The last but certainly not the least important theme is the terrain. The nicest thing about becoming a better skier is being able to ski a new and more demanding terrain.

As with so many other things, the best way to manage new terrain is by simply trying it. This does not mean charging recklessly down the mountain, but learning to read difficult and challenging terrain.

When you come across a difficult or unmanageable terrain for the first time, allow yourself plenty of time to guage its difficulty. It can pay to ski right across the trail and turn close to the edge of the trail. This is because you do not pick up so much speed when you ski diagonally across a slope and slo because the snow at the edge of the trail often is better than in the centre.

For some reason, skiers always prefer to ski down the middle of a trail; therefore it is often in the middle of trails that moguls and icy places are found. Out on the edges of the trail you have a good chance of avoiding both moguls and ice. Do not start your turn before you feel you are in control and have enough space to make the turn.

If you feel nervous, the worst thing you can do in this situation is to attempt small short turns down the fall line. When you turn your skis, the tips will point straight down the fall line a majority of the time, risking that you will not be able to reduce your speed.

On difficult trails, where you feel there is too little space to turn - or it is too narrow or icy - you might want to avoid turning altogether. In these situations you can rely on the controlled sideslip. The sideslip is an excellent way of getting safely down a short piece of difficult terrain. Put yourself in a good basic stance and ski slowly forward with your skis placed diagonally across the trail. Reduce the pressure on the edges of the skis and slide downhill sideways. Remember to keep a good dynamic stance facing downwards so that you are prepared for unexpected surprises.

Sideslip down steep sections.