Groomed, Powder, Ice or Slush: How to Ski Every Kind of Snow

Snow is never quite the same twice. A run that feels easy at nine in the morning can be icy at noon in the shade, or heavy and wet by mid-afternoon in spring. Knowing what you are skiing on and adjusting to it makes every day safer and more fun. Most of the tips below work on skis and on a snowboard.

Freshly groomed piste

In the morning, after the snow groomers have worked overnight, the pistes are smooth and firm, with fine ridges like corduroy. This is the easiest snow there is and the best for practising technique, so make the most of it. On busy runs the snow is pushed into piles by late morning, and small bumps start to form.

Fresh snow and powder

After a snowfall the snow is soft and deep, even along the edges of groomed runs. It slows you down and your skis or board sink in.

• Keep a little more speed than usual: in deep snow you need momentum to turn.
• On skis, keep your weight evenly on both skis and your feet a little closer together, so that they work as one platform.
• On a snowboard, move your weight slightly towards your back foot so that the nose floats up.
• Turn with a smooth, bouncing rhythm rather than sharp movements.
• If you fall on skis, getting up is harder: lay your poles crossed on the snow and push on them.

Ice and hard-packed snow

On cold days, in the shade or where many skiers have scraped the snow away, the surface becomes hard and shiny. Your edges grip less.

• Make smaller, smoother movements and avoid sudden changes of direction.
• Keep your weight on the outside ski, or over the edge of your board, and stay centred over your feet.
• Tilt your skis or board with your knees and ankles rather than your whole body.
• Slow down before icy patches and look for the softer snow that collects at the sides of the run.
• Sharp edges make a big difference: if your skis slide everywhere, ask for the edges to be checked.

Spring snow and slush

From March the sun softens the snow during the day: firm and fast in the morning, heavy and wet in the afternoon, as we describe in our guide to the Erciyes ski season.

• Ski your favourite runs in the morning and take it easy late in the afternoon.
• Keep your weight centred and your stance a little wider for balance.
• Expect the wet snow to grab your skis or board; stay relaxed and keep your speed even.
• You get wet more easily, so a waterproof outer layer matters.

Flat light and poor visibility

When clouds or fog hide the sun, shadows disappear and it becomes hard to see the shape of the slope. Bumps and dips seem to come out of nowhere. Slow down, bend your knees a little more to absorb what you cannot see, and ski close to the piste markers at the edge of the run, which give your eyes a reference. Goggles with a lighter, low-light lens help a lot.

Get to know the mountain with a guide

Snow changes with the time of day and the side of the mountain. On our Experienced packages, our leaders take you on a piste tour on the first day, so you get to know the runs and how they ski. To choose runs that match your level, see our guide to ski piste colours.

• Ski technique
• Snowboarding
• Snow conditions
• Intermediate