Vail tree skiing is a magical experience that promises to be exciting for skiers seeking Vail’s best powder. And there’s nothing better than spending a full day exploring Vail’s glades when they’re stocked with fresh snow. Vail tree skiing ranges from tight and steep to generously spaced and rolling, offering options for skiers of varying abilities.
Skiing trees at Vail is best for skiers of intermediate skiing ability or above. Even the easiest tree runs require skiers to keep speed in check and to avoid obstacles. That said, there are plenty of places to explore even for those who are new to tree skiing. And Vail’s tightly gladed steeps will keep experts more than entertained.
Ready to slide off of the groomed track this winter? Come by Vista Bahn Ski Rentals and get outfitted with the latest demo skis to explore. Read on for VBSR’s top Vail tree skiing picks, from beginner to advanced.
Top 3 Vail Tree Skiing Runs
Enjoy Vail Mountain’s plethora of Adventure Zones for beginner tree skiing.
Beginner Vail Tree Skiing: Magic Forest and Frontside Adventure Zones
Magic Forest is a great place for beginner tree skiers to explore playful terrain and nicely spaced trees. Magic Forest also includes bumps of various sizes, tepees, and other terrain features that kids love. Enter and exit this family-friendly area easily from Practice Parkway, a green groomer on Vail’s frontside. If Magic Forest feels like a breeze, explore other nearby frontside adventure zones including Sherwood Forest and Porcupine Alley. These areas are good for intermediate skiers and above who are beginning to explore bumpy blue and treed terrain.
Intermediate Vail Tree Skiing: Shangri-La Glade
Discover Vail tree skiing bliss in Shangri-La Glade while exploring Vail’s famed Back Bowls. On the outer edge of China Bowl, you’ll find widely spaced trees in Shangri-La Glade that open into powdery meadows. Or you can challenge yourself by heading through more tightly packed clusters of trees. Access Shangri-La Glade from the top of Chair 21, the Orient Express Lift. Shangri-La Glade is a good fit for skiers who can confidently ski black variable terrain.
VBSR staffer, Barclay Rabin, enjoys skiing powder in the aspen glades.
Advanced Vail Tree Skiing: Steep & Deep and Blue Sky Basin
Get in some heart-pumping, expert tree skiing with Steep & Deep in Vail’s Blue Sky Basin. This run begins with tight trees accessed from the top of Chair 37, the Skyline Express Lift. The steep tree skiing begins straightaway with Steep & Deep but opens up to a more widely spaced glade. Continue exploring the many more options for tree skiing on the way back down. Steep & Deep too steep? Dial back the intensity with other advanced tree skiing runs in the area including Champagne Glade and Montane Glade.
Blue Sky Basin: Where the runs are steep, the pow is deep and advanced skiers chase fresh lines. Photo credit: Whitney Brofos. Skier: Abbey.
Top Gear: VBSR Demo Skis for Vail Tree Skiing
At VBSR, we offer a variety of demo skis and rental skis so that you can find the best fit for your skiing style. Of course, we’re always in the shop and ready to advise based on current conditions. In the meantime, here are a few top skis for tree skiing from our 2018-2019 demo fleet to get you started:
Top Gear: Men’s Tree Skiing Skis
- Rossignol Soul7 HD: Good in powder, quick, forgiving, and easy to ski
- Nordica Enforcer 100: Good for all-mountain and powder skiing, strong on edge but still forgiving
VBSR Mens Recommended Skis for Tree Skiing: Rossignol Soul7 HD & Nordica Enforcer 100.
Top Gear: Women’s Tree Skiing Skis
- Rossignol Soul7 HD: Powder-day perfection, excels in soft snow but performs well across the mountain
- Blizzard Black Pearl 98: Black Pearl continues to be a top-selling ski, good for tree skiing in a variety of conditions and for all-mountain exploration
VBSR Womens Recommended Skis for Tree Skiing: Rossignol Soul7 HD & Blizzard Black Pearl.
READY TO GET OUTSIDE FOR SOME PRIME VAIL TREE SKIING?
Stop by for more gear and terrain tips while trying out top skis from the 2018-2019 VBSR demo ski rental fleet. We look forward to seeing you all winter long for ski rentals at our shop that’s just steps from Gondola One in Vail Village. Our Vail Village location also makes it easy to access ski tuning and repair throughout the day. Finally, we make it simple to reserve ski rentals in advance, and we offer ski storage solutions that will help lighten your load at the end of the day.
