Adam

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.

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Adam

lovethepiste

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

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Theskimonster

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

canadianskier

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

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Nice Turns

scottp96145

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.

SkiCatDad

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.

danger

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.

snoskichk121

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

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Line101

luckily were i live we rarly see ice

Adam

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.

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Adam