TIPS

• It is your inside edges, not your poles, that should do most of the gripping. The steeper and icier the slope, the more edge you will need and the wider your V must be.
• On steeper slopes, shift your grip on the poles to get better support.
• Keep the poles planted away from your skis to avoid stepping on them.
• Switch to sidestepping if the slope becomes too steep.
• If you find herringbone climbing too frustrating, come back to it once you are more comfortable on your skis.

Step one ski at a time up the slope, using your poles for support. You should leave a neat 'herringbone' track.

[Photo: ifyouski.com]