Any Tips for tree riding-

wow, I'm exactly the same, been venturing into the trees a bit the past few times going and goin off little jumps, but when its steepish and powder, I can't seem to get my back leg movin around enough to turn quick enough so I just fall over. I'd appreciate some tips as well for next weekend...

When you fall down in an awkward position, don't exhaust all of your energy to try to work yourself out right away. Stop, think about it and act. sometimes getting yourself straightened out can take up a lot of energy. If you are getting tired, get out of the woods. Also, bring a whistle.

Safety first. Always ensure someone knows where you are in case something happens. Take all precautions you can in order to make sure you can be found in CASE something happens.

I think the best advice has already been given. Just snowboard as if no tree's exist, and just clear your mind. Listening to music can help relax you. How are your bindings setup? You may need to mess with your stance depth and width to help you with those turns. Try not to make a HUGE change, but small changes can help. Of course, the more you snowboard in those conditions, they better you will get. Muscle memory is a blessing!

Fantastic advice in this thread so far.  Shaka pretty much hit it right on the nose: don't focus on the trees, plan at least a turn or two ahead, and do not tense up.  Much like other types of riding, you're going to be the most effective when you're loose.  I'd also agree with 808 to take breaks every so often (I'd say I take them every 15-20 seconds) just to give yourself a mental break and to take a moment to spot your next line.

This is especially important if you're just starting out, but RIDE WITH A BUDDY in the trees and keep each other in sight.  Watch out out for tree wells if it snowed recently (which it probably has if the snow is decent in the trees).  Watch out especially for low-hanging firs.  Anyone who's fallen or almost fallen into those things can tell you that they're no joke.

look where you want to go, not where you don't! trees are easiest in powder not the crud. practice riding down the sides of runs in and out of the trees. wear a helmet to protect your head.

Originally posted by shakazulu12 Originally posted by Duneluder Yeah all good tips, I guess it's just whippin my back leg around in powder and steep areas I just wash out or something....I know about the whole don't look at the trees bit, I guess I just need to work on kickin my back leg out quicker in steeper areas...It's the chopping powder/steep areas that get me Do you have all your weight back while you are trying to move the tail around?  You might need to move your center of balance during turns for easier and quicker turn initiation in powder.  Just a random thought.

Yeah I think that's what it is, I guess I just don't want to nose dive in the powder, Gonna try not leaning back so far next weekend.

Just go slow the first time, stop alot and check where you want to go. Find an area where the trees are a bit more spread apart and it isnt too flat.

Keep your speed under control. No point charging if youre slamming the breaks on every time you find a bit of a tricky path. Dont extend yourself way beyond your level. L+1 and all that. Wear a helmet (spectacularly hypocritical advice all round so far from me by the way). Also, it tends to be deeper, so sometimes you need to be way more aggressive on your turns. I found myself having to really slam in that back foot to make some springy turns. Its kinda the opposite of what you do on the groomers, so it feels a little lacking in finesse, but youll get a feel for it. However, dunno if thats a universal tip, or if it was just me screwing up my technique so i could ride it. Either way, steeper plus deeper just felt like you needed to be a bit more shamelessly aggressive in your turns.

basically, last year i was doing the same thing as you, kinda flirting with trees, popping in and out and never going too far in case i got stuck (or hit a tree), this year i just rode them, and it really is very much an aspect thing. For no real reason at all, one day youll just stop seeing the trees and start seeing the line youre riding and when that happens the spaces and gaps just seem WAAAAAAY bigger :) Like everything, go at a pace that wont give you an injury and youll gradually get more comfortable with it. The more you ride it, the more the lines become a bit more obvious to see. Thats pretty much it. Also, dont be a hero, you dont have to amaze anyone, its fekking dangerous enough in there already

So speaks the voice of an unashamed and uninjured chickenshit :)

^^^ haha  nice...

hehe, just kidding.

funny 2zz.

i think bunny hills are the ultimate challenge. i would say practicing in the trees to get used to runs. once you get good at that... you can move to the bunny hills for moving trees (noobs)!!

Best advice (imo) when riding in trees is DONT RUSH. Sometimes, if your in a heavily forested area, you can just keep turning all you want and there is still another tree 3 feet in front of you. If this occurs, take an opportunity to stop safely, your brain can get overwhelmed and "short circuit" ultimately resulting in either you learn what it mean to be a tree hugger or you get lost in a white, frozen, cold underworld which maybe snow, or Dante's 9th Circle of Hell.

In my experience, if I stand up too tall, I seem to have a harder time avoiding trees. If I get low, I can maneuver a lot better and tree riding becomes a lot easier.

Great strategy ideas for tree lines ... a couple tips for the actual mechanics of the turn -- a low edge angle, dynamic skidded turn (for all the AASI nerds from another AASI nerd).

Umm.. practice the turns.. without the trees? It seems obvious but nobody has mentioned it. Just practice making quick turns edge to edge on normal groomers, or use moguls and practice riding around them to simulate trees