I would be interested to know how everyone handles ICE when skiing. I usually try to avoid turning on it to ensure I don't slip, how do you handle it?

most time i try to go off-piste when the piste is very icy, and when i can't go off-piste i try to turn on the places where is the most snow. and i do it very slowly because when you fall on the ice it hurts so much, in powder snow you have a soft surface to fall ;)

tbh with these carving skis that we now have skiing on ice shouldn't be a problem......if you watch professional skiers u'll notice that 99% of the time they r on the blade and this will give an ice skate effect u should be all right if you are turning on ice

I usually try to avoid anything that is icey. The only place I like it to be icey is down the ramp so I can get maximum speed for the best results. But any where else wouldn't be good for me. I probably would have trouble just keeping control.

Ice would really hurt, i'd personally try to avoid it at all costs, wouldn't want to slip and tear a muscle in my groin now would I?

I agree with Dizaster, falling on ice would probably hurt alot and its not worth ripping a muscle, unless you're really professional or something, I'd stay away.

I think skiing on ice is just.. risky. I wouldn't want to slip.. and do the splits, that would definately ruin my day, but if people enjoy doing it, thats their choice.

Obviously most people would try to avoid ice, but it can't always be avoided like when you unexpectedly ski into an icy patch.

I avoid Ice at all costs - I dont know if its a phsycological thing with me or not but I always seem to make mistakes when on ice and fall.

Sometimes the weather dictates how icy the slopes will be. Unless you stay home, sometimes avoidance is not an option.

Although it is obviously not my favorite condition, I have found that as long as my edges are in good shape I don't have a problem with ice. Properly maintained skis are important for all aspects of skiing, but doubly so in icy conditions.

Another important part is knowing when you are about to enter an icy section of the slope and that you are ready to make the transition in terms of turning effort, etc. You can expect to do much less carving and a whole lot more skidding sideways through your turns, especially with skis in need of being tuned.

I have skied when 70% of the hill was icy and still had a good time, you just have to lower your expectations a bit...

Snowboard + Ice is a pretty horrible experience!

Thats why I invested in a full back protector(includes tailbone).Gives you extra confidence knowing the fall will not hurt as much.
But usually I avoid Ice and stick to the powder off piste.

key to ice is to have well conditioned skis, ie nice sharp edges. Then ski on those edges, knowed as carving. If you dont carve on ice you will just slide as smooth bottom instead of the sharp sides will be in contact with the ice. The harder you push your edges the more friction you will get.... and the easier it is

In order for a ski to hold on ice, the ski must be stiff torsionally, when you slide/skid/slip on ice its because the ski is twisting. The sharpest edges in the world won't make a difference because the ski cant withstand the pressure you are giving the ski.

If you want a ski that you can flex therefore turn and that will hold on ice, check out the elan speedwaves 08 for adv. beginner to intermediate, and the 10 for intermediate.

Great skis, designed for people that want to be able to ski on ice. not slide on ice.

-george

Skis and edges are important but if people don't effectively use their edges, they will always hate ice. Some of the best skiers I see don't even hesitate in icy conditions. Edges are our friends. Cheers

I grew up back in the northeast and skied a lot at places like Hunter Mountain, Killington, etc. True ice the kind that forms from water will give anyone problems and won't be fun. If we are talking very firm frozen snow, where you can set an edge--well that's a different story.

I luv skiing on frozen snow. But most of the time, especially early in the morning, the groomers have already broken up/corduroyed the runs so they are firm, but quite skiable. I see most skiers who have trouble on frozen snow sort of "freeze up"-- they slow down get in a defensive mode rather than applying the techniques they learned in ski school and sticking more in the fall line, "attacking" the slope.

Skis r meant to be skied at a certain speed to get the performance they were designed to deliver. You may think I'm crazy when I say the best way to ski frozen snow is at a normal speed doing mid or wide radius turns down the fall line.-- if u ski on ur edges they will move faster downhill and they will hold an edge on the firm pack. But u have to develop the skill and confidence to accomplish this. Start on easy runs first and progress to more difficult ones as ur skills and confidence improve. As u put on miles u will see the difference.

Hey, if u live back in the northeast, u r gonna see lots and lots of frozen snow. I grew up there and never knew what real snow was like until my first ski vacation in Colorado.

Ice is sometimes unavoidable. You'd be surprised though if you are confident, just try turning but be prepared if your skis start sliding. You just have to be ready for anything. Some ice will allow you to turn or carve, others will want to send you sliding down the hill. Either way if you stay centered and brace yourself ahead of time you should be able to get through it. Remember, at the end of most Icy spots is usually a trough of powder or corn or something.

in wintergreen va, if you avoid ice you might not be able to ski. all you need is strong legs and endurance. the technique is no different than snow except your legs bounce.

whats really bad is wen practically the whole hill is icy, and then you get to a part that is really good powdery snow...its like your going so fast cuz of the ice and then you like stop unexpectantly because of the powder...but your body is still going becaz of inertia...its kinda funny tho, to watch when a bunch of beginners fall down on the powder and not on the ice

luckily were i live we rarly see ice

I still hate ice! Had a couple of close calls this season with pure sheets of ice.
Only really happened in the evenings when the snow had been skied on too much.

depends on the definition of ice.. snow thats hard and a bit ice is okay to ski in, but when I can see my reflection I stay away..

Over the last 15 years the ski industry has been emphasizing "carving" - e.g. high edge angles which use the shape and turning radius of the ski to create turn shape. One of the unintended consequences of carving is that skiers mistakenly think that if there is any lateral (e.g. sideways) slippage in a turn then they are "out of control".

However, really good skiers do not carve all the time. They use the full range of edge angles ranging from a totally flat ski to high edge angles, depending upon their intention.

In moguls and powder you want to use a "flatter" ski (e.g. less edge angle) so as to generate some lateral slippage which, in turn, creates friction - which, in turn, enables you to ski slower on 3-dimensional terrain.

The same technique is useful on ice. Instead of using a high edge angle which causes you to "chatter" on ice as you attempt (usually unsuccessfully) to dig your edges into the ice, use a flatter ski and moderate or "feather" your edges. This enables you to (1) stay balanced over your base of support (e.g. your feet) and (2) remain more relaxed. Go with the flow. It is OK to allow yourself to slip sideways on ice. You will soon be back on more enjoyable snow.

Charge through the ice, unless it is the mid atclantic, because there is practically everything is mounds of scattered powder and ice.

ok the dirty kind of grayish or yellow "ice" is probably packed snow, but the clear "ice" is probably real ice, in which it should be avoided. if not possible, try to brace yourself, and try to avoid it at all costs

If I see yellow stuff, I know it is real ice. May be that is just the way my goggle filter makes it look.

Depending on how hard the ice is will determine how to ski. I have skiied late season conditions with SOLID ice. This is absolutely no fun for anyone, but at least you know what you're attacking and you can carve hard with very wide turns to control speed and keep those edges dug in. We have our skis tuned every year. We need thos sharp edges! Hard groomed cordouroy is o.k. because it is consistent and I just attack that with confidence no problem. However, what's tough for me is inconsistency. Last year I navigated a fairly steep slope with bumps all over. It was a split consistency between mashed potatoes and sheer ice due to late season meltdown. Although I don't fall very often, I did twice on this particular trip. The first time, I made my turn and when I went to dig in, found sheer ice. I went end over end and hit my head (rung my bell just a bit). Then, I went to make another turn and nearly did the splits, pulled an interior thigh muscle and ended the day (it was minor). The problem with the split consistency is you're anticipating a certain terrain and maintaining pressure in a certain way. Further adding to this problem is that we skiied very late and were caught between twilight and the night skiing lights coming on (also formed more solid ice in a hurry in exposed spots). This was a huge mistake because I did not choose my line well. We should have gone to the lodge to rest until visual conditions improved. We were just having too much fun, but this could have cost us! Generally on most ice I can make a split second correction when I sense the problem, but depending on speed, it's not always possible to save yourself in time. I think that speed control is your friend. It is very important to ski with confidence, but there must be some caution. I found that doing various types of ski exercises helped me improve greatly (skiing with no poles on intermediate runs to learn balance techniques and really concentrate on my form) at a relaxed and deliberate pace. I also learned the art of sideslipping to help maintain safety when caught in an unexpected position. If I go to a new place or navigate a new run, I like to see how others handled it first and get a few comments. Beware when you see many empty chairs going up :)

Its been mentioned already, but good edges on your skis will make a huge difference. As a general rule, when you hit an icy spot, DON'T turn , just go straight until you get off the ice, then turn. If the whole mountain is icey, then you have to go slower and practice 'finishing' your turns. This will help you maintain your speed, and improve your technique, so when you do get good snow conditions again, you will be able to let it rip with a lot more confidence.

I live in the northeast so the trails often have ice here and there, I just ski it as well as I can, doesn't annoy me very much. Obviously nice snow is better, but its not much of a big deal.

Lucky, the typical snow for me is hardpack, so I have forgotten how to ski on soft snow.

I would be interested to know how everyone handles ICE when skiing. I usually try to avoid turning on it to ensure I don't slip, how do you handle it?

very cautiously!

the trick is to be steady and to take your time. The triick is to tuck your knees into the side of the slope more, this means that the ski presents a sharper edge when going across the ice and you will stop slipping on the ice, this means sthat you can focus on relaxing and concentrating on skiing forward and upright. Also if you are a learner on the icy slopes, so to speak, if you find the areas where there are little sprays or dashes of snow and this will enable you to turn more easily, you can then practise tucking that leg in when you traverse across the slope. Finally, if the run down is smooth and flat, you can through your sense of caution to the wind and head straight down the slope doing your usual parallel turns in long but thin turns. As you are going straight you won't worry to much about falling, cos let's face it, when we do fall on the icy patches, we are still going downhill anyway ;). BE CAREFUL though, you must make sure that there are no DANGER or CAUTION or SLOW signs, otherwise this can jeoperdise yours and others safety if you just fly down the icy slope. Otherwise, just take it steady, stay in control and watch out for everyone around you. :D
Hope it helped!!!!

Yeh, I agree,
with Eoghan & Lovethepiste. With these "new" carve type skis ice should not be a problem - if - & IF your edges are right, lay into it & put on the pressure and they will bite.
I "cut my teeth" on the old straight blades (were talkin'1970's) & yes it was true if you struck ice, stay straight & get across as quick as yer can, before doing any turns etc. But gee with these newies you can almost dance on the stuff !
[ Maybe]

Cheers
Andy B.
Ice-cutter

Ski around it or move out west...

No, just kiding. I can't help myself.

I use to live in the greater Pittsburgh area and that all I skied growing up. Then i went to college at CSU in Fort Collins, CO and learned what skiing was all about. POWDER!

If conditions are really icy and you still want to shred here are a few tips...

If you know what your doing you can take a file and lightly take the supper sharpness off of your edge so you don't get crazy ski action from snow to ice..

You also want to really commit to your turn when on ice. sit down in the turn and hold that edge all the way through...

Getting more technical you can change the pattern on your ski for colder conditions as well as your wax set up...i like to mix my waxes for these icy days.

Go home and try another day

I always make sure to lock my knees straight, and get up some speed before I slide a little sideways and catch my edges. I also recommend to absorb any impacts with the face and genitals

holding and pushing a wooden chair to coordinate, this is suitable for the beginner.

luckily were i live we rarly see ice

Well well well! Guess what? If you were out since 1/14 or 1/15/11, you would make up the "rarely see ice--" that you have missed! Like Kirkwood was an ice rink (exception--runs off Sunshine, Hole in the Wall and the beginner lifts #1 and 2 were groomed and in good shape). Like runs off Cornice were as icy as I had ever seen at Mt. Mansfield (Stowe VT) or Killington. And I don't recall the lower calif.runs at Heavenly off Gunbarrel ever being closed for so long. (they may be opened part of the day now, but weren't last time I skied there on 1/20/11.

sharp edges or avoid it if possible. head off piste and enjoy the soft stuff.

If you know the conditions could be icy, sharpen your edges before leaving the house and if you do come across some ice, use those edges to carve your turns - try to avoid using the flats of your skis, otherwise they might just slide out and nobody likes falling on ice

Ice scares me HAHA I just try and avoid it at all costs