glades

[conbob]

I am an intermediate/advanced skiboarder,I do a lot of gladed (tree covered) runs, sometimes i get going too fast at a spot where the path is to narrow to do a skid stop, so i am forced to do a full wedge stop, i feel like an idiot because i gave up wedge stops 4 years ago, is there any way to stop normally in glades?

[SkaFreak]

Best way I've found to slow down while skiing the trees is to make 1 or 2 really tight carves, and taking these going uphill if possible. A good hard carve will cut ur speed in half in powder if you do it right. To make the carves slow you down enough, just push ur legs into it kinda hard, and just do that back and forth so you only ever turn about a foot. It's how I managed to make it down the steeps of a double black tree trail for the first time last weekend....man was that a good feeling <G>

[snojam]

lean into the hill and if that dosnt work, grab onto a tree trunk near you. remember, skiboarders never will use poles so your hands are always free ;)

[Ian.cap]

I spend most of my time in the woods so I know what you mean. First of all tree grabbing works sometimes but if you're going too fast and panic, grabbing a tree will not slow you down but give your shoulder a good tug that might result in injury. I don't suggest making that into a habit. Making the quick turns will definitely get your speed in check. Might I also suggest just barreling through the tight spots? Mentally you're wanting to stop because your fear is telling you it's too tight and you're going too fast. If you tell yourself if I just make it through this, there's bound to be an opening to slow and stop. Of course this can lead to more injury than grabbing a tree, but I thought I'd throw it out there. As long as you see tracks in front of you, you know someone else made it, so why not you, right?

[El Bajong]

What I usually do to get the speed down some if doing powder in the glades, is that I rise up on my back tips, I stand up straight and lean back so much that the back tips carves down innto the surface.

[conbob]

Originally posted by Ian.cap
As long as you see tracks in front of you, you know someone else made it, so why not you, right?

thats the thing, im usually going were theres no tracks, i dont know wats ahead or if its skiable, for all i know there could be a huge stump right in front of me while im going really fast.....kinda scary

[Ian.cap]

Wasn't sure how off trail you were going. Well, that's part of the excitement of woods skiing! Most of the woods I've been through usually open up at some point but it's still a matter of faith in new terrain. Do you have any buddies you can send ahead of you?

[conbob]

no, im usually skiing alone

[Ian.cap]

Unfortunately I do most of the time too. Not the safest way to go of course. But the powder, she be my master.

[tupacalive35]

Skiboarding in glades [and moguls actually] is the first reason why i started skiboarding. i grab trees when i turn usually just cuz i get so close that my arms have nowhere else to go. also i hit a lot of tree stumps with snow on it as a jump which will slow you down when u land.