What are glades? For the mountain novice, glade skiing is alpine skiing through trees off-trail or on a defined woods trail. It’s inherently more dangerous than skiing on trails and is only recommended for advanced skiers and snowboarders (aka me, wink). Thanks to the shade of the trees, the woods maintain snow longer than any open trail could.
Because glades go ungroomed, visitors are able to invent their own playground in the snow. Paths carved by earlier trailblazers give a newcomer many avenues to explore. If you’re lucky, you’ll come across untouched powder that beckons the creation of a new track. Glades are one of the only places in the world I know of that literally allows you to make your own path – a living metaphor!
Throughout my ski career, I’ve been lucky enough to roam the alluring glades of Killington Mountain. My season pass is the key to this magical wooded kingdom. With each bountiful snowfall, trailblazers are gifted new mountain-side paths to explore. I can ride a single glade trail ten times in one day and never take the same route. This is one of the many reasons I love the glades! Every direction offers a uniquely beautiful, snow-covered landscape for exploration.
Glades are not only sought for their beauty but solitude. In the woods, it’s often just you and the trees. Even if you’re skiing with a friend, the endless forest emits a certain sense of seclusion. But, it’s not lonely. It’s liberating.
The silence heightens my senses and clears my mind so that I’m free to be present in every turn. My instincts take over and carry me through treacherous snowy tunnels. While my brain actively guides each muscle through the movements. It’s an odd feeling – being entirely in and out of control.
Snowboarding in the glades reminds me of how important it is to live in the moment and appreciate everything you have while you have it. After each trip to Vermont, I feel at peace with the world around me and joyful about everything it has to offer.
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