How to handle an icy slope?

Question

I went skiing last year in Whistler and i had a weeks worth of lessons. The conditions were amazing except for on a couple of really icy blues.

Me and my partner dropped behind the group a bit and ended up taking to wrong turn off which placed us at the top of an icy blue/black and the rest of the group had gone another way round to get to the bottom.

To cut a long story short - i freaked out, got stuck, had to side step the whole way down and cried my eyes out.

Its not the steepness, but the lack of control that scares me.

We've just booked another fortnight in Whistler and i'm really scared about finding myself in the same situation. We even paid for private lessons to try and have more control over where we ski.

However, on the off change i come against an icy slope, what would be the best way to tackle it without crying all the way down?

Answer 1

Traverse very shallowly, using all edges,, sharp turns at the edges, quick as you can. For a short distance, you can shave the ice, going down sideways, but even traversing is better than that!

Answer 2

There are actually a few choices..and it doesn't matter if it's the stuff people in the West call "ice" (just really hard snow) or REAL FREAKIN' ICE like we have in the East.

First off...you don't need crampons unless you are skiing on glaciers...and like someone else said, don't take off your skis. The edges will actually give you more grip than your ski boots will.

OK...Choice #1: If it is just a short patch of ice/hardpack, take it straight on. Don't use your edges and keep the base of your skis flat. Don't try to turn...you will fall. Just ride it out. You will pick up some speed. That's the real fear people have on ice...speed and the lack of control. Fight the urge to turn. So once you have cleared the ice, go ahead and make a turn to slow down. Try looking for icy patches that are small, maybe on green slopes, to get used to the feeling of the ice. Bumpy ice takes some time to get used to, but once you get the hang of it you can ride out bigger/steeper patches.

Choice #2: Traversing Turns. I use this all of the time on the steep stuff. You need to lean into the hill and let the edges dig into the ice. It may take a minute to find the sweet spot where the edge takes to the ice, but once you find it, push off and stay balanced on the edges. Usually opening up your stance helps. Ski down facing the side of the slope. When you get close to the edge you should find some softer snow where you can either make a jump turn or just stop and make a walking turn..find the sweet spot again and repeat until finished. It's not the most graceful technique, but it will get you down the hill.

You, however, have already determined the biggest part of the problem...you feel out of control. You've got to either get used to the feeling for a bit of time, or become a really really good skier...(hint: even the pros admit they have to sometimes sacrifice control in order to perform.) Before you master the physical techniques you have to get your brain right first. Sometimes that's easier said than done. I've looked at more than my fair share of slopes and shook my head "no way" when one of my equally-skilled buddies drops in and takes the hill. So in I go and out I come..usually unscathed, but it was all in my head.

Answer 3

First of all NEVER take off your skis and slide down. #1, you will have less control over the situation without skis, #2, when you're lying on the ground, skiers comming down the mountain fast won't be able to see you. You run a very good chance of getting hit.
Okay, the most important thing to all skiing is stance. I know it might be intimidating, but always be forward in your boot and put the pressure on the front of your ski. Thats how to stay balanced and in control. When you put on boots, let your knees bend forward and relax in your boot, then bend the knees more keeping boots on the ground. Keep your hands up in front of you where you can see them at all times. Don't bend down at the waist, however. Keep your skis straight and make deliberate turns. This is the basis of the correct stance.
On ice, try to ski as you normally would. When you become stiff and try stupid things is when you will be most likely to hurt yourself. If you find yourself skidding don't panic. Stay loose, get forward in you boots and dig in with your downhill ski. If that doesn't work for you, just dig in and stop. DON'T SNOWPLOW, (AKA PIZZA) That is dangerous! Stop always with your skis parallel to the hill. Hope this helps! Have fun skiing. By the way, to the cascade skiier, hitting ice that many times a run in new england on an normal day is about average.

Answer 4

Are we talking boiler plate ice or just real hard pack? In either case the best way to go is on the sides of the trail because that is where the snow gets pushed to and if all else fails look for the best line and ski it straight til you get past it. I have taken my lumps on ice being from the east coast and I just learned to burn it because as you know unless you have razor sharp edges you will not be able to turn anyway and if you try you will usually end up on your butt so just get over it as fast as possible.

Answer 5

Stance is critical. People who "bank" their turns are in big trouble when conditions get icy. When someone skis with their feet close together and leaning when they turn, when they hit a slick spot, they may go down before they have time to react.

The key is to keep your feet about as far apart as your shoulders. Then even if your edges slip a little bit, it won't matter because you will still have a stable "platform."

Try to keep your feet shoulder width apart regardless. That way, when conditions are variable and you hit a slick spot, you will only slide a bit. You won't go down.

It is good to have a lesson once in a while to work on "stuff" like stance and using your edges effectively.

Answer 6

Navigating an icy slope will require you to apply a little more pressure on the edges of your skis to get down effectively. Make big, wide turs, and basically ski all the way across the hill, stop, make a quick turn, and head back to the other side. This will nullify the steepness of the slope and give you a nice gentle ride down. You are basically zig-zaging all the way down the slope.

On another note: Contrary to what ViolinPlayer and a couple other fools on here tell you, NEVER take your skis off or try to slide down a steep slope, espicially an icy one. The edges on your skis are one of two ways to self arrest on an icy slope if you finding yourself sliding down out of control (You can also slide your hand down your pole and try to dig the tip into the slope, for this reason you shouldnt use the wrist straps of your poles for steep skiing.) Ski boots are plastic and slide VERY easily on snow and ice, and have no sharp edges to dig in with if you go down. Remember, skis are your friend on the mountain, use them to your advantage. If you do find yourself sliding down the hill, try to get your feet out in front of you, roll over onto your hip, and try to set those edges into the ice and snow. This should slow you down enough to where if you do hit something, its not gonna hurt too bad, or keep you in enough control to where you can stop yourself. Its actually kind of fun. Once you get good enough, you can actually dig your edges in and spring back onto your skis, kind of like a pop up slide in baseball. This will look cool, and impress the people you are skiing with. It will improve your confidence as well when you learn these techniques, so go out and practice them on a more gentle slope before you tackle the steeps. Go to a blue or green, get some speed up, sit down in the back seat and roll over onto your hip, dig the edges in, and pop back up onto your skiis. Now you are ready to tackle that trophy run that you have been waiting for your whole life!

Answer 7

If you come across an icy slope that you know could potentially be very dangerous, turn around and find another slope to conquer. If that's not an option go first down the slope, that way if you need help or you are scared some one will be right behind you just in case. And if all fails, you will just have to be strong, even if you do cry all the way down. it's ok not to have control. Faith will guide you.

Answer 8

I agree with exblee1. You need Very Sharp Edges. I too ski and race on Sierra cement out here in California. Ice is part of the game. A good sharp edge will cut into the ice and give you the control you need. Remember though, the edges have to cut into the ice. That means bending the knees and EDGING! slipping. If you slip you will have no control.
Once you learn to edge correctly it is a piece of cake. Edging will also help in eliminating chatter.

Answer 9

Make sure your edges are sharp before you start. The best way to tackle ice is to make single, deliberate turns. Finish each turn into the uphill slope to control the finish. I ski the cascades so I hit ice at least 6-10 times per year.

Answer 10

The things you learned and practice on groomed hard-packed hold true on ice only more intense with less room for error. Weight transfer is especially important on ice because it's a given that if the downhill ski is skidding the uphill ski ALWAYS finds an edge and you find yourself with a sore butt.

Answer 11

Hey I take my 4 yr old out on the greens and blues in CO so since you already know how to ride you will be fine. If you have a big powder day the only thing you have to learn is that you keep less weight at the tip, and carve wider lines than you do on hard pack. Parks are playgrounds for kids, go have real fun in the trees and backbowls...