Originally Posted by
PaulRivers
You might disagree with me, but I do not agree. I find it to be the opposite of what people would assume - sheer ice is great like 80% the traction of dry grippy pavement (with studs). Packed snow is fine to.
What I treat like walking on sanded ice is a thin layer of snow on top of ice, slushy half frozen snow, or deep snow. Those have all caused me problems - whereas sheer ice is just fine. I mean I'm definitely not doing crazy mountain bike tricks on sheer ice, just riding across it, but I don't find sheer ice takes to many precautionary measure. Tire studs are really effective at gripping into it.
I have no disagreement, especially about winter cycling with a Minnesotan, but I expressed my personal preference. (Among my group of capable, professional consultants at work, I might politely say,
"I can't disagree with you, but I think you're wrong." 
)
Is
sheer ice the same as
black ice? Even at 80% of the traction of pavement, I still ride carefully on it. Even with seemingly
just snow on the ground, I can't always be sure if there is ice below.