It is icy, it's very deliberate. Icy-ness makes the course is fast and durable, also, .the skis are highly tuned for this. The hard conditions, also means the course stays more consistent thru the competition. If it was softer, more and more snow would be ejected as spray at each turn and huge ruts would form. At some races this does happen if the temperature get above freezing. The edges are quite sharp, the skis are quite stiff, the racers are incredible fit, the speed, momentum. All that talent and energy focused on the edge of the ski, gives it just enough bite to turn. The average skier would be skidding all over that hill and wouldn't consider it a good slope for recreational skiing.