• Before you do any maneuvers across the hill, check to make sure that you won't be skiing into the path of oncoming skiers.

Standing still, point your skis across the hill in a parallel relationship. Hold your hands comfortably up and ahead of you. Turn your upper body, chest, arms and head downhill, so that the uphill hand is directly above the front of the uphill ski.

Roll your ankles and knees into (up) the hill, thereby "putting your skis on edge."

• Check for oncoming skiers.

Begin gliding forward in a traverse.

As you traverse, slowly roll your knees and ankles away from the hill to flatten both skis. The skis will begin to slip sideways. Let them do so for a moment, then roll the ankles and knees back into (up) the hill.

Do this a few times in both directions.

Feel the edges bite and release, bite and release. Your tracks should leave evidence of this.

• Make sure that your upper body is facing slightly down the hill.
• Keep gentle contact with your shins on the tongues of the boots.
• Try to remain relaxed.