Was skiing at Killington this weekend skiing in the trees. While inventing my own line, I hopped off a little log and landed in a foot and half of cement powder. Tried to bang out the turn to avoid clobbering the big white birch tree 15 feet in front of me but I couldnt get the skis around in time. Wham! Head first in to the tree with some speed. OUCH. As I lay in the snow in a clump at the base of the tree I think to myself “I am so glad I am smart enough to wear a helmet”. Then I realize I am going to have a big heacache later.
I gather myslef up and ski down. Turns out I cracked my helmet, had blood on my face from my goggles implant, and lots of bark in my helmet! Talk about a high fiber diet! I also hit my leg on the tree as my skis slid past it and my right quad turned out to be a big ski brake. It kinda hurts still today (its bruised but no biggie).
Gotta be careful out there skiing the gnar. Dont want to miss a Tri season, or worse, get Sonny Bono’d.
I had a close call in the trees at killington 2 years ago. Was the day after the last big storm of the season, skiing thru the powder having a blast… and ran into a submerged fallen tree. Ski’s went under, I went over and performed a full speed mousetrap fall (yay nondetachable tele). Thrashed around and stood up (took close to 5 minutes, powder can be frustrating sometimes). Where my head/upper body landed was right between two trees, spaced just wide enough that I could fit between them.
Was pretty lucky to escape only with cosmetic damage to my boots.
Mashed potatoes is not powder snow … and skiing powder when you bottom out on debris is not powder skiing. One needs enough snow depth in real soft powder that you can ski freely and experience real powder skiing … maybe you need to try some rockies or heli skiing to see what real powder is all about. What you’re describing is mashed potato crud and you are excessively risking injury to ski it. Find some real stuff!
Dave
"Mashed potatoes is not powder snow … and skiing powder when you bottom out on debris is not powder skiing. "
This is obviously not written by an East Coast skier. On the EC, if it is not ice, its powder skiing; no matter what the coverage/ snow type. I have had more run-ins with trees at K than I can count. I spend much of my day in the trees as conditions warrant. In fact one season I blew out my knee after smacking into a tree.
I actually used tri’s as rehab. My Dr.'s recomendation after surgery; “I want you riding a bike by Fri.” - I had surgery on Wed.
i was on the slopes promptly at 10:00 friday when the hill opened. it was the coolest thing - 2 inches of fresh powder & an undisturbed hill. as i was one of the few people out there, it made the crash on my first black diamond descent even more spectacular.
Hmm…lets see: You: Registered for ST use July '08. Me: registered to ST in July of '06. So the question is: Why are you stealing MY name?! I was here first!
Dynastar has it right. Us East Coast skiers will ski anything, anytime, anyplace. Over edge deep snow is considered POW to us. Yes, I have skied Heli in the Cariboos, Whistler, and Snowbird. Yeah, its amazing for sure. But when you live on the EC, and it snows, you go. I was just unlucky in making my own line at that very moment. Glad I was wearing a helmet. And yes, I’ll be back in the woods again soon!
I was National Ski Patrol for 5 years. Skiing and trees don’t mix at all. You are riding on borrowed time. I saw alot of serious injuries from trees as well as 1 death.
I always have admired the ski patrol pack. You guys are cool. I agree tree skiing is dangerous, but its a ton of fun! I just have second thoughts about pushing it now as I really want to make to the start at IMLP in July! Half the battle of IM is just making it to the start healthy and ready to rock!
Thats why I said tree skiing and Tri training may not be good for each other.
I never go tree skiing, I prefer to ski in the spaces! I found negotiating through what you described as powder is actually much easier on a snowboard. I do agree that venturing into the woods is best done wearing a helmet.
I found negotiating through what you described as powder is actually much easier on a snowboard. I do agree that venturing into the woods is best done wearing a helmet.