Where We Work: The Glades

At the Trade, our outdoor opportunities for apprentices—both work and play—are one of our greatest strengths.

 Of the 2,000 acres that make up The Mountain, over one fourth of them are comprised of glades—ungroomed, wooded areas, either on defined trails or off-trail, for skiers and snowboarders. That’s thanks to The Trade’s partnership with the Granite Backcountry Alliance, which sends trained professionals to cut new glades on The Mountain every year. Better yet, the glades are free, open to the public, and maintained with safety and user experience in mind.

 Once the snow starts falling, apprentices will be able to take advantage of making tracks in the on-site glades. But before that, they’ll gain applicable trail development skills by joining the annual Glade Day on the Mountain. On September 20, a team of sawyers (highly skilled chainsaw professionals) will descend on the glades and apprentices will help clear the path behind them. They’ll also get a chance to meet passionate local members of the backcountry ski community, which is growing every year.

 The backcountry ski movement is growing in New England, and our apprentices will get in at the ground level. When the snow flies, there’s not much better than a good powder day, unless it’s also in glades that The Trade team works hard to maintain. Winter can’t come soon enough.