1. Begin With the Basics
Side stepping is one of the most basic of moves in skiing, but also one of the most essential. Knowing how to side step develops your confidence and helps you become more in tune with the skis under you. Start with a surface that is flat and soft, but then gradually explore more difficult terrain. After a good half hour on the flat, start side stepping up a small slope, then try a more icy slope and see how those surfaces require a change in technique. Be sure you are confident side stepping on one type of slope and condition before moving on to side step in a more challenging one.
2. Develop Your Edge Awareness
Side stepping is great for developing edge awareness, which is needed for more difficult ski techniques such as downhill traversing and diagonal side slipping. Developing a strong sense of where your ski edge is helps you learn to control where the edge goes, and enables you to better control your movements in more advanced hills and conditions. You will especially need this edge awareness on firmer snow and icy conditions.
3. Take it One Step at a Time
The side stepping technique is simply taking one ski at a time, at a 90-degree angle from the fall line of the slope, and moving them up or down the slope. You alternate the weight from one foot to another, moving your way slowly up the slope. You can make use of your poles to steady yourself as you make your way up or down the hill, but it is not necessary. If you choose to use your poles, alternate them as well as you go, using the opposite pole to the ski you are moving.
4. You Need to Use Your Knees
While side stepping, it is essential to have a good and proper amount of knee bend. Make sure your bend is neither too shallow nor too steep for the type of slope you are side stepping. The steeper the slope, the deeper the bend required. Also, keep your knees in such a position that they bend over your toes. This helps protect the ligaments from too much stress.
5. Move it Forward
Once you have the basic side stepping technique down, try forward side stepping. Tilt your skis slightly up slope while still basically maintaining the sideways formation. This technique is excellent for going up steeper slopes and is a great way to build confidence.
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