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Glade Skiing Action

Editor — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 08:19:16 +0000

Snow skiing is a popular winter sport in many parts of the world, and keen skiers often enjoy an off-the-beaten-track challenge – and glade skiing fits the bill. Glade skiing is basically any sort of downhill skiing that takes place through trees. But this doesn’t mean that anything goes, as most ski resorts have boundaries and restrictions imposed for the safety of skiers. Boundaries prevent skiers from inadvertently encroaching on busy trails, as well as keeping them clear of major hazards such as large streams and cliffs.

While boundaries may be set and major hazards identified, glade skiing remains a sport most suited to advanced and experienced skiers as an element of danger remains. In addition to the trees themselves, there are countless smaller hazards such as tree wells, logs, creeks and streams which require sharp reflexes and considerable skill to negotiate. Moreover, it is more difficult for rescue teams to reach glade skiers should the need arise.

While people living in remote areas may have been using skiing as a means of getting around for decades, in recent years it has been gaining popularity as an extreme sport, with more and more resorts opening up gladed areas that had previously been out of bounds. For your own safety and wellbeing, there are some points to keep in mind if you want to try your hand at glade skiing. Firstly, be aware that glade skiing requires a high level of competence as a skier, and most glades are Black Diamond graded. If you come across a barricaded or roped off area it is because experts have deemed it unsafe to enter – respect that. As these vast areas have limited patrolling, never ski alone and be sure to carry a radio or cell phone. A helmet and goggles are essential, as even small twigs can prove hazardous to your eyes and face, and head-butting a tree without a helmet is an experience you would rather avoid. Don’t glade ski late in the day, you don’t want to spend the night in the woods if something goes wrong.

Snow skiing enthusiasts who have tried glade skiing generally love the challenge. The solitude of being in the woods, the thrill of uncharted territory and excellent quality of snow (often powder) that has been protected by the trees, keeps them coming back for more.

Ski Area Improvements in NH

Editor — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:27:02 +0000

There is good news for skiers and snowboarding enthusiasts who look forward to heading to their favorite ski resort in New Hampshire. It was recently announced by Ski NH that improvements and renovations were on the cards for a host of ski areas, which will not only develop larger and more exciting activities, but offer skiers better facilities to enjoy. A list of areas that will be targeted first has also been released, as well as the improvement plans for each site. Areas such as Cannon Mountain, Cranmore and Loon Mountain await magnificent developments.

Cannon Mountain, for instance, will have a new double chairlift installed to replace the old lift in the Mittersill Backcounty ski area. Upgrades will also be made to the grooming machines and snowmaking machines, as well as additions to be made to the base lodge. Cranmore, on the other hand, will be receiving chairlift upgrades, the relocation of the tubing park, the installation of a Mountain Coaster, improved ticketing systems and a colorful children’s center. A tree skiing area of twenty acres will be opened at Loon Mountain, with renovations being done to the chairlift, snowmaking equipment upgrades and new grooming machines being purchased. Snowmaking guns will be purchased for Pats Peak, including the construction of a new building on the summit, improvements to the training centre and a new ski patrol building.

A brand new mountain coaster is to be installed at Attitash, in Bartlett, and expansions at Bretton Woods will provide skiers with a new terrain to explore. Past proposals for tree ski areas at Wildcat Mountain will be looked into, the creation of two new ski trails and new technology for the snowmaking system at this ski area is being negotiated. Golf and Ski Warehouse will be joining forces with Balsams Wilderness, providing this ski area with a large retail store, enabling winter sports enthusiasts to have convenient access to skiing equipment. Millions of dollars have been set aside for this large scale project, with other ski areas on the improvement list including Crotched Mountain (Bennington), King Pine and Purity Spring Resort, McIntyre Ski Area, Black Mountain, Granite Gorge, Ragged Mountain and Mount Sunapee.