handbrake - electric or mechanical?
 

Have loads of snow here in UK and have been out playing in the snow with my X5. Can't seem to get the back end round quick enough in a controlled skid, pull the handbrake (parking brake) hard but does nothing - so guess my question is whether the parking brake is cable controled or just an electric switch that is connected to ABS?

Its not connected to the ABS I dont think..You would feel it engage... IF you really want to skid and slide in the snow. Try going a little faster and then pull the hand brake quick, and turn the steering wheel aggressively to the direction you desire.. I haven't done it in my X, but I've done it in my other cars when I was younger..I don't do this type of stuff anymore..I'd rather not risk it..

Yep, tried that, using same technique that worked fine in my previous cars, including 4x4's. I'm going faster and faster and turning more agresively each time with a real sharp hard pull on the lever, but no lock up at rear, just slows slightly. Is it worth switching the traction control off do you think?

Always practised this technique in each car as it's good to know your car's limits and characteristics. On an old Vauxhall (GM) car the ABS cut in so much on a snowy road that the only way I could stop the car was with the handbake - which I'd learnt how to use in a car-free open snowbound car park that week.

It could just be the design of the car..If you're trying to do it on purpose it may not easily allow for such a maneuver..... By accident I've seen it happen though...So honestly I'm not sure why its hard to pull this off. Again, I've never tried it in my X..and I most likely won't.