Steep ground question

Is it safer to go forwards or back down extremely steep and wet/slippy slopes on a 2wd tractor? I have been using big mfwd stuff forever but have gotten an old 2wd (MF35) for small jobs and went up a very steep track that was also wet and barely got up using the independent brakes. Went down it again forwards in high range 1st gear and wheels started spinning at different speeds as my diff lock doesn’t work and I started sliding down the hill pretty quick before I began to go sideways and almost rolled it before getting to the bottom. I’ve had quite a few close calls before but this one shook me a bit as it is in a small tractor with a roll bar but no seatbelt. I know the usual tips (don’t use brakes or change gear and stuff like that) but does anyone have any advice? Is it better to go down forwards or backwards?