How to Sidestep Uphill on Snowshoes

Often a trail or slope is too steep to walk straight up. Try side stepping up the hill on your snowshoes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Ski Hats
• Warm Clothes
• Ski Gloves
• Ski Poles
• Snowshoes

1. Face sideways across the slope.
2. Place poles in the snow on either side of you for a balance aid.
3. Lift the uphill foot, step it up the hill and drive the uphill edge of the snowshoe into the snow.
4. Lean into the hill with your body.
5. Lift your lower foot up.
6. Step this foot up the hill and drive this snowshoe into the snow below your other foot.
7. Replant the poles higher up the hill and repeat.

Tips & Warnings

• If one leg gets more tired than the other, try stopping, facing the other direction and starting up again.
• Use the side-step technique after a failed attempt to go straight up or if zigzagging is impossible. The side-step technique is the most difficult uphill step in snowshoeing.
• You will always face one direction across the hill while side stepping.