[Photo: Complete Skier]

Keeping to the outside edge of a path can often help you to avoid ice

Even if you can't avoid an icy run altogether, there are usually ways of skirting the worst. The edges of a slope tend to have better snow than the middle. Similarly the outside edge of a path is frequently free from ice even when the uphill edge is bullet-proof. You may even be able to drop over the edge and traverse in a deep layer of snow which has been pushed off the path.

If you do find yourself on a patch of ice, you will begin to accelerate. Most peoples' reaction is to try to brake. However, almost all patches of ice end in a pile of snow, pushed up by other skiers. Let your skis run straight across the ice and put in your next turn only when you reach the sanctuary of this pile of snow.

Occasionally, conditions may be so bad that you really are skiing on ice, and there will be no way to avoid turning. It is still possible to retain control of your skis: when you next switch on the television and see the racers performing their precise, flowing turns, bear in mind that the surface they are on has probably been watered until it resembles boiler-plate.

If you find yourself skiing on this type of surface, try the following

• Modify your stance: keeping your skis further apart not only enhances your balance, but also allows your inside ski to act as insurance in case your outside ski slips out from under you.
• Use the whole edge of your ski: keep your weight balanced in the middle of your skis and keep the pressure on your edges right under your feet.
• Be very subtle in your skiing: any sharp movements will result in your edges breaking their tenuous grip on the ice.
• Don't over-steer your skis: they steer very easily, and can rapidly end up across your direction of travel; once this happens, you will have little option but to slip sideways until your edges grip.
• Make sure that your edges are super-sharp.