Walk Like a Penguin or Pavement Skiing?
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
With temperatures low and wet or snowy weather continuing, falling on ice is a major concern for many of us. We've seen a lot of talk about which way is best to walk, and with new NHS advice, we're asking the question: which way is better?
On a recent visit into town to deliver our new publication, Pocket COG, the only safe option was to walk.
Our discussions at COG are long and varied, generally pleasant, and on this day, we found ourselves discussing the new NHS advice to walk like a penguin, which is meant to give you better stability and less chance of falling and breaking a leg. Bernie, who'd lived in Scandinavia for a long time, told me that the locals don't walk; they pavement ski. This way, your feet are never removed from the ground, and it has the added advantage of churning the snow or ice rather than compressing it, making the surface more accessible to people who use the path after you.
Keen to try both, and wearing my trusty snow boots, I set out. We had lots of walking to do on the day; there was plenty of snow and ice and the usual slushy stuff. So a good and fair trial of both methods was possible.
I quickly discovered that pavement skiing was easier for me to do and did churn the snow rather than compress it, so that worked better. Sadly, the same can't be said of my former trusty snow boots, which decided that the corner of Queen Street and Churchill Road was the perfect place to develop a smile, which quickly became a grin and then a guffaw with each step I took.
Fellow walkers started to ask if I was OK, and I almost got entangled in a dog lead, much to the surprise of the dog and the owner!
I can't say whether the walking test caused the demise of my once-favorite boots, nor if they can be fixed, but I didn't fall!
What's your view on how to walk in snow? Bernie was for trying his actual skis, but sadly the weather wasn't quite snowy enough. Never mind, Bernie - we've a couple of months of winter left, and hope might prevail!
Which Way Do You Walk?
Walk Like a Penguin
Pavement Skier
Something Else
Don't be silly Lori - I'm fine as I am!
Walk Like a Penguin or Pavement Skiing? - Created 13th January 2026
