It’s a fact, tree skiing is good for the soul. It’s a splendiferous feeling flowing through the forest immersed in glistening snow, as trees, rocks and critters whizz by. Most resorts, particularly in the US and Canada, have dedicated areas for tree skiing. Places like Jay Peak, Vermont and Steamboat, Colorado are known for their glad runs, but where is the best tree skiing in the world? To answer this question, we first have to answer what makes for stupendous tree skiing in the first place?
What makes splendiferous tree skiing?
- Well Spaced Trees – If the trees are too close together you are not going to get the flow you desire.
- Steepness – If the terrain is too flat you will not be able to reach an enjoyable cruising speed.
- Powder – Deep snow goes a long way in making an amazing day of tree skiing.
1. Hokkaido, Japan
There is something magical about the woods of Japan. On the Northern Island of Hokkaido resorts are hammered with 500 inches of annual snowfall. There is also something sacred about the woods of Japan. In fact, many locals refuse to enter the woods because they believe it is the home of the spirit world.
2. Krasnaya Polyana, Russia
The home of the 2014 Winter Olympics is also home to some of the best tree skiing on the planet. The woods of Krasnaya Polyana, Russia in the Caucasus Mountains are not only steep, but also hold countless cliff drops and playful features. However, vertical openings peppered throughout the woods that lead to subterranean caves can really spoil your day.
3. Cerro Catedral, Argentina
The trees at Cerro Catedral in Bariloche, Argentina are some of the best in the world. The trees in Bariloche are filled with logs, stumps, and rocks that form mini pillows you can blindly pop off into the white depths. The Catedral trees are out of bounds, which keeps ‘em fresh, and they have an easy ski out. Oh, and did we mention it’s a 4,000ft run!
Here are some VIDEOS you might want to check out.
1. Hokkaido, Japan - Skiing Pow and Eatin‘ Sushi | Niseko, Japan
2. Krasnaya Polyana, Russia - Timy Dutton POV – first day skiing in Russia
3. Cerro Catedral, Argentina - The best tree skiing on Earth
Glad you self indulged herbs did not try to put Squaw near that list.
All I know is that as a Utah transplant to the Sierras, from aspen trees to pine trees, it is sooo nice skiing trees in the sierras!! they are spaced so far apart compared to aspen trees…. tree hugging !!
http://vimeo.com/30259022
i think that video was severely lacking in category 2, steepness. looked like you were barely moving at some points…
ever been to brighton, bro?
*Sierra- not Sierras= 1 mountain range. Just trying to help out.
I can’t wait to go ski The Wasatches biatches.
Sweet video! More importantly, welcome to Tahoe!
i was thinkin something like beaver creek might show up if the list was longer…
haha
sikeee there are a few good runs but most of the time i get bogged down in trees that are too tight or completely skied out. Vail resorts are way too crowded.
Boreal.
Funny.
spacing, pitch, and powder are great, but it’s really all about the wax…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rMcRJVY1-0
MT Bachelor NW chair
shhhhhhhhhh
yea maybe but those pussies shut that place down in storms so you are left with those 2 front chairs which does not a good vacation make, learned that the hard way
If Bariloche has any snow..
Great picks, 3 places most skiers reading this will never go!?! Once I cash my lottery ticket I am on my way.
Get a job, hippy. And then quit your job and go ski, you square.
i guess if you can’t dream, dave, you can’t make it happen. keep lying to yourself that everything is out of reach and it’s unfair.
make plans. save money. ride the pony.
McCauley Mtn in Old Forge NY
There’s no trees in the chimney…
Baker for sure. Biggest trees on earth, most snow on earth.
+1 for Mt.Bachelor and the NW chair. The old and large Mountain Hemlocks in the area are beautiful, well spaced, steep(ish), and their large branches release snow for days after a storm making it feel fresh even when the rest of the Mountain has been skied out for days.
Can you say Cascadia? Nowhere else on earth has the amount of snow combined with pillows that exist in BC+Washington
How bout Thunderbolt @ Graylock
Red Mountain, Rossland, British Columbia.
trees are for wankers. you might as well just set up gates on the face
Schweitzer
haha, no.
last year i had some of the best trees of my life…. wait make that tree skiing its true most locals don’t go into the woods…. Tahoe gotta vote for Northstar… and if you only know Flatstar you just don’t know where to go…
oh forgot to add those trees were in Japan.
Fernie Mountain, BC
mohawk mtn connecticut
Aw, that’s precious.
I’ve skied the trees at Cerro Catedral, Streamboat, etc and they are fun. IMO – the best tree skiing I have ever done is on the West Shore of Tahoe, off of Jake’s, Hidden, and Rubicon peaks (and the one in-between Rubicon and Hidden, never remember the name). Well-spaced mature cedar forests and steep pitches, with some amazing log rides and stump / log ramps.
Completely agree with Hokkaido, Japan as No.1 choice. Here is more evidence:
https://vimeo.com/47210156
Argentina has now jumped to top of the list of must-ski destinations
Nozawa Onsen leaves Niseko for dead for tree skiing..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT97y6QjsTw
Bari sabee
How about 3 inbounds areas in USA.
I don’t know about krasnaya, there’s better. A fourth factor should be vertical feet. There’s some sick tree skiing in upper Michigan you could put on the list if length of run isn’t factored in. There are lots of resorts with 1,500+ vertical feet of same pitch leg burning tree runs. Several north american resorts come to mind. Silverton, Steamboat, Jackson, Bachelor, Revelstoke. I like the article, fun topic.
well spaced trees is a factor for pussies. If you fags could handle tight trees MAD River Glen would be the top of this list.
Steamboat. Hollla!
Mary Jane side of Winter Park, CO still holds up as some of the best trees i’ve ridden. Outhouse and Drunken Frenchman trees in particular for that perfect pitch!
What about Jay? I know they are getting commercialized and all, but the glades there are certainly tops in the east and the snow compares to Colorado thanks to the Jay Cloud.
I think I missed the tree skiing section of the Russian vid? Looked like some cool trails though…
Retallack mother fuckers!
My favorite trees are crested buttes high life down to body bag area.
White Pass