Trees. Many of us don’t realise quite how much they enhance our ski holidays.
On the slopes, they’re great fun to ski between and help improve visibility on foggy days when we aim to ski below the treeline. But they’re also our connection between the permanence of the mountains and the living world.
Although the majority of trees we see on the slopes are pines, well-travelled skiers may have come across slopes lined with species more commonly found in arboretums or National Trust properties. Travel far enough, and you can ski on slopes surrounded by hundreds or thousands of cedars, eucalyptus, maple trees, or even monkey puzzle trees.
@ Michael Kasslatter
Some well-known resorts are even named after the local tree species—Aspen being the most famous! You can also ski at Plumtree, The Cedars, Maple Ridge, Treetops, or Bavaria’s Kerschbaum (Cherry Tree), to name a few. If oaks are your preference, the US offers Oak Mountain in New York State, Seven Oaks in Iowa (not to be confused with the Kent town), and even Oak Valley in South Korea.
For all their positives, trees can also pose dangers. Collisions with trees can be serious, and there’s also the risk of suffocation in deep snow if you fall into a tree well.
Most of all, though, trees bring added beauty to the landscape and contribute to the stunning views from slopes around the world.
Tree Skiing – The Global Guide
There are different types of trees growing around the world, lending a unique feel to ski slopes in each nation. Here’s the tree skier’s guide to what to look out for and where:
Australia – Eucalyptus
© Perisher Vail Resorts
Known as Snow Gum trees in Australia’s Snowy Mountains, these hardy eucalyptus trees grow very slowly at altitudes of around 1,500m and cover the slopes of many ski areas in the region. Unfortunately, increasing bushfires due to climate change have meant that more than 90% of Snow Gum habitat has been burnt at least once in the last two decades, although many trees regrow afterwards. While most Aussie areas feature gum trees, Perisher’s Guthega sector is a particularly good choice.
Canada – Mighty Maple
Canada is famously home to the maple leaf, featured on its national flag, and is a country filled with stunning trees and national parks. Many ski runs are cut through forests, and some East Coast resorts even have tree-themed attractions, such as the sugar shack. Here, the sap of maples is tapped, poured onto the snow, and transformed into sweet maple lollies—genius!
Chile – Magnificent Monkey Puzzles
We often see monkey puzzle trees (Araucaria Araucana) in parks and gardens, but this species is native to central and southern Chile and western Argentina. Endangered but magnificent, these trees can be found in ski resorts surrounded by forests of soaring monkey puzzles, reaching heights of up to 40 metres. Corralco is an excellent area for this experience, combining a perfect volcanic cone with a forest of monkey puzzles at its base.
Finland – Snow Ghosts
Snow ghosts are fairly small trees, typically found in northern Canada and Scandinavia, that become so encrusted with snow they resemble the classic white-sheet ghost image. Skiing between these snow-covered trees is magical, especially under the ethereal “blue light” of northerly latitudes during limited daylight in midwinter.
Japan – White Birch and Cherry
The ethereal Japanese winter landscape has been immortalised in art for centuries. Resorts like Niseko offer slopes adorned with beautiful white birch trees, creating unforgettable scenery across the mountain ranges. Japan is also famous for its cherry blossoms in spring, adding another layer of beauty to its ski areas, which often remain open into May. Skiers can enjoy this magical combination as the cherry trees begin to bloom in the season’s final weeks.
Lebanon – Cedar
The cedar is Lebanon’s national symbol, and several of the country’s ski areas feature forests of these majestic trees on their lower slopes. The Cedars ski area, Lebanon’s first, established just after WWII, is particularly renowned for its backdrop of stately cedars.
USA – Aspen
The United States, spanning numerous climate zones, offers ski areas in a variety of forest environments, from the world’s largest trees on the West Coast to deciduous forests in New England and the Midwest. But one of the most iconic species is the silvery-barked aspen tree, found in states such as Colorado. Aspen Snowmass boasts some of the best tree skiing, with advanced terrain as well as gentler glade runs. The well-spaced aspen trees, gradual pitches, and rolling terrain make for a truly memorable skiing experience.
Tree skiing blends the beauty of nature with the thrill of the slopes, making it one of the most captivating experiences for any skier. Wherever your ski ventures take you, don’t forget to look up and appreciate the towering giants that make it all the more special.
Main Image © Tree Skiing – Mabey Ski Japan Hokkaido Backcountry Powder Skiing Through Birch Trees
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