akafuji 0 Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 I was just reading about the Niseko thread and people mention "tree ski". I think I can understand it is skiing in the tree area, but can somebody explain what is the attraction of it? Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 Trees provide shelter from stong winds and so the snow will often be less packed down (think deeper) than above the treeline. Also trees provide more challenge as you'll have to concentrate a little more so as not to hit them. The trees are often incredibly beautiful covered in snow and rime and it's just plain nice skiing down through them. And most importantly off piste skiing is all about exploring and finding lines that few others know about to get fresh turns in the powder. Niseko wouldn't enjoy it's current success if it wasn't for it's open off piste policy because frankly the on piste options are not exactly that exciting. Aka most foreigners come to ski in Japan purely because of it's famed deep powder. You can't enjoy that powder by only skiing on groomed courses, you need to get out there in the trees! Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 It's just like Go Native says, but give it a try and you'll know that words aren't enough! Link to post Share on other sites
minus 1 Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 Quote: most foreigners come to ski in Japan purely because of it's famed deep powder. You can't enjoy that powder by only skiing on groomed courses, you need to get out there in the trees! What all those familes? Link to post Share on other sites
Go Native 70 Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 Certainly there are some who aren't keen on heading into the trees but for the vast bulk who come here it's all about trying to find some fresh lines in the powder. That means heading off piste into the trees. Of course in peak season it's now becoming pretty hard to find fresh lines in Niseko. I'm just thankful that the majority of Japanese skiers stay on piste. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 yeah 'cept one season I remember, the snow was up to the top of the trees. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted May 24, 2007 Share Posted May 24, 2007 thursday that aint true Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 the trees at Silver Birch, not the backside. That is true. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted May 25, 2007 Share Posted May 25, 2007 I dont believe you. Not because I havent seen trees buried. You make it seem like a 6 meter tall tree has been buried or more. Link to post Share on other sites
SirJibAlot 0 Posted May 28, 2007 Share Posted May 28, 2007 trees scare me...think Sonny Bono....Maybe Kuma can teach me some tree skillz next season. Link to post Share on other sites
akafuji 0 Posted June 22, 2007 Author Share Posted June 22, 2007 Thank you. I think trees also me also - I try to avoid them! I was surprised this last season at top of Nozawa. Usually the top is clear view across toward Nagano - this season there were trees there - they were not covered by lack of snow. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 Yeah another FT and Thursday "Niseko is great, No its not" fight!!! Link to post Share on other sites
ausi ski bum 1 Posted June 22, 2007 Share Posted June 22, 2007 I love tree skiing here in Australia the gaps between the trees are much tighter so you really have to concentrate, its one of the reasons I like many wear a helmet. In Niseko the extra space between the trees makes skiing there at a higher speed through the trees in the powder incredible fun. My family would love to go to Furano but while they keep everyone on the runs and out of the tree's its a no go zone. A huge number of the Aussies at Niseko would agree with this. The bottom line is skiing on the runs is fun but it offers little challenge, plotting and finding your way through the trees is very exciting and when you get it wrong, well tree's dont move much. Try it out on some of the flatter areas first, there are some great spots to get used to tree skiing at Annupuri Link to post Share on other sites
Amos in Utsunomia 0 Posted July 8, 2007 Share Posted July 8, 2007 Is there any particular reason why they are apparently relatively strict at Furano? Link to post Share on other sites
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