As someone who lives in the Northeast, I can appreciate your comment about ice. It certainly is an equalizer of sorts, where many people who ski soft snow very well feel like lesser skiers when they hit ice. Here is what I suggest (at least these thoughts work for me): don't try to dig in/edge harder when you hit icy patch (defensive); rather, soften your edge pressure and glide over the ice until you hit soft snow again. Maintain your stance with the rest of your body, without tensing, and be ready to continue skiing when you hit the soft snow. Be ready for some grabbing sensation as you hit the soft snow -- sort of like when you go from groomed snow to crud. You might think of the icy patch as a "pause button" where you stop "skiing" as you move over the ice. Don't be concerned if you side sideways or down the hill when you hit the ice -- maintaining your body position will keep you in balance so that you do not fall. Think of skiing around the icy patches like you might plan skiing in a mogul field.I am very good at judging when to release UNTIL there is ice in the mix. I don't think anything throws me for a loop (and puts me in MAJOR defensive mode) more than a mix of ice and soft. Yet I see others who are not even phased by it, so, with that in mind...
How do you overcome very old habits of braking vs. GO. What do you do to start getting the GO intent worked into a skier who has braking very much engrained into their movement patterns?
Using these suggestions will mean that your turns will not be as symmetrical as in Bob's video. I suggest not worrying about that for now. As you become more comfortable with the sensations of skiing on ice, you will gain confidence to become smoother. If there is more snow than ice, you will look like a hero. If the snow/ice ratio is 50:50, you will begin to have fun in these conditions. If there is more ice than snow, well, that's when I pack it in and go home!
Of course, well tuned skis make a big difference! AND, this should all be moot in your neck of the woods in a week or two!