How to Climb While Skiing
Side Step & Herringbone

When we say climbing, we're not talking about using ropes, harnesses and carabineers. We're talking about when your hat flies off while going down, then you need to go back up and get it, or climb to a lift entrance or a lodge. Climbing is an essential part of skiing.

Sidestepping is the most stable, and easiest method for climbing uphill without taking off your skis. It's also the slowest, but it's the only way to climb on steeper hills.

Position your skis across the hill. If they are pointed in any other direction you'll be likely to slide down. To climb up, you simply step sideways up the hill. Put your weight on the hill side edge of your skis with each step.

Practice the side step down the hill too.

The dictionary defines Herringbone as:
"a pattern consisting of adjoining vertical rows of slanting lines, any two contiguous lines forming either a V or an inverted V, used in masonry, textiles, embroidery, etc."

Here are some examples of the Herringbone pattern in fabric and wood flooring. It's the same pattern your skis will leave in the snow as you climb up hill.

The Herringbone climbing method is faster than side stepping, but will not work on the steep slopes.

On a flat area, spread the tips of your skis far apart while keeping the tails close, and walk forward applying pressure on the uphill edges of your ski as you climb.

• First, like most other maneuvers and techniques, practice on the flats.

• If you add gliding between strides, it will become a skating motion, a fast and useful way to propel yourself over flat terrain.