1. Start With the Low Slopes
When you start out learning downhill traversing in skiing, you need to play it safe. Keep with the lower to moderate slopes and be sure your equipment is in good condition. At the very least, have one lesson in traversing so you know what to expect and what you may run into. Ideally, to start, the conditions should be soft snow and the run should have a flat run out. This makes for the best downhill traverse learning conditions.
2. Control Your Edge
To edge your skis in deep soft snow is easy. The snow does most of the slowing down of the decent for you as you traverse. In hard packed or icy conditions however, you'll need exacting control of your ski edge in order to control the traverse effectively. The steepness of the run also determines the need for ski edge control. These changes in conditions and steepness of the slope also determine what type of edge control you'll need for the run.
3. Proper Feet Placement
In traversing, it is essential to know where you place your feet. Be conscious of your foot placement at all times during the run. Also, be conscious of where you're exerting the most pressure on the feet. You'll have a vastly different movement when you change from pressure on the heel of your foot to pressure on the toe or ball of your foot.
4. To Bend or Not to Bend
The downhill traverse is what many think of when they think of skiing. The picture perfect traverse in the imagination of many is a deeply bent knee with a perfect alternating diagonal to the slope. The truth of the matter is each skier will have more success in developing the amount knee bend they need depending on their own level of physical ability. The depth of the bend in your knees sometimes also determines the amount of control you have on the edge. You may find you have more control with more bend in the knees or maybe less works better for you.
5. Try Side Stepping First
As you graduate to steeper icy slopes, try side stepping the slope first. This gives you a good outline of the positioning you'll need to traverse that slope effectively. Make sure the icy slope you start on is short as well as steep, with a safe run out. This is a good idea when you are trying any new technique that requires a steep and hard packed surface.
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