How much snow to safely ski paved road?

[mca80]

My road gets plowed, but not all the way down to the blacktop. There's a thin layer of compacted icy stuff always on top. My question is how much fresh powder on top, before they get to plowing again, would be needed to ski without risk of damaging my new skis?

[fisheater]

I would say, 4” is generally pretty good. However I have rock skis, I live in southern Michigan. Rock skis are really important to have.
If you don’t have any rock skis, I have an Asnes USGI at 200 cm which could use a base grind, and an old Europa 99 it’s a royal blue with red model 210 cm. It was too slow for me. If I make it to Telefest you could have either set.
You really need rock skis, and a good tuck and roll when you have that sudden foot stoppage from hitting the rock!

[connyro]

There's an art to doing this successfully. IMO the main threat is not ski damage but faceplant-related damage. One false move or one imperfection or pebble on the surface that sticks up through the thin layer of snow or one edge set too steep lead to sudden violent faceplant. The "trick" is to not ski aggressively (sit back, no edging). or find somewhere else to slide that doesn't involve a good chance of grinding your face on a hard rocky surface. How can I so confidently and boldly answer this important question? Because I tried this same thing in the early season on a long packed-stone logging road that descends a couple hundred feet pretty quickly... until I suddenly found myself picking bits of stone from my scalp and face. Ski got gouged but that ended up being the least severe consequence that gritty day

[lowangle al]

It depends on the type of snow also. I'd be good with 1 to 2 inches of heavy dense snow that's bonded to the asphalt. In light fluffy stuff that isn't bonded to the road 4 inches might not be enough. You say there is a hard base on the road all season so you could get by with just a half inch or so. If they put sand or gravel on the road you will need more to cover it up. You might have to give it a try to see if you hit rocks and then decide if it will damage your bases.

I skied my road earlier this week on about 4-5 inches on top of a packed base that had been sanded. I did hit some sand and gravel that was stirred up by traffic, but I wasn't as concerned about damaging my bases as I would have been if the gravel was still bonded to the base. That being said I wouldn't have used my best or newest skis.

Other factors are how steep the road is. If you can keep your turns close in the fall line you can get by with less snow then if had to scrub speed in your turns, or do any skidding to the side.

If skiing on the road is your only opportunity to get out it's worth risking damage to your skis IMO. If you start hitting rocks you may decide to wait it out.

[mca80]

Thanks, all. Our new snow is almost always light and fluffy. I can use the old Rossis as rock skis, but they're slow and once I get off the road to where I am headed I want to be on the Nansens, so... I will just walk, it's only a mile. Unless there's a good 4 to 5 out there before plowing. Was just looking for a quicker way to get to an overgrown path down the road.

What happens at the Porkies telefest? I was contemplating heading there next Thursday when the lifts are closed because it's supposed to be nice and warm, like low 20s. I worry about speeding downhill with my near-zero experience going downhill on skinny freeheel skis with the dog around. Makes me think I should get a Breidablikk or Kongsvold for next year.

[connyro]

...
What happens at the Porkies telefest? I was contemplating heading there next Thursday when the lifts are closed because it's supposed to be nice and warm, like low 20s. I worry about speeding downhill with my near-zero experience going downhill on skinny freeheel skis with the dog around. Makes me think I should get a Breidablikk or Kongsvold for next year.

Telefest is the 11th through the 13th of Feb. its like the 32nd annual. It's a fun crowd and a good time. Lots of Midwestern tele skiers come out of the woodwork. Drinking beer and meeting people is optional but highly recommended. It's a casual, chill crowd.

If you head up to the porkies ski hill with skinnies on closed days, I would stick to the east and west sides of the hill. Looker's right has a good uphill trail that should he fine for kick wax or scales. There's lots of xc trails all around the ski hill too that can take you to the top as well. For mellow downs, look for Ridge and Hidden Valley on the east side and Sunset on the west.

[randoskier]

1/2 inch if you don't like your skis anymore

[mca80]

...
What happens at the Porkies telefest? I was contemplating heading there next Thursday when the lifts are closed because it's supposed to be nice and warm, like low 20s. I worry about speeding downhill with my near-zero experience going downhill on skinny freeheel skis with the dog around. Makes me think I should get a Breidablikk or Kongsvold for next year.

Telefest is the 11th through the 13th of Feb. its like the 32nd annual. It's a fun crowd and a good time. Lots of Midwestern tele skiers come out of the woodwork. Drinking beer and meeting people is optional but highly recommended. It's a casual, chill crowd.

If you head up to the porkies ski hill with skinnies on closed days, I would stick to the east and west sides of the hill. Looker's right has a good uphill trail that should he fine for kick wax or scales. There's lots of xc trails all around the ski hill too that can take you to the top as well. For mellow downs, look for Ridge and Hidden Valley on the east side and Sunset on the west.

Thanks. I knew greens down would be the way to go. Might even wear a helmet, never having tried tele turns, although if I keep it slow I should be fine and can always fall backward to stop. If it's warm out for telefest I may go. Too cold and I have to leave the dog at home and he doesn't like that. At least if it's warm I can keep him in the truck and walk him now and then. Are their xc trails groomed and tracked? Is there space for me to ski Nansens outside the tracks?

[lowangle al]

1/2 inch if you don't like your skis anymore

a half in on a hard base, Why not?

[lowangle al]

When there is no sand or gravel on my road I don't need any powder.