A computer generates one or more geometric rays at a predetermined height above one or more portions of an avatar's body in a virtual environment. Once the rays are generated, the computer computes intersections of the one or more rays with a collision mesh that defines a terrain of the virtual environment at the location of the avatar. Then, the computer computes the point of intersection of each of the one or more rays with the collision mesh. Using the points of intersection, the computer calculates an offset in an elevation and/or an offset in an orientation of the avatar with respect to the terrain in the virtual environment. Further, the computer adjusts the elevation and/or the orientation of the avatar based on the calculated offset in the elevation and/or the elevation in the orientation, respectively, such that the adjusted elevation and/or orientation compensates for the calculated offsets.