Riding Icy slopes

Anybody have any great tips? I always seem to lose control going mad fast down the hill, any tips or gear advice?

or invest in MTX (Mervin), Vario Side cut (neversummer), pressure distribution edges (burton)

I'm not really comfortable 100% on major ice yet but from what I've learned, the less major movements the easier it is to remain stable.  I'm definitly more comfortable on my heelside edge but I'm really trying to work on my toeside ice carving because otherwise I just feel gimped.  The more I fall on ice though, the more I'm motivated to get comfortable with my toeside because more than not, thats the side I'll mess up with. 

sharp edges and get some magna traction 

go straight until you're no longer on ice.

Originally posted by Mattymo go straight until you're no longer on ice.

I've been telling all the girls who are afraid of the scraping noise from ice to just ride straight through and brake once they're out of the ice. Any other method and they'll no doubt end up on the ice in pain.

magnetraction boards rule on ice!

just ride through

Originally posted by Civicforever MTX helps a bit, but I only use it for holding a tighter turn when going fast for the grip. Its not that big of a difference. My main suggestion is do not lean back. Keep your weight centered or forward if possible because on the steeper icier stuff, its kinda easy to slip out if you have too much weight to the back.

agreed.

me..whats up?

Agree w/ Civic and Percept... I've said it a few times in other threads, and I'll say it again... in my experience, MTX holds no better on ice (or any other snow condition for that matter) than any other board w/ sharp edges.  It's all marketing.

Originally posted by Sinixstar Ice is just a matter of getting over your fear of hearing the scraping noise. If you're going to be riding a lot of ice - get a helmet. You will fall sooner or later - and that ice is roughly as hard as concrete. Hit it going fast, smack your head - and welcome to a life of eating through a straw. No joke. On the more technical aspects - as has been mentioned - sharp edges are key. Especailly at the contact points where most people detune. Don't bother trying to ride your park/jib stick in ice. It won't work well.  Something stiffer, more of a free-ride oriented board, that's not detuned as much (you may still want to knock a tiny bit of edge off at the ends to make it less grabby). Keep the edges in good shape. If they get dinged, sharpen 'em as soon as you can.  When you're riding - it's all about keeping your edge solidly in the ground. Your base will have zero traction - so if you try and ride it out flat on ice - it can get sketchy. You will also tear the wax off your base faster then hell - so wax a lot.  When you're trying to go straight - keep  your weight over an edge. I prefer my toe edge, as it's a lot easier to balance, a lot less stress on my legs - and it's easier to absorb any bumps/jolts as you're going. When you turn - you have to really dig your edge in. You gotta really get some weight on the thing. Don't try turning with your legs at all - it won't work. PDE is also amazing. Haven't been on MTX - so I can't say how well that works (but it's supposed to be good) - but I know PDE gives you pretty serious edge hold. Mostly like I said though- it's all just mental. Spend a couple years riding western mass  - and you'll get over it quick. It's not really a whole lot different from riding packed snow, just the stakes are a bit higher if you fall, and there's much less room for error. Ice is NOT forgiving at all.

Have to agree with you on this 100 percent. Sounds like you spent some time out here in western mass. Think the biggest part is definitely getting over the fear and sharp edges. When you feel more confident in you ability the fear will dissipate. 

Originally posted by danemeyer20 My suggestion is to just ride through it and keep your weight over the center of the board. Also keep your knees bent, this helps to hold a better edge if you have to turn and gives you more control.

This only works with ice patches. When you have conditions like I do just riding through it is impossible since the entire run is ice. Sharp edges and proper technique are real important when riding on ice. If you can carve your turns then you should be fine but if you skid turn you will bite it hard.

Originally posted by kaikishoku Ice is harsh. Try not to force turns or lean back too far when you try to stop or slow down.

Yea I got my edges sharpened last week and boy was ice a thing of the past. And also the helmet was a great idea, I remember when I first started I was riding a notoriously icy slope and wasn't wearing a helmet. Fell right on my head and boom had to be brought down by the patrol, fun day. Ever since that I've been wearing protection. 

If the slopes are icy, just stay on more wide open trails. Just jacked my arm up after trying to ride tight glades on ice. Learned my lesson.

also a lot of it is mental and keeping yourself to low pressure, longer radius turns. 

Originally posted by Sinixstar Ice is just a matter of getting over your fear of hearing the scraping noise. If you're going to be riding a lot of ice - get a helmet. You will fall sooner or later - and that ice is roughly as hard as concrete. Hit it going fast, smack your head - and welcome to a life of eating through a straw. No joke. On the more technical aspects - as has been mentioned - sharp edges are key. Especailly at the contact points where most people detune. Don't bother trying to ride your park/jib stick in ice. It won't work well.  Something stiffer, more of a free-ride oriented board, that's not detuned as much (you may still want to knock a tiny bit of edge off at the ends to make it less grabby). Keep the edges in good shape. If they get dinged, sharpen 'em as soon as you can.  When you're riding - it's all about keeping your edge solidly in the ground. Your base will have zero traction - so if you try and ride it out flat on ice - it can get sketchy. You will also tear the wax off your base faster then hell - so wax a lot.  When you're trying to go straight - keep  your weight over an edge. I prefer my toe edge, as it's a lot easier to balance, a lot less stress on my legs - and it's easier to absorb any bumps/jolts as you're going. When you turn - you have to really dig your edge in. You gotta really get some weight on the thing. Don't try turning with your legs at all - it won't work. PDE is also amazing. Haven't been on MTX - so I can't say how well that works (but it's supposed to be good) - but I know PDE gives you pretty serious edge hold. Mostly like I said though- it's all just mental. Spend a couple years riding western mass  - and you'll get over it quick. It's not really a whole lot different from riding packed snow, just the stakes are a bit higher if you fall, and there's much less room for error. Ice is NOT forgiving at all.

Great info Sinix!  Yep, no matter how you sum it up...Ice sucks!  Keep on edge or point it.  Wax more often than usual too!

Originally posted by Sinixstar I It's not really a whole lot different from riding packed snow, just the stakes are a bit higher if you fall, and there's much less room for error. Ice is NOT forgiving at all.

heh, i remember when my sister started snowboarding, it was all ice...she was in a lot of pain that day

Fighter, keep your eyes sharp for divots and bumps in the ice, especially if you're turning on an icy patch. These are your biggest problem besides the ice. And do what Sinixstar said: get a helmet!

sharp edges and magne traction. what up now man dudey dude!

Originally posted by Sprifir now who here has riddened icy mogols?

My buddy road them before and he hit so hard he cracked his dragon goggles!  It was pretty crazy!!!!  Glad I didn't follow him.