by Mickey Stone
Published: January 2010
Glades, chutes, drops, ungroomed, backcountry, trees, steeps, crud, powder and freeride are all the terms that come to mind when describing the off-piste. These descriptions give one thoughts of adventure, risk, exhilaration, fun, accomplishment and enjoyment with our natural environment.
Today if you pick up the popular ski and ride magazines you will see on the cover and throughout pictures of snowsports enthusiasts in powder, the air, glades and ungroomed snow capturing face shots of snow and a smile from ear to ear.
So what does off-piste really mean? Well, the word “piste” means a run of hard-packed snow or prepared snow trail. So adding the word “off” to that denotes terrain that is ungroomed and not a designated trail that is maintained with groomers and snow making machines. These words have been very common in Europe for decades and originated France by alpinists at the turn of the century.
Now we add “lift service” to complicate things even further. Basically, we are describing the ability for a skier or rider to ride a surface lift, and then to be able to travel to an area that is ungroomed with its natural terrain features and conditions. Now why would anyone want to do that? Especially with lift ticket prices and all the care that go into the piste areas.
Once a skier or rider can use all the mountain trails, the lure and challenge to be able to master what Mother Nature gives to us each day on an ungroomed trail is one of the most exhilarating experiences a snowsport athlete can have. The ability to ride a lift and travel by hiking, sliding or skinning to an area that is in bounds of the ski area, but relatively unmaintained allows you to feel like you have your own powder stash that you have found or enjoyed by yourself or with friends.
Where to Go – Now we know the West is known for this type of skiing with their vast acreage above timberline, large snowfalls, and areas that are left untouched. Even in the East there are areas that receive 250-400 inches of snow a year with the best ungroomed glades, steeps and powder runs around. One of the beauties here is the number of ski areas that you can ride the lift and easily scoot off-piste within the boundaries. At times these areas have small rock ledge drop offs, frozen waterfalls, thinned out glades, open meadows, tight fir trees, and unique features from the snow accumulation and local topography.
In New York, Gore and Whiteface give you a big mountain feel with many gladed areas of all varieties and levels. Some other adventurous areas are West, Hickory, Titus, Willard, Oak, Belleayre, Plattekill, Hunter and Windham, with some steep pitches and glades with bumps. In Vermont, Mad River Glen, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Jay, Killington, Mount Snow, Sugarbush, Okemo, Magic and Bolton offer a wide range of gladed ungroomed areas. In Massachusetts, Jiminy Peak has some glades skiing as well.
Safety – At times skiers and riders feel these off-piste areas are like the piste trails where most people share the slopes. What we all have to remember is that once venturing off-piste within the boundaries we are in another environment, so totally different. There are obstacles, more difficult snow conditions, topography changes that can be confusing to follow, visibility issues, and one’s own endurance comes into play.
Probably the hardest thing to prepare for is the “human factor” or decision-making process of skiers and riders when venturing to the off-piste. Each season at the ski areas in the East, more than a dozen folks will not make it back to the base before nightfall, and have to spend the night in the cold wilderness.
With proper preparation and decision-making one can enjoy the off-piste within the ski area boundaries. Here are some Standard Operating Procedures that we instill in our PSIA-E programs: Check all equipment before entering an off-piste area; proper clothing that can be vented when hiking; goggles, helmets, hydration and a snack are musts; map of the area and compass; have traveled and descended the area before or accompanied by a guide that knows the area and can be trusted; ski in groups of three to five people, never one or two; do not enter off-piste areas unless you have enough time to get back to the area by lift closing time; and always inform someone where you are going and when you plan on returning.
During the season ease into the ungroomed snow, train, practice reading the terrain, and what is under the snow. Learn to predict safe areas and where the snow accumulates. Ski or ride cautiously and be aware; remember you never know when a tree falls and is covered by snow. Using knee pads are also suggested as well as removing your pole straps from your wrists to allow you more freedom of movement.
Technique – Other than decision-making and knowing the area well, skiers and riders could pay more attention to technique. Carving off-piste takes a different approach than on the hard pack. Just because you have a freeride ski or board, with twin tips and fat 90-plus millimeters under your feet, does not mean you can negotiate around trees in ungroomed snow.
Active absorption or the sucking up of your legs as you tilt and steer will allow you to move across the snow lightly and smoothly. When the ski or board is in the snow it will bend as you stand against it. When you suck your legs under you the skis or board will unbend and send you in an arc. Learning to bend and unbend will allow you descend easily through the snow. Learn to allow your legs to feel like a pendulum underneath your hips and torso. You have seen it before on ski racer Bode Miller when the body is still and the legs move back and forth. A sound investment is to hire a certified ski or board pro at one of these mountains and ask to learn the techniques for skiing crud and powder. It will be worth the time and money when you enjoy your turns in the off-piste.
Enjoy your time in the off-piste and follow the simple guidelines for your safety and fun. Things may happen out there, but at least you are prepared and have a friend that can get help, and stay with you if something happens. Sound decisions and being prepared go a long way. Powder to the people can be found in the off-piste!
Mickey Stone lives in Huntington, Vt. with his wife Carolyn and their dog Oslo. He is a ski educator, trainer and outdoor guide. He is the PSIA-E Nordic coordinator and coach for the Navy Seals winter training program.
