While snow is certainly the best surface for skiing, there are a handful of options that do work fairly well. Sand is the most common alternative, as well as grass, water, and, in some cases, volcanic ash.
French ski instructor Mahé Freydier and his crew (along with the incredible Emiliano Silva) took to the side of Europe’s tallest volcano to get some turns in on volcanic ash, documenting the process for a yet-to-be-released documentary. They hit a few volcanoes, but Mount Etna was certainly the coolest.
If you’re wondering what it’s like to ski on a volcano, wonder no more. Mahé recorded the run with his CARV, allowing him to perfectly display the differences. The biggest is the turns, which have to be significantly bigger due the abrasive surface. Additionally edge angle had to be reduced to keep up speed, and weight had to be distributed between both legs more evenly than on snow due to the uneven surface.
Mount Etna
Mount Etna is one of the world’s most active and iconic volcanoes, rising along the eastern coast of Sicily. The UNESCO World Heritage Site encompasses 19,237 uninhabited hectares across the highest portions of the volcano and represents one of the most important areas for studying ongoing geological processes.
Etna is the highest mountain on a Mediterranean island and the most active stratovolcano in the world. Its eruptive history stretches back roughly 500,000 years, with human records documenting volcanic activity for at least 2,700 years.
The volcano’s frequent eruptions have made it one of the best-studied and monitored volcanoes on Earth. Its landscape features summit craters, cinder cones, lava flows, lava caves and the massive Valle de Bove depression. Etna also supports diverse ecosystems containing endemic plants and animals, making the mountain an important natural laboratory for ecological research and education.