Tree-lined slopes offer many advantages: they can hold their snow better, they're easier to navigate in flat light and they're sheltered from the wind and snow. Plus, they're so fun! Unfortunately, it's not always easy to find runs through the trees in the Alps (shout-out to North America where there is gladed skiing for every level!). On this list you'll find some in-bounds tree skiing and some off-piste tree skiing, all of it awesome on a powder day! Always remember to be properly avalanche-equipped if you're heading to an unsecured piste, and watch out for tree wells when skiing through trees.
Much of the terrain at Serre Chevalier lies below the tree line, with opportunities for skiing on tree-lined runs as well as gladed slopes. This video from off-piste skiers in the Aiguillette forest gives us major tree envy!
Sainte Foy Tarentaise is known for its incredible off-piste skiing, including many routes through the trees. No friends on powder days! Except for maybe one or two, skiing with you so you don't get lost in the trees!
The area between Courchevel-Le Praz and La Tania extending over to Méribel has some of the best tree-lined skiing in the Alps, with easy and more difficult runs alike. Gladed skiing here is lift-served, meaning all you need is a solid understanding of how to safely ski trees and you can venture into the trees with minimal effort.
The Carosello 3000 ski area in Livigno has a natural snow park with plenty of trees and other natural obstacles. Get your stoke on with this fantastic adventure in the forest!
Schladming is one of Europe's top destinations for tree skiing, and it's easy to see why. Around four-fifths of the ski area lie below the tree line, meaning there's plenty of powder for everyone.
Born and raised in the ski paradise of Vancouver, Canada, I learned to ski before I can remember, balancing precariously on my parents’ skis as they sailed down the hill. I started snowboarding in my teens and am now delighted to be exploring everything Europe’s ski scene has to offer!
