Glade skiing (also known as glading) is alpine skiing through trees off-trail or on a defined woods trail.[1] Glades are variously sought for their solitude, beauty, or caches of ungroomed powder. Woods also tend to hold better snow longer thanks to the shade and shelter trees provide.
Glade skiing is inherently more dangerous than skiing on trails and usually reserved for experts, though moderate glade terrain exists. Hazards such as cliffs or streams may or may not be blocked off by ski patrol. Other dangers include tree wells, logs, stumps, concealed root systems, and the trees themselves. Equipment required includes a ski helmet, ski goggles, and gloves, all to protect against the trees and underbrush.
Ski resorts may have defined glade trails, ungroomed glade areas, or boundary-to-boundary policies.
- ^ Hudson, Louise. "Glade skiing offers alternative to slopes". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 16 November 2014.