Then DON'T. With a reasonable maintained bike, IMO, it's more on the skill of the rider than the hardware. If yer hesitant, the battle is already lost.

Seen those extremely skiers tacking what look like impossibly steep hills? On occasions, I've tried what's steeper than what am normally comfortable with. I've found if I hesitate, it makes matter worse, on ocassions when I've been able to "let go" the run turned out to be fine.

Well sure, it's not "if" yer gonna wipe, is matter of "when." So ur choice. Is this simple tranportation or yer gonna push it a little (push = always means risk, and potential FUN). And needless to say, ur helmet is well fitted. and ur insurance is up to date?