Our mid-Michigan research verifies that the skiing is now good. …And that a half inch of snow on top of a millimeter of frozen rain works for giving a smile. Data conclusive.
(Except fishscales are loud and the worst of the types. And are probably getting abraded. Oh well! I use the other kinds! Waxable or zeroes/hairies.)
…Just find a shaded grassy, leafy place. More grass more better: like a golf course!
Also, all snow is good snow.
And rock skis are not a thing. (“Fancy skis” is a category, but all others are just skis.)
The hour of light drizzle we got the other day put a slightly slippery rime on the leaves and grass. I sure noticed it on the sidewalks! Then it snowed lightly for a couple hours. No moisture in it. It was just a half inch of fluff. But it has settled a bit the past day and doesn’t completely “puff” away from the skis.
It works!
And I didn’t even scratch my skis that I ever heard or felt. Who cares anyway.
You’d want some padding if your terrain has fast downhills — the ground is frozen and hard! Really, it’s good for casual, gentle action. It’s good to get out for fresh air!
It also helps if you have a “clean” area to ski. I have a nearby trail where I am constantly picking up sticks as I hike it year-round. I also flick off sticks as I ski. And in summer if I notice any stones, well, they’re outta there.
