To avoid collapse, always make sure that each new step is sufficiently above the last one. Descending - Heel cleats are the key to an easy descent. Try to keep your knees bent slightly, lean back, and keep your weight on your heel cleats in order to maintain control. Edging - An important technique for traversing a slope is to simply kick the side of the shoe into the hillside engaging the cleats. Swing the boot heel hard towards the uphill slope, then stomp down securing the snowshoe edge in the slope.
Poles are very helpful while edging.
Breaking Trail - Walk in a single line behind the leaders trail. When its your turn to lead take consistent even steps that are easy for everyone who is following. Setting up Camp - Use your snowshoes to pack the snow surrounding your campsite. If you need to dig you can use your snowshoes as a shovel. You'll enjoy snowshoeing even more with the addition of a few simple tools.