There’s so much to say about a mid-week powder day at Brundage Mountain. We started the day with just a few inches, but the light, fluffy snow kept falling, filling in our tracks as quickly as we could lay them down. We ended up with 7″ of fresh fluff in the base-area snow box.

By the end of the day, many powderhounds gathered to share their smiles and stories. Brundage Mountain is known for its tree skiing, among other great attributes. So I asked some of these seasoned sliders what is was that draws them away from the open powder-covered slope, into the tighter lines between the towering pines. Here are some photos, and some thoughts on why it is we love to ski the trees:

Early morning: it was only boot-deep. Still, this offered fresh lines and “a sanctuary from the storm.” “No one gets vertigo in the trees, no matter how stormy or foggy it is.”

“There is so much untracked potential.”  “That’s where the stash is.”  “The powder in the trees is so soft when it hits my knees.”

“Everyone has their own line they dream of. If there are five guys in a room talking about the same tree run, they’re all talking about a different line – their favorite line is something no one else knows about – without a doubt.”

“It’s a great way to ditch people when you don’t want to ski with them.”

“Lots of fresh shots.”  “You’re embracing the essence of nature.”  “It’s completely silent, except for the squeals of delight.”

“The flow” “When you look around and can’t see or hear a soul, I get the feeling that it’s a special treat, just for me.”

There’s also a certain intensity that draws people into the ungroomed, unnamed, unmarked lines between the trees. “You can’t be sloppy in the trees.” “You have to commit to your turns or crash hard.”

“It’s the untouched…the forbidden…it’s Mom standing on the side telling you not to, and you know better, but you do it anyway.”

“It’s about the space between, where so many people are afraid to explore.”

Where another person’s fear becomes your fortune.

— April