How do you handle skiing on ICE?

[Michael]

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?

[swoosh]

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

[Eoghan]

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

[blank260]

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.

[Dizaster]

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?

[Khaotic]

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.

[Abyss]

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.

[Michael]

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

[sparky]

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.

[zlathim]

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...

[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.

[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

[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

[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.