Putting down tracks in deep snow:
It's fun to put down a set of tracks in snow, then in subsequent passes, put the skis right back in that same set of tracks. In DEEP snow, however, you may be better served to put down a set of tracks, then on the next pass, put down a set of tracks right NEXT to the first set, then on the next pass a set just to the other side of the first set. Etc. In cold temperatures, tracks will "set up" and become quite firm, allowing you to stay on top of the snow once you slow down and stop. But, a single, perfectly aligned set of tracks will also set up and create the effect of landing on a set of railroad tracks. Your skis will want to slide off those "pillars", and now you're stuck. Don't ask how I found that out.
So, in VERY deep snow, put down a set of tracks, then make them WIDER. Keep working those tracks until you're pretty confident that you've got a pretty good "runway". After landing, get on those snowshoes and improve that runway for takeoff. By the time you're done doing whatever it was that you landed to do, those tracks will have set up nicely and off you go.
Turning:
Getting turned around in a tight spot is probably one of the greatest challenges of ski flying. Hence my first choice, as noted above: Land, stop, and take off all in the same direction. Unfortunately, not all LZs permit this luxury.
Turning around in minimum radius is somewhat of an artform. Generally, turning to the left will provide the smallest radius of turn, due to left turning tendency. Tail ski will help to "float" that tailwheel, and you won't have to hold quite as much forward stick to keep the tail up. That tail is going to try to keep you straight, sort of. Too much forward pressure on the stick MAY force the skis up against the aft limit cables, and now you're pushing snow with the toes of the skis, unwittingly. A bad combination.
Slow for the turn, but don't stop. Depending on how much space you have available, you may want to turn out a little to the right, then quickly reverse the turn to the left. Short, quick blasts of power, combined with FULL left rudder will get it going around. You don't want to keep the power in, since that will tend to send you off in more of a straight line (those keels, remember?), so keep the blasts of power quick, then get off the power. Keep some forward stick pressure to keep the tail up out of the snow to the extent possible. If it looks like it's getting out of hand, chop the power, and plan on some shoving and shoveling. It comes with the territory.
Good snowshoes and a shovel are essential pieces of equipment for ski flying. And, those goofy little snowshoes they now sell in the LL Bean catalog are NOT what I call snowshoes. Get a BIG set of webs. You're going to be tramping down an LZ, not pretending to prance through the two inch deep snow. While this will offer lots of exercise, we're looking to compact snow, not improve aerobics.
If you do get stuck in a turning situation, be VERY careful in turning the plane around by hand. It is quite possible to damage an axle by reefing on the tail of an airplane. Those skis can stick pretty tight and they impart a serious lever arm on your axles. Go cautiously. I kick the toe of the skis a bit, then push the tail sideways a small amount, then kick the skis lightly again, then push the tail around again. It's a slow process, but it'll save those axles, and without those axles, you're spending the night.
MTV