Skiing icy bike trails

[urungus]

I’ve recently started exploring the woods at Berkshire East. It’s been fun to discover some new lines by following the bike trails that cross-cross the glades. However I sometimes feel like I am trapped on an icy bobsled track and worry about launching over the side of the berm into a tree. The bike trails are often too narrow to turn within, so I am doing an ungainly “pizza” maneuver in the steep sections to keep my speed under control. Any advice on how to slow down on these icy tracks ?

 

[machski]

Sharp edges? Seriously, not sure how BE formed their trails, but some areas dug out on backside of banked turns leaving huge potholes there. So be careful, a tree may not be the only hazard off track.

 

[Bumpsis]

The bike trails are often too narrow to turn within, so I am doing an ungainly “pizza” maneuver in the steep sections to keep my speed under control. Any advice on how to slow down on these icy tracks ?

Do what winter bikers do: put some studs on your skis
Following narrow icy tracks in the woods?? Sounds like a death wish...

 

[abc]

Why are the bike trails icy?

Because too many people already skied it?

 

[urungus]

Why are the bike trails icy?

Because too many people already skied it?

Yeah, they get packed down and scraped off

 

[urungus]

Do what winter bikers do: put some studs on your skis
Following narrow icy tracks in the woods?? Sounds like a death wish...

The Beast glade is insane, it’s even more of a death wish leaving the bike tracks. Although I was able to finally discover the original Beast “trail” the other day ... yikes !

 

[abc]

Yeah, they get packed down and scraped off

I don't know a way to ski it "properly". Not within my skill level anyway.

The only solution is to ski it BEFORE other people scrape it off.

 

[urungus]

Was very nice today at Berkshire East. Here’s the entrance to Sleeping Jakes, off UMass, about to cut across the Beast glade.

 

[MG Skier]

I was there Tuesday! It was a great day. It was also my first day there and about a year since I last skied in the trees so I took it easy.
Yeah I "found" some of those bobsled runs, i'll pass on those next time!
Plent to explore there on a powder day YOWSAH! I'll be back!

 

[urungus]

Been skiing “The Gronk” (LOL at the name) alot this past week, the banked switchbacks and rollers are pretty fun. It’s like a while ‘nother word exploring the network of bike paths through the woods. Requires a bit of a different mindset as you lose your freedom to choose your own way down.

 

[urungus]

Also skiied over this wooden structure on the Hawleywood trail ... a bit sketchy with nothing preventing you from falling off the side

Stock summer photo

 

[MG Skier]

I’m heading there Wednesday, I’ll check out Gronk, might have to pass on the bridge....

 

[urungus]

FYI, there is some icing expected Tuesday