas first when choosing lines to ski through trees
• 😮 Use quick hockey stops to practice rapidly stopping in front of obstacles
• 🌳 Focus on the gaps between trees, not the trees themselves
• 🚨 Pause every 5-10 turns when first skiing trees to take in all the variables
• ↕️ Utilize mogul tops in trees for easier tight turns with less ski tip resistance
• 🤸‍♂️ Practice rounded S-shaped turns using the snowmobile track corridor drill
• 🌲 With practice, tree skiing can become effortless, playful and enjoyable

Q & A

What are some things Kevin recommends checking before heading into the trees?

Kevin recommends taking off pole straps or clips so your poles don't get caught on branches. He also suggests putting goggles down to protect your eyes from low hanging branches and blown snow.

Why does Kevin recommend skiing with a partner when venturing into the trees?

Skiing with a partner in the trees adds an element of safety. Even if you get separated, you have a way to communicate via whistle or yelling to ensure your partner is okay.

What is the purpose of the fast turn drill Kevin demonstrates?

The fast turn drill is meant to warm up your muscles so they can respond quickly to make decisions and turns while skiing in the trees where risk is higher.

What is the purpose of practicing hockey stops outside the trees first?

Practicing hockey stops on the groomed slopes allows you to get comfortable with the rapid leg movements needed to stop suddenly. This translates to being able to stop quickly to avoid obstacles in the trees.

What tactic does Kevin recommend for choosing lines through the trees?

Kevin recommends zooming out and analyzing zones first to identify the more open areas to start. Then he progresses to tighter areas slowly as comfort level permits.

Why does Kevin suggest only skiing 5-10 turns before stopping when first venturing into the trees?

Stopping frequently when first skiing trees allows you to take in all the variables - changing terrain, snow conditions, etc. It prevents you from getting overwhelmed.

What features should you look for when trying to improve flow in bumpy sections?

Seek out moguls and ride on the tops where there is less resistance to turn skis. This allows quicker redirection.

How do you know when you have mastered skiing through trees?

You will no longer be thinking consciously about it and instead effortlessly picking lines and making decisions as you happily ski through.

What is the purpose of the corridor drill Kevin demonstrates?

The corridor drill with the tracked out area helps shorten turns and dial in timing/rhythm which is vital when navigating tightly spaced trees.

What does Kevin recommend if you struggle with the corridor drill?

If struggling with the rounded turn shape, return to the groomed run to practice before trying the trees again.