How to walk on snow and ice without falling
Slipping on icy sidewalks sends more people to the emergency room every winter than car crashes. Changing the way you step makes it almost impossible for your feet to shoot out from under you.
If you only do three things
- Walk like a penguin: lean slightly forward so your weight stays directly over your front foot, and take short, flat-footed shuffles.
- Keep your hands out of your pockets and nothing heavy in both arms so your arms can balance and protect you.
- Step down flat—never heel-first—when stepping off a curb, down porch stairs, or out of a car.
Why the 'Penguin Walk' works
On dry pavement, humans walk by reaching one leg forward, striking with the heel, and pushing off with the back toe. That splits your body weight between two angled legs. On ice, that forward heel strike shoots your foot straight out in front of you.
Penguins walk on ice by keeping their torso centered directly over their front foot at a 90-degree angle to the ground:
- Point your toes slightly outward.
- Bend your knees slightly and lean your upper body a little forward so your center of gravity sits right over your front foot.
- Put your whole foot down flat at once (like marching gently in place) and take steps half your normal length.
- Extend your arms slightly out from your sides for balance—never walk on ice with your hands inside coat pockets.
Where hidden ice forms first
- At the bottom of building downspouts where melted roof snow refreezes across the sidewalk.
- Painted crosswalk stripes, metal utility covers, and brick pavers (far slicker than plain concrete).
- Parking spots right outside your car door—people step out of a warm car with all their weight on one foot and slip immediately.
- Shaded north-facing sidewalks the morning after a sunny 40°F day—snow melts in the afternoon sun and turns into glass overnight.
- Indoor tile floors just inside store entrances where wet boots track in slush.
If you feel yourself falling, tuck your chin
Do not reach a straight, locked arm backward to catch your fall—that is the main cause of broken wrists. Bend your knees to get lower, tuck your chin tightly to your chest to protect the back of your head from hitting the ice, and try to land on your side or thigh.
Related guides
- How to dress for snow: Choosing boots and traction cleats.
- Shoveling and ice melt guide: How to salt your steps and driveway so ice never forms.