_Zigzagging._--Turn more or less sideways to the hill and then move forwards at a gradient just easy enough to prevent back-slipping. The skis are held as close together as possible, and moved just as before; but now, instead of being "flat" to the surface of the snow, they are "edged" (cutting more deeply into it with the edges which are nearest the hill) and one ski is more or less above the other, according to the steepness of the slope.
If the surface is very hard and icy, and the skis cut in very little, less than half their width may rest on the snow. In order to lessen the muscular effort then needed to hold the ankles vertical (see p. 28) press both _knees_, especially the lower one, well over towards the hill.
Hold the sticks in each hand, and use them just as before, no matter how steep the slope. If the slope be very steep, the stick on the uphill side can be held shorter, but the two sticks should never (except on a dangerous slope) be put together and held across the body with both hands, as a climber holds his ice-axe. To do so will only get you into a bad habit of leaning towards the hill and supporting yourself with the stick, and will prevent you from balancing yourself properly and walking freely.
If only one stick be used, it should be carried in the hand which is nearest the hill.
If a steep slope is so hard and slippery that nothing will make the edges of the skis grip, hold the point of each stick close against the _downhill_ side of _each_ foot, move the sticks exactly in unison with the feet, and dig their points hard into the crust at each step. This gives a perfectly firm support for the skis and answers the purpose of climbing-irons. It is, however, very seldom necessary.
Having found the steepest gradient which you can negotiate without back-slipping, so adjust your course across the hill that this gradient remains constant. That is to say, if you come to a spot which is steeper--_no matter how slightly, or for how short a distance_--don't dream of trying to move on to it without altering your course; but instantly turn more sideways to the hill, so that although the _direction_ of your course is altered its _gradient_ remains the same as before. By this means only will you avoid falling on your nose, or, at any rate, struggling and slipping uselessly.