What makes the perfect glade?

joshua_segal

The other issue with the Jay Peak episode: If I remember right, they didn't "glade it". They clear-cut it.

rickbolger

I started reading and naturally thought it said 2017-2018. I can't believe 13 years have passed. Holy crap!

If it's the cut I think I'm seeing on google earth (it's first visible in 2008; 06 & 07 imaging has cloud cover) it's taking a remarkably long time to grow in. Guessing that's due to the alpine environment and the pitch...or is it possible there is still some "maintenance" going on?

lotsoskiing

joshua_segal;c-43734 wroteThe other issue with the Jay Peak episode: If I remember right, they didn't "glade it". They clear-cut it.

Definitely was a clear-cut, not a glade. Drop into Slide Brook at Sugarbush to see what glades curated by locals look like. This was literally a hatchet job.

And, if the Federal Gubmint owns the land, they have say over what gets cut and what doesn't. Sadly for CA they didn't cut enough but somehow that's California's fault?

slatham

joshua_segal;c-43734 wroteThe other issue with the Jay Peak episode: If I remember right, they didn't "glade it". They clear-cut it.

Yes that is correct. For anyone involved in cutting glades for long-term glade skiing - and minimal summer weed whacking - it was exactly what you DON'T do. It was a crime and shone a bad light on anyone "trimming" for skiing purposes.

marcski

IMHO, there are four main components, 2 of which I don't believe have been mentioned.
(1) They should be hidden, off-map and hard to find;
(2) They should generally be skied with rock skis;
(3) Blowdowns (this was mentioned earlier in the thread). Cut up into rounds and stacked or marked with stakes or some other method; and
(4) They should be skied with caution...and keep your tips downhill!

joshua_segal

Marcskis comments are old-style marked off. Mine are below.

<<...
(1) They should be hidden, off-map and hard to find;
>>
Anybody at CM knows that I share liberally, even my peronal powder stashes if asked.

<<
(2) They should generally be skied with rock skis;
>>
Disagree: The way I cut them have been derocked and destumped, so with more than a dusting of snow they can be skied on a decent pair of skis

<<
(4) They should be skied with caution...and keep your tips downhill!
>>
I think all trails and glades should be skied with caution until you have confidence in the surface.

marcski

They should still be hidden and off map. I would share with people in person, I just wouldn't post them on the internet.

As far rock skis, personally, I find them to help in the woods. No fears of doing any damage (even if minor) and, as such, I ski more aggressive lines. My rock skis still ski great. They were probably my favorite or 2nd favorite pair of skis ever. Plus, an old wise man once said, "we ski at Plattekill, all of our skis are rock skis."

joshua_segal

marcski;c-43802 wroteThey should still be hidden and off map. I would share with people in person, I just wouldn't post them on the internet.

As far rock skis, personally, I find them to help in the woods. No fears of doing any damage (even if minor) and, as such, I ski more aggressive lines. My rock skis still ski great. They were probably my favorite or 2nd favorite pair of skis ever. Plus, an old wise man once said, "we ski at Plattekill, all of our skis are rock skis."

I rarely ski glades with any speed. At my age, I'm scared to bury my tips under a log or a protruding root.

Cannonball

marcski;c-43796 wroteIMHO, there are four main components, 2 of which I don't believe have been mentioned.
(1) They should be hidden, off-map and hard to find;
(2) They should generally be skied with rock skis;
(3) Blowdowns (this was mentioned earlier in the thread). Cut up into rounds and stacked or marked with stakes or some other method; and
(4) They should be skied with caution...and keep your tips downhill!

Yup, exactly this.

marcski

joshua_segal;c-43803 wrote
I rarely ski glades with any speed. At my age, I'm scared to bury my tips under a log or a protruding root.

I never said anything about speed. Like you, I definitely ski slower in the woods. That is what I meant when I originally wrote ski with caution in terms of speed and not getting the skis under a log.

Cannonball

marcski;c-43815 wrote
joshua_segal;c-43803 wrote
I rarely ski glades with any speed. At my age, I'm scared to bury my tips under a log or a protruding root.
I never said anything about speed. Like you, I definitely ski slower in the woods. That is what I meant when I originally wrote ski with caution in terms of speed and not getting the skis under a log.

Absolutely. Slower speeds in the woods is automatic.

NewEnglandSkier13

Here's a picture which shows the Scrog glade at BMOM. Note the brush removed and stacked on the far side of the glade and the logs piled which turn large rocks into fun features. I think this, along with many of the other glades at BMOM exemplify the perfect glade.

skelley19

^^^ That is a great way to repurpose the logs to cover big rocks. I can't wait for more snow so I can explore the glades some Friday this winter.

Brklynskier

At what point does a trail with trees become a glade?

Is this a glade?

Blaze

[img]http://snowjournal.nplas.com/uploads/editor/r9/9xxaj9d3d940.jpeg[/img
Now that we are entering the glade season here are a few tips I have learned through the years. First look for the hardwoods. Beech and maple are my first choice. Not only do they loose there leaves they are strong and not prone to breaking. Also, the biodiversity of a hardwood forest creates ferns in the summer limiting the amount of pucker making for a more natural open line. Stay away from softwoods. Pine, hemlock and balsams they’re dirty and break easily littering the ground with dead branches. Also, after a snow storm the snow is captured by the needles limiting the amount of snow on the ground. However the biggest factor is once the storm is over and the sun hits the snow on the needles it melts causing ice when temperatures cool making for dangerous conditions.
I hope these tips help to make your glade experience safe and enjoyable because we are after the same thing, untracked light powder!
Photos taken Crotched Mt. December 19, 2020

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