ski trip words

Glossary of Ski Terms: Skiing Words, Slang and Phrases

Last Updated on March 24, 2021 by James

Skiing can sometimes seem like such a complicated sport. From ski bum slang to ski instructor jargon, there are so many ski terms to try and get your head around.

Ski terminology can be especially confusing when looking for equipment. Don’t worry; we’ve all been there!

It’s easy to get confused and distracted by mountain language, making your job of learning to ski even more challenging. That’s why we have decided to make this glossary of ski terms, allowing you to cut the **** and understand the basics.

Feel free to scroll down and find the words that have been missing from your ski vocabulary, or take the time to turn yourself into the ultimate skiing dictionary. Either way, you’re sure to know more by the end of today than you did yesterday!

A-Z Glossary of Ski Terms, Ski Phrases and Ski Slang

A Frame: When the outside knee has collapsed into the inside knee (during a turn), causing an ‘A’ shape.

All-Mountain Ski: This is a common type of ski that is designed to perform in every mountain environment – including on and off piste.

Alpine Skiing: Skiing downhill, as opposed to cross-country skiing or telemark skiing (often referred to as ‘skiing!’).

Angulation: When the lower body is tilted inside the turn to gain edge angle on the skis, the upper body will move towards the outside of the turn, creating a ‘banana shape. This shape is known as angulation.

Après-ski: Time spent in the bar or café once you finish on the slopes.

Arc: This refers to the rounded shape of a turn.

Artificial Snow: Manmade snow made from water. Often used within indoor ski slopes or made by on-slope ‘snow canons’.

Avalanche: When the snow on a slope loosens and comes tumbling down, often causing severe damage and danger.

Avalanche Beacon : A ski safety device worn by skiers going off-piste. It transmits a signal, making it possible for them to be located in case they are trapped under an avalanche.

Avalanche Probe : A long extending pole that is used to locate skiers trapped under an avalanche.

Backcountry: Skiing on unmarked slopes. (Also known as off-piste).

Bail: Falling over while skiing.

Balls Of Your Feet: The bottom part of the front of your feet, where the toes are connected. (Also known as forefoot).

Binding : Device that attaches the ski boot to the ski.

Black Run: The most challenging type of slope on the mountain, usually steep or un-groomed (or both!).

Blue Slope: Some of the easier ski runs on the mountain, designed for advanced beginner and intermediate skiers.

Braking Plough: Making a wide ‘V’ shape with your skis, which will help you to ‘brake’ or stop.

Bumps: Snow has been pushed together to form many mounds of hard snow on the ski slope. (Also known as moguls).

Bunny Slope: The most basic beginner ski slope. (Also known as beginner slope or nursery slope).

Butter/Buttering: A skiing trick that involves pivoting on either the nose or tail of your skis. This ski term comes from its resemblance of the ‘smearing’ action used to butter toast.

Button Lift: A ski lift that features a seat (or ‘button’) that is attached to a long pole and works by pulling you up the hill as you remain standing on your skis.

Cable Car: One of the largest ski lifts on the mountain. It uses a large enclosed capsule that can transport a large amount of skiers.

Camber: The upward curvature along the base of a ski. The highest point of a cambered ski will be in the middle, with the tip and tail being the lowest.

Carving : A long turn shape where the skis grip to the snow. The tail of the ski will follow the tip of the ski, creating clean lines in the snow.

Carving Skis: Skis that are designed to grip the snow and take you round a tight turning circle.

Centripetal Force: A force that acts upon the skier while travelling around the turn. It allows the body weight to be inside the line of the turn without falling.

Chair Lift: An aerial ski lift where you sit on a seat (or ‘chair’) and are carried up the mountain.

Corridor: An imaginary corridor (on the ski slope) that we use as a guide for turn width.

Checking (Speed): When the skis are very quickly rotated 90-degrees to slide. This is used as a speed reduction method.

Chute: A steep, narrow slope. Often lined by trees, off-piste or high sides.

Corduroy: The pattern seen on the snow after it’s been ploughed (flattened) by a piste basher. This pattern resembles the lines seen on corduroy fabric.

Couloir: A steep and narrow slope that is often flanked by cliff faces on either side. This ski term means ‘corridor’ in French.

Crevasse: A deep crack in a slope or glacier – potentially extremely dangerous for skiers.

Cross-Country Skiing: A form of skiing performed on flat land and gentle hills. (Often referred to as Nordic Skiing).

Dendix: The name of the dry ski slope surface that is produced by UK based company Osborn.

Direct Line: Skiing a route (or path) down the ski slope, which requires little side-to-side deviation. This is usually the fastest route to the bottom.

DIN Setting: A setting on the ski binding that determines how easily your foot will be released from the ski in the event of a crash.

Downhill Ski: The ski that is furthest down the slope while traversing across. (Also known as outside ski).

Drag Lift: A ski lift that pulls you up the slope while you stand on your skis. (Also referred to as a rope tow).

Dry Ski Slope : An artificial ski slope created using a ‘carpet’ instead of snow. Common in areas that do not receive natural snowfall.

Dump: Ski slang term used to describe a large amount of snowfall in a short space of time. Often resulting in an epic ‘powder day’.

Edge Grip: Getting the sharp side edges of your skis to stick to the snow. Generally a ski term used during carving.

Endless Slope : Artificial, mechanical ski slope. They consist of a constantly revolving ‘carpet’ that is positioned at a sloping angle, representing a ski slope. (Also known as ski treadmill, ski deck and infinite slope).

Extend: When your body is straightened into a more upright position (usually at the beginning of a turn).

Face Plant: Ski slang term for falling face first into the snow.

Fall Line: The most direct line you can ski down a slope, pointing straight downhill.

First Tracks: Being the first skier to cut lines through the snow. Often a term used on a powder day, when you are the first one to ski the deep snow.

FIS: Fédération Internationale de Ski. This is the governing international snowsports organisation.

Flat Light: Conditions where it is difficult to see the contours of the ski slope. Often during a cloudy day or when the sun starts to set.

Flex: When the body is compressed (moved) downwards, mainly to apply down pressure (usually at the end of a turn).

French Fries (Chips): A term often used by ski instructors to signal someone to put their skis straight (parallel to one another).

Giant Slalom: A ski race where the gates you turn around are set far apart, allowing high speed.

Goggles: Special protective eyewear that is used when skiing.

Gondola: An enclosed aerial ski lift. Often carries around 6 people at a time.

Green Run: The easiest colour of ski slope on the mountain. One stage up from the beginner slope, often the first time you will use a ski lift.

Grip (Gripping): A turn where the edge of the ski sticks to the snow, without any slide or ‘skid’.

Groomer: Ski slang term marked ski run (or path) down the mountain, which has been professionally flattened for skiing.

Half-Pipe: A ‘U shaped’ pipe carved out of the snow for skiers to perform jumps on either side. Resembles the shape of a pipe that’s been cut in half.

Heli-Skiing: Using a helicopter to be transported to the top of a mountain peak that’s otherwise inaccessible, then skiing down.

Hard-Pack: Snow surface that is solid and often icy. Usually found on pistes that have not seen recent snowfall.

Inclining: When the skier leans their body weight inside the line of the turn, only relying on the forces created by speed to keep them upright (also known as ‘banking’).

Indirect Line: Choosing a route (or path) down the ski slope that allows you to turn side to side; keeping the turn size larger and allowing the skis to face across the slope.

Indoor Skiing : Man-made ski slopes that are created inside a large building or ‘dome’. These are often popular in areas that cannot support natural skiing.

Inside Edge: The sharp edge of the ski that is closest to the inside of the turn.

Inside Ski: The ski that is inside the path of the turn. For example: if you turn left, your inside ski will be the left ski.

Japow: Skiing slang term that merges the words Japan and powder. Used in recognition of Japan’s legendary deep snow .

Jerry: Ski slang for a skier who thinks they look accomplished but are not. In fact, they are embarrassing.

Jibbing: Sliding across a non-snow surface. Often associated with riding boxes and rails in a snow park.

Jump Turn: Jumping the skis around a turn, rather than using the shape of the ski. This is sometimes used on steep terrain and variable snow.

Kicker: A jump built into the snow, usually triangular in shape.

Last: Ski boot manufacturers term. It’s used to describe the interior shape of a ski boot.

Lateral Movement: This is any movement that is side-to-side. Usually referring to the upper body moving sideways to adjust and balance over the turning skis.

Lateral Separation: Refers to a separation between the upper and lower body. It is evident when the skis are tilted inside the path of the turn and the body is tilted outside the turn – showing a ‘banana shape’.

Liftie:  The person who operates the ski lift.

Lift Pass: A ticket that allows you to access and use the ski lift.

Line: The route you choose to ski down the mountain.

Liner: Term used for the removable, soft inner ski boot.

Magic Carpet: A ski lift that resembles a conveyor belt. Allowing the skier to stand on the belt and be transported up the slope.

Moguls: Snow has been pushed together to form mounds of hard snow on the ski slope. (Also known as bumps).

Mondopoint: Standard European measurement that is frequently used for ski boot sizing.

Monoski: A type of skiing when both feet are attached to one board (instead of two skis), while still facing forward as if you were skiing.

Nordic Skiing: Any type of skiing where the toe of the ski boot is fixed, but the heel of your ski boot can release from the ski. The most common types of Nordic skiing is cross-country skiing and telemark skiing.

Off-Piste: Any area that is away from the marked ski slopes.

On-Piste: Any time you are on a marked ski slope.

Outside Ski: The ski that is outside the path of the turn. If you are turning left, this will be the right ski.

Parallel Turn : Where the entire turn is completed with both skis following the same path, side-by-side.

Park Rat: Skiing slang term for someone who spends their time in the snow park using the jumps and rails.

Powder Hound: Somebody who loves skiing deep snow.

Powder Skiing: Skiing freshly fallen, deep snow. This is common when skiing ‘off-piste’ or ‘backcountry’.

Powder Skis : Skis that are specifically designed for use in deep snow. They are usually wider than regular skis, helping you to float on the surface of the snow.

Piste : A marked run (or path) down the mountain – used for skiing.

Piste Basher:  A vehicle that is used to flatten (or ‘groom’) slopes in preparation for skiing. (Also known as snowcat).

Pizza: Ski slang term for making a triangle shape with your skis. (Also known as wedge or snow plough).

Plough Parallel: A turn where the first part of the turn is in a ‘snow plough’ position and the second part of the turn is in a ‘parallel’ position. Usually used as a stepping-stone between snow plough and parallel skiing. (Also known as stem christie).

Pole Plant: The action of stabbing (or ‘planting’) the pole into the ground – performed at the beginning of a turn.

Power Strap: The Velcro strap found at the top of a ski boot, allowing it to be pulled tight around your calf and shin.

Racing Boot: Any ski boot that is designed for ski racing. Often very stiff and tight fitting.

Racing Ski: Any ski that is designed for ski racing. Often narrower and longer than a regular ski (although this depends on the type of skier/ski race event).

Radius (Turn): Refers to the size of the circular shape of the turn.

Rail: A metal bar found in a snow park or on a ski slope.

Red Run: An advanced-intermediate level ski slope, marked with red poles.

Rocker: Type of ski where the centre of the ski will be the lowest point, with the tip and tail being the highest points. This type of curved ski base is the opposite of ‘camber’. Often used in park skis.

Rollers: Gently undulating ski surface with rolling peaks and troughs.

Rope Tow: A ski lift where you hold onto a moving rope that pulls you up the slope. Often found on beginner ski slopes.

Rotational Separation: Where you can see different amounts of rotation (or turn) between the upper and lower half of the body. For example, if the skis are pointing sideways but the upper body is pointing forwards – they would be showing rotational separation.

Run Out: The flat area at the end of a ski slope that allows you to decelerate. Found at the bottom of most ski slopes.

Salopettes: Waterproof and insulated trousers that are designed to be used for snowsports. (Also known as ski pants).

Shell (Ski Boot): The hard plastic outer layer of a ski boot.

Shell (Ski Jacket): A thin ski jacket, designed to keep you dry but with minimal insulation.

Short Turns: These types of turns have a small (or ‘short’) radius and are completed using a narrow amount of slope.

Side Country: The area just off the side of a ski slope. This is a skiing slang term derived from mixing ‘side of the ski slope’ with ‘backcountry’.

Side Cut Radius: This is the curve that is seen along the side of a ski. This curved side of a ski resembles the edge of a full circle (the distance around the edge of a circle can be known as the radius’).

Side Stepping: Stepping sideways with your skis pointing across the hill. This is the most basic way to climb up the ski slope.

Sitting Back: When skier’s hips move back behind their heels and slightly downwards, it can resemble a ‘sitting’ position.

Ski Area: The total mountain area that is marked for skiing.

Skiing Joints: These are the joints that will provide movement and flexibility while skiing. They are: ankles, knees and hips.

Skating : Flat ground technique used by pushing with alternate feet to glide on the snow. Resembles ice-skating.

Ski-in, Ski-out: Ski resort accommodation where it’s possible to ski directly to your front door.

Skins: Material that can be temporarily fixed to the base of your skis. They allow you to walk up a slope without sliding backwards.

Ski Patrol: Mountain ski slope safety service. They rescue injured skiers/snowboarders, keep the ski slopes clear of obstacles and help to combat avalanches.

Ski Touring: Skiing backcountry and off-piste terrain. Often done by skiers who hike to parts of the mountain that are not accessible by lifts and ski down.

Slalom: A ski racing event where the gates (or ‘poles’) that you turn around that are set close together, requiring short and quick turns.

Slush: Snow that has partially melted and turned slightly wet.

Snow Blades: Extremely short skis, usually less that one-meter in length. This ski term take the word blades from ‘roller blades’.

Snow Canon: A machine that creates man-made snow by turning water vapour into snow crystals. Often used for indoor ski slopes or on mountains lacking natural snow.

Snow Park: Area filled with jumps and rails for freestyle skiers.

Snow Plough: When a ‘V’ shape is made with the skis. It is predominantly used to control speed and stop. (Also known as wedge or pizza).

Straight Lining: Going straight down the slope without turning, often at high speed.

Super G: The fastest ski racing event. The ski gates are set far apart to allow for maximum speed.

Surface Lift: Any ski lift that pulls you up the slope while your skis are still touching the ground. The most common surface lifts are rope tow, button lift, t-bar lift and magic carpet.

Tail: The rear end of a ski.

T-Bar: A ski lift that involves a pole suspended from a moving aerial rope. The pole has a bar across the bottom, which is used a ‘seat’ while you’re pulled up the mountain.

Telemark Skiing: A form of Nordic skiing when your heel is detached from the ski. Although your heels are detached, it’s still possible to ski all types of ski slope due to the larger size and shape of the ski used (in comparison to cross-country skiing).

Terrain Park: A ski area with jumps and rails. (Also known as a snow park).

Tip: The front end of a ski.

Tracked Out: Ski slang term for a slope that was previously covered in fresh snow but has been ridden over too many times. (Also known as ‘choppy’ or ‘ crud ‘ snow)

Traversing : Skiing horizontally across the mountain, instead of down. Also used in the term ‘traverse skiing’, where the skier will us a large amount of slope to ski across the mountain in-between turns.

Tree Skiing: Skiing in the trees or woodland area.

Tree Well: A hollow space that is often formed around the base of a tree following fresh snowfall. Dangerous for skiers and snowboarders who run the risk of falling in if they get too close.

Twin Tip: Type of skis where both tails and tips curve upwards. Designed to allow skiers to ski backwards without catching the rear of the skis. A design often used for park skis .

Uphill Ski: The ski that is furthest up the slope as you ski across. (Also known as the inside ski).

Waist Width: The middle section of a ski; the narrowest part of the ski.

Wax : Used on the base of skis and snowboards to make them ‘slippery’.

Wedge: Triangular ‘V’ shape made with the skis, used for speed control. (Also known as snow plough or pizza).

Wedge Turn: Turning with your skis in a wedge shape. (Also known as snow plough turn).

White Out: Skiing term used to describe a situation where your visibility is almost nothing. Commonly during a snowstorm or low hanging clouds.

Wipe Out: Ski slang term for a large and dramatic ski crash.

Yard Sale: Skiing slang term for a crash that causes a skier or snowboarders gear to fall off, leaving it scattered across the ski slope.

James is the founder of SnowSunSee. He started skiing when he was five years old and has been a qualified ski instructor for 8 years. He has taught skiing in many countries, including UK, Europe, Japan, China and Malaysia. When he’s not on the slopes, James spends his time travelling the world one trail at a time.

Glossary: skiing terms, snowboarding lingo, and snow slang

Here’s my master list of skiing terms and snowboarding slang, as well as other snow-related words and terminology. I’ve consulted a variety of  sources , including books, online glossaries, instructional articles, and general purpose dictionaries.

If a term is highlighted with a hyperlink, clicking it will bring you to a post with greater detail on the skiing term, snowboarding lingo, or snow-related word.

I’m continually adding new posts, so stay informed by connecting with SnowSlang via  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  Instagram .

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

AASI – American Association of Snowboard Instructors, a nonprofit that promotes snowboarding through instruction and creates certification standards for instructors. Affiliate of the Professional Ski Instructors of America and part of PSIA-AASI.

Aerial tramway – Also called a cable car, aerial tram or tram, this type of lift is larger than a gondola and relies on a three-rope design in which two cables support the car and the other provides propulsion.

All-mountain ski – A versatile ski that performs well in a variety of conditions, including groomers, powder, bumps, and trees. Also known as mid-fat ski and one-ski quiver.

Alpenglow – The rosy hue of mountains glowing at sunrise or sunset.

Alpine skiing – Sometimes called downhill skiing, the alpine side of the sport involves going uphill via chairlifts and downhill via bindings fixed to the skis.

Alpine touring – Abbreviated AT, alpine touring is a form of skiing in which athletes are able to travel uphill using skins attached to the bottom of their skis and bindings that allow their heels to lift. Also known as randonnée.

Aprés ski – French for “after ski,” this phrase describes the food, drink, and other social activities that occur after a day of skiing (or snowboarding).

Arête – Thin, knife-like ridge that is typically formed when glaciers erode parallel valleys.

Audio helmet – A protective helmet that includes speakers in the earpieces and a connection, either wired or wireless, to a music source.

Avalanche – A large mass of snow, ice, and other materials that suddenly slides down a mountain. Also referred to as avi or avy. Similar to a snowslide.

Avalanche airbag – Backpack that incorporates an airbag that can be deployed during an avalanche, increasing the odds the victim will float at or near the surface of the slide.

Avalanche beacon – Informal name for an avalanche transceiver, a safety device that transmits a signal rescuers use to home in on someone buried by an avalanche.

Avalanche control – Activities designed to monitor and reduce the risk of avalanches through active measures (e.g., explosives), permanent structures (e.g., snow fence), and social interventions (e.g., educational efforts).

Avalanche dog – Specially trained canines that assist human rescuers in locating and digging out avalanche victims. Also known as a mountain rescue dog.

Avalanche probe – A rod that’s used to poke through avalanche debris in order to find a buried victim.

Back to top

Back bowl – Large, open basin that is located on the other side of a resort’s main ridgeline.

Backcountry – In the context of snow sports, this term refers to areas beyond the boundaries of ski resorts that lack avalanche control, lifts, and amenities.

Backscratcher – An aerial trick in which a skier drops the tips and lifts the backs of their skis, sometimes to the point of touching their back.

Backside – Portion of a ski resort that lies on the other side of a ridge or mountain from the main base area.

Balaclava – A snug garment worn over the head and neck, often with holes cut out for the eyes, nose, and mouth. See also ski mask.

Banked slalom – Snowboarding race in which an athlete bombs down a steep winding course with banked turns and gates. A precursor to boardercross, which involves multiple snowboarders riding simultaneously.

Base – 1) A measure of the depth of snow, often reported by ski resorts. 2) The underside of a ski or snowboard. 3) The cluster of amenities at the bottom of a ski resort.

Baseplate – The bottom portion of a binding that attaches to a ski or snowboard. Also called binding plate.

Basket – A device attached to the bottom of ski poles that prevents them from sinking too deeply into the snow. Powder baskets are especially large for deep days.

Beginner trail – A green circle trail that is typically wide, groomed, and not too steep. A very easy beginning trail where novices learn is also called a bunny slope or bunny hill.

Berm – A mound of snow, either natural or manmade, than can be used for turns or tricks.

Biathlon – Olympic sport that combines cross-country skiing and target shooting in a timed event.

Biff – A near-fall in which the skier or snowboarder briefly makes contact with the snow but recovers.

Big air – An aerial in which the skier or snowboarder is airborne for a considerable length of time. Also the name of a competition in ESPN’s X Games.

Binding – The device that connects boots to the ski or snowboard. Ski bindings are designed to release boots in at least some falls; not so with snowboard bindings.

Black diamond – Symbol for slopes of expert difficulty at U.S. ski resorts. See also double black diamond.

Black ice – Thin, translucent glaze of ice that forms on a road. May pose driving hazards because it is difficult to detect.

Blower – Super light, low-density snow that blows around and works well for achieving face shots. See also Champagne Powder.

Blue square – Symbol for slopes of intermediate difficulty at U.S. ski resorts.

Bluebird – Sunny, cloudless conditions. Also called a bluebird day.

Boarder – Nickname for a snowboarder.

Boardercross – Snowboarding competition in which four to six athletes simultaneously race down a course with jumps, berms, rollers, drops, and banked turns.

Boilerplate – Hard, dense snow and ice that requires serious edging and may underlie fresh powder. Usually caused by thaw-freeze cycle or rain falling on slopes. See also bulletproof and hardpack.

Bomb – 1) To ski or snowboard quickly down the slopes. 2) To set off high explosives as part of avalanche control.

Bomber – A skier or snowboarder who is bombing down the slopes, traveling fast, often in a straight line, and perhaps recklessly.

Bombing – Travelling fast and straight down a slope, somewhat recklessly. See also schussing and straightlining.

Bowl – A large, open basin that is frequently above treeline and devoid of obstacles.

Brain bucket – Nickname for a protective helmet worn by a skier, snowboarder, skateboarder, bicyclist, motorcyclist, solider, etc. See also nutcase.

Bro – Short for brother, an affectionate term for a fellow male skier or snowboarder. May have connotation of a frat boy.

Bulletproof – Hard, compacted snow and ice that requires serious edging and is often caused by thaw-freeze cycle or rain falling on slopes. See also boilerplate and hardpack.

Bumps – Synonym for moguls, the mounds of snow formed by repeated turns of skiers/snowboarders (or built artificially).

Bunny slope – Also called a bunny hill, this is an easy, green circle trail at a ski resort, typically located at the base, where newbies and kids learn to ski and snowboard.

Butt-dragger – A novice snowboarder who has fallen and is sliding down the slope on their behind, scraping powder away to the chagrin of skiers.

Buttering – Smearing skis along the snow in a fashion similar to buttering a piece of bread. Common technique for powder skiing with fat, rockered skis. See also smearing.

Camber – The slightly convex or arched shape of a ski or snowboard, when viewed from the side. Helps distribute riders weight along length of ski or board.

Cant – Measure of a boot’s lateral angle in relation to a ski or snowboard. Adjustments inward or outward are used to modify edging.

Canting – Process of adjusting the angle at which the boot meets a ski and binding in order to create a neutral stance.

Carving – Turning technique in which ski or snowboard is brought onto its edge, leaving behind a clean arc in the snow, as opposed to skidding, side-slipping, or smearing.

Carving ski – A stiff ski designed for speed and racing that performs best while edging and bombing down groomers.

Cascade concrete – Similar to Sierra Cement, this dense, heavy snow is found in the maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest.

Cat skiing – Using a snowcat (cat) to access skiing (or snowboarding). Sometimes the cat will travel within a resort’s boundaries, but usually cats are used to access untracked powder in the backcountry (at a price!)

Cat tracks – Relatively flat and narrow trails that traverse ski areas and are used by snowcats, skiers, and snowboarders to get around the mountain. In summer, these are often dirt roads.

Catching air – Performing an aerial maneuver and leaving the surface. See also big air.

Catwalk – Synonym for cat tracks, the relatively flat paths through ski areas that are used by snowcats, skiers, and snowboarders. In summer, these are often dirt roads.

Champagne powder – Light, low-density snow. Champagne Powder ®is now a registered trademark of Steamboat Ski Resort.

Chatter – Sound and vibration made by a ski or snowboard turning and having trouble maintaining an edge on hardback, boilerplate, or bulletproof snow.

Checking – Speed-reduction technique that involves briefly setting an edge to check one’s progress.

Chinese downhill – An event in which racers begin simultaneously, such as skier-cross and boardercross. Also called geschmozzle.

Chocolate chips – Rocks that poke out of the snow and threaten to trip up a skier or snowboarder. Not to be confused with death cookies, which frozen debris created by grooming machines and snowmaking.

Chowder – Powder that’s been chopped up by the tracks of skiers and snowboarders.

Christie – As opposed to carving the turn, the skier skids with their skis parallel.

Chute – A steep, slender gully, often lying in between rocky or otherwise impassable terrain.

Cirque – A bowl-like feature, often said to resemble an amphitheater, caused by glacial erosion.

Cold smoke – The plume of low, light-density snow that trails behind a skier or snowboarder. Similar to blower powder.

Cold-induced rhinorrhea – Condition that may afflict skiers and snowboarders in which the nasal cavity gets filled with a significant amount of mucus, leading to snotsicles.

Corduroy – Freshly groomed trail with shallow, parallel grooves created by snowcat or other grooming machine. So named for its resemblance to the fabric.

Core – Usually made from wood or foam, the core is primary structure that lies at the heart of a ski.

Core shot – Damage to the base of a ski or snowboard that’s severe enough to have exposed its core.

Corn snow – Condition common in spring in which melting and freezing causes the snow to resemble kernels of white corn. Some describe riding on these frozen pellets as feeling like turning on ball bearings.

Cornice – Mass of overhanging ice or snow, typically found on a ridgetop or edge of a cirque. Both a launching pad for hucking jumps and a potentially deadly avalanche risk if the formation collapses underfoot.

Couloir – Steep and narrow snow-filled gully, often surrounded by rock walls and other impassable terrain that rise higher along the sides of the run. Also called a chute.

Counter-rotation – Skiing technique in which one’s upper body is pointing a different direction than the lower body. Hip rotation, for example, allows the upper body to remain pointed down the fall line as the legs make short-radius turns.

Crevasse – Deep, narrow fissure in ice or a glacier. A potentially deadly hazard for mountain travelers.

Cross-country skiing – Nordic sport and form of travel in which skiers move across the landscape under their own propulsion and use bindings that allow their heels to rise above relatively narrow skis.

Crud – Derogative term for snow when it’s lumpy, chunky, and difficult to turn in. After enough people ski and snowboard through powder, it turns to crud.

Cruising – Traveling downhill making wide-radius turns. In some cases, refers to a speedy descent but in other contexts suggests an easy, low-effort run.

Crust – Frozen layer of snow/ice that may serve as a solid layer underneath powder (see dust on crust) but also applies to thinner, breakable layer above softer snow than can turn into crud due to skier and snowboarder traffic.

Cryosphere – Portion of the Earth where water is in its solid form, including ice, snow cover, glaciers, frozen ground, and permafrost.

Daffy – An aerial stunt in which a skier thrusts one ski forward and the other ski backward while they are airborne.

Death cookies – Small frozen chunks on a piste, usually caused by snowmaking and grooming operations. More common at Eastern and Midwestern resorts than Western ski areas.

Detachable chairlift – A chairlift that detaches from the wire rope in the loading and unloading stations, allowing it to move faster up the hill and deliver greater capacity than a fixed-grip chairlift. More commonly known as a high-speed chairlift.

DIN settings – Measure on bindings that indicates the torque required to release the skier’s boot during a fall. At higher settings, more force is required to release the boot.

Disco sticks – Short slalom skis.

Double black – Even more challenging than an expert black diamond trail, double black diamond runs are those in which riders face extreme risks, including very steep slopes, marginal snow cover, cliffs, and other obstacles.

Downhill – Synonym for alpine skiing, the side of the sport in which skiers travel down mountains using bindings that fix their heels to the skis. Also the fastest of the four alpine skiing racing disciplines.

Dropping in – Beginning a run in a terrain park or launching off a cliff or cornice to enter new terrain.

Ducking a rope – Illegally going under a rope marking closed terrain at a resort.

Dump – Used as both a noun and adjective to describe a major snowfall (e.g., it’s going to dump tomorrow, I enjoyed skiing last night’s major dump)

Dumping – Description of heavy snowfall. Similar to nuking or puking.

Dune – Like the sand version, snow dunes are wind-deposited masses that may take on strange shapes. See also pillow and sastrugi.

Durometer – The international standard for the hardness of rubber, plastic, and other non-metallic materials, and the device used to take such readings on ski boot shells.

Dust on crust – When a very shallow layer of fresh snow covers the hardpack underneath.

Eagle – Also called spread eagle, this aerial move involves spreading one’s legs and arms wide apart while in the air.

Eat shit – To crash hard.

Eat wood – To crash face-first into a tree.

Edge – 1) The sharp, narrow metal strip along the side of a ski or snowboard. 2) To tip one’s ski or snowboard and engage the sharp edge in order to bite into snow and gain traction.

Ego snow – Snow conditions, such as corn or machine-groomed packed powder, that make turning seem easy and inflate the estimation of one’s abilities. Also called hero snow.

Expert trail – A black diamond trail. Even more difficult double black diamond trails are often called “extreme.”

Extreme – Generally considered more risky and difficult than “expert” and often used to denote double black diamond runs.

Face plant – A fall in which you land on your face. Could be fun if it’s on a powder day, or lead to injury if you land on hardpack.

Face shot – When powder sprays a skier or snowboarder’s face. The snow must be deep and light enough (e.g., blower, Champagne Powder ®) and the rider must have sufficient speed to elevate the snow to face level.

Fakie – Skiing or snowboarding backwards.

Fall line – The natural descent between two points on a slope: imagine the path a ball would take rolling down the mountain.

Falling leaf – Novice snowboarding move in which a rider descends by skidding back and forth on the same edge, akin to a falling leaf zigzagging to the ground.

Fartbag – A one-piece ski suit, also known as a onsie.

Figure 11 – To ski in a straight line (schuss) through powder, leaving behind parallel tracks that resemble the number 11.

First tracks – Making your mark on a pristine slope before others hit the trail, especially on a powder day.

FIS – Acronym for the Fédération Internationale de Ski, the body that regulates the World Cup. Also known as the International Ski Federation.

Fixed-grip chairlift – The traditional, slower lift in which the chair remains attached to the cable during the entire circuit.

Flat light – Cloudy, low-contrast conditions that make it hard read the snow and detect features in the terrain.

Flex – When used in the context of ski boots, flex refers to the amount of pressure required to bend the boot: the higher the number on the flex index, the stiffer the boot. Also used to describe stiffness of skis and snowboards.

Flex index – A measure of the stiffness of ski boots, generally running from 50 (soft) to 130 (very stiff).

Footbed – Removable insole in a ski or snowboard boot. Custom footbeds and orthotics can provide better fit and alignment than factory footbeds.

Free heel skiing – Skiing techniques such as telemark, Nordic, touring, and cross-country, in which bindings allow the heel to lift up.

Free refills – A powder day in which it keeps on snowing, offering bottomless fun and preventing the pistes from getting tracked out.

Freeride – 1) Style of snowboarding that takes place on natural, ungroomed terrain in the backcountry or sidecountry. Also called big mountain or extreme riding. 2) Style of snowboard that is stiff and designed for fast, responsive riding.

Freestyle – 1) Skiing discipline in Winter Olympics that includes moguls, aerials, half-pipe, and slopestyle. 2) Style of snowboard that has more flex than a freeride board and is used in pipes and parks.

French fries – Image used to help kids visualize two skis pointed parallel, as opposed to the “pizza” stance that puts the skis in a snowplow or wedge.

Freshies – Fresh, untracked powder.

Gaper – 1) Novice skier or snowboarder whose fashion or hapless technique makes them stand out (so-named for the gap between their goggles and helmet). 2) Spectator on a slope who impede downhill progress.

Garlands – Basic skiing and snowboarding maneuver in which partial or half-turns leave behind a pattern similar to a Christmas garland.

Geschmozzle – Race style in which skiers and snowboarders begin together, such as skier-cross and boardercross. Also called Chinese downhill.

Giant slalom – Abbreviated GS, this style of alpine racing is similar to the slalom but the gates are farther apart and the skiers travel faster. See also Super-G, in which gates are even farther apart.

Glade – A stand of trees that is fairly open, sometimes found near tree line. Glade skiing and snowboarding describes travel through forests where the trunks are more widely spaced than in tree skiing and snowboarding.

Gnarly – Difficult conditions or terrain. See also shred the gnar .

Gondola – An aerial lift that carries skiers and snowboarders up a mountain in a closed compartment that hangs from a rotating steel cable. Compare with aerial tramway.

Goofy stance – As opposed to the “normal” stance, the goofy stance in snowboarding has the rider’s right foot in front.

Grab – Holding the edge of a snowboard with one or both hands during an aerial trick.

Granular surface – Snow that has been packed down and possibly groomed, causing the surface to have tiny ice pellets.

Graupel – Type of precipitation caused when freezing fog condenses on a snowflake. Looks like Styrofoam BBs and is also called snow pellets or soft hail.

Green circle – Symbol for easiest trails at ski area. Usually groomed, wide, and not too steep. See also blue square, black diamond, and double black diamond.

Groomer – A groomed trail at a ski resort that is manicured by machine, often creating a corduroy pattern in the snow.

Grooming – The process of maintaining trails at resorts by spreading out snow and smoothing bumps, often using snowcats and other heavy equipment.

Half pipe – A frozen U-shaped structure used in freestyle skiing and snowboarding for aerial tricks.

Hardgoods – Snow sports industry term for skiing and snowboarding equipment, as opposed to the softgoods category that covers clothing and apparel.

Hardpack – Synonym for boilerplate and bulletproof, this term refers to hard, dense snow and ice caused by repeated traffic or freezing.

Headwall – Precipice at the edge of a glacial cirque, or any steep slope at the head of a valley.

Heli-skiing – Using helicopters to access terrain for off-piste skiing and snowboarding. Also spelled heliskiing.

Herringbone – Pattern created by a skier climbing up a hill by arraying their skis in a V-shape. Named for the resemblance to a fish’s skeleton.

High-speed chairlift – A chairlift that is relatively fast, usually because the lifts are able to detach in the loading and unloading stations. Also known as a detachable chairlift.

Hockey stop – A quick way to stop while skiing that involves bringing both skis on edge, perpendicular to the direction of travel, similar to how hockey players suddenly stop on the ice.

Hot dog – A skier or snowboarder who shows off, especially their aerial moves or prowess in moguls. Before there was freestyle skiing, there was hot dog skiing.

Huck – To launch off a cliff, cornice , or other precipice.

I love big dumps – Expression meant to signify one’s passion for powder days and large snowfall events.

Inbounds – Terrain lying within the boundaries of a ski area that is subject to avalanche control and other safety measures. Also spelled in-bounds.

Indy grab – Snowboarding trick in which rider uses their back hand to grab the middle of the board, between their toes, while turning backside. Can also be done with skis.

Integrated binding – Bindings designed for specific ski brand and packaged together with the skis. By bending with the ski, they can provide greater control.

Intermediate trail – A trail of middling difficulty marked with a blue square.

Invert – To go upside down in an aerial trick. Short for inverted.

J-bar – Surface lift in which a skier or snowboarder rests against a J-shaped seat that is pulled uphill by a cable. Similar to a T-bar.

Jerry – Someone who is clueless about skiing or snowboarding (e.g., wearing jeans on the slopes). Also see joey and gaper.

Jetting – When exiting a turn, a skier accelerates by jetting their feet forward.

Jib – 1) A fixture in a terrain park. 2) Skiing or snowboarding off a non-snow object, either natural or manmade, such as sliding down a rail or bouncing off a feature in a terrain park.

Jibber – A skier or snowboarder who is fond of riding in terrain parks and doing tricks. See also park rat.

Joey – An inexperienced skier or snowboarder whose lack of ability of fashion sense is noticeable.

Knuckle dragger – Description of a snowboarder, especially one whose hands touch the snow while carving turns.

Kodak courage – A reckless display, such as hucking a cliff, in response to someone filming.

Krummholz – Stunted windblown trees that grow near treeline.

Leash – A cord, belt, or other such device to attach a snowboard to a rider. Advent of ski brakes dramatically reduced use among skiers, though some still use powder leashes on deep days when skis could get lost in the snow.

Lift line – 1) Queue of skiers and snowboarders waiting to board a lift. 2) A trail that runs directly beneath an aerial lift, often through a forest cleared to make way for chairlift, gondola, or tram.

Liftie – Nickname for a chair lift operator.

Liner – Removable, cushioned boot found inside the plastic shell of a ski boot. Provides support/padding and may be customized. May also refer to glove liners.

Machine groomed – Description of trail conditions in which snowcats or other grooming machines have manicured the trails.

Magic carpet – A surface lift in which skiers and snowboarders stand on a conveyor belt. Often found on bunny slopes or flat traverses.

Manky – An object, often clothing, that has become dirty and foul-smelling due to repeated use.

Mashed potatoes – Wet, sloppy, heavy snow conditions that resemble the side dish (see also corn snow).

Massif – A compact group of mountain summits, especially when set apart from other peaks.

Mid-fat ski – Also known as an all-mountain ski, this versatile style performs well both on and off pistes. It’s more slender than a traditional powder ski and wider than a racing ski.

Mogul – Mounds of snow and ice formed by repeated turns of skiers/snowboarders (or built artificially). Also called bumps.

Mondopoint – International standard for measuring shoe sizes that is often used with ski boots. Measured in millimeters and based on the mean foot length and width for which each shoe is suitable.

Monoski – A single wide ski. As in traditional alpine skiing, the rider faces forward and uses the same type of bindings, boots, and poles.

Mountain rescue dog – Specially trained canines that assist human rescuers in locating and digging out avalanche victims. Also known as an avalanche dog.

Mute grab – Snowboard trick in which the rider’s front hand grabs the board in between the bindings.

NASTAR – Acronym for the National STAndard Race, the world’s largest public grassroots ski race program.

Never call last run – Saying that embodies a superstition that announcing one’s last run invites injury.

Never-ever – A first-time skier or snowboarder. Phrase often used in ski and ride schools.

No fall zone – Section of a run where falling could carry grave consequences, such as the steep entry to a chute where the skier or snowboarder could keep tumbling.

No friends on powder days – Alpine expression that describes the imperative of a ski bum or snowboarder to ditch his or her posse and go get first tracks on a powder day.

Off-piste – Area beyond the trails (pistes) of a ski area, such as trees, glades, and bowls.

Ollie – A snowboarding trick in which the rider leaps into the air with the nose of the board rising first.

Onesie – A one-piece ski suit. Also known as a fartbag.

One-ski quiver – Nickname for an all-mountain wide ski (aka mid-fat) that is designed to perform in a variety of snow conditions and is versatile enough that a skier need not own other pairs.

Out-of-bounds – Areas beyond the patrolled boundaries of a ski resort. Includes sidecountry, slackcountry, and backcountry.

Packed powder – Relatively fresh snowfall that has been compacted by grooming machines and/or the traffic of skiers and snowboarders.

Parabolic skis – Ski with wider tips and a narrower waist to facilitate turning. Also called a shaped ski.

Park – Short for terrain park, an outdoor recreation area where skiers and snowboarders can perform tricks on jibs and features.

Park rat – Someone who loves to do tricks in the terrain park. See also jibber.

Phat – Excellent or awesome. Also used to describe the width of a powder ski.

Pillow – Similar to a dune, a snow pillow is a mound of powder, often created by the wind, that provides for soft landings and can also be used for leverage while making a turn.

Pinhead – Nickname for a telemark skier.

Pipe – Moniker for a half pipe.

Piste – A downhill ski trail, typically with the snow compacted. See also off-piste.

Pistenbully – Brand of snow grooming machines that is popular at many ski areas.

Pit zips – Zippered openings near the armpits in a shell or rain jacket used to vent excess heat (and smell)

Pizza – Also known as the wedge or snowplow, a technique in which the skis are put in a V-shape with the tips close together in order to slow or stop.

Planker – Moniker for a skier.

Planks – Slang term for skis.

Poaching – Ducking a rope or otherwise entering a closed area to steal a line in fresh powder.

Pole grip – The handle of a ski pole, often fitted with a strap.

Polish doughnut – A freestyle trick in which a skier sits down on the snow while traveling, spins around in full circle, and continues skiing. Also called a worm turn.

Poma lift – Type of detachable surface lift in which skiers and snowboarders rest on a platter while being tugged up a hill.

Pooping – Sitting way back on one’s skis.

Posse – A group of people who have come together for a common purpose, such as a bunch of friends going skiing or snowboarding together. See also wolfpack .

Pow – Shorthand for powder. See also pow pow.

Pow pow – Somewhat redundant shorthand for powder. See also pow.

Powder – The holy grail of skiing and snowboarding, powder is the catch-all word to describe snow that is still fresh and yet to be tracked out by skis and snowboards.

Powder basket – An extra-large basket attached to the bottom of ski poles that prevents them from sinking too deeply into the snow.

Powder day clause – Element of one’s work arrangement, either formal, implied, or secret, in which the party is entitled to blow off their job and go skiing when there’s fresh powder. Common in ski towns and among ski bums. Also called powder clause .

Powder hound – A skier or snowboarder who is dedicated to finding fresh show. Often used to describe those willing to travel great distances or to remote portions of ski areas to find their precious pow.

Powder leash – A device attached to skis to prevent them from being lost on a deep powder day. Snowboard leashes are also common since boards lack the brakes that are standard on most ski bindings.

Powder pig – Similar to a powder hound, a powder pig is obsessed with wallowing in the white room often to the exclusion of other obligations. May devote significant time to finding and gorging on secret stashes.

PSIA – Professional Ski Instructors of America, the main organization that certifies and represents skiing instructors. Connected to AASI, the American Association of Snowboard Instructors.

Quad – A four-seat chairlift.

Quads – Quads are short for the quadriceps femoris muscle of the thigh that get a real workout during skiing and snowboarding.

Quarterpipe – A smaller version of a half pipe.

Quiver – One’s collection of skis or snowboards. Each “arrow” in the quiver is a different style of ski for certain conditions, such as powder, backcountry, and piste. See also one-ski quiver.

Racing skis – Designed for speed, these skis tend to be stiff and are designed for racing at the professional level.

Rag doll – Description of a skier or snowboarder tumbling downhill while limp and presumably hurt.

Rail – A metal pipe or bar in a terrain park that skiers and snowboards slide along.

Randonnée – From the French for a long walk or journey, this style allows skiers to travel uphill by attaching skins to the bottom of their skis, then fasten the heels for an alpine-style descent. Also known as alpine touring or AT.

RECCO – The RECCO® Rescue System is used for avalanche rescue and relies on a detector finding reflectors that are permanently attached to clothing and equipment.

Reverse camber – Also known as rocker or negative camber, a style of ski and snowboard that has its front and back tips raised, much like the rails on rocking chair.

Ripper – An accomplished skier or snowboarder who knows how to shred.

Rocker – Style of ski or snowboard in which the tips are raised higher than the middle, akin to the rails on a rocking chair. Also known as reverse camber.

Rollers – Also called rolls, these are undulations in a trail or terrain where skiers and snowboarders may catch big air.

Rope tow – Surface lift, also known as a ski tow, in which a skier or snowboarder grabs hold of a rope or cable in order to be pulled up a slope.

Runout – A relatively flat area at the end of a race or run where athletes and riders come to a stop or slow down.

Sastrugi – Also spelled zastrugi , this is a wind-sculpted snow formation with irregular grooves and/or ridges.

Schussing – Skiing downhill in a straight line without making turns. See also straightlining and bombing.

Scraper – 1) An unskilled snowboarder who is scraping away powder by edging straight down the fall line, sometimes while sitting (see butt-dragger). 2) A device used to remove excess wax and snow from a snowboard or ski.

Screaming starfish – Flailing and cartwheeling down a hill while screaming. May be associated with a yard sale.

Secret stash – An area of untracked powder that is known only to the skier or snowboarder (or so they think).

Shaped skis – Also called parabolic skis, this style has a slight hourglass shape with the tips wider than the waist to promote easier turning and carving. See also sidecut.

Shell – 1) The hard plastic outside of a ski boot. 2) A waterproof or water-resistant jacket.

Short radius turns – Quick turns, often used in steeps and moguls, that allow the skier or snowboarder to slow down and/or avoid obstacles.

Shovel – The upturned front tip of a ski. See also avalanche shovel.

Shred – To ski or snowboard with skill and passion, sometimes with reference to speed and at other times alluding to the snowy detritus left behind.

Shred the gnar – To ski or snowboard with exceptional speed, ability, or enthusiasm, especially in challenging terrain and conditions. See also shred and gnarly.

Sick – 1) Very dangerous or risky, similar to gnarly. 2) Incredibly fun and exciting.

Sidecountry – Out-of-bounds terrain just beyond a ski resort that is easier to access than the backcountry. Typically, the skier or snowboarder will still have to hike, skin, or climb.

Sidecut – A measure of the gradual hourglass shape of parabolic skis and shaped skis.

Sideslip – Skidding down a mountain with skis or snowboard perpendicular to the fall line. Releasing and setting edges controls the movement. Both an exercise and useful technique in some terrain.

Sierra cement – Description of wet, heavy snowfall in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, often held in contrast to the blower and Champagne powder found in the Rocky Mountains.

Sit ski – Device with a seat resting on a lone ski, primarily designed for disabled athletes who use outriggers for stability.

Sitzmark – The impression made in the snow when a skier or snowboarder falls. Also referred to as a bathtub.

Six-pack – A six-person chairlift.

Sketchy – When you land a trick but it doesn’t look good.

Ski boards – Very short skis with non-releasable bindings. Easier to turn that longer skis and sometimes used for tricks.

Ski brake – Device on a binding used to prevent a ski from traveling downhill when the boot isn’t engaged. Also called a snow brake.

Ski bum – Someone totally dedicated to skiing (or snowboarding) who arranges their life around powder days.

Ski bunny – A female skier, sometimes one who is more concerned with her fashion than her turns.

Ski goggles – Special eye protection worn by skier and snowboarders, usually with tinted lenses and anti-fog features.

Ski mask – Synonymous with balaclava , this tight-fitting garment protects the head and neck from cold weather and often has openings for the eyes, nose, and mouth. Also used during bank robberies.

Ski patrol – Organization that provides emergency medical services to skiers and snowboarders, either within a ski area or in the backcountry. Ski patrollers may conduct avalanche control, search and rescue, and other functions.

Ski sickness – A form of motion sickness caused by skiing (or snowboarding) in a whiteout or other poor visibility conditions. Also called Häusler’s disease.

Skidding – In contrast to carving by engaging the edges, skidding involves dropping speed and changing direction by steering the skis to the side.

Skier’s left – Description of the area to the left of a skier (or snowboarder) as they head and look downhill.

Skier’s right – Description of the area to the right of a skier (or snowboarder) as they head and look downhill.

Skier’s thumb – Common injury to a skier’s hand if they fall while still holding a pole. Such damage to the thumb ligament accounts for 8-10% of all ski injuries but can be avoided by properly holding the poles.

Ski-in ski-out – Description of a hotel, house, condo, or other accommodation that allows occupants to directly access the slopes of a ski resort without walking or using motorized transportation.

Skijoring – Winter sport in which athletes are pulled by horses, dogs, or vehicles. From the Norwegian word skikjøring, for ski driving.

Skinning – The process of walking uphill on skis using special adhesive skins fastened to the base of the skis that maintain traction.

Skins – Adhesive strips that are attached to the bottom of skis with telemark or alpine touring bindings to enable walking uphill without sliding backwards. Also called climbing skins.

Slackcountry – Out-of-bounds terrain just beyond a resort that is easier to access than the backcountry. Unlike sidecountry, which still requires hiking, skinning, or climbing, the slackcountry can be accessed from lift-served terrain without bootpacking or skinning.

Slalom – Alpine skiing and snowboarding discipline in which racers ski between poles or gates, which are spaced more closely than in giant slalom and super giant slalom (Super-G).

Slopestyle – Event in Winter Olympics and other competitions in which skiers and snowboarders travel down a course with rails, jumps, and other terrain park features. Scores are based on height of jumps, degree of difficulty, and execution.

Slush – Snow that has begun melting in earnest, leaving behind a heavy, wet mess that can be difficult to turn in. See also mashed potatoes.

Smearing – Skidding a turn in powder, similar to how one would smear cream cheese on a bagel. Common technique for powder skiing with fat, rockered skis. See also smearing.

SNOTEL – An automated system of more than 730 SNOw TELemetry and climate sensors operated by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Snotsicle – A frozen discharge from the nostril. Common due to cold-induced rhinorrhea, a condition in which the nasal cavity gets filled with a significant volume of mucus due to cold temperatures and exertion.

Snow bike – Any device resembling a bike in which a rider descends mountain while sitting and steers with their hands. Sometimes used to describe fatbikes with oversized, underinflated tires that are actually pedaled over snow, sand, and other soft terrain.

Snow farm – A ski area that depends on artificial, manmade snow.

Snow gun – Equipment used in snowmaking and grooming operations to create artificial snow.

Snowbank – A pile, mound, berm, or pillow of snow that is deposited by the wind or created by people.

Snowblade – Also called skiblade and ski board, this style of skiing uses super short skis that are easier to turn.

Snowcat – A tracked vehicle with an enclosed cab that is used for grooming pistes and transporting skiers/snowboarders. See also cat skiing.

Snowpack – The layers of snow that accumulate for extended periods, especially in mountains and upland areas. The snowpack is studied for avalanche risk and a vital component of the world’s water supply.

Snowplow – In the skiing context, a wedge move that points the ski tips together in order to slow or stop.

Snowslide – Sometimes used as a synonym with avalanche, the term snowslide suggests an event with only snow falling down a slope. Snow-water equivalent – A measurement of the snowpack that gauges the water content and describes how much water would result if you instantly melted the entire snowpack.

Softgoods – Snow sports industry term for skiing and snowboarding clothing and apparel, as opposed to the hardgoods category that includes skis, snowboards, bindings, boots, poles, and other equipment.

Spread eagle – Also called an eagle, this aerial move involves spreading one’s legs and arms wide apart while in the air.

Spring conditions – General description of the highly variable conditions found in spring, in which slopes may freeze at night and melt during the day into corn, mashed potatoes, slush, and other sloppy conditions.

Steazey – Style with ease: to perform a trick that may not be exceedingly difficult, but doing it with such grace and skill that it looks simple.

Steeps – Description of high-angle pistes and backcountry terrain.

Sticks – Moniker for skis.

Stomp pad – A device affixed to a snowboard that helps dislodge snow from the bottom of a boot and maintain traction while the rider’s boot is out of the binding and resting on the board (e.g., while unloading a lift).

Straightlining – Skiing or snowboarding straight down the fall line with excessive speed. See also bombing and schussing.

Sucker hole – Colloquial term, originating in sailing, that describes a quick break in the weather or a small hole in the cloud cover.

Super-G – Super giant slalom, a discipline of alpine ski racing which focuses on speed. Gates are spaced farther apart than in giant slalom, slalom, and downhill.

Superpipe – An especially large half pipe with walls rising 22 feet from the bottom of the U-shaped structure.

Surface lift – Catch-all phrase for mountain transportation systems in which the skier or snowboarder remains on the ground. Examples include rope tow, t-bar, magic carpet, and poma lift.

Tail – The back end of a ski or snowboard.

T-bar – Surface lift in which a skier or snowboarder rests against a T-shaped seat that is pulled uphill by a cable. Similar to a J-bar.

Tomahawk – To fall end over end down a mountain without any control. See also rag doll.

Telemark – A style that combines elements of both alpine and Nordic skiing. With free heel bindings, the telemark skier descends with the signature bent-knee while making telemark turns.

Terrain park – An outdoor recreation area where skiers and snowboarders can perform tricks on jibs and features.

Tracked out – A slope, once pristine, that has seen its powder largely disappear due to the repeated tracks of skiers and snowboarders.

Tram – Short for aerial tram, a lift with an enclosed compartment that is generally larger than a gondola. Also called a cable car, this type of aerial lift relies on a three-rope design in which two cables support the car and another provides propulsion.

Traverse – To ski straight across the fall line or contour along a slope at the same elevation.

Tree skiing – Skiing in a glade or forest, hopefully around the trees and not into the trunks or branches. Also called glade skiing.

Tree well – A void or depression around the base of the tree that can pose a potentially fatal hazard to skiers and snowboarders if they fall in and get buried.

Treeline – Area on a mountain where trees stop growing due to harsher environmental conditions. Also spelled tree line.

Trenching – Laying down deep channels in powder while skiing or snowboarding.

Trustafarian – Rich young person who adopts a hippie lifestyle while surviving off a trust fund or similar financial support from their family. A subspecies of ski bum and powder hound.

Tuck – Aerodynamic position assumed by skiing racers that involves bending knees and holding hands in front of face to minimize wind drag.

Tune – To perform maintenance work on skis and snowboards, including sharpening the edges, fixing damage to the base, and applying wax.

Turning radius – The radius of an imaginary circle created by a ski carving an arc. Deeper sidecut skis have a smaller turning radius.

Twin tip – Alpine skis with the tip and tail both turned up, allowing the skier to easily travel or land backwards.

Untracked – Terrain with fresh snow that has yet to be visited and tracked out by skiers and snowboarders.

Unweighting – Reducing the downward pressure on skis or snowboards in order to facilitate a turn.

USASA – Acronym for the United States of America Snowboard and Freeski Association.

Vertical drop – “Vert” for shorthand, this is a measure of how many feet or meters a skier or snowboarder has descended in a run, day, or lifetime. Also used to describe the elevation difference between a resort’s highest and lowest points.

Vorlage – A skier leaning their weight forward, especially before a turn. From the German for fore (vor) position (lage). Also a ski resort in Québec, Canada.

Waist width – Measurement of a ski or snowboard’s width, taken at the narrowest point under or between the boots.

Wedge – Also known as the snowplow, a technique in which the skis are put in a V-shape with the tips close together in order to slow or stop. Also called a “pizza” in ski school for kids.

White room – When there are face shots galore and the skier or snowboarder’s vision is being obscured by the powder.

Whiteout – Weather condition in which visibility is severely compromised due to blowing snow, making it hard to find the horizon or reference points. May induce vertigo and ski sickness.

Wind hold – Stoppage of a chair lift, gondola, or other transport due to gusty winds.

Wind packed – Snow that has been shaped and hardened by the wind. See also sastrugi or zastrugi.

Windshield wipers – Sloppy, skidded turns that resemble the back and forth of wiper blades.

Wolfpack – A group of male friends who ski or ride together. See also posse.

Worm turn – A freestyle trick in which a skier sits down on the snow while traveling, spins around in full circle, and continues skiing. Also called a Polish doughnut.

X Games – ESPN’s annual sports event that focuses on extreme sports. Winter X Games include Superpipe, Slopestyle, Skier X, Snowboarder X, Big Air, snowmobiling, and other events.

XC skiing – Shorthand for cross-country skiing.

Yard sale – A major crash in which a skier loses their poles, skis, clothing, and other items, littering the slopes with their possessions.

Zastrugi – Also spelled sastrugi , this is a wind-sculpted snow formation with irregular grooves and/or ridges.

Zipper line – In mogul skiing, the fastest route through the bumps, heading straight down the fall line, and requiring piston-like action in the legs.

Zorb – An orb, usually made of transparent plastic, that is large enough to contain one or more people and used to roll downhill.

1080 – An aerial maneuver in which a skier or snowboarder rotates 1080 degrees, or three full turns.

180 – An aerial maneuver in which a skier or snowboarder rotates 180 degrees, or a half-turn.

360 – An aerial maneuver in which a skier or snowboarder rotates 360 degrees, or a half-turn

420 – Code that signifies acceptance of cannabis or signals it’s time to consume. Pronounced four-twenty and also written as 4:20 and 4/20.

720 – An aerial maneuver in which a skier or snowboarder rotates 720 degrees, or two full turns.

Ski Terminology and Lingo

What’s the Language?

Have you ever been in a foreign speaking country and felt out of place because you didn’t speak the language? Have we ever experienced trying to order food at a foreign restaurant (pre & post COVID) and stumbled to get the order correct?

Not speaking the language can be a little intimidating. Not knowing the language while you’re skiing is no big deal because you can still enjoy the slope without having to speak the language.

What’s the Lingo?

Is there a benefit to speaking the lingo.

Whether you are new to skiing or perhaps a seasoned pro, the lingo is fun to figure out and share with your comrades. How many times have we been on the slopes or in a bar testing our Apres-skiing technique and heard a word or phrase that baffled us? Skiing is a shared sport and meant to be enjoyed with good friends and family. It’s not an “in-crowd” thing, it’s just fun to be part of a group of people that speak the same lingo to share their joy of skiing from the day’s adventure.

A Reference Guide for Ski Lingo of Terms

Here are some terms and phrases that have been collected over the years.

# A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

• 180 – An aerial maneuver in which a skier or snowboarder rotates 180 degrees, or a halfturn.
• 360 – An aerial maneuver in which a skier or snowboarder rotates 360 degrees, or a halfturn
• 420 – (“Four-Twenty”) Code that signifies acceptance of cannabis or signals it’s time to consume.
• 720 – An aerial maneuver in which a skier or snowboarder rotates two full turns or 720 degrees.
• 1080 – An aerial maneuver in which a skier or snowboarder rotates three full turns or 1080 degrees.

“I remember attempting a 360 and accomplishing a 270… Wow that hurt!”

• Aerial tramway  – A ‘tram’ is a large version of a gondola. Typically holds approximately 30 people where as a gondola usually holds 4-8 people.
• Aerial —In the olympics, aerials are gymnastic maneuvers performed by skiers jumping off jumps. Inverts, twists, etc.
• AFD  (AntiFriction Device)—Teflon® pad or mechanical slider attached to the top of the ski just behind the binding toe unit. The pad reduces friction between the top of the ski and the boot sole so that the boot releases smoothly during a fall.
• All mountain ski  – A versatile ski that performs well in a variety of conditions, including groomers, powder, bumps, and trees.
• AlpenGlow  – The rose coloured hue of mountains glowing at sunrise or sunset.
• Alpine Combined . The combination of both a downhill and Slalom race where times are added together to produce the Combined-time.
• Alpine Skiing —Commonly known as downhill skiing. Uses stiff cambered skis, hardshell boots and fixed heel, releasable bindings. Duh?
• Alpine   touring  – Alpine touring is a form of skiing in which skiers are able to travel uphill using skins attached to the bottom of their skis. Bindings that allow their heels to lift.
• Angulation : The angles between torso, hips, and lower joints. The opposite is banking or leaning where the body has No angulation. The result is skis are tilted on more of an edge. Angulation can now be achieved with the lower leg and emphasized with the hip, independent of upper body position.
• Anterior cruciate ligament  (ACL). The knee ligament that connects the femur (thigh bone) with the tibia (shin bone) and prevents the forward movement of the tibia on the femur.
• Anticipation . The skier’s upper body anticipated the direction of the coming turn, acting as an anchor for the lower body to turn against. As the tension was  released (muscles relax) and the skier “let go” of the old turn, the legs realigned with the upper body and started the turn.
• Aprés ski  – French for “after ski,” this phrase describes the food, drink, and other social activities that occur after a day of skiing.
• Arête – Thin, knife-like ridge that is typically formed when glaciers erode parallel valleys.
• Arlberg   Strap . An old method preventing the skis from running down the hill after a fall. A leather strap that was wrapped around the boot and attached to the ski.
• Artificial   Snow : Manmade snow. Not as fine as real snow.
• Audio   helmet  – A protective helmet that includes speakers in the earpieces and a connection, either wired or wireless, to a music source.
• Avalanche  – A large mass of snow, ice, and other materials that suddenly slides down a mountain. Also referred to as avi or avy .
• Avalanche   airbag  – Backpack that incorporates an airbag that can be deployed during an avalanche, increasing the odds the victim will float at or near the surface of the slide.
• Avalanche Beacon –  An electronic transceiver to help locate someone lost in an avalanche.
• Avalanche control  – Activities designed to monitor and reduce the risk of avalanches through active measures (e.g., explosives), permanent structures (e.g., snow fence), and social interventions (e.g., educational efforts).
• Avalanche   dog  – Specially trained canines that assist human rescuers in locating and digging out avalanche victims.
• Avalanche Probe  – A collaspable rod that’s used to poke through avalanche debris in order to find a buried victim.

“There are places in the world that are close to cities, but just don’t get the high volume of snow like the mountains. These resorts have figured out the Science of making snow.” (Snowmax, DewBulb)

• Backcountry – Areas beyond the boundaries of ski resorts. More dangerous due to lack of avalanche control or rescue. Also called off-piste or out-of-bounds . Experience, avalanche knowledge and proper equipment is imperative when backcountry skiing.
• Backscratcher – An aerial trick in which a skier drops the tips and lifts the backs of their skis, sometimes to the point of touching their back. Old School.
• Backside – Portion of a ski resort that lies on the other side of a ridge or mountain from the main base area.
• Balaclava – A snug face-mask worn over the head and neck, often with holes cut out for the eyes, nose, and mouth. “Bank Robber”
• Balance : A relationship between our base of support (feet) and our centre of mass (core). A harmonious use of both.
• Banking : Leaning into a turn but not bending any joints.
• Base – Two definitions: A) Snow depth; B) Underside of a ski C) The bottom of the hill.
• Base of Support (BOS): Refers to our feet on the skis.
• Baseplate – The bottom portion of a binding that attaches to a ski.
• Basket –The piece of circular plastic attached to the bottom of ski poles that prevents them from sinking too deeply into the snow.
• Bear trap . A binding that did not allow release. It had fixed toe irons, and the heel was often lashed to the skis with a leather strap, long thong or laniere.
• Beginner trail – A green circle trail that is typically wide, groomed, and not too steep. A very easy beginning trail where novices learn is also called a bunny slope or bunny hill.
• Berm – A mound of snow, either natural or manmade, than can be used for turns or tricks.
• Beaver Balls : Clumpy chunks of snow that feels like you’re skiing on ball bearings
• Bevel . Modifying the edge of a ski so that it forms something other than a perfect 90 degree angle.  The ski edge has two surfaces: the base edge connected to the ski’s sole, and the side edge as part of the ski’s sidewall. A beveled base edge is modified by about one degree. The edge angle comparing the bottom and the side edge. Normally, we think of the edge as 90 degrees, but beveled edge is slightly less than 90 degrees. (ie: Base=1degree, Side=2degrees)

• Biff – A skier nearly falls but recovers without going down.
• Big air – An aerial in which the skier or snowboarder is airborne for a considerable length of time.
• Binding : The thing that connects your boot to your ski. The bindings on skis are designed to release the boot in the case of a fall. Snowboard bindings don’t auto release.
• Black Diamond —An expert level ski slope designated by a sign with a black diamond on a white background.
• Black ice – A hard to see thin transparent layer of ice that forms on a road.
• Black Run : An advanced level ski slope designated by a sign with a black diamond on a white background.
• Blind side : This is the invisible area or spot that skier cannot see immediately. Usually occurs during a mid-air spin or rotation.
• Blue Run : A gentle slope suitable for beginner and intermediate skiers.
• Blue square – Symbol for slopes of intermediate ability.
• Bluebird – Sunny, cloudless conditions. Also called a bluebird day.
• Boarder – Nickname for a snowboarder.
• Boards —Another term for skis.
• Boilerplate – Frozen conditions that are very hard and dense snow requiring good edge control.
• Bomber – A skier who is traveling quickly down the slopes, usually in a straight line or a little out of control.
• Bombing – Travelling fast and straight down a slope, somewhat out of control.
• Boogying . A 70’s form of skiing in the bumps – “Hot Dog”
• Bowl – A large open basin that is frequently above tree line and no obstacles.
• Brain bucket – Nickname for a helmet worn by a skier.
• Bracquage : a pivoting drill to improve the skill of turning the feet back and forth underneath you.
• Bro – Short for brother, an affectionate term for a fellow male skier.
• Bulletproof – Hard, compacted snow and ice that requires serious edging and is often caused by thaw freeze cycle or rain falling on slopes.
• Bumps – Synonym for moguls, the mounds of snow formed by repeated turns of skiers.
• Bunny slope : The area of the mountain with a gradual decline, perfect for beginner skiers to be taught basic ski techniques.
• Butt dragger – A novice snowboarder who has fallen and is sliding down the slope on their behind, scraping powder away to the chagrin of skiers.
• Butter – A skier or snowboarder rocks onto their tips or tails and holding their position while they descend.
• Button Lift : A ski lift with a round plastic disc at the end of a long pole. The disc is placed between the legs and gently pulls skiers up the slopes. (See Poma Lift)

• Cable Car : A large aerial lift that transports skiers and snowboarders up the slopes.
• Camber . The arch built into a ski from tip to tail. Camber was created to generate even pressure on the snow along the length of the ski.
• Cant – Measure of a boot’s lateral angle in relation to a ski. Adjustments inward or outward are used to modify edging.
• Canting .  The process of making adjustments – primarily to bindings and boots – in order to improve the alignments of feet, knees, hips and upper body.
• Cap Skis —Skis designed with a seamless piece covering the top and sides so there are no separate sidewalls.
• Carving . Turning the skis by causing them to travel on edge with minimal lateral slipping or skidding.
• Cat skiing – Using a snowcat (cat) to access skiing. Sometimes the cat will travel within a resort’s boundaries, but usually cats are used to access untracked powder in the backcountry.
• Cat tracks – Relatively flat and narrow trails that traverse ski areas and are used by snowcats, skiers, and snowboarders to get around the mountain.
• Catching air – Performing an aerial maneuver and leaving the surface.
• Catching an edge : When the edge of a ski or snowboard accidentally digs into the snow, usually resulting in a fall or a biff.
• Centre of Mass (COM):  This is an area in the centre of a skier’s body that is referred to as the middle or centre of the entire skier.
• Chair Lift : An aerial ski lift that you sit on and rest your skis on a bar. Originally a 1-person system, but now up to 8 person chairlifts exist.
• Champagne powder – Light, fluffy, low density snow.
• Chatter – Sound and vibration made by a ski turning and having trouble maintaining an edge.
• Checking – Speed reduction technique that involves briefly skidding the skis slightly in order to reset your edge.
• Chinese downhill – An event in which racers begin simultaneously, usually in a tuck or figure elevens.
• Chocolate chips – Rocks that poke out of the snow and cause the skier to trip.
• Chondola : A ski resort lift that features a mix of chairlifts and gondolas.
• Chowder – Powder that’s been chopped up by the tracks of skiers.
• Christie – As opposed to carving the turn, the skier skids with their skis parallel.
• Chutes : Narrow sections of snow between two rock walls typically skied by expert or advanced skiers or snowboarders.
• Cirque : A bowl shape or amphitheater usually sculpted by a glacier.
• Cliffhucking : A move done by only the skier jumping off a cliff.
• Cold smoke – The plume of low, lightdensity snow that trails behind a skier or snowboarder.
• Corduroy : Named for the ridges in the snow caused by grooming machines, corduroy is another word for groomer or groomed slope.
• Core – Usually made from wood or foam, the core is primary structure that makes up the center of a ski.
• Corn Snow —Snow condition usually occurring in spring and consisting of small, rounded “kernels” or balls.
• Cornice : An overhanging mass of snow at the edge of a ridge or peak.
• Couloir – A steep and narrow gully, often surrounded by rock walls.
• Counter rotation . Caused when a skier turns with the lower body and doesn’t turn with the upper body.
• Crevasse : A deep and sometimes hidden crack in a glacier.
• Cross-Over/Cross-Under – Where the centre of mass crosses over the base of support or where the base of support cross under the centre of mass.
• Crud – Slang for snow when it’s lumpy, chunky, and difficult to turn in.
• Cruising – Traveling downhill making larger turns.
• Crust – Frozen layer of ice on top of a snow layer. Usually crunchy and painful if hitting the shins.

• Dachsteins – A brand of Ski Boot. Dachstein also means roof stones in German. As in Austria 🇦🇹 they put Dachsteins on roofs of houses sheds to hold down the roof in high winds. But if your a ski instructor Dachsteins has an entirely different meaning…. Something to do with ski bunnies haha
• Daffy – An aerial stunt in which a skier thrusts one ski forward and the other ski backward while they are airborne.
• Dampening —A ski’s resistance to vibration, usually built into the ski with layers of shock absorbing material.
• Death cookies – Small frozen chunks on a slope, usually caused by snowmaking and grooming operations.
• Delamination —The separation of a ski’s base or top sheet from its core, which is usually irreparable.
• Detachable chairlift – A chairlift that detaches from the wire rope in the loading and unloading stations, allowing it to move faster up the hill and carry more skiers up the hill than a fixed grip chairlift. Usually referred to as high-speed chair.
• Dew Point Temperature –  T dp The temperature at which water vapor starts to condense out of the air. The temperature at which air becomes completely saturated. Above this temperature the moisture will stay in the air.
• DIN Settings : Deutsche Industrie Normen in German, this is the tension release setting that determines at what pressure your binding releases the boot on a fall.
• Disco sticks – Short slalom skis.
• Double black – A difficulty rating for a slope that is more challenging than expert black diamond trails. It’s usually very steep with cliffs and difficult conditions. (a sign with 2 black diamonds on a white background)
• Downhill – Synonym for alpine skiing, the side of the sport in which skiers travel down mountains using bindings that fix their heels to the skis.
• Downhill Edge : This refers to the outside (or downhill) ski that you’re standing on. Technically, it’s the inside edge of the outside ski.
• Downhill Ski : The ski that is on the downhill side of the slope.
• Downhill —Highspeed ski racing with tight turns and jumps. Speeds can be in excess of 80 mph (120km)
• Down-unweighting . A lightening of the pressure of the skis on the snow made by a sudden dropping of the skier’s body.
• Drag Lift : A lift that simply pulls you up the slope as you stand on your skis or snowboard. Also called a T-Bar, Poma or J-Bar.
• Dropping in – Beginning a run in a terrain park or launching off a cliff or cornice to enter new terrain. (Merging on the highway)
• Dry Bulb – Dry Bulb (T db )temperature, usually referred to as air temperature, is the air property that is most common used. When people refer to the temperature of the air, they are normally referring to its dry bulb temperature. (See Wet Bulb)
• Ducking a rope – Illegally going under a rope marking closed terrain at a resort.
• Dump : An unusually large or heavy snowfall.
• Dumping – Description of heavy snowfall. Similar to nuking or puking.
• Dust on crust – When a very shallow layer of fresh snow covers the hardpack underneath.

• Eagle – Also called spread eagle, this aerial move involves spreading one’s legs and arms wide apart while in the air.
• Eat shit – To crash hard.
• Eat wood – To crash face first into a tree.
• Edge – 1) The sharp, narrow metal strip along the side of a ski. 2) To tip one’s ski and engage the sharp edge in order to bite into snow and gain traction.
• Edge Angle – The angle difference between the surface and the tilt of the ski.
• Edge : A metal or carbon steel strip found on the bottom sides of skis used for carving.
• Ego bumps : Small, well spaced moguls on an intermediate slope that are generally easier to ski than those found on more difficult slopes. (See hero bumps)
• Ego snow – Snow conditions, such as machine groomed packed powder that result in a boost to the ego. (See hero snow)
• Epic : A day characterized by the large amount of powder or other conditions that make it unforgettable.
• Equipment : Refers to your skis, snowboard, boots and skipoles. 
• Expert Trail – A black diamond trail.
• Express Lift —Common name for a highspeed chairlift.
• Extreme – Generally considered more risky and difficult than “expert” and often used to signify a double black diamond run.
• Expert Skier : Top level skier with excellent level skills.

• Face plant – A fall in which you land on your face. Could be fun if it’s on a powder day.
• Face shot – When powder sprays a skier’s face. The snow must be deep and light enough to pile up against the skier’s face.
• Fakie : Skiing backwards.
• Fall Line —The line of gravity or the most direct route down a slope.
• Fartbag – A one piece ski suit, also known as a onsie .
• Fat Skis —Very wide skis designed to perform in deep powder snow.
• Figure 11 – To ski in a straight line down the hill leaving behind parallel tracks that look like the number 11.
• Figure eight : Tandem skiers whose tracks when viewed from above give the illusion of the numerical “eight.”
• First tracks – Making your mark on a slope before anyone else hits the trail.
• FIS – Acronym for the Fédération Internationale de Ski , the body that regulates the World Cup. Also known as the International Ski Federation. Located in Oberhofen/Thunersee, Switzerland.
• Fixed grip chairlift – The traditional, slower lift in which the chair remains attached to the cable during the entire circuit.
• Flat light – Cloudy, low contrast conditions that make it hard read the snow and detect features in the terrain.
• Flex – A description for boots and skis. The stiffer the flex of a boot, the more difficult it is to bend it. The stiffer the ski, the more stable the performance.
• Flex index – A measure of the stiffness of ski boots, generally running from 50 (soft) to 140 (very stiff).
• Footbed – Removable insole in a ski boot. Custom footbeds and orthotics can provide better fit and alignment than factory footbeds.
• Free refills – A powder day in which it keeps on snowing, offering bottomless fun and preventing the pistes from getting tracked out.
• Free Carving – The relatively new style of skiing in which skiers use super sidecut skis to make extreme, carved turns at high speeds, but without gates or moguls.
• Freeride —Term given to skis built to handle everything from powdery, groomed slopes to bumps, crud and other challenging terrain.
• Freestyle – A skiing discipline in Winter Olympics that includes moguls, aerials, halfpipe, and slope-style.
• French fries – Image used to help kids visualize two skis pointed parallel, as opposed to the “pizza” stance that puts the skis in a snowplow or wedge.
• Freshies – Fresh, untracked powder.
• Funitel : An aerial cable lift used to transport skiers. Funitels are more widely found in Europe.

• Gaper – Referred to someone that has a ‘gap’ between their helmet and goggles. This usually results in an ice cream headache.
• Garlands – Basic skiing maneuver in which partial or half turns leave behind a pattern similar to a Christmas garland. A teaching drill that improves a skier’s ability to turn with the lower body without involving the upper body. Usually performed across the hill in a snake-like fashion.
• Gate : A flag or pole in the snow marking a racing area. 
• Geschmozzle – Race style in which skiers and snowboarders begin together, such as skiercross and boardercross. Also called Chinese downhill.
• Giant slalom – Abbreviated GS, this style of alpine racing is similar to the slalom but the gates are farther apart and the skiers travel faster.
• Giant Slalom (also G.S.) A race course with medium to long radius turns around gates.
• Giant slalom – An alpine ski racing discipline in which the poles (gates) spaced at a greater distance to each other than Slalom but less than in SuperG.
• Glade – A stand of trees that is fairly open, sometimes found near tree line. Glade skiing and snowboarding describes travel through forests where the trunks are more widely spaced than in tree skiing and snowboarding.
• Gnarly – Difficult conditions or terrain.
• Goggles – Worn to protect your eyes against sun, wind and glare.
• Gondola : A gondola is an enclosed lift suspended from a cable to transport passengers up and down a mountain. Usually much faster than a chairlift.
• Granular surface – Snow that has been packed down and possibly groomed, causing the surface to have tiny ice pellets.
• Groomer – A groomed trail at a ski resort that is manicured by machine, often creating a corduroy pattern in the snow.

• Hairpin – In slalom racing, two gates set vertically down the hill and close together.
• Halfpipe : A man-made u-shaped channel with smooth walls used by freestyle skiers and snowboarders for aerial tricks.
• Hard Pack : Snow that has been compressed down as far as it will go, making it firm to ski on.
• Hard goods – Snow sports industry term for skiing and snowboarding equipment, as opposed to the softgoods category that covers clothing and apparel.
• Headwall – Precipice at the edge of a glacial cirque, or any steep slope at the head of a valley.
• Headwall : A steep cliff, usually the uppermost part of a cirque.
• Heliskiing : A skiing discipline requiring helicopter transportation to the highest slopes and known for providing skiers/boarders with fresh tracks.
• Herringbone . A technique for climbing the hill by putting the skis on edge in a V-configuration. the skier walks up the hill on alternating feet while edging to avoid slipping backwards.
• Highspeed chairlift – A chairlift that is relatively fast, usually because the lifts are able to detach in the loading and unloading stations. Also referred to as a detachable chairlift.
• Hockey stop – Similar to hockey, the skier turns both feet underneath themselves to come to a stop.
• Hot dog – A skier who shows off, especially their aerial moves or prowess in moguls.
• Hourglass Skis —Super-sidecut skis, or skis on which the tips and tails are significantly wider than the waist.
• Huck – To launch off a cliff or cornice.

• Ice – When the snow on the slopes becomes like frozen water (ice) as it hasn’t snowed for a while.
• Inbounds – Terrain lying within the boundaries of a ski area that is subject to avalanche control and other safety measures.
• Inclination : A skier banks or leans into the turn without angulation.
• Indie grab : An industry term for grabbing the skis under the boot on the outside edge while executing a jump.
• Inner Boot —Insulating, cushioning ski boot liner that can be removed for drying. Fits inside the rigid plastic outer boot.
• Inside Edge : The inside edge of the outside ski.
• Inside ski . The ski that is on the inside of a turn.
• Invert – To go upside down in an aerial trick. Short for inverted.
• IOC . International Olympic Committee is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IOC recognizes the FIS as the official governing body for the sports of skiing and snowboarding.

• J-bar – Surface lift in which a skier leans against a J-shaped seat that is pulled uphill by a cable. Similar to a T-bar.
• Jetting – When exiting a turn, a skier accelerates by jetting their feet forward.
• Jib [bing]: Any single or combination of tricks on skis or a snowboard, generally done in terrain parks, but not limited to that.
• Jibber – A skier or snowboarder who is riding in terrain parks and doing tricks.
• Jump turn : A method generally used on steeper terrain of turning direction by jumping with your skis in the air.

• Kick turn : An about face turn while stationary, by lifting one ski and reversing its direction, followed by the other ski.
• Kicker : The sharply angled end of a jump, allowing a skier or boarder to gain significant height.
• Lead Change – Comparing two skis and the new inside ski being a little further ahead than the outside ski. It creates separation between the upper and lower body.
• Lift Line . A line of skiers waiting to get on a lift. Long lift lines are synonymous with waiting a long time in the lift line. The term lift line also refers to the cut through the trees where the lift ascends the mountain.
• Lift Pass : A lift pass is a ticket that allows you to use the ski lifts. 
• Liftie – Nickname for a chair lift operator.
• Liner – Removable inner boot to the outer plastic shell of a boot. It provides support/padding and in many cases is molded or customized to the individual skier.
• Linking – Blending one turn into the next turn to have a sequence of turns.
• Loud Powder : The opposite of powder skiing, more on an icy service hence – “loud”.

• Machine groomed – Description of trail conditions in which snowcats or other grooming machines have manicured the trails.
• Magic carpet : A type of conveyor or surface lift often found in beginner learning areas for its ease of use.
• Martin , A – A husband trying to teach his wife to ski, but can’t ski himself. As in “look at Martin teaching his wife, HE needs the lesson.
• Mashed potatoes – Snow conditions that are wet, slopping, heavy and clumped similar to the potato sidedish.
• Massif – A compact group of mountain summits, especially when set apart from other peaks.
• Mid-Entry Boot . A design usually involving an overlap lower shell to provide accurate shell fit and a hinged upper cuff that opens wide for easy entry and exit.
• Mid-fat ski – Also known as an all-mountain ski, this versatile style performs well both on and off pistes. It’s more slender than a traditional powder ski and wider than a racing ski.
• Mogul – Mounds of snow and ice formed by repeated turns of skiers/snowboarders (or built artificially). Also called bumps.
• Mondopoint – International standard for measuring shoe sizes that is often used with ski boots. Measured in millimeters and based on the mean foot length and width for which each shoe is suitable.
• Monoski – A single wide ski. As in traditional alpine skiing, the rider faces forward and uses the same type of bindings, boots, and poles.
• Moraine . A ridge formed of boulders, rocks and gravel pushed downhill or aside by a glacier and left behind after the glacier’s retreat. A terminal moraine appears at the end of the glacier; lateral moraines at its sides.
• Mountain rescue dog – Specially trained canines that assist human rescuers in locating and digging out avalanche victims.
• NASTAR – Acronym for the Na tional Sta ndard R ace, the world’s largest public grassroots ski race program.
• Never call last run – A superstition that skiers avoid because it’s usually followed by an injury.
• Never ever – A first time skier or snowboarder. Phrase often used in ski and ride schools.
• No fall zone – A sign to warn skiers letting them know if they fall, they could accelerate and/or tumble like a rag doll because of the snow conditions and steepness.
• No Friends on a Powder Day – An expression on a powdery day signalling that the skier wants first tracks and leaving his comrades behind.
• NSAA , National Ski Areas Association. A trade association of more than 500 U.S. ski areas with headquarters in Lakewood, Colorado.
• NSPS , National Ski Patrol System Association of ski patrollers.

• Offpiste —The area beyond the groomed runs of a ski area or backcountry away from developed ski areas.
• Onesie – A onepiece ski suit. Also known as a fartbag.
• Onpiste : “Piste” is the French word for trail or run. Therefore, “onpiste” would mean on a groomed trail or run.
• Out of bounds – Areas beyond the patrolled boundaries of a ski resort. Includes sidecountry, slackcountry, and backcountry.
• Outside Ski : The ski on the outside of a turn.
• Overlap Boots—Traditional style ski boot that closes in front with overlapping flaps and several buckles.

• Packed Powder : The perfect ski conditions where new snow has been groomed or ridden over to pack it down.
• Parabolic Skis —Shaped skis, or the most dramatically sidecut skis. Easier for beginners and intermediates to turn and control. Also called a shaped ski.
• Parallel – skis side by side at the same angle.
• Parallel Turn —A turn in which the skis are parallel to each other (rather than angled, as in a wedge turn).
• Park – Short for terrain park, an outdoor recreation area where skiers and snowboarders can perform tricks on jibs and features.
• Park rat – Someone who loves to do tricks in the terrain park.
• Phat – Synonym for excellent or awesome . Also used to describe the width of a powder ski.
• Pillow – A snow pillow is a mound of powder created by the wind and provides soft landings .
• Pillows : The soft tops of moguls after a fresh powder dump.
• Pipe – Abbreviation for a half pipe.
• Piste : The French word for “ski slope”.
• Pistenbully – Brand of snow grooming machines that is popular at many ski areas.
• Pit zips – Zippered openings near the armpits in a shell or rain jacket used to vent excess heat.
• Pivoting – The act of turning lower body (legs/feet) to change direction.
• Pizza – A technique in which the skis are put in a V-shape with the tips close together in order to slow or stop.
• Planker – Slang for a skier.
• Planks – Slang term for skis.
• Pole grip – The handle of a ski pole.
• Polish doughnut – A freestyle trick in which a skier sits down on the snow while traveling, spins around in full circle, and continues skiing. Also called a worm turn.
• Poma lift – Type of detachable surface lift in which skiers and snowboarders rest on a platter while being tugged up a hill.
• Pond skimming: A spring skiing event at ski resorts in which skiers usually dress up and attempt to skim across an icy pond.
• Pooping –-Sitting way back on one’s skis.
• Posse –-A group of people who have come together for a common purpose, such as a bunch of friends going skiing .
• Pow – Short for powder. See also pow pow.
• Pow pow –Synonymous with powder. See also pow.
• Powder basket – An extralarge basket attached to the bottom of ski poles that prevents them from sinking too deeply into the snow.
• Powder Day Clause: A informal agreement that allows skiers to skip out on their job or daily obligation to go skiing for the day.
• Powder hound – A skier who is dedicated to finding fresh show. Powder leash – A device attached to skis to prevent them from being lost on a deep powder day.
• Powder pig – Similar to a powder hound, a powder pig is also obsessed with finding the best fresh pow.
• Powder : Fresh snow that hasn’t been packed down. Found offpiste or just after a heavy snowfall.  The “ideal” ski condition that occurs after a fresh dump of snow.
• Prejump . A technique for reducing the act of becoming airborne. The skier jumps before reaching the bump or drop-off, skims over its top and lands on the downhill side.
• Pressure Control – The ability to manage your weight on the snow so you don’t get bounced around.
• PSIA —Professional Ski Instructors of America. The organization that certifies most ski professionals in the U.S.A.

• Quad : A chairlift carrying four people.
• Quads – Quads are short for the quadriceps femoris muscle of the thigh that get a real workout during skiing.
• Quarterpipe – A smaller version of a half pipe.
• Quiver – One’s collection of skis. Each “arrow” in the quiver is a different style of ski for certain conditions, such as powder, backcountry, and racing.

• Racing skis – A stiffer more torsionally rigid ski designed for speed.
• Rag doll – Description of a skier tumbling downhill while limp.
• Rail – A metal pipe or bar in a terrain park that skiers slide along.
• Rail slide : A technique performed in a terrain park by sliding skis across a metal or wooden rail.
• Rear-Entry Boots —A style of ski boot that opens in back with a hinged flap that you push down to open and pull up to close. 
• Reverse camber – Also known as rocker or negative camber, a style of ski that has its front and back tips raised. Also known as Twin-Tips.
• Ripper – An accomplished skier who knows how to go fast.
• Rock Skis —Old skis used for thin snow conditions in early and late season when hitting rocks is more likely.
• Rocker – Also known as rocker or negative camber, a style of ski that has its front and back tips raised. Also known as reverse camber or twin-tips.
• Rollers – Also called rolls, these are undulations in a trail or terrain where skiers may catch big air. Woop-te-woops.
• Rope Tow —A lift that pulls skiers up gentler slopes. Skiers hold on to handles along a continuously moving “rope” and keep their skis flat on the snow.S
• Runout – A relatively flat area at the end of a race or run where athletes and riders come to a stop or slow down.
• Schuss , Schussing – To ski without making turns or checking speed. From the German word meaning gun shot, rush, rapid movement.
• Scraper – 1) An unskilled snowboarder who is scraping away powder by edging straight down the fall line, sometimes while sitting (see buttdragger). 2) A device used to remove excess wax and snow from a snowboard or ski.
• Screaming starfish – Flailing and cartwheeling down a hill while screaming. Also known as a yard sale.
• Secret stash – An area of untracked powder that is known only to the skier.
• Separation (Upper & Lower body): Separating your upper and lower body from each other. They work independently.
• Serac . A tower of ice, found among glaciers, and often spectacular in appearance.
• Shaped skis – An hour-glass shaped design also called parabolic skis. The tip and tail are wider than the waist to promote easier turning and carving. See also sidecut.
• Shaped Skis (see Hourglass Skis)
• Shaped skis : Relatively new and improved skis characterized by some form of an hourglass shape, and designed for easier turning.
• Shell – 1) The hard plastic outside of a ski boot. 2) A waterproof or waterresistant jacket.
• Short radius turns – Quick turns used in steeps and moguls allowing the skier to manage their speed. Usually an 11meter radius
• Shovel – The upturned front tip of a ski..
• Shred – To ski with skill and enthusiasm and rip it up.
• Shred the gnar – To ski with exceptional speed, ability, or enthusiasm in challenging terrain and conditions.
• Sick – Slang for extreme skiing maneuver
• Side country – Out of bounds terrain just beyond a ski resort that is easier to access than the backcountry.
• Sidecut – The difference in millimeters between the ski’s waist (or narrowest part) and the tip and tail. A large sidecut allows skis to carve turns more readily.
• Sideslip – Skidding down a mountain with skis perpendicular to the fall line. Releasing and setting edges controls the movement.
• Sidewall —The material along the sides of a ski that covers the structural and core components.
• Sit ski – Device with a seat resting on a lone ski, primarily designed for disabled athletes who use outriggers for stability.
• Sixpack : Six seated chairlift.
• Sketchy – When you land a trick but it doesn’t look good.
• Ski Boards —Very short, twintipped skis used for carving fast turns, jumping and doing acrobatic tricks.
• Ski brake – Device on a binding used to prevent a ski from traveling downhill when the boot isn’t engaged.
• Ski bum – Someone totally dedicated to skiing who arranges their life around skiing full time.
• Ski goggles – Special eye protection with tinted lenses and antifog features.
• Ski in ski out : Lodging on or near the slopes allowing skiers to ski in and out of their accommodations. *
• Ski lift : See Chairlift.

• Ski Mask – Synonymous with balaclava, it’s a tight fitting garment protecting the head and neck from cold weather. (See bank robbers-haha)
• Ski patrol – Organization that provides emergency medical services to people on the hill.
• Ski touring – A form of skiing where both uphill and downhill travel is possible without needing to remove skis. Typically, ski touring is done in the Backcountry or offpiste.
• Skidding –-In contrast to carving by engaging the edges, skidding involves dropping speed and changing direction by steering the skis to the side.
• Skier Cros s – A giant slalom type race with jumps, bumps and curves where a half dozen competitors start simultaneously.
• Skier’s left –-Description of the area to the left of a skier as they head and look downhill.
• Skier’s right – Description of the area to the right of a skier as they head and look downhill.
• Skier’s thumb – Common injury to a skier’s hand if they fall while still holding a pole. Such damage to the thumb ligament accounts for the majority all ski injuries but can be avoided by properly holding the poles.
• Skijoring – Winter sport in which athletes are pulled by horses, dogs, or vehicles. From the Norwegian word skikjøring .
• Skijoring : The Norwegian word skikjøring describes a winter recreation activity of being pulled over snow by a dog, horse or a motor vehicle.
• Skimeister . German word meaning an allround proficient skier in both alpine and nordic.
• Skinning – The process of walking uphill on skis using special adhesive skins fastened to the base of the skis that maintain traction.
• Skins – Adhesive strips that are attached to the bottom of skis with telemark or alpine touring bindings to enable walking uphill without sliding backwards.
• Skins : Used in Ski touring, they are adhesive backed strips of fabric stuck to your skis and have tiny rearward facing directional hairs to let you slide forward without slipping back.
• Slab . A layer of compacted snow that is involved in avalanches because it’s sitting on top of an unstable snow mass.
• Slack-country – Out of bounds terrain just beyond a resort that is easier to access than the backcountry. Unlike sidecountry, the slack-country can be accessed from lift served terrain without boot packing or skinning.
• Slalom – Alpine skiing discipline in which racers ski between gates which are spaced more closely than in giant slalom and super giant slalom (SuperG).
• Slalom : An alpine ski racing event which requires shorter quicker turns compared to GS, SuperG, and Downhill.
• Slopeside : See Ski in ski out.
• Slopestyle – Event in Winter Olympics and other competitions in which skiers travel down a course with rails, jumps, and other terrain park features. Scores are based on height of jumps, degree of difficulty, and execution.
• Slush – Snow that has begun melting and causes heavy, wet mess that can be difficult to turn in.
• Smearing – Skidding a turn in powder, similar to how one would smear peanut butter on bread.
• Snorkeling : When powder runs up the body and blurs a skier’s vision. This is what powder skiers live for.
• Snotsicle – A frozen discharge from the nostril. This is when the nasal cavity gets filled with a significant volume of mucus due to cold temperatures and exertion.
• Snow bike – Any device resembling a bike in which a rider descends mountain while sitting and steers with their hands. Sometimes used to describe fatbikes with oversized, underinflated tires that are actually pedaled over snow, sand, and other soft terrain.
• Snow Canon/Snow Machine : Machines on the slope that turn water into artificial snow.
• Snow gun – Equipment used in snowmaking and grooming operations to create artificial snow.
• Snow plough : A braking maneuver whereby skiers move their ski tips to form a triangular shape also referred to as a wedge or pizza.
• Snowblade – Also called ski blade and ski board, this style of skiing uses super short skis that are easier to turn.
• Snowcat – A tracked vehicle with an enclosed cab that is used for grooming pistes and transporting skiers/snowboarders.
• Snowpack – The layers of snow that accumulate for extended periods, especially in mountains and upland areas. The snowpack is studied for avalanche risk .
• Snowplough : A beginners technique where the skis are held in a ‘V’ formation with the tips almost touching. It allows for slowing down and turning.
• Snowplow – A means of slowing or stopping on skis in which ski tips are pointed inward, tails outward, and pressure is put on the inside edges.
• Snowplow , Wedge – A beginner skier’s method to control speed and enable turning while remaining in a V-shape base of support.
• Snowslide – A form of an avalanche where snow is sliding down the slope.
• Snowwater equivalent – A measurement of the snowpack that gauges the water content and describes how much water would result if you instantly melted the entire snowpack.
• Softgoods – Snow sports industry term for skiing clothing and apparel.
• Spread eagle – An aerial move involves spreading one’s legs and arms wide apart while in the air.
• Spring conditions – General description of the highly variable conditions found in spring, in which slopes may freeze at night and melt during the day into corn, mashed potatoes, slush, and other sloppy conditions.
• Steazey – Style with ease – A not too difficult trick performed flawlessly.
• Steepness , Pitch . The gradient of a slope’s steepness can be determined by two measures – degrees or percent. Percentage – the figure commonly used by ski areas  is determined by dividing the vertical height of the slope by its horizontal distance. For a hill that drops 20 vertical feet and projects out by 100 feet, the division yields .20 and the hill is said to have a 20% gradient, equal to a steepness of 11 degrees. A hill with a 60foot drop and projecting out 100 feet has a 60% grade and a 31degree steepness. A 100% slope is 45 degrees steep, dropping one foot for every horizontal foot.
• Steeps – Description of high angle pistes and backcountry terrain.
• Steering – Act of turning lower body to turn the skis
• Steering Angle – The angle between where your skis are pointed and where your body is traveling.
• Sticks –-Alias for skis.
• Straight lining – Skiing straight down the fall line with excessive speed.
• SuperG – Super giant slalom, a discipline of alpine ski racing which focuses on speed. Gates are spaced farther apart than in giant slalom.
• Superpipe – An especially large half pipe with walls rising 22 feet from the bottom of the U-shaped structure.
• Surface lift – Catchall phrase for mountain transportation systems in which the skier remains on the ground. Examples include rope tow, t-bar, magic carpet, and poma lift.

• Tail –-The back end of a ski.
• T-Bar —A ski lift that pulls one or 2 skiers up a slope at a time with their skis resting on the snow. Skiers lean their hips/buttocks against a bar that hangs down between them.
• Telemark – A style that combines elements of both alpine and Nordic skiing. With free heel bindings, the telemark skier descends with the signature bentknee while making telemark turns.
• Telemark skiing : A skiing discipline where the heel of the ski is not fixed and requiring a different technique from alpine skiing.
• Telemark turn . The outside ski of the turn is advanced forward and is stemmed, with the knee bent, causing the skis to change direction.
• Terrain park : A maintained area with a variety of jumps, halfpipes, rails and other obstacles.
• Tip Drop . See Backscratcher.  
• Tip Roll . The skier skis across the slope and jabs both poles into the snow on the upside. Skier then vaulted with stiff arms to pivot on the ski tips to swing the skis in a 180 degree arc so they landed pointing in a direction opposite to the original direction of travel.
• Tips : The front end of the skis.
• Tomahawk – To fall end over end down a mountain without any control.

• Torsional Rigidity – Resistance to twisting. A ski’s torsional rigidity comes from its construction and core materials. A more rigid ski performs well on hard snow, whereas a less rigid ski will be easier to handle in soft snow.
• Tracked out – A slope groomed or powder areas disappear due to the repeated tracks of skiers.
• Tracking – Ability of a ski to hold a line in straight running.
• Tram – A lift with an enclosed compartment that is generally larger than a gondola. .
• Transition – A change in skiing terrain similar to going from flat to pitch or visible to cloudy.
• Travelator – Also known as a magic-carpet. It’s a conveyor belt lift where you stand on the carpet and it carries you to the top of the slope. Usually found on beginner slopes and children’s areas.
• Traversing : Moving horizontally across a slope so as to lose or gain a minimal amount of elevation.
• Tree skiing – Skiing in a glade or forest is also known as glade skiing.
• Tree well – A depression around the base of the tree that can pose a potentially fatal hazard to skiers if they fall in and get buried.
• Tree line – Area on a mountain where trees stop growing due to harsher environmental conditions.
• Trenching – Laying down deep channels in snow while skiing.
• Tuck – Aerodynamic position assumed by skiing racers that involves bending knees and holding hands in front of face to minimize wind drag.
• Tune – Waxing or sharpening skis to improve slipperiness and grip on the snow.
• Turning radius – The radius of an imaginary circle created by a ski carving an arc. Deeper sidecut skis have a smaller turning radius.
• Twin tip – Alpine skis with the tip and tail both turned up which allows the skier to easily travel or land backwards.

• Untracked – Terrain with fresh snow that has yet to be visited and tracked out by skiers .
• Unweighting – Reducing the downward pressure on skis in order to maintain contact during a turn.
• Uphill Ski : The ski that is on the uphill side as your traverse the slope. Usually referred to now as the Inside Ski.

• Vertical drop : The vertical distance from the top to the bottom of the mountain or slope. 
• Waist width – Measurement of a ski width at the narrowest point under the foot or binding.
• Waist —The narrowest part of a ski in between the tip and the tail.
• Wax : Used on the underside of skis to help them glide smoothly over the snow.
• Wedge – Also known as the snowplow, a technique in which the skis are put in a V-shape with the tips close together in order to slow or stop. Also called a “pizza” in ski school for kids.
• Wet bulb temperature – It is always lower than the dry bulb temperature but will be identical with 100% relative humidity (the air is at the saturation line).
• White Out : When visibility drops to almost nothing caused by heavy snowfall or fog. This can cause vertigo or ski sickness.
• Wind hold –-Stoppage of a chair lift, gondola, or other transport due to gusty winds.
• Wind packed – Snow that has been shaped and hardened by the wind.
• Windmilling . Cartwheeling down the hill after the binding releases.
• Windshield wipers – Skidded turns that resemble the back and forth of wiper blades.
• Worm turn – A freestyle trick in which a skier sits down on the snow while traveling, spins around in full circle, and continues skiing. Also called a Polish doughnut.

• XC : An abbreviation of Crosscountry skiing.
• Yard sale –-A major crash in which a skier loses their poles, skis, clothing, and other items, littering the slopes with their possessions.

• Zig zag : Traversing across a slope in a “z” formation.
• Zipper line – It’s the fastest line down the mogul run. Usually this zipper line is straight down the fall line which requires quick leg action.

Some Ski Chuckles

So remember, when the story comes out at the Après ski bar described as this, you’ll be more prepared to understand what the heck they’re talking about:

“Ok, so you gra b your brain bucket and head up the chondalas to the top bowl. To start out, you check your DIN to make sure Sven set you up right at the ski shop. You huck your carcas of the top cornice into the top freshies where the pow is deep. Off-piste you go hitting your first chunk where you pull a steazey without a biff . You continue down the double-black where you decide to schuss the rest of the slope. Making it to the bottom, your friend high-fives you and informs you have a snotscicle hanging.”

Remember, skiing is a complete joy just to get out there and rip it up with your friends and family. Don’t get too caught up in the lingo.

References:.

• Weather.gov
• TheWeatherNetwork.com

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The Ski Term Glossary

The Ski.com Dictionary

New to skiing and unfamiliar with all the jargon? Don't worry. We'll get you up to speed. As North America’s largest provider of ski vacation packages, we get a lot of questions about everything related to skiing. Our Mountain Travel Experts have skied and stayed at all of the 120-plus ski resorts we sell worldwide. They really know their stuff when it comes to terrain, ski vacations, ski accommodations and ski resorts, which is why we tapped them to help define some key terms related to skiing. If you have additional questions about any of the ski terms below, don’t hesitate to give one of our knowledgeable Experts a call or start a chat!

• Alpine skiing: Downhill skiing where the toe and heel of the boot are fixed to the ski.
• Après-ski: The nightlife following a day of skiing, e.g. shopping, drinking, listening to live music or relaxing in a hot tub. Learn more about the best resorts for après-ski .
• Backcountry skiing: Also called off-piste or out-of-bounds, this type of skiing happens in unmarked, unpatrolled areas beyond the boundaries of the resort. Experience, avalanche knowledge and proper equipment is imperative when backcountry skiing.
• Base: Average depth of snow on the mountain; also the bottom of the mountain where the lodge is located.
• Basket: A round, generally flat, disc located near a ski-pole tip to prevent the pole from sinking too far in the snow.
• Big-mountain skiing or snowboarding: The style of skiing or snowboarding seen in ski movies, featuring fast, big turns on long, steep vertical descents and, usually, cliff drops.
• Blower: A term for extremely light snow that exists in ample amounts.
• Black Runs: In Europe, ski runs are classified by different colors with black indicating expert terrain.
• Bowl skiing: Skiing on wide bowl-shaped slopes with or without trees. See Cirque below.
• Brain bucket: A helmet.
• Bunny slope: The area of the mountain with a gradual decline, perfect for beginner skiers to be taught basic ski techniques. Learn more about the best ski resorts to learn to ski .
• Carve: The act of digging the ski/snowboard’s edge into packed snow in order to turn.
• Catching an edge: When the edge of a ski or snowboard accidentally digs into the snow, usually resulting in a fall or a near fall.
• Cat-skiing: Backcountry or off-piste terrain which is accessed via a snowcat.
• Chairlift: A type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs, typically with skier or snowboarder passengers.
• Chondola: A ski resort lift that features a mix of chairlifts and gondola cars.
• Chutes: Narrow sections of snow between two rock walls typically skied by expert or advanced skiers or snowboarders.
• Cirque: A bowl shape or amphitheater usually sculpted out of the mountain terrain by a glacier.
• Cliff-hucking: A move done by only experienced skiers and overly ambitious beginners in which the skier jumps off a cliff.
• Cold Smoke: Extremely light powder snow that is typically found in areas of the Northern Rockies and Canadian Rockies.
• Corduroy: Named for the ridges in the snow caused by grooming machines, corduroy is another word for groomer or groomed slope.
• Corn: Snow characterized by its large corn-kernel-sized granules found during the spring.
• Cornice: An overhanging mass of snow at the edge of a ridge or peak.
• Couloir: The French word for ‘corridor,’ a couloir is a narrow, long chute that is often the result of previous, glacial calving.
• Cross-country skiing: Skiing on flat terrain using self-produced power with no extra help from slopes. There are two recognized cross-country skiing techniques: “skating” and “classic” (or “striding”). Cross-country skiing is more aerobic than alpine skiing and uses lighter weight boots and lighter, narrower skis.
• Crud: A type of snow characterized by an uneven surface, usually encompassing some lumps of soft powder-like snow as well as icy or slippery patches.
• DIN settings: Deutsche Industrie Normen (DIN) is a scale to ensure ski bindings release under the same force at all skiing destinations worldwide.
• Downhill: A speed discipline in alpine ski racing, downhill features poles (gates) which are set the maximum amount apart to increase speeds.
• Dry slope: Common in England, dry slopes are small ski hills made out of synthetic material that is meant to imitate a snowy surface.
• Dump: An unusually large or heavy snowfall.
• Early season: The beginning of ski season. Typically before the New Year. Learn more about the best resorts for early-season skiing .
• Edge: A metal strip found on the bottom sides of skis and snowboards used for carving.
• Ego bumps: Small, well-spaced moguls on an intermediate slope that are generally easier to ski than those found on more difficult slopes.
• Epic: A day characterized by the large amount of powder or other conditions that make it unforgettable and out of the norm.
• Fall line: The line a ball would follow if rolled down the slope; the quickest route down the mountain.
• Figure eight: Tandem skiers whose tracks when viewed from above give the illusion of the numerical “eight.”
• Figure eleven: The tracks left by a skier who makes no turns.
• First tracks: When a skier is the first to ski an area of fresh snow before anyone else; also known as “freshies.”
• Freeride skiing or snowboarding: see Big-mountain skiing .
• Freestyle skiing: A skiing discipline that incorporates aerial acrobatic techniques into downhill skiing.
• Funicular: A cable railway in which a pair of tram-like cabs on rails moves along cables and transports skiers up and down a steep slope. Funiculars are more widely found in Europe. Learn more about the world's top funiculars .
• Funitel: An aerial cable lift used to transport skiers. Funitels are more widely found in Europe. Learn more about the world's top funitels .
• Gaper: A skier who does not understand proper on-slope etiquette, ski wear or ski technique.
• Giant slalom: An alpine ski racing discipline in which the poles (gates) spaced at a greater distance to each other than Slalom but less than in Super-G .
• Gondola: A gondola is an enclosed lift suspended from a cable to transport passengers up and down a mountain. Learn more about the world's top gondolas .
• Grass skiing: An all-seasons skiing discipline done on grass with specialized equipment.
• Groomed slope: Refers to the slope terrain that has been groomed and is now smooth.
• Halfpipe: A pipe-shaped snow construction which amateur and competitive skiers and snowboarders perform tricks out of as they descend down the hill.
• Hard-packed: A euphemism to describe icy conditions; generally occurs with the lack of new snowfall.
• Headwall: A steep cliff, usually the uppermost part of a cirque.
• Heli-skiing: A skiing discipline requiring helicopter transportation to the highest slopes and known for providing skiers/boarders with fresh tracks.
• Herringbone: A skiing technique named after the marks left by skis when a skier nudges upward through the snow.
• Indie grab: An industry term for grabbing the skis or snowboard under the boot on the outside edge while executing a jump.
• Jib[bing]: Any single or combination of tricks on skis or a snowboard, generally done in terrain parks, but not limited to that.
• Jump turn: A method of turning direction by jumping with your skis in the air; generally used in steep terrain.
• Kick turn: An about-face turn while stationary, by lifting one ski and reversing its direction, followed by the other ski.
• Kicker: The sharply angled end of a jump, allowing a skier or boarder to gain significant height.
• Liftie: A lift operator.
• Magic carpet: A type of conveyor or surface lift often found in beginner learning areas for its ease of use.
• Mashed potatoes: Wet, heavy snow.
• Milk run: The first run of the day.
• Moguls: Mounds of snow, also known as bumps.
• NASTAR: Citizen racing program with courses at many mountains allowing anyone to participate and to handicap themselves against world-class racing times.
• Never-ever: Someone who has never skied and signs up for a first-time ski lesson.
• Nordic skiing: See Cross-country skiing .
• Out-of-bounds: Terrain outside the boundary of the ski area with no avalanche control or ski patrol; many times these areas are illegal to ski.
• On-piste: "Piste" is the French word for trail or run. Therefore, "on-piste" would mean on a trail or run, typically a groomed one.
• Off-piste: "Off-piste" means in uncontrolled terrain, i.e. in sidecountry or backcountry areas.
• Pillows: The soft tops of moguls after a fresh powder dump.
• Pizza: Performed by slowly snowplowing down a slope; generally used by ski instructors when teaching young children.
• Pond skimming: A silly spring-skiing past-time at ski resorts in which skiers don costumes and try their best to skim across an icy pond. Check out our guide to pond skimming.
• Powder: The “ideal” ski condition that occurs after a fresh dump of snow.
• Pre-release: Denotes the situation when skis unhinge earlier than anticipated.
• Quad: A chairlift carrying four people.
• Quiver: A collection of ski types. For example, a full quiver of skis would include an all-mountain pair, a powder pair and a frontside pair. A one-quiver ski means it’s a very versatile ski.
• Red Runs: In Europe, ski runs are classified by different colors with red indicating intermediate slopes.
• Rockered skis: Introduced in 2002 when the late Shane McConkey brought the Volant Spatula to market. The "rockered" shape of the ski mimics the attributes of a water ski, enabling a skier tp float over a surface with minimized risk of snagging an edge. Learn more about rockered ski technology .
• Roller skiing: An all-seasons skiing discipline generally performed by cross-country skiers as training in the off-season.
• Rope tow: The lift more commonly found on bunny hills and some green-rated slopes, but also found reaching difficult terrain. Also known as a surface lift because the skier/snowboarder keeps their skis/snowboard on the snow and holds onto a rope which pulls them up the hill.
• Rail slide: A technique performed by sliding skis or a board across a metal or wooden rail, generally done in terrain parks.
• Shaped skis: Relatively new and improved skis characterized by some form of an hourglass shape, and designed for easier turning.
• Schuss: To ski down the slope without turning.
• Six-pack: Six seated chairlift.
• Ski in ski out: Lodging on or near the slopes allowing skiers to ski in and out of their accommodations. _*_Definitions vary by resort and should be carefully checked by a Ski.com Mountain Vacation Specialist.
• Skijoring: The winter recreation activity of being pulled over snow by a dog, horse or a motor vehicle.
• Ski lift: See Chairlift.
• Ski touring: A form of skiing where both uphill and downhill travel is possible without needing to remove skis. Typically, ski touring is done in the Backcountry or off-piste, and skis, bindings and boots allow for free movement of the heel to enable a walking pace.
• Skins: Used in Ski touring and Uphilling , adhesive backed strips of fabric stick to your skis or splitboard and have tiny rearward facing directional hairs to let you slide forward without slipping back.
• Slalom: An alpine ski racing discipline in which the poles (gates) spaced more closely than those in Giant Slalom , Super G and Downhill , necessitating quicker and shorter turns.
• Slush: Melted, wet snow prevalent during spring skiing.
• Slopeside: See Ski in ski out .
• Slopestyle: A freestyle discipline in which athletes’ ski or snowboard down a course with a variety of obstacles including rails, jumps and other terrain park features.
• Snowboarding: Skiing on one “ski” which is wider and shorter, with both feet fixed in a position similar to surfing or skateboarding.
• Snow plough: A braking maneuver whereby skiers move their ski tips to form a triangular shape also referred to as a wedge or pizza.
• Snorkeling: When powder runs up the body and blurs a skier’s vision. This is what powder skiers live for.
• Stem christie: A basic turn begun with a wedge and completed by skidding on both uphill ski edges until your skis are parallel.
• Super G: Like Downhill alpine racing, Super G is a"speed" event, in contrast to the technical events Giant Slalom and Slalom . The poles (gates) are closer together than Downhill, however.
• T-Bar: See ropetow
• Telemark skiing: A skiing discipline where the heel of the ski is not fixed and requiring a different technique from alpine skiing.
• Terrain park: A maintained area with a variety of jumps, half-pipes, rails and other obstacles.
• Tram: Also known as aerial tramway or cable car, a tram is an aerial lift that transports skiers up the mountain in a contained cab on a cable. Learn about the world's top trams .
• Traversing: Moving horizontally across a slope so as to lose or gain a minimal amount of elevation.
• Unweighting: Taking weight off the ski, usually prior to a turn.
• Uphilling: Similar to Ski touring , but not specific to a Backcountry excursion. Many “uphillers” will “ Skin ” up the ski resort for exercise.
• Vertical drop: The vertical distance from the top to the bottom of the mountain or slope. Learn more about the longest, lift-served vertical drops at North American ski resorts.
• Whiteout: Limited visibility due to snow, fog or flat light.
• White room: See Snorkeling.
• Wind Buff: A snow condition that is created by an abundance of wind blowing loose snow onto a leeward aspect.
• World Cup : International races for all disciplines including alpine, cross-country, ski jumping, freestyle skiing and snowboarding and more.
• X-C: An abbreviation of Cross-country skiing .
• [Skiing] Yard sale : A major fall resulting in the skier/snowboarder’s clothes or equipment being strewn all over the hill – mimicking a yard sale.
• Zig zag: Traversing across a slope in a “z” formation.

Useful links

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Your Ultimate Guide to Life in the Green Mountain State.

Ski Terms Glossary A-Z: 200+ Skiing Terms Explained

New to skiing or want to learn the lingo? Our ski terms glossary defines 200+ terms to help you fit in and chat confidently on the slopes!

Confused by skiing terms? Fear not. We’re here to break them down for you.

Are you considering taking up skiing, or are you a newcomer to the sport? Perhaps you’re an experienced skier who isn’t quite up to speed with all the jargon, terminology, and slang associated with skiing and its culture. Our comprehensive ski terms glossary is designed to guide you through the linguistic landscape of skiing. It includes over 100 terms you might encounter on the slopes, in the lodge, at a ski shop, or while searching online for new skiing equipment. Understanding the words in the ski terms glossary will help you navigate the world of skiing more comfortably, allowing you to seamlessly blend into the community and be ready for those spontaneous chats on the ski lift.

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Adaptive Skiing

Adaptive skiing refers to a modified form of skiing designed to accommodate individuals with physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities. Utilizing specialized equipment and techniques, it enables those with disabilities to experience skiing in a way that suits their needs. Equipment used in adaptive skiing can include sit-skis, mono-skis, bi-skis, and outriggers, among others. Trained instructors skilled in adaptive skiing methods often provide lessons and assistance to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all skiers, regardless of their abilities. This inclusive approach to skiing helps promote the sport as accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

A freestyle skiing discipline where the skier performs acrobatic jumps off large ramps, featuring flips and spins.

AFD (Anti-Friction Device)

A part of ski bindings that reduces friction between the ski boot and the binding for reliable release during a fall, enhancing skier safety.

A term from freestyle skiing and snowboarding, referring to the stylistic flourish or pose a rider adopts after landing a trick, emphasizing their smoothness or casual approach. It’s a way of making a trick look effortless or cooler and often involves slouching, dragging a hand, or nonchalantly adjusting gear.

All Mountain Skis

Skis designed for a broad range of conditions and terrain, including both groomed runs and off-piste, featuring a medium width to balance maneuverability and stability.

Alpine Skiing

Refers to downhill skiing on mountain slopes, typically involving fixed-heel bindings and varied terrain. Unlike Nordic or cross-country skiing, alpine skiing primarily focuses on descending slopes and often utilizes lifts for trail access, emphasizing downhill movement over level or uphill travel.

Alpine Touring

A style of backcountry skiing involving a combination of uphill climbing and downhill skiing, typically using special bindings that can switch between free-heel climbing and fixed-heel descending. Alpine Touring gear allows skiers to access remote, untracked terrain.

The social activities and entertainment following a day of skiing. It can include dining, drinking, and nightlife at ski resorts.

Back Scratcher

This classic aerial trick involves arching the back and kicking the skis up behind the head while in mid-air, resembling the motion of scratching one’s back. The key is to return the skis to a normal position before landing.

Backcountry

Undeveloped, often remote mountain terrain outside the boundaries of a ski resort, accessed for skiing or snowboarding for its natural features and untracked powder.

A skiing term referring to a posture where the skier’s weight is too far back on the heels. It results in reduced control over the skis, as the weight shift makes it difficult to properly engage the ski edges or balance effectively. This position often happens unintentionally, especially in beginners or when skiers are tired or hesitant.

A type of headgear that covers the entire head and neck, typically leaving only part of the face exposed, used for warmth and protection against the elements.

The bottom surface of a ski that contacts the snow. It can also mean, the accumulated snow depth on slopes, indicative of skiing conditions.

The primary area at the bottom of ski slopes, typically featuring essential facilities such as lodges, ticket offices, and ski lifts’ starting points.

The layer of clothing worn closest to the skin, designed to keep a skier warm and wick away moisture.

A component attached to the lower end of a ski pole, preventing it from sinking too deeply into the snow, thereby aiding in balance and stability.

Big Mountain Skiing

Skiing on large, steep, and often challenging mountain terrain outside managed resort boundaries, typically involving deep powder, cliffs, and other natural features.

The mechanism that connects a ski boot to the ski, designed to release the boot under certain conditions to prevent injuries during falls.

Black Diamond

A symbol used to denote expert ski trails, typically steep, challenging, and intended for advanced skiers.

A severe snowstorm characterized by strong, sustained winds and heavy snowfall, significantly reducing visibility and creating hazardous conditions.

A term for light, dry, powdery snow, perfect for skiing, which creates a cloud-like effect when disturbed.

Blue Bird Day

A day with clear, blue skies following a night of snowfall, characterized by sunny weather and fresh, powdery snow – ideal ski conditions.

trail rating that indicates an intermediate level of difficulty in skiing, usually steeper than a green run but less challenging than a black.

Boarder Cross

Though primarily associated with snowboarding, boarder cross (or skier cross for skiers) is a race where multiple skiers or snowboarders descend a course with jumps, banks, and other obstacles simultaneously. This event emphasizes speed and agility, with the first to the bottom winning. The close quarters and varied terrain often lead to an exciting, competitive atmosphere.

Gear or a skiing technique that’s extremely reliable and durable, even in the most challenging conditions.

Bowl Skiing

Skiing in large, natural bowl-shaped areas on a mountain, often with varied slopes and conditions.

In terrain parks, a “box” is a wide, flat rail used for tricks such as slides and grinds. It’s typically wider and more stable than a rail, making it suitable for skiers and snowboarders practicing new tricks or looking to improve their jibbing skills.

A humorous and somewhat controversial aspect of ski culture, a Bra Tree is typically a tree near ski lifts or popular ski runs where people have thrown and hung bras (and sometimes other garments or objects). It’s often seen as a quirky tradition and a landmark at various ski resorts.

Brain Bucket

Slang for a ski helmet, underlining its critical role in protecting a skier’s head.

Mounds of snow on a ski slope, typically found in mogul fields, that challenge skiers to navigate over and around them.

Bunny Slope

A slope designed for beginners, characterized by its gentle grade and smooth, wide surface, ideal for learning basic skiing and snowboarding skills.

A freestyle skiing or snowboarding trick involving pressing the nose or tail of the ski/board into the snow while sliding along, resembling the spreading of butter.

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The slight upward curve in the middle of a ski or snowboard when it lies flat on the snow. It helps distribute weight and affects maneuverability.

Skis manufactured with a construction technique where the top layer of the ski envelops the core and internal components, extending down to the edges. This design often results in lighter, more durable skis with improved edge grip.

A skiing technique where the skis are tilted on their edges to make clean, sharp turns, leaving distinct arc-like tracks in the snow.

A type of backcountry skiing where a snowcat, a large tracked vehicle, transports skiers to remote areas not accessible by ski lifts. Cat skiing allows access to untouched powder and challenging terrain without the physical demand of hiking.

Narrow, flat pathways on ski mountains used for traversing or accessing different areas. They often resemble roads for snowcats.

Catching an Edge

This occurs when the edge of a ski unintentionally digs into the snow, often leading to a loss of balance and potential falls. It’s more common among beginners or in icy conditions.

Refers to heavy, wet snow that is difficult to ski through, resembling the consistency of wet cement. Often found in warmer ski conditions, this “heavy powder” or “Sierra Cement” can be challenging to maneuver and requires more effort and skill from the skier to manage effectively.

A type of aerial lift used to transport skiers and snowboarders uphill, consisting of a series of chairs hanging from a continuously circulating cable.

The vibration or instability of skis at high speeds, especially on hard snow or ice. Chatter can reduce the skier’s control and affect performance, typically due to improper tuning, hard snow conditions, or aggressive skiing.

A lift system that combines features of a chairlift and a gondola. Typically, alternating chairs and enclosed cabins are used to transport skiers and non-skiers up the mountain.

A narrow, steep strip of snow flanked by rock walls, often challenging due to its constricted space and steepness.

A bowl-shaped, steep-walled mountain basin, often formed by the erosion of glaciers. In skiing, cirques offer challenging and often spectacular terrain.

A term describing very light, dry, and powdery snow that skiers kick up in a fine mist as they carve through it. The experience is often highly valued by powder enthusiasts.

The patterned texture left on groomed snow by a snowcat, resembling the rows of a corduroy fabric. It provides a smooth, consistent surface for skiing.

The central material or layer inside a ski around which the ski is built. The core affects the ski’s overall flex, weight, and performance characteristics and is typically made from wood, foam, or composite materials.

Large, loose, granular snow crystals resulting from repeated melting and refreezing, typically found in spring conditions. Corn snow is often sought after for its forgiving nature and ease of turning.

An overhanging edge of snow on a ridge or peak, often created by wind. It can be both a spectacular sight and a hazard due to potential collapse.

A narrow gully with steep walls on a mountain, often filled with snow. Skiing in couloirs is a challenging endeavor, typically reserved for advanced and expert skiers due to the steepness and confined space.

Cross Country Skiing

A type of skiing where participants use their own movements to traverse across snow-covered terrain, unlike downhill skiing where gravity aids movement. It’s both a recreational activity and a sport, known for its aerobic intensity and technique.

Uneven, broken snow, neither icy nor powdery, can be difficult to ski through due to its inconsistency and variable texture.

A wide, smooth, and well-groomed ski run that’s perfect for relaxed, easy skiing.

A playful, old-school aerial trick where one leg is kicked forward and the other backward while in mid-air, creating a split-like posture. This move is named after the cartoon character Daffy Duck, known for his flamboyant and exaggerated motions.

The ability of a ski to absorb vibrations or bumps during skiing, providing a smoother and more stable ride. Higher damping characteristics are typically found in skis designed for high-speed or rough conditions.

Death Cookies

Hard, frozen clumps of snow that can form on slopes, often challenging and unpleasant to ski over.

Delamination

A defect in skis where the layers of the ski (such as the top sheet, core, and sidewalls) begin to separate. This can affect performance and durability.

DIN Setting

A standardized scale for ski binding release force settings. It’s crucial for safety, ensuring bindings release under force to prevent injuries.

Double Black Diamond

A trail rating that signifies a very steep, difficult slope intended for expert skiers. These runs often feature obstacles like moguls, narrow paths, or trees

A skiing discipline focused on the speed of descending down the mountain. It’s characterized by fast, high-speed skiing on long, steep runs.

A term used to refer to the start of a run, trick, or descent, usually on a slope, halfpipe, or terrain park feature. It signifies the moment a skier or snowboarder begins their movement from a stationary position at the top or edge of a feature. The phrase is often used to indicate readiness or to inform others that they are about to start their run (“Ready to drop in?”). This is important for safety and etiquette, as it helps manage the flow of skiers and snowboarders in a particular area.

An artificial ski slope made from materials such as plastic, meant to simulate the properties of snow. Dry slopes allow for skiing practice and training in areas without natural snow.

In skiing and snowboarding, “duck” can refer to either a stance or an action. As a stance, it describes a setup where both feet are angled away from each other, similar to a duck’s feet. This positioning is often used by freestyle skiers and snowboarders for better stability and ease in performing tricks and riding switch. As an action, “to duck” can also mean to quickly lower the head and body or to move under something, such as ducking under a rope or barrier, which is typically discouraged and can be unsafe or against resort rules.

Informal slang for a significant snowfall, especially one that quickly delivers a large amount of fresh snow, creating ideal skiing conditions.

Early Season

The part of the ski season that typically occurs just after the ski resort opens. Snow coverage may be limited, and not all trails may be open.

The act of using the metal edges of skis or snowboards to gain traction on snow, especially important in turning and maintaining control.

Informally refers to smaller, more manageable moguls (bumps on a ski slope) that are typically easy to navigate, allowing skiers to feel more confident or skilled.

In skiing, elevation refers to the height above sea level at which skiing activities occur. It significantly impacts snow quality, weather conditions, and atmospheric pressure, affecting both ski performance and the physical condition of skiers. Higher elevations often provide colder temperatures and more consistent snow conditions, making them preferable for skiing. However, they can also pose challenges such as increased risk of altitude sickness and variable weather patterns. Elevation in ski areas is usually measured at the base, mid-mountain, and summit of the ski slopes.

A slang term often used to describe a fantastic, memorable day of skiing, usually featuring perfect conditions, great runs, or thrilling adventures.

The Epic Pass is a season-long ski pass that grants holders access to numerous ski resorts primarily in North America, but also including some international destinations. It’s particularly popular among skiers and snowboarders who plan to visit several of the larger, well-known resorts owned by Vail Resorts, such as Vail, Breckenridge, and Whistler Blackcomb. The pass often includes additional perks like discounted tickets for friends and family.

Express Lift

A high-speed ski lift, usually a chairlift or gondola, that transports skiers up the mountain faster than traditional lifts, reducing wait times and increasing time spent on the slopes.

Occurs when skiing or snowboarding through deep powder and the snow sprays up in the face, often a sought-after experience for its exhilaration and the sense of being immersed in snow.

Skiing or snowboarding in a backwards direction; in snowboarding, it’s similar to riding “switch.”

The most direct, downhill line a skier can take down a slope, representing the path of least resistance and greatest speed.

Skis that are wider than average, designed primarily for powder skiing. Their increased surface area helps keep the skier afloat on deep, soft snow.

Figure Eight

Tracks left in the snow by skiers, where two paths intertwine in the shape of the number eight. It’s often used to indicate synchronized or skillful skiing.

Figure Eleven

Ski tracks that resemble the number eleven, typically left by a skier going straight downhill without turning.

First Tracks

Being the first to ski on freshly fallen snow, before anyone else, often considered a coveted experience for the pristine conditions and sense of solitude.

FIS (Fédération Internationale de Ski)

The International Ski Federation, the sport’s governing body, responsible for the rules and organization of ski competitions worldwide, including the Alpine and Nordic skiing championships.

Refers to the stiffness of a ski, snowboard, or boot. Different levels of flex are suitable for different styles of riding and skill levels.

Free-carving

A style of skiing focused on making smooth, large-radius turns with minimal skidding, emphasizing edge control, and fluid motion.

Skiing or snowboarding style focusing on natural terrain, creativity, and fluidity, with less emphasis on set courses, race times, or specific maneuvers.

A type of skiing or snowboarding focused on tricks, jumps, and terrain park features, including halfpipes, rails, and boxes.

French Fries

A term used to describe skiing with skis parallel and close together, resembling a pair of straight French fries. This technique is essential for maintaining speed and is often contrasted with “pizza,” where skis are angled inward to form a wedge for slowing down.

Fresh, untouched snow, often sought after following a snowfall for its softness and the feeling of floating it provides to skiers and snowboarders.

A type of cable car used primarily at ski resorts, distinguished by its design to be extremely stable in high winds and capable of carrying a large number of passengers in each cabin.

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Slang, sometimes derogatory, for a tourist or non-local at a ski resort, often noticeable by their lack of familiarity with skiing etiquette or conditions.

Gelandesprung

A traditional Alpine skiing technique and competition, where skiers, typically on alpine equipment, jump from a specially constructed ramp. It combines elements of ski jumping and downhill skiing. The term “Gelandesprung” is German, meaning “terrain jump.” Unlike ski jumping, competitors do not use specialized jumping skis or suits.

Giant Slalom

A type of alpine ski racing where the course is set with wider turns and longer courses compared to slalom racing. It’s one of the technical events in competitive skiing.

Giant Slalom Skis

Giant Slalom (GS) skis are specialized alpine skis used in the Giant Slalom racing discipline. They are longer, stiffer, and have a wider turning radius than other racing skis, enabling skiers to make smooth, wide turns at high speeds with stability and precision.

Skiing or snowboarding through trees, where the trees are spaced widely enough to navigate through. Glade areas can offer a unique and technical skiing experience.

Slang for something that’s extreme, challenging, or awesome, often used to describe tough ski runs or impressive tricks.

An enclosed lift often used to transport skiers and snowboarders to higher elevations on the mountain. It’s similar to a cable car.

A ski run marked as ‘easy,’ suitable for beginners. These runs are generally wide, gentle, and have a mild slope.

A young or inexperienced skier or snowboarder, often with connotations of being fearless and rapidly improving.

A ski slope that has been mechanically pressed, smoothed, or groomed by a snowcat. It’s ideal for carving turns with less resistance.

A U-shaped channel with vertical sides used for snowboarding and freestyle skiing tricks, resembling a large pipe cut in half.

A condition of the snow where it is packed down and very firm, but not icy. It’s common on trails and slopes that have been repeatedly skied on.

A steep section of a mountain, often appearing at the top of a glacial cirque, which can provide some of the most challenging and exciting skiing on a mountain.

Heli-Skiing

Skiing or snowboarding in remote areas accessed by a helicopter, not lifts. It typically involves fresh powder, steep slopes, and untracked terrain.

Also known as a “360,” this trick involves the skier making a full 360-degree rotation horizontally (parallel to the ground) while airborne. It’s a fundamental trick in freestyle skiing and is often a building block for more complex aerial maneuvers.

Herringbone

A technique used in cross-country skiing to ascend hills. The skier points the tips of their skis outwards and pushes off the inside edges to move forward, resembling the pattern of herringbone fabric.

High-Speed Quad

A type of chairlift that can carry four passengers per chair and operates at a higher speed than traditional chairlifts. The increased speed reduces the time it takes to get up the mountain, allowing for more runs in a day. The chairs usually slow down at loading and unloading areas to facilitate easier access for skiers and snowboarders.

Hourglass Skis

Skis with a design that is narrow in the waist and wider at the tip and tail, resembling an hourglass shape. This design helps in turning and overall agility on the snow.

To jump off something big while skiing or snowboarding, often a cliff or large jump in the terrain park.

Similar to the Epic Pass, the Ikon Pass is a season pass offering access to a wide range of ski resorts across North America and several international locations. It caters to skiers and snowboarders looking for a variety of high-quality mountain experiences. The resorts under the Ikon Pass umbrella typically include destinations managed by Alterra Mountain Company and its partners, like Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole, and Deer Valley.

A trick in freestyle snowboarding where the skier grabs the inside edge of their board with their trailing hand while in the air.

The Indy Pass is a ski pass offering access to a large collection of independent, smaller ski resorts rather than the larger, more commercial ones. It’s designed for those who prefer a more low-key, authentic skiing experience at a variety of less crowded, family-friendly ski areas. The pass supports these independent resorts and promotes a diverse range of skiing experiences.

The soft, insulated layer inside a ski boot that provides cushioning, warmth, and comfort, and can often be custom molded to the skier’s foot.

A trained and certified individual who teaches skiing or snowboarding skills at ski resorts.

Refers to any type of trick or maneuver in snowboarding or skiing, usually performed on something other than snow, like rails or boxes.

Slang for a skier or snowboarder who is inexperienced or clueless, often identifiable by awkward technique or inappropriate gear choices.

A style of skiing or snowboarding focused on tricks, stunts, and maneuvers over obstacles like rails, boxes, and even natural terrain features.

A turning technique used on steep terrain or in tight spaces where the skier pops or jumps into the air to quickly change direction.

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A maneuver used in skiing to change directions on steep slopes. It involves lifting one ski and placing it in the opposite direction and then doing the same with the other ski.

A type of jump on a slope or in a terrain park, specifically constructed to launch a skier or snowboarder into the air.

Colloquial term for a ski lift operator.

A term that can refer to either the queue of skiers and snowboarders waiting to board a ski lift or to the actual path the ski lift follows up the mountain. Additionally, “liftline” can describe the ski run located directly beneath or alongside the lift, which is commonly used by skiers for evaluating snow conditions or for performing tricks where they can be easily seen from the lift.

Magic Carpet

A conveyor belt-like lift often used at ski resorts to transport skiers uphill, especially beginners and children.

Mashed Potatoes

An informal term for wet, heavy snow that resembles the consistency of mashed potatoes, often found in warmer conditions and can be challenging to ski through. Many skiers actually enjoy mashed potatoes, particularly when tackling moguls or using skiboards and GS skis.

The first run of the day, typically on freshly groomed slopes. It’s a cherished experience for many skiers.

Bumps on a ski run formed when skiers push snow into mounds or piles as they make turns. Mogul skiing is a discipline where skiers navigate quickly and smoothly over these bumps.

A single wide ski used for skiing, where the skier stands with both feet side by side on the one ski, similar to snowboarding.

A trick in freestyle skiing where the skier grabs the frontside of one ski with the crossing hand (right hand to left ski or vice versa) while in the air. The term “mute” stems from the quiet style and concentration required to execute the grab smoothly.

NASTAR (The National Standard Racing)

The National Standard Racing is a public grassroots recreational ski racing program in the United States.

A term used to describe someone who has never skied before. Ski schools often offer “never ever” lessons tailored to first-time skiers.

Nordic Skiing

A type of skiing that includes both cross-country skiing and ski jumping. This term typically refers to the cross-country style, focusing on long-distance travel across varying terrain.

A trick in snowboarding where the rider and board leap into the air without the use of a jump.

Skiing or snowboarding on unmarked or unpatrolled areas outside of official ski resort boundaries. Often involves fresh, untracked snow, but also requires awareness of avalanche risks and other backcountry hazards.

Refers to the groomed or marked trails within a ski resort, as opposed to off-piste or backcountry skiing.

Out of Bounds

Terrain outside the patrolled and managed areas of a ski resort. Skiing out of bounds carries risk and is generally only advised for experienced skiers with knowledge of avalanche safety.

Parabolic Skis

Also known as “shaped skis,” these are wider at the tip and tail and narrower in the middle, resembling a parabola. This shape makes turning easier and more efficient, especially beneficial for beginners and intermediates.

Parallel Turn

A skiing turn where both skis are kept parallel to each other throughout the entire turn, used by intermediate and advanced skiers for efficient and fluid downhill movement.

Slang for someone who spends most of their time skiing or snowboarding in the terrain park, practicing and performing tricks.

Soft accumulations of snow, often found on top of objects like rocks or fallen trees. They can look like fluffy, white pillows and are favored features in freestyle and powder skiing.

A marked ski run or trail, usually groomed and prepared for downhill skiing.

A beginner’s technique for slowing down or stopping while skiing, where the front tips of the skis are brought together, and the tails are pushed wide, forming a shape like a slice of pizza.

Ski poles are used by skiers for balance and propulsion, particularly in Nordic skiing, alpine skiing, and trekking.

Pond Skimming

A playful, end-of-season activity where skiers and snowboarders attempt to cross a pond of water on their skis or boards, often leading to humorous and splashy results.

Fresh, dry, and light snow, ideal for skiing and snowboarding. It’s often sought after for the soft, floaty experience it provides.

Pre-Release

When a ski binding unexpectedly releases a boot before a fall, often considered a malfunction, it can lead to loss of control and potential injury.

PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America)

The organization in the United States that sets the standards for professional ski instruction and certifies instructors.

A ski lift with chairs that can accommodate four skiers or snowboarders at a time.

A skier’s collection of different skis for various conditions and types of skiing, like an archer having a variety of arrows or a golfer selecting the right club for each shot.

A feature found in terrain parks, resembling a metal rail, on which skiers and snowboarders perform slides, jumps, and tricks.

A narrow, often winding track made by ski machines or skiers, usually through fresh snow.

Rear Entry Boots

Ski boots that allow the skier to enter from the rear of the boot, once popular for their ease of entry and comfort, but less common now due to advancements in boot technology.

In European ski resorts, these runs are marked as red to indicate an intermediate difficulty level, generally steeper or more challenging than blue runs but not as difficult as black runs.

A term for a highly skilled and aggressive skier or snowboarder.

Older or less expensive skis used by skiers when conditions might lead to damage from rocks or debris, typically at the beginning or end of the ski season.

Also known as “reverse-camber,” it’s the opposite of camber, where the tips and sometimes the tails of the ski or snowboard are slightly raised compared to the middle. Rocker designs help in better floatation in powder and ease of turning.

A ski lift where skiers grab onto a moving rope or cable to be pulled up the slope, commonly found in smaller or beginner ski areas.

To ski straight downhill without turning, often at high speed.

A fall where the skier’s legs and skis bend toward the head, mimicking a scorpion’s tail, often caused by falling backwards. It’s known for its risk of back or neck injury.

A slang expression encouraging someone to go for it with enthusiasm and without hesitation, often used in the context of attempting a jump, trick, or difficult run in skiing and snowboarding. It embodies a spirit of boldness and a little recklessness.

Shaped Skis

Skis designed with a pronounced sidecut to enhance turning ability. These are the modern standard ski shape, as opposed to older, straighter skis.

Refers to the painful condition where the shin repeatedly hits against the front of the ski boot, typically resulting from ill-fitting boots, aggressive skiing, or repeated impacts from jumps and bumps. Properly fitting gear and cushioning can help mitigate this common skiing discomfort.

Slang for skiing or snowboarding skillfully, aggressively, or with style.

Side Country

Terrain that is adjacent to a groomed ski resort but is not maintained or patrolled by the resort. It offers a backcountry experience with easier access but also requires caution and knowledge of backcountry risks.

The curved shape of the ski, measured by the difference in width between the tip, waist, and tail. A deeper sidecut (greater difference) allows for easier turning.

The side part of a ski, running along the edge, that connects the top of the ski to the metal edges and the base. Sidewalls can affect the performance, with different materials impacting grip and stability.

Sintered Base

A type of ski or snowboard base made from sintered polyethylene, known for being durable, holding wax well, and providing good glide. It’s generally preferred by more experienced riders.

This term refers to the impression left in the snow by a skier after falling backward. It’s easily recognizable as a sort of crater often with a more compressed area where the skier’s backside hit the snow.

A type of chairlift that can seat six passengers per chair, allowing for more efficient transport of skiers up the mountain.

Shorter and wider than traditional skis, these boards are meant for trick-oriented skiing, similar to snowboarding but with a ski-like technique.

Ski In Ski Out

Refers to accommodations or resorts where you can ski right from the door to the slopes and back, without needing to transport ski gear long distances.

The activity of ascending a slope on skis equipped with skins for traction, typically used in backcountry skiing and ski touring.

A competitive discipline of skiing where skiers race down a course with various terrain features including jumps, waves, and tight turns. Unlike alpine skiing, ski cross typically involves groups of skiers racing simultaneously.

Ski Touring

A form of skiing where both uphill and downhill travel are involved, typically away from ski resorts and lift systems, often requiring specialized bindings and skis.

Skier’s Thumb

A common skiing injury involving the ligaments of the thumb, often occurring when the skier falls while holding onto a ski pole, causing the thumb to be pulled away from the hand.

A path or route created by skiers ascending a slope with skins attached to their skis. This track is often used repeatedly, creating a visible line in the snow.

Skier’s Right/Left

A directional term used to describe the location or direction relative to a skier’s orientation facing downhill. For example, “The obstacle is on the skier’s right” means the obstacle is to the right side of the slope when looking down the hill.

A winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a dog (or dogs), or a motor vehicle, combining elements of cross-country skiing with the external propulsion.

Strips attached to the bottom of skis to provide traction for uphill travel during backcountry or ski touring adventures. They are typically made from nylon or mohair and can be easily removed for downhill skiing.

Skinning Up

The act of attaching specially designed skins to the bottoms of skis to provide traction, allowing skiers to ascend slopes. This technique is commonly used in backcountry and alpine touring.

Slack Country

Unpatrolled, ungroomed terrain near ski resort boundaries, combining backcountry features with access from a resort. Skiers should be equipped with backcountry skills and safety gear, despite its proximity to patrolled areas.

A skiing discipline involving skiing between and around a series of poles or gates. These are usually set in a zigzag pattern down the slope, requiring quick turns and agility.

The activity of riding on a sledge (or sled) down a hill or slope. While primarily considered a recreational activity, it can also be used for transport in snowy conditions.

Accommodations or amenities located right next to the skiing slopes, providing easy access for skiers and snowboarders.

A freestyle skiing competition where skiers perform tricks and jumps on a course featuring various obstacles like rails, jumps, and other terrain park features.

Partially melted snow or ice. It’s often found on ski slopes in warmer weather, characterized by its wet, heavy consistency, which can make skiing or snowboarding more challenging.

Playfully refers to skiing or snowboarding in very deep powder snow, where the snow can be so high it feels like you need a snorkel to breathe.

Snow Cannon

A machine that produces artificial snow by combining cooled water and compressed air. These are commonly used in ski resorts to create or augment snow cover.

Snow Squall

A sudden, moderately heavy snowfall with strong winds. Unlike a blizzard, a snow squall is typically short-lived but can create dangerous, low-visibility conditions.

Snowboarding

A winter sport where a rider stands on a single wide board with both feet strapped in, using a sideways stance to glide down snow-covered slopes.

A tracked vehicle used to groom ski slopes, ensuring smooth and even surfaces for skiing. Also used in snowcat skiing to transport skiers to off-trail or backcountry areas.

A beginner skiing technique where the tips of the skis are pointed towards each other and the tails wide apart, forming a shape like a pizza slice or ‘V’. It’s used to slow down or stop.

Snowshoeing

A method of winter travel on snow where special footwear (snowshoes) is used to distribute the person’s weight over a larger area. This prevents the person from sinking into deep snow, making it easier to walk.

Spread Eagle

A classic aerial trick where the skier jumps and extends their arms and legs outward in the shape of an “X” while in mid-air. It requires good timing and control to land safely and gracefully.

Stem Christie

A skiing technique used to make a turn where the uphill ski is stemmed out and then brought parallel to the downhill ski, often used by intermediate skiers progressing from snowplow turns.

Successfully landing a jump or trick with control and without falling, often used in freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

In skiing vernacular, “sugar” refers to a type of snow condition. It’s when the snow has a granular and loose consistency, similar to sugar. This type of snow can be found in spring conditions and is typically easy to ski on, offering a pleasant, soft surface.

The summit refers to the highest point of a mountain or hill, where ski runs often begin. This can be the top station of a ski lift, such as a gondola or chairlift, or the peak reached by hiking or climbing. The summit offers skiers access to various trails and slopes, typically featuring panoramic views and serving as a starting point for many downhill runs.

Super G (Super Giant Slalom)

A speed event in Alpine ski racing, longer than a giant slalom but shorter than downhill, requiring both technical skill and speed.

Related: The Best BOA Ski Boots for 2023/2024: The Ultimate Guide

A snowboarding trick where the rider leans back and lifts the front of the board off the snow, balancing on the tail.

A type of surface lift found at ski resorts used to transport skiers up a hill. Skiers and snowboarders grab onto a ‘T’-shaped bar pulled by a cable, which pulls them uphill.

Telemark Skiing

A style of skiing where the ski bindings only connect the boot to the ski at the toes, allowing the heel to rise off the ski. It combines elements of Alpine and Nordic skiing and is named after the Telemark region of Norway.

Terrain Park

A designated area at a ski resort with a variety of features like jumps, rails, and halfpipes designed for freestyle skiing and snowboarding.

A fall in which the skier tumbles head over heels down the slope, similar to a spinning tomahawk or cartwheel, often resulting in a “yard sale” where equipment gets scattered. Occurring typically at high speeds, this type of fall highlights the need for skiing within one’s control and abilities.

Torsional Stiffness

The ski’s resistance to twisting about its longitudinal axis, which affects the ski’s grip on the snow and stability, particularly at higher speeds or on harder snow.

A large, cable-driven lift that transports skiers and snowboarders up the mountain, typically carrying a higher number of passengers than a gondola.

Skiing or snowboarding across a slope in a zigzag pattern, often used to control speed or to navigate across a mountain.

The edge of a habitat at which trees are capable of growing. Above this line, harsh environmental conditions prevent the growth of trees. On mountains, this often marks the transition between different types of skiing terrains.

A position used by skiers to minimize air resistance; involves bending the knees, keeping the back straight, and arms close to the body, often used in racing and downhill skiing for speed.

Refers to the act of adding style to a trick by bending or twisting one’s body and skis in an exaggerated manner. Tweaking a trick often involves contorting or stretching to emphasize the move’s flair and difficulty.

Skis or snowboards designed with both ends curved up, allowing the rider to ski or ride effectively in both forward and backward (switch) directions. This design is particularly popular in freestyle skiing.

A freestyle skiing trick involving a 360-degree rotation of the body while the skis are turned 180 degrees in the opposite direction. It’s a visually impressive move where the skier’s upper and lower body twist against each other mid-air.

The middle section of the ski or snowboard, directly beneath the rider’s feet. This area is crucial for controlling the ski/board and often is a reference point for discussing ski/board width, influencing factors like stability and maneuverability.

Skiing uphill, often in the context of backcountry or ski touring. This involves ascending slopes under one’s own power, usually with skins attached to skis.

Unweighting

A technique in skiing where the skier briefly reduces the weight on the skis to initiate a turn or navigate bumps.

Vertical Drop

The difference in elevation between the top and the bottom of a ski run or ski resort. It’s often used as a measure of a mountain’s size or the steepness of a particular run.

The narrowest part of the ski, critical in determining the ski’s sidecut, which affects how the ski turns.

A substance applied to the bottom of skis and snowboards to reduce friction with the snow, improving glide and speed. Different types of wax are used depending on snow conditions and temperature.

Conditions in which visibility and contrast are severely reduced by snow A weather condition in which visibility and contrast are severely reduced by snowfall or blowing snow. It can be disorienting for skiers and snowboarders as the ground and the sky appear indistinguishably white, and shadows and contours are lost.

Snow that has been compacted and smoothed by the wind, providing a firm but forgiving surface that can be enjoyable to ski on.

A fall or crash while skiing or snowboarding, typically occurring in a dramatic or forceful manner. Wipeouts are often seen in challenging conditions or when attempting difficult maneuvers.

The top international racing circuit sanctioned by the FIS, featuring the world’s elite Alpine and Nordic skiers competing in various disciplines throughout the ski season.

Short for cross-country skiing, a form of skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, often using skis with lighter and narrower designs than those used in alpine skiing.

A slang term used to describe a big crash where a skier’s or snowboarder’s gear (like skis, poles, goggles, hats) ends up scattered across the slope, resembling a yard sale.

A rule or a sign on slopes to remind skiers and snowboarders to give way to others. Typically, it means allowing those ahead or downhill of you the right of way.

A skiing technique or pattern where the skier makes turns in alternating left and right directions, typically down a slope. It’s used both for controlling speed and for enjoyment of the terrain.

Zipper Line

A term often used in mogul skiing referring to the most direct line down a mogul field, which resembles the teeth of a zipper. It’s usually the fastest route but requires technical skill to navigate quickly and smoothly.

Did we miss any terms in our ski terms glossary? If you’re aware of any other skiing-related words, phrases, or slang that aren’t covered here, please share them in the comments below. We’ll make sure to add them to our comprehensive list!

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Ski words defined: A guide to slang, jargon, terms and phrases used when skiing

Wednesday 15 august 2018.

• Inspiration

An introduction to the vocabulary of skiing, complete with definitions and explanations. It's time to know what you're talking about.

A big list of skiing terms and phrases

Skiing and snowboarding are essentially simple sports, climb a mountain, strap on a plank or two and ride down the mountain. Simple, outdoors and awesome. Yet delve a little deeper into the ski world and you'll find almost another language in ski terms and terminology, slang and jargon that you probably won't fully understand. We've put together a big   ol' list of terms and phrases to help you get to grips with the ski world vocabulary.

Air -  The act of jumping with skis or snowboard on. The higher you leave the ground the bigger air you had

Alpine skiing -  This is probably what you are in the mountains for, skiing downhill with the toe and heel of your boot fixed to the ski

Après ski -  At the end of your ski day it's time for a few drinks. Directly after skiing, often still in your boots and slope-side, think dancing on tables wild European music blaring loudly or some live music and plenty of beer.   Best European resorts for après ski

Avalanche -   When a slope becomes unstable and the snow cascades down it, often building in momentum and dragging everything in its path along for the ride. They are incredibly dangerous

Backcountry -   Skiing for those who shun the pistes. There are no lifts to the backcountry, you're going to be walking outside the ski area boundary where there is no avalanche control and skiing is much riskier. Though you may get untouched powder skiing, it's best to take a guide and make sure you have all the necessary equipment

Bail -   A term used when you fall over, often spectacularly

Balaclava   - Worn on your face, or rather over it. It covers all skin whilst still allowing you to see. Perfect in freezing temperatures or driving snow

Black run -   The steepest of runs, often so steep they get icy. Generally full of people trying to prove themselves rather than actually enjoying skiing. But if this is your bag then these are the runs for you

Blue run -   a pisted slope for progressing onto, nice and mellow, can be a lot of fun.   10 things you should know when you start skiing

Bombing -   Flying down the ski slopes at breakneck speed

Bowl -   A large basin type area of the mountain, often un-pisted and high up. Generally, you can ski down any part of it so you can pick your own route for large swooping turns or daredevil speed chutes

Bunny hill -  North American term for a beginner slope

Buttering/butter -  Playing around on snowboard or skis without jumping. Essentially smearing your skis/board across the snow in a fashion not dissimilar to buttering toast. Bending your board off the ground and/or spinning around without leaving the ground

Button lift -   A lift that doesn't lift you off the ground, you stick a pole with a little button seat on it between your legs and it drags you (on your skis) up the mountain. Particularly annoying for snowboarders

Camber -   The opposite of rocker (see further down this list) tips and tails of board/ski touch the ground when the middle does not. This helps with grip and stability on piste and at speed

Carving -   The process of digging in the edge of your skis or snowboard to create a smooth turn

Cat track -  A route used by the piste bashers (or cats) to get around the mountain can often be almost completely flat but creates a convenient link between two places on the mountain

Catch an edge -   On a snowboard, when the edge of your board accidentally catches on the snow which pulls you abruptly towards that edge and in general fall flat on the floor

Champagne powder -   The lightest, fluffiest snow you can imagine. Officially trademarked by Steamboat resort, meaning technically champagne powder cannot be found anywhere else

Corduroy -   (Or grooming) freshly made piste. This is machine packed by the snow cats into a ribbed or ploughed texture that resembles a corduroy pattern

Chute -   A steep narrow slope often with high sides and off-piste

Couloir -   Like a chute, incredibly narrow with high rock faces on either side

Cross-country skiing -   Originally used as a form of transportation across the snow, it is skiing on flat ground using momentum powered by yourself by 'skating' or 'striding'. The skis and boots are much lighter and narrower than alpine skiing

Crust -   You get this mainly in the mornings when the top layer of snow has frozen solid (the crust) so you break through it to the soft snow underneath

DIN setting -   How firmly the skis are attached to your feet (in simple terms) this has to be set correctly according to your weight, shoe size and ability in order for the ski to release if you crash/don't fall off whilst you're skiing. It's universal so will be the same wherever you ski, but best left for the pros to set it

Doorstep skiing -   This term has a little wiggle room depending on who's using it but essentially means where you are staying is very close to the slopes but not quite ski in, ski out. This may be because you have to cross a road or the hotel is at the bottom of the slopes etc.

Dump -   A slang term for bucket loads of snow. Often in a short space to time making wonderful powder skiing conditions

Edge -   The edge of your skis or snowboarding, used in carve and generally skiing/snowboarding

Faceplant -   falling straight onto your face - self-explanatory really

Fall Line -   The quickest route down the mountain, the route a ball or avalanche would take if you rolled it down the mountain

First tracks -   Getting up before the rest of the resort to catch the first lift up the mountain in order to be the first people down the mountain making the first tracks on the freshly groomed piste. Some resorts make an activity of it such as breakfast up the mountain and then you get half an hour before the main lifts open.

Flat light -   when there is little to no contrast in the lighting, you have no shadows or gradients so everything invariably looks whitish and it can be hard to make out the lumps and bumps in the piste

Freerider -   One who prefers to ski/board off-piste, be that steep chutes, massive powder fields or tight trees. Most likely to overhear bragging about their most amazing day ever

French fries -   Largely used when first learning to ski parallel. Basically having your skis next to (parallel) to each other like French fries lined up

Glades -   a term used when skiing through the trees, this is typically an area where the trees open up to create beautifully easy tree skiing

Gnar -   Shortened from Gnarly. Generally used by those who shred it or in a mocking fashion. Meaning high on the 'danger and cool' scale

Green run -   pistes for beginner skiers, very mellow sometimes almost flat. Good to learn in a safe environment.   Best ski resorts for beginner skiers

Halfpipe -   shaped like a gutter, it's a u-shaped pipe carved out of the snow for freestyle skiers to perform all manner of awesome tricks on

Hard pack -   Very firm snow, could be icy. Often after a long time without fresh snowfall

Hit -   Anything you can jump off essentially or catch air. Could be in the terrain parks, off the side of the slope (side-hit) or off-piste

In-bounds -   when you are inside the marked ski area, this is where the mountains are controlled and deemed safe

Japan-uary   -   A nickname given to the month of January in Japan due to the fact that the country gets unbelievable amounts of snow. It snows almost every day in fact.   10 things you should know about skiing in Japan

Jerry -  A person who sets out to do something quite spectacular which is vastly above their ability or skill set

Jib/jibbing -   riding and sliding across non-snow surfaces such as rails, boxes and anything not snowy basically

Jump turn -   A change of direction made by jumping with your skis. Generally used on very steep terrain when you don't want to gather downhill momentum

Kicker -   a ski jump, generally in a wedge shape

Line -   the route you pick to ski down the mountain, where you make your turns, go fast, slow down... this is your line

Liftie -   a person who operates a ski lift

Magic carpet -   a conveyor belt area that typically transports you up a mellow/beginner piste. You stand on these with your skis still on

Moguls -   bumps that are either carved or naturally formed by skiers and boarders turning around them. Often occur towards the end of the ski day

Nordic skiing -   See cross-country skiing, another name used for this

On-piste -   a piste is a groomed slope or run, it's a French word that is used more than any other ski term so worth learning. On-piste just means you are on the groomed slopes

Off-piste -   when you go off a marked piste into un-groomed snow.   Off-piste skiing in Chamonix

Park -   A terrain park on the snow full of jumps, rails, halfpipes etc. 

Park rat -   Someone who spends every waking hour in the park hitting the jumps and rails

Piste -  See on-piste above

Piste basher -  Machines used to groom the pistes into perfect slopes. Sort of like a big tractor specially designed for steep slopes. Can also be called a cat

Planker (two planker) -   any skier

Pomma lift -   see button lift

Powder hound -   a skier or snowboarder completely obsessed by finding the fresh powder stashes and riding in knee-deep powder

Pow Pow -   Fresh snow, most commonly found off-piste or after a fresh snowfall.   The best resort to ski powder

Pizza slice -   officially called snowplough, a technique used when first learning to ski where your skis tilt together in the shape of a pizza slice. A way of controlling speed before learning to turn

Quad -   four-person chairlift

Quiver -   One for you if you own your own skis/board. Your quiver is the selection of skis/board you have. So could be park skis, all mountain, freestyle or a selection of various sizes for example. Or you could just have a quiver of one   all-round   ski/board

Rail -   A metal bar or box to slide across on your skis or snowboard. Mostly found in the terrain parks

Red run -   A pisted run that is steeper than a blue but won't frighten the life out of you from the top. Great for holding a good speed and exploring the mountains.   Top resorts for intermediate skiers

Rocker -   a cut of ski/board where if laid flat the middle section of a ski/board will touch the floor and the tip and tail will rise off it. It helps with float in snow and means you will be less likely to catch an edge but at the expense of high-speed stability and grip on pistes

Rollers -   An undulating slope where the peaks are rolling and you can often catch some air as you ski over them at speed

Side country -  un-pisted area just off the side of a piste

Ski in, ski out -   When you can ski directly back to your accommodation and then ski from the door again in the mornings

Skijoring -   Like water skiing in the sense that you are pulled along over flat ground, but over snow and the boat is replaced by a horse (or sometimes dogs)

Slopeside -   next to the slopes/piste

Snowplough -   see 'pizza slice' above

Steazy - Someone who makes being stylish look easy 

Straight lining -   putting your skis parallel or pointing your board straight down the hill and really going hell for leather. A way for boarders to make it over flat spots up ahead

Tail -   the back end of a ski or snowboard

Touring (ski touring) -   When both uphill and downhill travel is possible without removing your skis. 'Skins' are attached to the ski underside to give you grip travelling uphill and they are removed for the downhill skiing. Typically this is for off-piste/backcountry skiing.

Tracked-out -   When fresh snow has been skied over so much there's no fresh snow left

Transfer - How you get from the airport to the ski resort. You could have a private transfer just for you or a shared transfer with other people. You could also have a helicopter transfer if you really wanted.   Resorts with the shortest transfers

Traverse -   Skiing/boarding across a slope or mountain rather than down it

Twin tip -   Where the back of your skis is curved up as well as the front allowing easier backward skiing and landing tricks

Tree well -   The area around the base of a tree, creating a hollow that you can fall into after heavy snow. They are incredibly hard to get back out of. These are super dangerous and can cause suffocation. So, to avoid them, always turn below a tree rather than above one

Tree skiing -   Skiing through the trees

Twat gap -   when the top of your goggles do not meet the rim of your helmet leaving a large exposed gap

White out -   when visibility on the mountain drops to almost nothing, you may not be able to see your feet. This could be caused by heavy snowfall, fog or both

Wipe out -   A particularly un-graceful or dramatic fall, you can also be wiped out by another skier or boarder - a crash

Jargon busted

Between us here at flexiski, we've been to every resort, every hotel, apartment and chalet that we offer, we've skied more seasons than we can count and probably have plenty more ski jargon up our sleeves so give us call on 01962 587777 if you have any questions or want to discuss anything ski related, such as actually going skiing.

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Deciphering Ski Slang: The Terms You Need To Know

Downhill skiing and riding are two of the most satisfying ways to recreate in the winter. The freedom you experience while sliding down a beautiful ski run is unmatched. Over the decades, both sports have morphed into a kind of culture, complete with its own language.

In this article, we’ll dive into the most popular ski slang terms out there. We won’t cover every single possibility because there are hundreds. We will cover enough to address all major concepts that beginner skiers or riders should know.

Buckle up, jerry; your crash course in ski slang starts now.

Ski Slang A-Z

Below, we’ll run through terms skiers and snowboarders use, give a definition, and provide a little context when needed.

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• All-mountain ski : Skis wider than racing skis and thinner than powder skis. They are generalists, handling most conditions well but seldom perfectly.
• Après : French for “after,” après has morphed into a general term for what one does after skiing. This usually involves getting food and adult drinks (for those of legal age) somewhere near or next to the ski slopes. 
• Avvy/Avalanche : An avalanche is a large volume of snow that breaks off a slope and runs down the side of a mountain. They are exceptionally dangerous.
• Backcountry Skiing : Anything outside the resort boundaries that can be skied is considered backcountry skiing . The delineation breaks down further with concepts like frontcountry and sidecountry. 
• Backcountry Gate : A way to access backcountry terrain from a ski resort.
• Bail : Generalized term for giving up. If you approach steep terrain and decide to ski around, you've bailed on it. 
• Base : Either the bottom of your skis/board or the base area of a ski mountain.
• Blasting : An avalanche control technique used by ski patrol to reduce avalanche danger. 
• Black Diamond : A slope classification meaning expert terrain. There are single black diamonds, double black diamonds, and double black diamond EX runs. 
• Blower Powder : Very light, fluffy snow. If you find blower powder, you are having a good day. It’s sometimes called champagne powder, though Steamboat Ski Resort has trademarked the phrase.
• Bluebird : A sunny day with blue skies and no clouds.
• Blue Run : Another slope classification; this one signifies an intermediate run. 
• Bomber/Bombing : Flying down a ski slope at very fast speeds. 
• Bowl : A terrain feature similar to a large basin. In a bowl, ski runs will generally funnel down to one area. 
• Brain Bucket : Helmet. 
• Bulletproof : A bulletproof surface is so hard that the snow will look exactly the same after you’ve skied over it. Avoid, if possible, or rely on your edges.
• Bunny Hill/Bunny Slopes : A designated area for beginners to practice their skills. 
• Bump Skiing : Mogul skiing. Skiing down a field of snow mounds that have been shaped and compressed by skiers over time.
• Camber : An artificial bend in the shape of a ski. The bend occurs underneath the center of the ski.
• Carve : The act of performing a turn by relying on the thin metal edges of your skis. This is an advanced skill.
• Cat Track : The route snowcats use to navigate on and off ski slopes. Sometimes cat tracks can act as cut-throughs between runs. 
• Catching An Edge : An unintentional result of ski movement where your ski edges impact the snow and throw off your control. 
• Cement/Concrete : Very wet, heavy snow.
• Core Shot : A deep gouge in your ski base all the way down to the wood core. Core shots come from hitting roots, downed trees, or rocks. If the gouge is deep enough, it could be a death knell for your equipment; see a ski tech to assess the damage.
• Corduroy/Cord : This is the pattern left behind by a snowcat, a piece of equipment that grooms ski slopes. It makes a funky noise when you ski on it, but the surface is supportive and fun. 
• Chatter : The noise twin tips or rockered skis (see rocker below) make when traveling at speeds. 
• Chop : Refers to old powder that crisscrossing ski lines have chopped up into clumps and pockets. 
• Chunder : The worst type of skiing. It can present in numerous ways, but it’s always a highly uneven snow surface with possible chunks of hardpack snow that makes it nigh impossible to maintain rhythm and turn shape.
• Chute/Couloir : A steep, narrow terrain feature usually lined by rocky walls or dense trees. The steeper the couloir, the higher the chances for avalanches. This is expert terrain.
• Corn : Soft, accommodating snow that is still firm enough to provide support. The snow surface looks like you're skiing on a bed of corn kernels.
• Crust : A frozen layer of snow. If the crusty snow layer is thin enough, enough pressure can break through to softer snow beneath. 
• DIN : A measurement of how firmly your bindings hold onto your feet. It’s based on a numeric scale and should only be adjusted by professionals.
• Dump/Dumping : A large accumulation of snow.
• Dust on Crust : A minor covering of snow atop hard/icy conditions. While it may look soft, your skis will impact the crust beneath it. 
• Edge : The metal edges of skis or boards.
• Faceshot : Positive term meant to illustrate powder so deep that when you turn, the snow sprays into your face. 
• Fall Line : The route a ball would take down a slope if you let it roll on its own. The full term is called gravitational fall line. Some expert slopes have multiple fall lines.
• Flex : A numeric rating system used to determine how stiff or forgiving a ski boot will end up being.
• Flat Light : Little to no contrast in lighting. Flat light takes away your depth; slow down to avoid nasty surprises, and use low-light lenses.
• Freeze/Thaw Cycle : The spring snow cycle of refreezing at night only to soften up during the day.
• French Fries : Keeping your skis parallel to each other.
• Freshies/Fresh Tracks/First Tracks : Refers to skiing through an area of powder that no one has skied yet.
• Gaper Gap : This is a gap between an improperly fitting helmet and your goggles. It suggests the user does not know what they are doing.
• Glades : Skiing through the trees.
• Green Run : A slope classification signifying a beginner run.
• Groomers : Groomed terrain at a ski resort. 
• Hard Pack : Very firm snow.
• Hero Snow : Fluffy snow in all directions. If you fall, it’s like falling into a soft snow blanket. Hero snow is very rare.
• Huck : To send yourself off of a cliff, jump, tree, roof, or quite literally anything with a vertical component attached to it. Freestyle skiers love hucking stuff.
• In-bounds : Skiing within ski resort boundaries. 
• Inversion : Very gratifying weather phenomenon where the bottom of the ski resort is cloud-covered, but the upper parts are above them. 
• Jerry/Gaper : A person with big skiing or riding dreams but has put minimal effort toward getting there. Synonymous with someone who is clueless.
• Jump-Turn : A useful technique in tight areas like couloirs where you don’t have enough width to make a normal turn. 
• Kicker : A jump, usually wedge-shaped and found on the side of ski runs. 
• Line/Ski Line : The route you pick down a slope is your line.
• Liftie : A ski lift operator.
• Moguls : See bumps. 
• Nordic/Nordic Skiing : Refers to cross-country skiing or a nordic center where you can rent/buy supplies like snowshoes, microspikes , or cross-country skis .
• On-Piste : French for skiing on a groomed or managed slope. Widely used.
• Off-Piste : Any bit of terrain that is not groomed. Off-piste can refer to terrain inside or outside a resort.
• Park/Terrain Park : Skiing in a specially created area with manufactured obstacles designed for tricks and getting air.
• Park Rat : Term for someone who skis or rides almost exclusively in the terrain park.
• Planks : Slang for skis.
• Pomma Lift/T-Bar : An old-school ski lift where you either hold onto a rope, sit on a disk or sit on a seat that looks like an upside-down T. In all cases, your skis stay on the ground. 
• Pow/Powder : Fresh snow. 
• Powderhound : Someone who devotes a lot of time and energy to chasing fresh snow.
• Powder Stash : An area of untracked powder that hasn’t been skied since the last storm.
• Parallel Skiing : This is the act of skiing and turning, with both skis staying parallel to each other.
• Pizza : Slang for a wedge-type ski technique. True ski progression begins when you convert a pizza to french fries or parallel skiing.
• Quad : A 4-person chair lift.
• Quiver : This term is used when you own a ski or board. For people with multiple skis or boards, a quiver is the sum total of your offerings. If you want one ski to cover most conditions, all mountain skis are considered one-quiver solutions.
• Rad : Slang for awesome.
• Refill : Sometimes it snows for long enough that tracks you made during a ski run are covered up by the time you ski the run again. In this case, nature gave you a free refill.
• Rocker : A bend in a skis profile at the tip or tail of the ski. Rocker is great for powder skiing, skiing switch, and the terrain park.
• Roller : A feature across a ski slope indicating a change of pitch. The terrain above a roller is less steep; the run then “rolls over” into a steeper section. DO NOT STOP UNDER A ROLLER; people above won’t be able to see you.
• Run : Official name for a specific ski slope at a resort.
• Send : A term with a few meanings. When someone says send-it, it can be an indication of all-clear for a jump or ski line. A person who is “sendy” will take every opportunity to go fast or hit crazy jumps/tricks. 
• Sick : Term of admiration for a trick or ski line that is particularly flawless or inspirational.
• Side-country/Slack-country : A subset of backcountry but more forgiving. Sidecountry runs exist outside of ski resort boundaries but can be accessed from within them. 
• Ski Bum : General term to indicate someone who has made skiing/riding their life. 
• Ski Switch : Being able to ski backward.
• Skin : A ski attachment that allows for uphill movement.
• Slopeside : Establishments next to ski runs or, more generally, within a few dozen yards of a ski slope.
• Slush : A heavy, wet type associated with the spring season that occurs after melting. There’s a good chance your ski boots will get wet; think about using a boot dryer .
• Snorkel : Snow so deep you need a snorkel to breathe. This term is often misused by people who caught a bit of powder and turned it into a Godzilla sighting.
• Straightlining : Going straight down a ski slope without turning, usually at breakneck speed. If you see someone straighlining, get out of the way.
• Stomp : Emphatically landing a trick, a very positive term. Example: “She absolutely stomped that landing.”
• Tail : The back end of a ski or board.
• Tip : The front end of a ski or board.
• Tomahawk . A type of fall where your body looks like it's performing a series of cartwheels down the slope. It’s similar to how a tomahawk turns as it's being thrown.
• Touring : Also known as backcountry skiing. Ski touring can be as short as skinning uphill and skiing down once or as involved as ski mountaineering .
• Tracked Out : A somewhat negative term referring to an area that had powder but has now been skied through so much that hardly any remains. 
• Traverse : Moving across the width of a slope as opposed to skiing down the fall line.
• Tree Well : An area of shallow snow around the base of a tree. If you fall in, it can act like a suction cup and pull you down.
• Untracked : Untouched snow, i.e., not been skied by anyone.
• Whiteout : Fresh powder and low visibility. It looks like you're skiing in a snow globe, and your depth perception is impacted.
• Wipeout : When you fall on skis.
• Yard Sale : A type of fall where various pieces of equipment are ripped from you and sent hurtling in different directions. Cleaning up after a yard sale takes time and effort.

Ski slang has seeped into most aspects of ski culture. It’s not strictly necessary for skiing progression, but its wide use makes it relevant. Next time you're on the hill, try a few out!

I’m happiest on long backpacking trips into little-known pockets of wilderness, skiing down backcountry mountains, and on all-fours, scrambling the rocky spines of alpine ridges. When I'm not adventuring in the outdoors, I'm most likely writing about them.

*The information on this site is based on research and first-hand experience but should not be treated as medical advice. Before beginning any new activity, we recommend consulting with a physician, nutritionist or other relevant professional healthcare provider.

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Ski slang 101: talk like a pro.

by Doug Ryan on Aug 09, 2022

Skiing is a popular winter sport that attracts people from all walks of life. While the basics of skiing are easy to learn, there are some terms and phrases that are used by skiers which may be unfamiliar to those who have never hit the slopes before. Here is a list of many common ski slang terms so that you can talk like a pro on your next ski trip.

Here is our complete list of ski slang in alphabetical order

Table of content.

Alpine skiing:  Skiing downhill, often on groomed trails.

Apres-ski:  Activities or socializing that takes place after skiing for the day. This can include drinking, dining, and dancing.

Avy:  Short for avalanche.

Backcountry:  Unmarked, ungroomed terrain that is accessed by skiing or snowboarding off of a ski trail.

Bagel:  When a skiier or snowboard ends a trick by spinning 270 degrees in the opposite direction they entered the trick

Bail:  To intentionally jump off of a ski or snowboard, usually to avoid crashing.

Bar up/Bar down:  When a skier raises or lowers the bar that is used to keep skiers and snowboarders on the chairlift.

Base:  The bottom packed layer of snow on the mountain. Ski resorts will report the depth of their snow base. The base is also the bottom of your skis.

Black Ice:  A thin layer of black ice that can form on top of groomers. It is hard to see and can be dangerous.

Black Run or Black Diamond:  The most difficult ski run that is for expert skiers and snowboarders.

Blower Powder:  Powder that is so light it blows away when you ski or snowboard through it.

Blue Run:  A more difficult ski run that is for intermediate skiers and snowboarders.

Bluebird:  A clear, sunny day with blue skies.

Bombing:  To ski or snowboard down the hill as fast as possible.

Bony:  When the snow is hard and icy and feels like you are skiing over bones.

Bowl:  A wide, open area of terrain that is often steep and treeless.

Bunny slope:  A beginner's slope that is short and relatively easy to ski or snowboard on.

Bumps:  Mound-like formations of snow that form on ski trails.

Butter or butta:  Snowboarding or skiing where you put all your weight on either the tip or tail of your skis or board and lifting up the other end into the air.

Button lift:  A type of ski lift that uses a circular disc, or “button,” to attach the skier to the lift.

Camber:  The amount of downward curvature in a ski or snowboard. Cambered skis are best for groomers and hardpack snow.

Carving:  Turning with skis so that the edges cut deep into the snow and don't skid leaving a smooth deep cut track

Catch an edge:  When the edge of a ski or snowboard digs into the snow and causes the person to fall.

Champagne Powder:  Very light, dry powder.

Chatter:  When a skier's skis vibrate uncontrollably, usually at high speeds. This can be caused by skiing on hard or icy snow.

Chinese Downhill:  When everyone starts skiing at the same time and whoever gets to the bottom first wins, with no rules. This term comes from the skiing comedy movie  “Hot Dog: The Movie”

Chowder:  Heavy, chunked up snow that is left after people have skied out all the powder on a fresh snow day.

Chute:  A steep and narrow section of a ski slope.

Corduroy:  Snow that has been groomed into evenly spaced parallel grooves.

Corn:  Small soft pellets of snow that form when the temperature gets warm during the day and then cools off at night. This type of snow forms in the spring when temperatures warm up.

Cornice:  An overhanging edge of snow, often found at the top of a ridge.

Couloir:  A steep, narrow gully that is often found on a mountainside. Also referred to as a chute.

Crevasse:  A large crack in the snow and ice, usually found on glaciers. They can be very dangerous if you fall into one. They are rarely encountered within ski resort boundaries but it can happen.

Cross Country Skier:  A person who skis on groomed trails in the woods or mountains. They use a different type of ski than alpine skiers. It is more like hiking on skis.

Crud:  Heavy, wet snow that has been skied through and hardened.

Crust:  Frozen, crusted-over snow that can be difficult to ski or snowboard on.

Death Cookies or Cornice Cookies:  Large, dangerous chunks of snow that have fallen from a cornice (an overhanging edge of snow) and onto the ski slope.

Digging Trenches:  Carving turns so well that they leave a deep cut in the snow. This is a sign of expert ski technique

Double Black:  A very difficult ski run or terrain

Downhill:  A type of ski race that is the fastest and most dangerous. The gates are spaced far apart and the skiers reach high speeds. Skiers tuck for most of the race and go over large high speed jumps.

Drag lift:  A type of ski lift that drags you up the hill while you stand on the snow surface.

Dumping:  When a lot of snow falls in a short period of time.

Dust on crust:  When there is a thin layer of powder snow over a crusty hard base.

Epic Pass:  A season pass by Vail Resorts that lets you ski or ride at many resorts around the world at a low price. Epic Pass resorts are known for over crowding and poor customer service.

Face plant:  When a skier or snowboarder falls and their face hits the snow.

Face shot:  When powder snow is thrown up into the air and lands on the skier's or snowboarder's face.

Fall Line:  The most direct route down a mountain.

First Chair:  The first chairlift of the day. First chair is most prized on powder days where it means getting the first tracks in fresh snow.

First Tracks:  The first set of tracks on a freshly groomed or powdery run.

FIS:  The International Ski Federation, the governing body for competitive skiing.

Flat light:  When the lighting conditions are flat and there is little contrast between the shadows and the sunlit areas. This can make it difficult to see bumps, moguls, and other terrain features. Using the right  ski goggles with a good flat light lens  can make seeing in flat light much easier.

Freeride:  skiing or snowboarding off groomed trails or in powder snow. It is also a type of competitive skiing where the skier must do tricks and jumps.

Freestyle skier:  A skier who performs tricks and jumps, often in a halfpipe or terrain park.

French fry turn:  A type of turn where the skier keeps their skis parallel to each other but points their tips inward, forming a “French fry” shape.

Freshies:  Untracked powder that has fallen overnight or early in the morning.

Fun box:  A box in the terrain park that you can slide across. They are called fun boxes until you fall on one, at which point they aren't fun anymore.

Fun Police:  An overly strict and aggressive ski patroller

Gaper:  A novice skier who makes obvious errors or wears their equipment incorrectly. They frequently have a large goggle gap between their goggles and helmet.

Gaper Day:  Many ski resorts have a Gaper Day. This is typically the last day the ski resort is open in the spring. It is celebrated by skiers wearing crazy or retro ski outfits and events such as pond skimming.

Giant Slalom:  A type of downhill ski race where the skier must go around poles that are spaced further apart than in a slalom race.

Glade:  A tree skiing area that has been cleared of brush or the snow is deep enough to cover the brush. The trees are nicely spaced apart so you have room to turn between them.

Goggle Gap:  The gap between your ski helmet and ski goggles. It is caused by wearing a thick hat under your helmet or having a mismatched ski helmet and goggles.

Golf Balls:  Small balls of icy snow created by the grooming machines.

Gondola:  A type of ski lift that is enclosed and typically carries four to ten skiers at a time.

Gondy:  Another word for a gondola lift

Goofy:  Snowboarding with your right foot forward.

Gnar:  This term is used to describe challenging or dangerous terrain. It can also be used to describe a particularly good run.

Grab:  To grab the edge of a ski or snowboard with your hand while performing a trick

Green Run:  An easy ski run that is often beginner friendly.

Groomers:  Groomed ski runs. They are smooth and fast in the morning before being skied out.

Hard pack:  When the snow has been packed down by skiers and snowboarders and becomes firm and icy.

Heli skiing:  Skiing or snowboarding using a helicopter for a lift. This is usually done in remote mountain areas with deep powder snow.

Hot Dogging:  Skiing fast in a crazy manner doing all sorts of jumps and tricks.

Huck:  To purposely throw oneself off of a large jump or cliff.

Ice Coast:  The East Coast of the United States where the snow is often icy.

In bounds:  The area of the ski resort that is patrolled by the ski patrol. It is safe to ski in this area.

Japowuary:  Northern Japan is known for getting legendary amounts of snow in the month of January every year.

J-bar:  A type of ski lift that pulls skiers up the hill using a J-shaped bar.

Jerry:  A novice skier or snowboarder or advanced skiier or snowboarder who has no clue what they are doing and may be a harzard to others. This term was popularized by the website  Jerry of The Day.

Jib:  Taking small jumps off terrain park obstacles or other natural bumps and jumps

Kicker:  A jump that is made with a man-made ramp.

Killer:  An expert skier or snowboarder.

K12:  A legendary ski run that was the location for a ski race showdown between Lane Meyers and Roy Stalin in the skiing comedy  “Better Off Dead”

Lift line:  The line of people waiting to get on the chairlift.

Lift Ticket:  The ticket you need to ride the ski lift.

Liftie:  A person who works at a ski resort and helps load and unload people from the chairlifts.

Little Ripper:  A young, skilled skier or snowboarder.

Magic Carpet:  A conveyor belt that is used to help people get up beginner ski runs. They are often found on beginner runs in the learning area.

Mashed Potatoes:  Wet heavy slushy snow that has the consistency of mashed potatoes. This snow is most common when it rains right after snowing.

Nordic skiing:  Skiing on flat terrain, also known as cross country skiing.

Nuking:  When it is snowing so hard that you can't see.

Off-piste:  Skiing or snowboarding on ungroomed terrain.

Out of bounds:  The area of the mountain that is not patrolled by the ski patrol. It can be dangerous to ski here because there are no avalanche control measures and no one to help if you get hurt.

Parallel turn:  A type of turn where the skis are parallel to each other.

Park Rat:  Someone who spends most of their time in the terrain park.

Piste:  A groomed ski trail.

Pizza turn:  A type of turn where the skier pushes their skis out to the sides, forming a “pizza slice” shape. This is often used by novice skiers.

Packed Powder:  Hard pack groomed snow. There is nothing powdery about packed powder.

Planker:  A person who only skis, they do not snowboard.

Pond Skimming:  An event held by many ski resorts in the spring where skiers and snowboards try to ski across a pond without falling in the water.

Pole plant:  When a skier plants their pole in the snow to help with timing and balance while turning.

Pop:  The little bit of air you get when you skiing or riding over a small jump.

Pow:  Short for powder. Powder snow is deep, soft, and what every skier dreams of skiing in.

Powder day:  A day when there is a lot of fresh powder snow.

Powder hound:  A skier who is obsessed with skiing in powdery snow conditions.

Powder stash:  A hidden area of powder that has not been skied yet.

Power hour:  The last hour of the ski day when most people have hit the bars or hot tub and the slopes are uncrowded and lift lines short.

Pretzel:  When a skier or snowboard ends a trick by spinning 270 degrees in the same direction they entered the trick

Quad:  A type of ski lift that carries four skiers at a time.

Quiver:  A person's collection of skis or snowboards.

Rail:  A feature in a terrain park made from a metal rail that you can slide down.

Rip:  To ski quickly or aggressively.

Rocker:  The amount of upward curvature in a ski. Rockered skis are best for powder and deep snow.

Rocker-Camber-Rocker:  An all mountain ski design that has camber in the middle and rocker at the tip and tail.

Run out:  The area at the bottom of the ski slope where it flattens out.

Safety Bar:  The metal bar that is found on the back of a chairlift. It is used to prevent skiers and snowboarders from falling out of the chair.

Sastrugi:  Wavy, ridged patterns that form in the snow from wind blowing across it.

Season Pass:  A pass that allows you to ski all season long at one resort or a group of resorts.

Send or Send It:  To attempt a trick or difficult ski run. You may or may not actually land the trick or finish the fun without falling.

Shotski:  A ski that has shot glasses mounted to it. The shots are drank by a group of skiers at once by lifting up the ski and drinking from it.

Sick:  When a skier or snowboarder performs a trick that is very impressive.

Side Country:  The area outside of the ski resort boundaries. Back country that is immediately next to a ski resort and accessed through gates from the ski area.

Sidecut:  The amount of narrowing a ski has around the middle of the ski. A ski with a lot of sidecut is wide at the tip and tail and narrow at the center.

Sketchy:  When a skier or snowboarder is skiing a run or performing a trick that is risky or dangerous.

Ski In, Ski Out:  A place to stay that is close to the ski resort so you do not have to drive. You can just ski right to your hotel or condo.

Ski Binding:  A device that holds your ski boots onto your skis.

Ski Brake:  A set of spring loaded brakes on your skis that keeps them from sliding away out of control and hurting someone when they come off in a fall.

Ski bum:  Someone who leads a carefree lifestyle centered around skiing and snowboarding. They typically work as a liftie, bartender, ski instructor, or other ski resort centered career.

Ski Bunny:  A beautiful woman who dresses in sexy ski clothes to attract attention but may or may not actually ski very well.

Ski lift:  A mechanical device that is used to transport skiers up a ski slope.

Ski length:  The size of a ski, usually measured in centimeters. Skis range from around 140cm to 190cm.

Ski Patrol:  The people who help injured skiers, set up ski races, do avalanche control, and generally keep the mountain safe.

Skins:  Removable strips of fabric that are attached to the bottom of skis, used for uphill travel.

Slalom:  A type of downhill ski race where the skier must go around poles that are spaced close together. A slalom race has the tightest spaced poles.

Sleigh ride:  When a skier or snowboarder is out of control and sliding down the slope on their stomach or back.

Sluff:  Wet, heavy snow that slides down the mountain. It can be dangerous because it can cause an avalanche.

Snowcat or cat:  A large tracked vehicle that is used to groom the snow and build terrain park features.

Snowplow turn:  A type of turn where the skier keeps their skis pointed inwards and forms a wedge shape. This is often used by novice skiers.

Spine:  A ridge in the snow that extends down the mountain.

Steezy/Steez:  A cool move that was down with lots of style.

Stoke:  This term is used to describe the feeling of excitement and anticipation that comes with skiing.

Stomp:  To land a trick perfectly.

Straight lining:  When a skier or snowboarder points their skis or snowboard straight down the hill and goes as fast as they can.

Strap in:  Stopping to strap on snowboard bindings. All snowboarders have to strap in after getting off the lift.

Super G:  A type of downhill ski race that with gates spaced farther apart than a giant slalom.

Superpipe:  A half pipe that is much larger than a normal half pipe. It is often used in competitions such as the Olympics.

Switch:  Snowboarding with your rear foot forward or skiing backwards.

T-bar:  A type of ski lift that pulls 2 skiers up the hill using a T-shaped bar that goes between them.

Table top:  A larger jump in a terrain park that is flat in the middle so you can land on it without going over the back.

Tail:  The back end of the ski.

Telemark:  A type of skiing in which the skier drops one knee to the snow while turning. Telemark skis are similar to cross country skis. The heels are not attached to the ski.

Tight:  A really well executed jump or trick

Tip:  The front end of the ski.

Tomahawk:  When a skier falls and starts tumbling with arms and legs fully extended rotating about their waist. It resembles the motion a tomahawk makes after being thrown.

Tracked out:  When all the powder has been skied and it is just packed down crud snow.

Traverse:  To ski or hike across a slope instead of down it.

Tree well:  A hole in the snow that forms around trees because the tree warms up the snow and melts it. They can be dangerous because people can get stuck in them and suffocate.

Triple Black:  A ski run or terrain that is so difficult it is only for the most experienced skiers and snowboarders.

Twin tip:  A type of ski that is symmetrical, with the ability to ski backwards.

Tuck:  To tuck your knees into your chest and point your skis straight down the hill, often used to gain speed.

U-Y and Numbers

Ullr:  The Norse god of snow. Many ski resorts have Ullr Festivals to try and bring more snow. The most famous Ullr Fest occurs at  Breckenridge  every December

Waist Deep:  When the powder snow is so deep it comes up to your waist. In reality, it probably only was boot deep but no one needs to know that.

Waist width:  The width of the middle of the ski.

White room:  When you are skiing or snowboarding and everything around you is white because of the fresh powder.

Wind hold:  When the ski lifts aren't running because it is too windy.

Wind Lip:  An accumulation of snow that is blown up by the wind onto a leeward slope (a slope that is facing away from the wind).

Whiteout:  When it is snowing so hard that you cannot see.

Wipe Out:  A spectacular big fall.

Yard sale:  When a skier or snowboarder falls and their equipment is scattered across the slope. To be a full yard sale you must lose both skis and both poles. Bonus points if anything more comes off.

6 Pack:  A type of ski lift that carries six skiers at a time.

8 Pack:  A type of ski lift that carries eight skiers at a time.

Now that you know some common ski slang terms, you'll be able to hold your own on the slopes and sound like a pro! Let us know if we missed anything and we'll add it to the list.

Doug runs the outdoors blog EndlessRushOutdoors. He is an avid skier, sailor and paddleboarder from Pennsylvania who now lives in Michigan. He has partnered with Outdoor Master to share his experience with all things skiing including equipment, technique and culture.

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Ski Vocabulary and Dictionary for Skiers

Check out these ski expressions, snow terms and ski words unique to the downhill sport so you can be knowledgeable and cool from first chair, aka milk run to après ski. See our Ski Slang for more silly ski expressions and lingo. Also check into our Family section for tips on getting your kids skiing, and Skiing 101 for ski vacation tips on what to pack, what ski gear to buy, and how to plan for your ski trip.

Alpine skiing : also known as Downhill skiing, using skis you descend a mountain, hill or slope on snow Après-ski : The social drinking and music immediately following your time on the slopes. Avalanche: When snow layers are unstable, snow can slide and cause tremendous damage, knocking down trees, lift towers and skiers. Always heed ski patrol and backcountry avalanche warnings. AT – sounds like ET, but it means All Terrain, and implies you are going off trail with AT gear. Backcountry – also means skiing beyond a ski area’s trails and marked terrain, going off trail, off-piste, at your own risk. Uphill Skiing is skiing up in bounds on backcountry skis. Base : The bottom of the mountain where the lodge, parking, and bar are located, where you start and end your day. Also the underside of your ski. Base Snow/Base Depths : ski resort reporting of their depth of snow pack, from accumulation and snow fall received and compressed. Bindings : where your boots meet your skis, the mechanism that allows you to click in and release when needed. Bowl Skiing : A wide open slope that has the shape of a bowl, open for skiing with minimal tress and hopefully lots of untracked snow. Vail is famous for its back bowls. Brain Bucket : slang for a ski or snowboard helmet- providing a level of protection to your brain in the event of a fall. Bunny slope : The easiest, gently pitched area at the ski resort, where beginners start. Carving : Making turns on the ski or snowboard with your edges. Cat Skiing : Skiing in the outback, where a snow cat is your transportation up and you ski down untracked powder back to your private snow cat limo. It is not skiing with felines. Catch an edge : When you ski or board metal edge grips the snow more than anticipated –resulting in a fall or nearly fall or near-fall Catch Air : When your skis or board comes off the snow surface, and you are airborne, intentionally or not. Chute : Narrow passage, often between cliffs or rock bands, for extreme skiers to navigate – usually steep, hopefully deep with snow. “Shoot, I missed that sweet chute.” Corn snow : Loose granular snow like corn kernels, mostly occur during spring skiing when the snow melts and forms granules. Cornice : an overhang on a steep slope, caused by wind and snow – hucking the cornice takes courage. Crevasse : a divide or crack in a snow covered slope, you don’t want to fall in here. Cruiser: A ski run with long sweeping turns, not to difficult or too fast, just right… Death Cookies : frozen snow ice formation that is the size of a cookie, with the consistency of a hockey puck – hard to ski on. DIN : a setting on your ski binding – translation: Deutsche Industrie Norm which is calculated based on your height weight and skiing ability. Have your DIN professional set and inspected annually Dump : a big snowfall, over a foot. Fall line : The straightest and steepest line down any slope. First Tracks : being the first on a ski slope, so there are no previous tracks, usually early, heaven in skier terms. Freezing Rain : Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, a four-letter word in ski country French Fries: keeping your skis parallel, for kids when the y graduate from snowplow – pizza pie to French Fries. Frostbite : Freezing of the skin in extreme cold, when circulation ceases –and skin turns numb and white – not good- get inside, and warm the skin back to a rosy complexion to avoid permanent damage. Frozen granular : Snow that has melted and re-frozen, not as fun to ski as softer fresh powder snow. Gaper : An awkward skier, aka Joey, or Punter in Canada, who looks out of place, a Rookie, who sports an obvious gap between his/her goggles and helmet or hat – called the Gaper Gap. Glade : a ski trail with interspersed trees, provides a woodsy wonderful natural aspect. Gondola: enclosed cabins attached to a cable that transports skiers in comfort up the slopes. Green Circle , Blue Square , Black Diamond : Trail designations by difficulty, green is easiest, blue is intermediate, black is most difficult Groomers : the Piston Bully machines that smooth out the snow and create corduroy seems on the trails. Halfpipe : a concave carved feature for skiers and snowboarders to rock from side to side on the slope. Heli Skiing : adventurous skiing in untracked terrain outside of ski area boundary, with a guide and helicopter as your transport to the top of the mountains Herringbone : a ski technique for climbing up the slopes by spreading your tips, not quite crossing your tails in a V shape. Ice : Not the best skiing, even if your edges are sharp like Bode Miller. But most ski resorts don’t report “icy” conditions, instead its frozen granular or “mixed” Loose frozen granular : snow that has crystalized after thawing, refreezing, repeat, and has likely been groomed and reworked a few times. Jib : terrain park elements you can hit or jump off, boxes, rails and jumps are for jibbing. Joey: an inexperienced hazardous skier that does idiotic thins. Don’t be joey, or a punter or a gaper. Kicker: a jump in a terrain park. Also called a Booter , if its big and cash is at stake- a money booter Liftie : personnel that assists skiers and riders to get on the chairlift safely. Also checks for ski passes. Machine made snow : snow made from snow guns by combining water with compressed air. Magic Carpet : a moving conveyor belt that transports skiers up hill, best for beginners on a gentle slope. Mashed potatoes : snow that has the consistency of mashed potatoes from having thawed, usually during spring skiing Milk run: The first run of the day, often with Patrol. Moguls : Bumps of snow on the trail that are quite large and rounded, made from skiers pushing snow into lumps. Bump or mogul skiers love them, folks with bad knees don’t. NASTAR : a race foundation with national scores and comparatives, medals for best times in various age groups. Nordic : cross-country skiing, skinny skis with a toe binding, no heel attachment, ideal for skiing across fields, in the woods, with no lifts. Off-Piste : European term for skiing beyond the trail network, often beyond the ski resort boundary, can be dangerous, and illegal without a guide or permission, know before you go. Out of Bounds : same as off-piste or backcountry, skiing at your own risk beyond ski area marking and patrol. Packed powder : fresh powder snow that has been groomed into corduroy by the snow cat groomers. Park: abbreviation for terrain park where you will find jumps, boxes, rails and quarter pipes for play. Piste : French for ski trail, hence off- piste is off trail. Poles : sticks with a hand grip and a pointy end that goes in the snow. Use your ski poles for pushing, and for pole planting to initiate a turn. Poma or Platter Pull Lift : a ski tow rope with a small disc that you place between your legs so that you are pulled up the ski hill Powder : Fresh snow that accumulates enough to create a soft skiable surface PTex : a plastic fill used to repair Rime : Frozen windblown ice formations that usually occur on exposed mountaintops Quad : a chairlift that seat for, versus a Triple or Double or Single, some are high speed detach, others are fixed grip. Rocker : Ski construction that provides a more flexible tip and/or tail so the ski floats through powder and isn’t as stiff and demanding as a traditional ski. AKA Reverse Camber Schussing : An old European term for skiing without turning, like tucking. Shaped skis : skis with a side cut near the middle/center, versus just a straight ski, that initiates turns and carves more easily than a straight skis Ski Joring : skiing while being pulled by dogs, like dog sledding. Skins: removable leather bands to attach to the ski base for friction when climbing Snowplow : a beginner ski position, when the tips of the skis meet and the tails push out to form a wedge, or pizza pie for the kids just learning. The snow plow controls your speed until you can turn with skis parallel competently. Tail : back of skis, versus the Tip. T Bar : no tea served here, a wooden T that hangs from a lift cable, skiers sit on one side of the T, which is an upside down T, to get a pull up the ski slopes. Don’t sit down on the T-Bar, just rest it under your butt for the ride, beats hiking. Tram : large aerial lift, like a cable car, with two cars- usually holding over a 100 skiers. Traverse : to ski across a hill, not dropping in elevation. Tree Line : elevation above which trees do not grow, snowfields and rocky mountain tops. Tree Well : area surrounding tree were snow melts creating a well, skiers should steer clear so as not to fall in and get trapped. Twin Tip : ski with tips on both ends so you can ski backwards, or switch. Wet granular : Snow that has melted, crystalized and is now and slushy. White-out : When its snowing and so windy that you can’t see anything but white. Wind Chill : the mean temperature of the wind combined with the cold. Windblown : Snow that has been packed severally by the wind, it’s no longer soft and pliable. Wind Hold : when chairlifts and gondolas are closed because it’s too windy to operate safely, that blows. XTreme : need an X, so this defines adventuresome advance skiing beyond normal limits and boundaries. Vertical Drop : Ski area measurement of elevation change from the summit to the base. Yard sale : a skiers fall that spreads their gear, poles, goggles, hat, skis, all over the slopes Zermatt : needed a Z, this Swiss resort is the ultimate in the Alps bordering Italy, with the Matterhorn as its centerpiece.

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Speak Fluent Ski Bum with this Slang

January 15, 2023 By //  by  Matt Thomas

Ski bums are a creative bunch. With laid-back lingo and vibes similar to surfers you might find on the beach, the slang words you’ll hear around ski resorts are often equally hilarious and puzzling.

With new terminology coming out every season, it can be tough to stay fluent in the local slang. We’ll go over some of the most common words and phrases you’ll hear from skiers and snowboarders, along with their meanings. Remember if you can’t spot the gaper within the first hour at the resort, then you are the gaper.

Ski Lingo: Terms and Meanings

Similar to visiting a foreign country, it’s always nice to know some of the local terminologies that one might hear at a ski resort. Learn the meaning of the odd phrases you encounter. Then you’ll be able to make sense of what you overhear during your people-watching and eavesdropping, while on the chairlifts, and during apres ski.  Slang words are fun in moderation. Enjoy this ski lingo!

List of the common ski slang words , in alphabetical order:

Apres Ski – Apres is “after” in French. And what goes on after skiing? Everyone gets bellied up to the bar at the lodge or base area for a band. Maybe there is a visit to the local hot springs in your apres ski. More or less, apres ski is a pretentious way to say a happy hour. Do you know what’s even more pretentious? Learning how to say cheers in different languages , and working that into your toast. Santé!

Black Ice – Thin, transparent ice that coats the streets, or ski slopes. It’s difficult to ski and dangerous to drive over. If it has snowed recently, always expect there to be some black ice, especially on bridges and overpasses, where cold air passes underneath.

Bluebird Day – Sunny, cloudless day, often following a storm day. Also called a blue sky day .

Bomber – Someone that bombs down the mountain on their skis or snowboard, sometimes in control, sometimes not. Experts that do this are called a ripper or shredder . Beginners doing this are related to the phenomenon called the Chinese downhill (not P.C. term). As opposed to bombers who could be highly skilled, those performing a routine Chinese downhill, don’t stop, turn, or brake and are generally, out-of-control beginners. It’s also a downhill ski race with no rules, as made popular by the 1984 Hot Dog: the Movi e.

Champagne Powder™ – Snow that’s dry like champagne. It’s Steamboat Ski Resort’s trademarked phrase. Thanks to its location in northwest Colorado, Steamboat gets a lot of light, dry snow that sparkles in the sun. It’s the exact opposite of what you don’t want, Sierra Cement.

Chatter – The vibration skis and snowboards make when going fast.

Cowboy Downhill – An annual event held over President’s Day weekend at Steamboat Ski Resort where real-life rodeo cowboys and bull riders race down the mountain, in a no-nonsense fashion. They go straight down and outta control, probably derived from the Chinese Downhill.

Corduroy – Freshly groomed ski terrain that resembles the dress pants by the same night. Everybody loves skiing fresh corduroy for its predictable control and lack of ice. Earliest in the morning is your best time to find and ride corduroy. It’s the second best thing to fresh powder.

Crud – Snow that’s compacted down to a cement-level crud. It’s also never level, so you’re bumping and busting your legs up trying to get through the crud. You wish it were corduroy.

Crust – Refers either to a hard layer on top of softer snow, or a hard layer hidden by a light layer of fresh snow. Crust is common on days where you only get a couple of fresh inches, so it looks like a lot more powder than it is and much less fun.

Dump – If you’re on a ski vacation in the high country, you usually want to get dumped on. This means that a lot of snow is going to fall, ideally overnight, so you wake up to gorgeous fresh powder. “Look outside, it’s dumping! Woo! Let’s hit the slopes tomorrow.”

Falling Leaf – Snowboarders who are just learning will often stay on what’s called the heel side, afraid to commit to turning over to the “front side” in fear that they will fall backward. So instead of looking like an advanced snowboarder carving down the slopes, they will resemble a falling leaf, going from side to side, but always on their heel edge, perpendicular to the downhill slope.

First Tracks – Refers either to someone having to hike through the snow first, which is always the hardest, or getting to ski through the powder first, which is always the most fun.

French Fry and Pizza – Some instructors teach new skiers to “french fry” their skis when they want to move, and to “pizza” their skis together when they want to stop.

Freshies – This is the word you want to hear while on a ski holiday. You want to be getting freshies in the morning, or all day long. It’s another term for fresh powder snow.

Ganjala – A gondola that lends itself to smoking or vaping weed. Let’s hit up the ganjala instead of the chairlift, in reference to its windless nature and easy place to light some green.

Gaper – Some ill-fitting goggles and helmets don’t line up perfectly at the forehead, creating a gap of skin, also known as a Gaper Gap . This gap is exposed to sun, wind, and cold temperatures. It’s a total newbie look, easily preventable when shopping. This, in turn, is a term thrown around to any oddly dressed or acting skier/snowboarder. Look at that gaper over there! Yeah, what a total gaper. Even if they don’t show a gap.

Gnar – You’ll often hear folks heading out to the slopes to “shred the gnar”. This means they will ski/snowboard (shred) the gnarly conditions (fresh powder).

Ice Coast – As opposed to the lovely snow conditions out west, the United States boasts much more humid and lower elevations along the East Coast. Here, the ski resorts receive heavier, wetter snow, which combined with the warmer temps at lower elevations during the day, the snow melts and freezes to ice overnight. Unlike the high elevation of the Colorado mountains that stay cold all the time.

Jerry – An out-of-a-place, beginner skier that seems to show no knowledge of how to operate on skis or a snowboard. Sometimes “gaper” is used. Other phrases include “Joey” or “Gorb”. A popular website does the Jerry of the Day .

Jib – Freestyling around the mountain looking for various little features and kickers you can pull a little stunt off of. You can jib natural or manmade terrain. It’s a verb.

Kicker – Either a nice little jump that you can jib off pretty well, a massive jump that will launch you into the stratosphere, or something in between. Hit that kicker over there! It’s also called a “ booter “.

Liftie – A chairlift worker that’s usually a first or second-year ski bum in town. They pick up a job of “ bumping ” lifts all winter, which is holding them up so people can board easily. It’s a great way to stay in shape. Lifties often talk about “living the dream” when asked how they’re doing. The best part of the liftie’s day is usually when they get to ski back down from the top booth or sneak into the woods to vape their medicine.

Line – A strategic route down the trail one scouts out, usually to hit some fresh powder. You therefore can carve your own line that’s visible to all.

Magic Carpet – Often found in the true beginner’s area, this is a form of transportation up a moderately pitched hill. Ride the magic carp to the top, by standing on it with your skis or snowboard. Similar to a moving walkway found at the airport.

Onesie – Retro ski outfits from the 80s and before that combined pants and jacket into one piece of clothing. While these stylish garbs made it harder to pee, they are making a comeback for their uniqueness.

Park Rat – A freestyle skier or rider who spends all their time in the terrain park. Often they don’t even take the chairlifts, but unstrap and walk back up, ensuring they get the most runs possible.

Planks – A set of skis.

Pow – Fresh snow that feels so good under your board.

Pressing Glass – First in line for the gondola. You’re pressing glass to hurry up and get up on the slopes to hit that fresh powder or groomed corduroy.

Safety Session – Code term for having a meetup to smoke up, usefully in the trees or perhaps aboard the ganjala. Also called a safety meeting, and generally involves the use of a glass pipe or vaporize to smoke weed.

Sausage Fest – Having a very high ratio of men to women, which is commonplace in any mountain town bar or gathering. Ski towns in general are one big sausage festival.

Scissoring – It’s okay to pizza and French fry, but you don’t want to scissors. That means your skis are getting crossed up and overlapping each other. It’s a good way to wipe out.

Sick Licks – Hitting manmade jumps and natural features and doing amazing stunts.

Sierra Cement – Hard crud snow is well known in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Its high moisture content makes it compress to cement pretty fast, as opposed to the lighter dryer snow you’d find in Utah or Colorado. California and some of the Pacific Northwest are noted for hard, wet snow. But still, fresh powder is fresh powder, just not for as long.

Ski Bum – A person who moves to a ski town, takes up just enough employment to pay for their skiing habit and lives to ski 100+ days per season. Some last a season and others stick around for life. There’s an art to ski bumming.

Ski bums are often lifties and other resort workers during the winter, and find a different seasonal job in the summer. Some are said to be “living in a van down by the river.” Some actually do, or tent, or house with 5 or 6 roommates…whatever it takes to keep shredding that gnar!

Slushies – What we’re trudging through in the springtime. Slushies often turn into a pool somewhere that brave folks will ski across.

Snow Bunny – An attractive woman skier or snowboarder. Also called a ski bunny , some ski others just sit in the lodge sipping on cocoa.

Snowplow – A technique done by beginner skiers the same as a pizza. They just wedge their skis in a pizza slice shape, closer together near the tips. This allows a slow, controlled safe descent.

Steezey – Synonym for awesome, sick, dope, etc. Like man that jacket is steezy bro, yeah man just got it this season. Can also be shorted to steeze.  It generally means showy, so a boring grey jacket would not be steeze, whereas, a multi-colored trip fest would be.

Stomp – Freestyle skiers and riders will stomp a landing, meaning stick it.

Switch – Riding backside on your snowboard or skis. It’s said to be riding switch.

Tabletop – Big ass jumps that require you to go all out, no breaking, otherwise you’ll land harshly on the flat top of the jump, as opposed to the correct down-sloping backside.

Texas Goretex – Pretty much the same as a Canadian Tuxedo. Texas goretex is denim, usefully sported only in the form of jean pants. It has no known moisture-wicking advantages and is most common in those from southern non-skiing states.

Tracked Out – By early afternoon, most of the fresh powder at any given resort will be tracked out, meaning you won’t be able to find many lines of your own.

Traverse – Skiers are much better at traversing horizontally across the slopes. Snowboarders generally have to unstrap, and “skate” along, whereas a skier just pushes with their poles. Traversing is either done to get to a new trail or part of the mountain or just go back and forth more slowly.

Warm Before The Storm – This can happen year-round in Colorado. It’ll be 85 degrees and sunny in the morning, then by afternoon the temperatures have dropped 40 degrees and you’re heading for evening snow. So if you’re on a ski trip, don’t fret if it’s unseasonably warm, the storm could be coming – it’s just the warm before the storm.

White Out – When fog is high and visibility is low, it’s a whiteout. It’s much worse of a problem above the treeline and much less of a problem in the trees. As that’s the best place to be on a whiteout day, believe it or not.

Yard Sale – When you wipe out and lose all your stuff. It’s really only applicable to skiers as snowboarders stay strapped up. Skis, alternatively, unclip from their bindings and polls fly away. Yard sale!

Those are really just a small portion of the crazy and bizarre phrases you’ll hear thrown around a ski resort. If riding high in the Rockies, be sure to brush up on Colorado’s local lingo , for even more slang words you might hear.

About Matt Thomas

Matt is an avid writer and explorer, who loves to showcase this wild, wondrous world. His favorite place to be is right here in the Centennial State.

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Ski & Snowboard News

Ski Glossary: All the Words You Need to Know

Skiing and snowboarding are such unique sports. And the lingo associated with them is just as interesting! We’re here to make sure you know all the words in the ski glossary before you hit the slopes. Read on and you’ll be speaking like a seasoned skier or snowboarder in no time!

Here’s The Essential Ski Glossary 

Aerials: Freestyle ski jumping with in-air tricks.

Alpine Skiing: Downhill skiing.

Apres-Ski: Activities enjoyed after a day of skiing, typically spending the evening in a bar. 

Binding: The piece connecting your snow boot to your skis or snowboard.

Black Run: Describes an advanced-level ski slope.

Blue Run: Describes a more manageable ski slope good for beginners.

Chair Lift: A ski lift that transports you to the top of the mountain.

Cross-Country Skiing: Skiing along gentle hills for long periods of time.

Fakie: Skiing or snowboarding backward.

Freestyle: Skiing or snowboarding that includes jumps and tricks.

Gondola: An enclosed ski lift.

Grooming: When machines smooth out the snow on the mountain. 

Halfpipe: A U-shaped funnel used for freestyle skiing and snowboarding. 

Hard Pack: Compressed snow. 

Heliskiing: Taking a helicopter to more remote areas for skiing or snowboarding on untouched snow.

Moguls: Bumps on more advanced ski slopes.

Nordic Skiing: The same as cross-country skiing.

Off-Piste: Areas outside of marked slopes.

Piste: French for “ski slope.”

Powder: Fresh snow.

Red Run: Intermediate level slope. 

Rope Lift: A slow-moving rope that transports skiers and snowboarders to the top of the slope.

Ski Area: Marked area on the mountain for skiers and snowboarders.

Slalom: A downhill race involving tight and quick turns around gates. 

Slope: Downhill area for skiers and snowboarders. 

Slush: Wet or melting snow.

Snow Machine: Machines that produce artificial snow.

Snow Park: Specific area for freestyle skiers and snowboarders.

Snowplow: ‘V’ formation of the skis for turning or slowing down. 

Wax: Applied to the bottom of skis and snowboards for a smoother ride.

White Out: When visibility drops to zero.

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50+ Useful Skiing Expressions You’ll Hear on the Slopes

• Post author By Melissa
• Post date March 28, 2024
• 3 Comments on 50+ Useful Skiing Expressions You’ll Hear on the Slopes

Head to Mexico City and you’ll hear a lot of Spanish spoken. Go to Venice and you’ll hear people speaking Italian. Go to Munich and you’ll hear German. But, go to a ski resort in America and you’ll hear things that will leave you scratching your head. Did I really just hear someone say ”yard sale” and “brain bucket”?

Skiers and snowboarders have their own way of talking. We all use these unique skiing expressions, that somehow everyone on the mountain understands.

Ski slang is its own language, really. I call it ski lingo, and to truly fit in at a ski resort there are a few key ski terms you should know and understand. 

This guide to the most often used skiing expression is a new skier’s dictionary of all of the popular ski phrases and skiing vocabulary words you’ll hear on the mountain.

Table of Contents

Ski terms to help you understand a mountain’s rating system

Chances are some of the first skiing expressions you hear on the mountain won’t be unfamiliar at all – at least if you know your basic colors. What may be confusing though is how these colors are used in sentences. 

“Stick to the greens, the blacks are brutal, and the blues are more like blacks.” 

Mountain resorts use colors as a ratings system. Understanding this rating system is one of the most important parts of the skiers’ vocabulary that you need to know.

If you don’t understand the color scale you may end up in trouble on a ski run you are not prepared for, and one on which you could get seriously hurt.

Green runs are typically the easiest runs on the mountain outside of the hills used for ski school students.

If you are a beginner skier, these are the runs you should stick to until you are handling them with ease and can comfortably move to something more challenging.

Blue runs are your moderately difficult runs rated for intermediate skiers. After you graduate from greens, you’ll move onto blues.

Black runs are for advanced skiers. They tend to be steeper, less maintained, and may include obstacles like trees or boulders.

Along with the color rating you will notice different shapes on the trail signs and maps. Green runs are marked with a circle, blues with a square, and blacks with a diamond.

Although you never hear greens or blues described as a circle or square, you will frequently hear blacks called a diamond or a black diamond.

Double black diamonds

After greens, blues, and blacks the mountain rating system doubles. A double black diamond is even more advanced than a black (I tend to shy away from these because I don’t have a death wish .)

Double black EX

You won’t find double black EX runs at every ski resort, but when you do, avoid them unless you are a crazy good skier or boarder. The EX stands for expert.

LEARNING TO SKI? CHECK OUT THESE GREAT SKI RESORTS IN COLORADO FOR BEGINNERS .

Ski phrases to describe different types of ski runs

Beyond the mountains rating system, here are a few other key ski terms used to describe different types of ski runs or slopes. 

Traverse or cat track

These two skiing terms are used interchangeably. A traverse isn’t necessarily a run or a rating. It is more like a narrow road for skiers and snowboarders.

Cat Tracks typically have a gentle grade or slope that make it easy to control your speed, although I have seen traverses rated as a black run on some mountains .

A traverse takes you across the mountain and helps you get from one run to another.

Groomer /Corduroy  

Groomer is a ski term used to describe a groomed ski run or a run that a snowcat recently plowed to make the snow even and flat. The grooming lines left behind from the snowcat resemble corduroy so it is often referred to by that name, as well.

Piste / Off piste

Piste is the French word for groomed or compacted snow. You primarily hear this ski term at international resorts like the famous Zermatt in Switzerland but you are hearing it more and more at ski resorts in the United States and Canada, as well.

Along with piste you may also hear the term off piste, which typically refers to ungroomed or even unmarked runs.

Deep and steep

You’ll primarily hear this ski term thrown around by advanced skiers bragging to their friends about the runs they’ve experienced or conquered. Deep and steep means the ski run entailed steep terrain (likely a black or double black) and deep, ungroomed snow.

Long cruiser

Unlike deep and steep runs, long cruisers are typically long, groomed runs (often blues) that are easy to cruise down at a good speed without stopping to calculate your next turn.

Terrain Park

The terrain park is an area of the mountain that typically includes jumps, railings or boxes and half pipes that attract those extreme skiers who like to do aerial twists, flips, and other maneuvers.

Once my favorite type of ski run until I almost blew out my ACL, a tree run is a ski run that takes you through the trees. These runs can be challenging, but can be a lot of fun if you know what you are doing.

Hiking terrain

Unless you become fanatical about skiing, hiking terrain is only a skiing term you’ll hear others use. Many of the ski resorts in the United States have a handful of unmarked runs accessible only by – you guessed it – hiking.

These runs are called hiking terrain.

You have to take your skis or snowboard off and carry them up the mountain to ski down a short run. It isn’t my cup of tea, but to each his own.

Bowl skiing is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a choose your own adventure skiing experience where you can drop off the ledge just about anywhere and ski down into a wide open bowl shape.

The bunny hill is often the very first incline that beginner skiers will go down. It usually has a very gentle slope that makes it easier to learn the basics of skiing. 

Magic Carpet

The magic carpet is a conveyor belt typically used for kids or beginner skiers. You stand on it and it moves you up a gentle incline on the mountain.

If you are teaching toddlers to ski or even if you are a beginner yourself, you’ll likely spend a lot of time on a magic carpet.

Ski slang used to describe your day on the mountain

Most of the ski lingo you will hear and use will be to describe your day on the mountain when making small talk or having conversations with other skiers.

Skiers and snowboarders love to talk about the runs they did that day, what part of the mountain they played around on, and what the ski conditions were like. So, here’s some ski slang to learn so you will fit right in!

First tracks

Making first tracks means you are one of the first people on the mountain in the morning, so you literally are one of the first to leave tracks on the freshly fallen or freshly groomed snow.

First chair

Skiers and snowboarders love to brag. And one of the things that gives you bragging rights on the mountain is ‘first chair’. This takes dedication.

It means you were literally standing in the lift line and got on the first chair of the morning when the mountain opened.

Last chair is the opposite of ‘first chair’ but equal in bragging rights. When you hear a skier or snowboarder talk about the last chair it means they skied all day until the chair lifts finally closed and they were forced off the mountain.

Yard sale 

Everyone learning to ski will fall multiple times. But not all falls are created equal. The yard sale is a fall that results in skis and polls flying off and landing all across the run. They call it a yard sale because it looks like a bunch of random stuff scattered across a yard (or ski run) for sale.

Want to buy a ski? There is one at the edge of the run by the trees. Need just one ski pole? Check out the middle of the run next to the guy with his face buried in snow.

At times a ski run will flatten out or you’ll end up on a traverse that requires skiers to use their poles and a fair amount of upper body strength to push themselves across the snow. This move is called poling – and it’s exhausting!

Après is French for the word “after”.  It means what you are doing after the ski day is over. Are you going for beers? Heading to a nearby winter activity like Ice Castles ?

Après ski activities are part of the mountain resort experience.

Most of our ski days must end with a cold beer for us and a hot cocoa for our daughter, who learned to ski as a toddler . Plus, lots of conversations about how great (or horrible) the day went, because again, skiers love to talk about skiing. 

Ski lingo to describe the weather

Because skiing is a weather dependent activity, and the weather greatly impacts conditions on the mountain, there are a lot of ski expressions used to describe or discuss the weather.

Blue bird day

Ah, my favorite of all ski days! A blue bird day simply means a day when the sun is shining and the sky is blue.

The day after a big snow dump is called a powder day. You have a fresh foot or so of powder covering the run. A lot of skiers love a powder day.

Unfortunately, I have a bad knee thanks to a bad experience skiing on a powder day so I don’t share the love for deep powder that many skiers claim. At least not anymore.

Apparently the word powder has too many syllables, so ski bums and boarders shorten the word to pow. Don’t ask me why. I didn’t invent the language… I just speak it.

This is perhaps my least favorite weather condition in which to ski. A whiteout refers to a snowstorm so fierce you can barely see one turn in front of you.

All you see is white. It’s like skiing blind. Get me off the mountain! No thanks!

Lighting can change throughout the day or from day-to-day depending on the weather. When the light is flat it means there is no definition of angles, which can make it difficult to negotiate your turns or see the snow condition you are approaching.

A good pair of ski goggles should be a part of your ski wardrobe to help in flat light situations.

Being married to a meteorologist, this was one of the first skiing terms I learned, because an inversion is actually a weather term.

When an area is experiencing an inversion, the temperature at the top of the mountain is warmer than that at the bottom. The cold air will literally sink down and stay there.

On inversion days, it’s best to stay high and ski at the top of the mountain if possible.

East coast resorts rarely use this word, but head West and you’ll hear it everywhere. It’s short for “avalanche”.

We’re not sure why the word went from “avalanche” to “Avi”. We’re guessing skiers don’t like words with 3 syllables in emergency situations. So, shorten the word to two, right?

Skiing is a dangerous sport, and weather variables ultimately make it even more so. The wind is one of the big dangers you will face when skiing. Wind can cause blowing snow that makes visibility low and can also cause the resort to go into a wind hold.

A wind hold is when certain chair lifts will shut down temporarily due to high wind. No one wants to be on a chair lift in high winds. Ski resorts do this for your safety.

Important skiing expressions for different ski techniques and actions on the mountain

We’ve covered the ski slang used to describe a day on the slopes as well as ski terms for different types of runs, ratings, and weather conditions.

But let’s now address the primary ski techniques and the different things you do on the mountain.

Cross country skiing

Cross country skiing is a form of skiing where you continually shift your weight from one leg to another on groomed, mostly flat trails to navigate across the terrain. 

Downhill skiing 

Downhill skiing is your most popular form of skiing, and chances are, it is what you think of when you picture “skiing”. It simply means you’re skiing straight downhill. It’s also often called alpine skiing.

Freestyle skiing

Freestyle skiers tend to hang out in the terrain park or snow park. These aren’t your typical skiers. They’re your extreme skiers. In fact, freestyle skiing often involves aerial jumps and flips, sliding on rails or doing tricks in the half-pipe. 

Telemark skiing 

You may see one or two telemark skiers on the mountain. Named after the Telemark region of Norway where this type of skiing originated, telemark skiing involves a special kind of ski bindings that allow the heel to lift.

Nordic skiing is another term used to describe a free-heel form of skiing, but can include both downhill/alpine skiing and cross country skiing.

Carve an edge

This is how you turn on skis. You use the edges of your skis to dig into the snow to turn and control your speed.

Occasionally, on a day when the snow isn’t great or conditions are icy, you will hear skiers say it is difficult to carve an edge.

Shredding is one of those skiing terms that makes me feel like a 1990’s skater kid or surfer every time I say it. It simply means to ski fast.

Pizza / Snowplow

Beginning skiers have to learn to control their speed, and one of the ways ski instructors teach new skiers to do that is to angle your skis into a wide wedge with the tips touching.

The shape resembles a slice of pizza and allows new skiers to plow down the snow in a (hopefully) controlled manner. Hence why the position is coined a pizza or snowplow.

This is an important position to know if you plan to teach young kids to ski .

As new skiers progress in their abilities they start to move from a wedge shape to skiing with their skis parallel, resembling two French fries next to each other.

When riding a ski lift with strangers you never know their style.

Some skiers and boarders will ride even the longest, slowest lift on the mountain without the safety bar down. Others, like me, bring the safety bar down immediately after the chair starts moving away from the platform.

For me, this has more to do with wanting to rest my foot on the footrest to ease the soreness in my bad knee than it does safety. But either way, the respectful thing to do when riding a lift with others is ask, or at least warn, them if you want to bring the bar down.

At the end of a chair lift, the safety bar must come up. Skiers and snowboarders are weird. Some of them will wait until the very last minute to bring that safety bar up. Personally, the wait gives me anxiety.

So I’m also usually the first to ask if everyone is ready to bring the bar up.

When I was first learning to ski, I was terrified of getting off the ski lift. I fell more than once. But everyone from my ski instructor to my father-in-law would tell me “tips up” when I went to dismount.

If you’re a new skier and have never heard this skiing term, it means to keep the tips of your skis pointed up to prevent a face plant as you get off the chair lift.

Skiing terms to describe types of snow on which you might ski

There are so many variables that impact the condition of the snow. So, naturally there is a lot of ski slang used to describe the snow.

Early season conditions

Snow typically builds up throughout the winter. When resorts first open for the season, there may be just a thin covering of snow on the ski runs, and some of the runs won’t be open yet because they require a larger covering of snow to make the run safe.

This is called early season conditions.

Occasionally, during a mild winter, you’ll hear skiers and boards using this skiing term when the snow conditions are poor toward the middle of the season, as well.

If there hasn’t been much snow, and parts of the mountain aren’t open yet, you will often hear people say the mountain is still experiencing early season conditions.

Powder / pow

It’s soft, it’s fluffy. It’s what die hard skiers want. Usually, you’ll hear skiers and snowboarders talking about all the fresh powder or pow pow on a ski day after it snows a lot overnight.

Skiers love and appreciate fresh snow, because the sport can’t survive with it.

Want to go fast? Look for these runs! At night, a machine called a snowcat will roll over the snow and leave lines in it. These runs are usually skied off fast so go early if you want to ski them.

This is what happens after it warms up and the overnight temps are above freezing. It’s like skiing in a Slurpee. Avoid this at all costs! Or, wear a bathing suit.

Crust / hard-packed

This occurs after a few days of melting and refreezing . The extra water content from a melt can really stiffen the snow when it freezes at night. Also known as “bulletproof”. It’s hard and not fun to fall on.

Dust on crust

Take hard snow and add a light dusting of snow on it. It’s like that. It can be deceiving to the eye.

Champagne snow

Resorts like Steamboat in Colorado and Niseko in Japan brag about their snow so much that they coined this term. It’s a type of really light, fluffy snow that is perfect for skiing.

Unlike actual champagne, you don’t need to limit yourself in this.  

Bullet proof

Falling on this will hurt. It’s like ice and it has no “give”. Check your insurance policy to see if you have good coverage on days like these. Or find the bar.

Corn snow is a skiing term used late in the season. This type of snow looks like “corn meal”. Kinda mushy. Hard to turn in. Feels like glue. No fun. Usually a sign that the ski season is ending.

“WTH are these? Who put these all over the run?” If I had to define moguls, I’d simply call them bumps. Big bumps in the middle of a ski run. They form when a run is not groomed and when skiers push snow around while making turns.

Over time, the snow begins to build in places and before you know it, you have a run full of moguls that look like someone buried a VW Bug under the snow.

Thin coverage

Sounds self explanatory.  Thin coverage happens early or late in season when there’s not much snow on the ground. DO NOT WEAR YOUR GOOD SKIS ON THESE DAYS.

FLYING TO THE MOUNTAIN RESORT FOR YOUR SKI TRIP? READ THESE TIPS ABOUT HOW TO FLY WITH SKIS .

Other ski terms you may hear at a ski resort   

Whether you snowboard or ski, here are a few other key ski lingo terms commonly used at ski resorts across the United States.

This is another bragging point for many skiers and snowboarders. A lot of people will track their vertical feet for the day to show how much terrain they have skied.

Ski resorts will also tout the number of vertical feet as an enticement for skiers looking to ski steep, tall mountains.

One of our favorite ski mountains, Big Sky Mountain Resort in Montana , has one of the highest verticals in the United States, which makes many people think it’s a mountain for advanced skiers only.

But don’t be afraid of verticals. There are usually plenty of runs at every mountain that are designed for beginner and intermediate skiers.

Ski resorts with steep terrain prone to an “avi” will have to ensure safety inside the resort. So from time to time you may hear what sounds like an explosion on the mountain. It’s called blasting.

Ski patrollers will intentionally trigger a small avalanche with dynamite so skiers or boarders won’t trigger it later in the day and end up injured or worse.

Ski bums are those who prefer to do nothing but ski to the more typical actions of adulthood, like working, buying a house and investing in retirement.

These snow-loving slackers will settle for mediocre housing, low-paying jobs, and living on a diet of Top Ramen to spend their days on the slopes.  

Simply a shortened title for ski lift operator – the guys and girls who operate the chair lifts. Many lifties are, as defined above, proud ski bums. 

Brain Bucket

This is a ski term for a helmet. Helmets protect your brain, thus it is your brain bucket. A helmet is an essential part of any ski wardrobe . Don’t ski without one!

Talking the talk on any ski mountain

Every mountain has its own unique atmosphere and there are certain skiing terms you’ll hear only at certain mountains. But ultimately, this dictionary of skiing terms will help you talk the talk and make your conversations on the chair lifts with your fellow mountain lovers a lot less confusing.

What other ski terms would you add to this list? Add yours in the comments below.

Like it? Pin this list of skiing expressions to save for later!

Sharing is caring!

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3 comments on “50+ Useful Skiing Expressions You’ll Hear on the Slopes”

Love this! My son and I are beginner skiers and all the things we’ve heard are beginning to make sense. It’s also cool to learn we are now classified as “French Fry” skiers. Haha!

Congrats! My daughter is just now learning, so we are back in a pizza trying to teach her to ski. 🙂

I have not been skiing in so long! I’ve never understood moguls _ I know what they mean, but why? I guess I am not that expert level!

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Top 30 Slang For Ski – Meaning & Usage

Whether you’re hitting the slopes or just trying to sound cool, we’ve got you covered with the top slang words for ski . From fresh pow to gnarly wipeouts, this listicle is packed with all the ski lingo you need to know. So grab your goggles and get ready to shred the mountain with style and swagger!

Click above to generate some slangs

When someone says they’re going to “shred” the slopes, it means they plan to ski with speed and skill. This term is often used to describe someone who is skiing at a high level or performing impressive tricks.

• For example , “I can’t wait to hit the mountain and shred some fresh powder!”
• A skier might say , “He’s an amazing skier, he can shred down any slope.”
• Someone might comment , “I saw her shred that double black diamond, she’s fearless!”

To “rip” on skis means to ski with great speed, power, and control. This term is often used to describe someone who is skiing aggressively and pushing the limits of their abilities.

• For instance , a skier might say, “I’m going to rip down this mogul run!”
• A friend might comment , “You really ripped it up on the slopes today, nice job!”
• Someone might ask , “Have you seen him ski? He absolutely rips!”

To “carve” on skis means to make smooth, controlled turns by using the edges of the skis to dig into the snow. This term is often used to describe someone who is skiing with precision and grace.

• For example , “I love the feeling of carving through fresh powder.”
• A skier might say , “Watch me carve this perfect line down the slope.”
• Someone might comment , “She has excellent technique, her turns are always so smooth and precise.”

4. Shredder

A “shredder” is a term used to describe someone who is a skilled and aggressive skier or snowboarder. It is often used to refer to someone who is able to navigate difficult terrain or perform impressive tricks.

• For instance , “He’s a real shredder on the slopes, always pushing the limits.”
• A friend might say , “You’re such a shredder, I can’t keep up with you!”
• Someone might comment , “I saw her hit that jump, she’s a total shredder!”

“Pow” is short for “powder,” which refers to fresh, untouched snow that has not been packed down or groomed. This term is often used to describe ideal skiing conditions, where the snow is light and fluffy.

• For example , “Let’s go find some pow and make some turns!”
• A skier might say , “I love the feeling of floating through pow.”
• Someone might comment , “The mountain got dumped on last night, it’s going to be a pow day!”

This term is used to describe something that is extreme, intense, or exciting. It can refer to a difficult ski run, a big jump, or a trick that requires skill and bravery.

• For example , “That double black diamond run was gnarly!”
• A skier might say , “I just landed a gnarly backflip!”
• Another might exclaim , “The terrain park has some gnarly features!”

7. Faceplant

This term is used to describe a fall while skiing where the skier lands face-first in the snow. It can happen when a skier loses balance, catches an edge, or fails to execute a trick properly.

• For instance , “I hit a patch of ice and faceplanted.”
• A skier might say , “I tried to do a trick off a jump, but I ended up faceplanting.”
• Another might joke , “I faceplanted so hard, I think I left an imprint in the snow!”

This term is used to describe someone who is easily identifiable on the slopes due to their lack of skiing or snowboarding ability or their choice of clothing. It is often used in a lighthearted or teasing manner.

• For example , “Look at that gaper trying to navigate the mogul field.”
• A local skier might say , “The mountain is always filled with gapers during the holiday season.”
• Another might comment , “I used to be a gaper when I first started skiing.”

This term refers to the social activities and relaxation that take place after a day of skiing. It can include enjoying drinks, food, and conversation with friends or fellow skiers.

• For instance , “Let’s meet up at the lodge for some après ski.”
• A skier might say , “Après is my favorite part of the ski day.”
• Another might suggest , “We should find a cozy bar for some après-ski drinks.”

10. Chatter

This term is used to describe the vibration or shaking that occurs in skis when they lose contact with the snow surface. It can happen when the skis are not properly tuned or when the skier is skiing at high speeds.

• For example , “I was going so fast that my skis started to chatter.”
• A skier might say , “I need to get my skis tuned to reduce chatter.”
• Another might comment , “Chatter can make it difficult to carve turns effectively.”

To “huck” means to take a big jump or launch oneself into the air while skiing or snowboarding. It usually refers to a jump that requires a lot of skill or bravery.

• For example , “He hucked himself off a huge cliff and landed perfectly.”
• In a discussion about freestyle skiing , someone might say, “She’s known for hucking massive tricks in the terrain park.”
• A ski instructor might advise , “Start with smaller jumps and work your way up to hucking the big ones.”

12. Yard sale

When a skier falls and loses all of their gear, such as skis, poles, and goggles, it’s referred to as a “yard sale.” The term comes from the idea that the skier’s belongings are scattered all over the slope, resembling items for sale on a yard sale.

• For instance , “He wiped out so hard that it was a complete yard sale.”
• In a funny video of ski fails , someone might comment, “That was an epic yard sale.”
• A friend might tease , “Nice yard sale! Did you find any good deals?”

To “jib” means to ride or slide on a rail or box feature in a terrain park. It involves balancing and maneuvering on the feature using the edges of the skis or snowboard.

• For example , “He jibbed the rail with a smooth 50-50 grind.”
• In a conversation about freestyle skiing , someone might ask, “Have you tried jibbing the new box in the park?”
• A ski instructor might give tips on jibbing , saying, “Keep your weight centered and use your edges to control your speed.”

Being “stoked” means feeling extremely excited or enthusiastic about something, especially skiing or snowboarding. It conveys a sense of anticipation and eagerness.

• For instance , “I’m so stoked for the fresh powder tomorrow!”
• In a group chat about a ski trip , someone might say, “Who else is stoked to hit the slopes this weekend?”
• A ski resort advertisement might use the phrase , “Get stoked for the best skiing experience of your life!”

15. Face shot

A “face shot” refers to the experience of getting a blast of snow in the face while skiing or snowboarding. It usually happens when skiing through deep powder or when another skier or snowboarder creates a cloud of snow.

• For example , “He took a tight turn and got a massive face shot.”
• In a video of epic powder skiing , someone might comment, “Those face shots look incredible!”
• A friend might joke , “You had so many face shots today, you must have swallowed half the mountain!”

16. Groomer

A “groomer” refers to a machine used to maintain ski slopes by flattening and smoothing the snow. It is typically equipped with a blade or tiller to create a smooth surface for skiing.

• For example , “The groomer made several passes on the slope to ensure optimal skiing conditions.”
• A skier might comment , “The groomer did a great job, the slopes are perfectly groomed.”
• Another skier might ask , “Do you know when the groomer will be out on the mountain?”

The term “rando” is a shortened form of “randonee,” which refers to a type of ski touring. Ski touring involves using special bindings that allow the heel to be lifted, enabling skiers to ascend slopes and then descend on their skis.

• For instance , “I’m planning a rando trip this weekend, exploring the backcountry on skis.”
• A skier might ask , “Do you have any tips for rando skiing? I’m new to it.”
• Another might say , “Rando skiing is a great way to get off the beaten path and discover new terrain.”

In skiing slang, a “bomber” refers to a skier who goes down a slope at high speed and with a fearless, aggressive style. It is often used to describe someone who is skilled and confident in their skiing abilities.

• For example , “He’s a real bomber on the slopes, always pushing the limits.”
• A skier might say , “I tried to keep up with a group of bombers, but they were too fast for me.”
• Another skier might comment , “That guy is a total bomber, he shreds the slopes with no fear.”

The term “piste” refers to a marked and groomed ski trail or slope. It is typically maintained by ski resorts to provide skiers with designated routes to follow.

• For instance , “Let’s stick to the piste and avoid skiing off-piste.”
• A skier might ask , “Are there any beginner-friendly pistes on this mountain?”
• Another might comment , “The piste was well-groomed and perfect for carving turns.”

In skiing slang, a “chute” refers to a narrow and steep ski run or slope. It is often characterized by its tight, confined space and challenging terrain.

• For example , “I love skiing down chutes, it’s an adrenaline rush.”
• A skier might say , “That chute is too advanced for me, I’ll stick to the wider slopes.”
• Another skier might comment , “Navigating a chute requires precise turns and control.”

21. Freshies

This term refers to freshly fallen snow that has not been skied on yet. “Freshies” is used to describe the ideal skiing conditions.

• For example , a skier might say, “Let’s hit the slopes early to catch some freshies.”
• Another might post on social media , “Just got back from an epic day on the mountain. The freshies were unbelievable!”
• A ski resort might advertise , “Come experience the thrill of skiing on untouched freshies.”

Short for telemark skiing, a technique where the skier’s heel is not attached to the ski binding. “Tele” is used as a shorthand term for this style of skiing.

• For instance , a skier might say, “I’ve been telemarking for years and love the freedom it gives me.”
• A discussion about different skiing styles might include someone saying , “I’ve tried both alpine and tele skiing, and I prefer tele because of the challenge.”
• A ski instructor might explain , “Telemark skiing requires a different set of skills and balance compared to traditional alpine skiing.”

A bump on a ski slope caused by skiers repeatedly turning in the same spot. “Bump” is a colloquial term for these uneven terrain features.

• For example , a skier might say, “I enjoy the challenge of skiing moguls and navigating through the bumps.”
• Another might comment , “The black diamond run was covered in moguls, making it a thrilling ride.”
• A ski instructor might give tips on skiing moguls , saying, “Keep your knees flexible and absorb the impact of each bump to maintain control.”

24. Corduroy

Refers to a ski slope that has been freshly groomed, resulting in parallel lines resembling corduroy fabric. “Corduroy” is used to describe the smooth and even surface.

• For instance , a skier might say, “The corduroy on the slopes this morning was perfect for carving.”
• Another might post a photo on social media with the caption , “Morning runs on corduroy are the best way to start the day.”
• A ski resort might advertise , “Come enjoy our perfectly groomed corduroy slopes for an exceptional skiing experience.”

A term used to describe a skilled and aggressive skier who navigates difficult terrain with ease. “Ripper” is often used to refer to an expert skier.

• For example , a skier might say, “That guy is a ripper. He can handle any slope with confidence.”
• Another might comment , “I aspire to become a ripper one day and conquer the steepest runs.”
• A ski instructor might praise a student , saying, “You’re progressing quickly. Soon, you’ll be skiing like a ripper!”

26. Backcountry

This term refers to skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas outside of designated ski resorts. It often involves skiing on natural terrain and can be more challenging and adventurous than skiing on groomed slopes.

• For example , a skier might say, “I love exploring the backcountry and finding untouched powder.”
• A guide might lead a backcountry tour and say , “Make sure you have the necessary equipment and knowledge before venturing into the backcountry.”
• Someone might post a photo of a backcountry adventure with the caption , “Nothing beats the solitude and beauty of the backcountry.”

Slalom is a type of ski race where skiers navigate through a series of gates placed close together. The goal is to complete the course in the fastest time possible while skiing around the gates without missing any.

• For instance , a skier might say, “I’m training for the slalom race next month.”
• A commentator might describe a skier’s technique during a slalom race , saying, “She’s making quick, precise turns through the gates.”
• A fan of ski racing might post , “Watching the slalom race is so exciting! The athletes are incredibly skilled.”

28. Goggle tan

This term refers to the tan lines that are left on a skier’s face after wearing goggles while skiing. The goggles protect the eyes from the sun, leaving the area around the eyes and forehead paler compared to the rest of the face.

• For example , someone might say, “I spent all day on the slopes and now I have a goggle tan.”
• A skier might post a selfie with the caption , “Goggle tans are proof of a great day on the mountain.”
• A friend might comment on a photo , saying, “Nice goggle tan! You must have had perfect weather for skiing.”

29. Snow plow

Snow plow, also known as a wedge, is a basic skiing technique used by beginners to control their speed and make turns. It involves positioning the skis in a V shape, with the tips close together and the tails apart, creating a braking effect.

• For instance , a ski instructor might say, “Start by practicing the snow plow to get comfortable on the slopes.”
• A beginner skier might ask , “How do I improve my snow plow technique?”
• Someone might give advice to a friend , saying, “If you’re going too fast, try using the snow plow to slow down.”

30. Tree well

A tree well is a void or hollow space that forms around the base of a tree in deep snow. It can be dangerous for skiers and snowboarders as falling into a tree well can lead to entrapment and suffocation.

• For example , a safety guide might warn, “Be cautious when skiing near trees and avoid tree wells.”
• A skier might share a close call experience , saying, “I accidentally fell into a tree well, but luckily my friend was able to help me out.”
• A snowboarder might post a PSA , saying, “Remember to always ski or ride with a buddy and stay aware of the risks, including tree wells.”

You may also like

• Essential Ski Vocabulary [Infographic]

• Posted on 15/02/2018
• Categories: Blog
• Tags: Language Exchange , Learn English , Resources to learn English , Vocabulary

Are you a ski-fanatic that spends all week dreaming about white-capped peaks, fluffy snow and hearty mountain food?

With a number of top ski resorts within easy driving distance from Barcelona this doesn’t just have to be a dream!

If you are thinking about going with family and friends, check out our essential ski vocabulary infographic below.

Study English at Oxford House Barcelona

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5 Tips to Get the Best Out of Quizlet

• By: oxfordadmin
• Posted on 07/02/2018

5 Powerful Tools to Perfect Your Pronunciation

• Posted on 22/02/2018

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This Ski Resort Town Was Just Named the Most Expensive Vacation Destination in the U.S.

You may want to start saving up for that vacation right now.

janelca/Getty Images

The average cost of a one-week vacation in the U.S. for just one person hit nearly $2,000 in 2023, up by more than $400 over the previous year, according to a study by Bankrate . And this is just for a basic trip. But if you're hoping to go to places like New York City , you're going to spend a pretty penny, as it was just named the eighth most expensive destination in America. 

The travel experts at OptimosTravel recently analyzed more than 100 vacation spots in the United States, assessing each on the price of a daily meal, public transit, accommodation rates, and attraction fees, all in an effort to uncover the 10 most expensive vacation destinations in the nation. After crunching the numbers, it found that Aspen, Colorado, is the most expensive of all. 

"Aspen, Colorado, tops the list as the most expensive vacation spot, with a total daily cost of $761.39 per person, leading to a whopping $5,329.72 for a 7-day trip per person," the team noted in its findings, which it shared with Travel + Leisure.

The research crew noted that gourmet meals can cost upward of $100.5 per day, while "opulent accommodations" cost $494.56 per night. "Aspen's breathtaking scenery comes with a premium price tag," it added, "and for a family of four, the skies are the limit at $13,691. Even with modest transportation costs at $7, the city's unmatched offerings ensure its status as the epitome of luxury travel." 

Joining Aspen at the top of the most expensive list is Park City, Utah, in second, where travelers can expect to pay $93.75 for daily meals and $471 per night for lodging. "A week's stay costs $4,971 for one and $12,632 for a family of four," the team shared.

Maui, Hawaii, wasn't far behind in third, with a daily cost of $682. "It boasts the highest meals ($112.50) and lodging ($534.11) among top destinations, but affordable attractions ($26.63) balance the cost. A week costs $4,762 solo or $10,782 for families." 

These spots were followed by Montauk, New York, in fourth, with a daily cost of $613.77; Santa Monica, California, in fifth with a daily cost of $592.05; Key West, Florida in sixth, with a daily cost of $537; Charleston in seventh with a daily cost of $535.68; and New York City in eighth with a daily cost of $511.34.

Rounding out the top 10 is Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts in ninth with a daily cost of $496.65, and one more ski town, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in 10th, with a daily cost of $490 per day. And while, yes, this all sounds expensive, you can't really put a price tag on making new memories. Right? See the full findings at optimostravel.com .

Wheel of Misfortune: Boynton woman in good spirits after vowel slip-up costs her Hawaii trip

Boynton beach's kim weisenberg meant to say one letter in an effort to solve the 'wheel of fortune' puzzle. somehow, she said another..

Boynton Beach resident Kim Weisenberg had grand visions going into her once-in-a-lifetime shot on the television game show "Wheel of Fortune."

Spinning the wheel and landing on that coveted million-dollar wedge, solving puzzles and winning big to help her parents pay off debt, pay off her own student loans and take her family on vacation were all part of the dream scenario.

It didn't exactly work out that way and although she ended up with one of the more heartbreaking moments in the show's history, she did win a chunk of money, a trip and wound up with a lifetime of great memories.

'Wheel of Fortune' contestant from Boynton Beach started strong, then stumbled

Weisenberg, who is a yoga instructor, started out on fire, winning a total of $12,000 in cash and prizes —$4,000 for solving two puzzles including a “Toss Up” — and a trip to San Antonio, Texas, valued at $8,000.

Then came the fifth puzzle, which was a prize puzzle with a category of "Place." Weisenberg was in great position to strike it big after accumulating $17,550 in wheel spins. Her first guess alone earned her a whopping $14,000 by landing on the $3,500 wedge and correctly guessing four T's.

After several successful turns, only three letters were missing with the puzzle reading THE ENTRANCE T_ A CA_T_E.

This is when things took a surprising twist for Weisenberg. She wasn't sure what the last word was, but she figured the first four words were "THE ENTRANCE TO A" so she decided to buy a vowel, specifically an "O" to help solve the puzzle.

"I would either see that there was still another vowel, or I would see that there were no more vowels,” she said of her strategy.

The only problem: her brain thought the letter "O" and what came out of her mouth was the letter "U."

Silence. Then the dreaded buzzer and a gasp from the crowd.

REALITY TV: Why a North Palm woman self-eliminated herself from 'Farmer Wants a Wife'

The camera then panned to Chicago public school instructional coach Takyra Garner, who was the contestant next to Weisenberg. Host Pat Sajak told Garner she could solve the puzzle if she wanted.

"The entrance to a castle," Garner said, winning a trip to Hawaii worth $8,299 along with $11,000 in her earnings.

"Yeah, that's it!" Sajak responded.

But Sajak wanted to take a moment to console Weisenberg.

"I know the game can be brutal sometimes," the host said to Weisenberg. "Sometimes you have a word that just doesn't want to come into focus. Don't beat yourself up."

Weisenberg said she had applied her yoga breathing and mindfulness techniques to stay calm and help fellow contestants do the same. However, that all went out the window when she had her costly hiccup.

“I intended to say ‘O’ and somehow ‘U’ slipped out," she explained. "I literally fell over. You don’t see that on the show, but I fell over. If I had said ‘O,’ I would have gotten it.

"You have to make a decision so fast, or they move on from your turn. When you’re up there, it’s so different than playing on your couch. There were a million things going on in my mind. I tried to focus so hard. That word ‘castle’ wouldn’t come to me.”

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Weisenberg, who is married with two boys Everett, 10, and Finley, 5, said she grew up watching "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy."

“I have always been a fan since I was a little girl," she said. "I wanted to be Vanna White growing up. There was a contest where they had people try out to be Vanna and they did a show to be her. I didn’t get selected for that, but when I got to be a contestant, I felt like I was a bottle of champagne that was shaken up. I was so excited.”

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Weisenberg said Everett spotted her knack at solving puzzles and encouraged her to apply four years ago. It wasn’t until last July that she heard back from producers and went through the casting process. To prepare, she played a lot of puzzles in her spare time.

“I have those old-school variety puzzle games. I play 'Hangman' when I’m out to dinner with my kids and we need to keep them entertained and off technology,” she said. “There’s a 'Wheel of Fortune' app that I play. I am in a book club. I do audio, so I don’t see the actual word, but I hear it, so I’m wondering if that helped a little bit too.”

'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak had nice words during commercial break

Weisenberg filmed her episode on Feb. 22, just in time to appear on one of longtime host Pat Sajack’s last episodes before he retires. After 41 years, Sajak, 77, will take his final bow on the June 7 episode and will be replaced by Ryan Seacrest next season. Vanna White renewed her contract as the letter flipper through the 2025-2026 season.

“I adore (Pat). I think he’s the sweetest guy. Even on that puzzle that I messed up on, he was like, ‘Don’t beat yourself up.’

"Afterward, during a commercial break, he was like, ‘It happens to everybody. Don’t worry about it,’ ” she said. “He seems like the nicest person, the classic game show host. I couldn’t be more grateful to have both of them be the hosts when I was there. (Vanna) is as American as apple pie.”

Weisenberg’s dad accompanied her on her first trip to California when she flew out to Los Angeles to film "Wheel." During their brief visit, they squeezed in some sightseeing. The daddy-daughter duo shared on Instagram their trip to the Santa Monica Pier, a long walk to Venice and back and a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to the oceanfront seafood restaurant Duke’s in Malibu where she enjoyed watching the waves crash on rocks and sunset during dinner.