How do you ski on icy trail, especially when the snow are icy hard.?

Question

Is it dangerous to ski under such kind of condition?

Answer 1

NJGit gave some good advice. I also grew up skiing in the Northeast where ice is a way of life, and like the others have sad, making sure you have sharp edges is key. Don't try to stop too hard or you're likely to have your feet slide out from under you.

Hopefully you're skiing on patches of ice, not just careening down a giant sheet of it. If this is the case, try to make your hardest turns while not on the ice. If the patches are very small, just go straight over them without turning. I don't know your ability level, so make sure you don't pick up too much speed.

Ice can be very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing, so be careful out there. You definitely can live with it and even learn to love it (maybe not love it) with practice.

Answer 2

it is dangerous, but that's how i learned hear in missouri. it depends how thick the ice is. but it'll always be more dangerous.

Answer 3

Yes, it is terribly dangerous to ski in those conditions. If you are going to, take your skies to a professional ski shop and have them fine tuned to those conditions, by filing the edges  and proper wax on them.  You must be good at using your edges when you ski on ice.    You should be a better than average skier,  to even consider skiing under these conditions.

Answer 4

First we have to define "Ice". To us from the Northeast, ice means something that is hard, frozen, and shiny...that's REAL ice. Trying to ski large sections of this stuff takes talent..or insanity...or both. The best bet is to keep the base of the ski flat...don't try to turn...never try to stop....and ride it out until you hit a softer patch of snow. Ice on steeper terrain always ups the ante. On less steep stuff, it's easier to ride it out. You only feel like you are losing control when in fact you are actually still OK. On icy steeps you will gain speed and "catching an edge" or just skiing into the woods is a good probability. If you have a really steep and icy slope, just point those planks down the fall line and say a "Hail Mary"  if you are unsure of your skill. Or...you turn into an idiot like myself who actually goes looking for this kind of stuff. Once you learn how to ride ice it can be fun....stupid, maybe, but fun nonetheless.

"Ice" to anyone not from the Northeast means hard pack snow. This can be skied easily. Just make sure you edge evenly and stay balanced. A little crust should not be feared, but if it's 3pm on the first day of a three day trip...head to the lodge and grab a beer. The snow will be better (usually) by 9am the next day.

People from Utah think ice is anything they don't sink down into at least 3 inches. Don't listen to them about ice. They have no idea...just like Easterners should never give "powder" tips.

Answer 5

Yes, it can be dangerous.  It is hard to maneuver and stop and when you fall it hurts a lot more.

Answer 6

I grew up skiing in the northeast and ice is something you learn to deal with.  The worst part is the noise.  Just that alone makes people freak and they bail.  

Make sure your edges are sharp.  That will give you some control.  

When you hit ice don't make any drastic movements.  That's how people wind up falling and getting hurt on it.  Look towards where the ice ends and the snow starts up again.  As soon as you hit the snow then you can turn and bleed off some of the speed you may have gained.  

Just relax and don't freak when you hit it and that's half the battle.