Skiing Glossary - Snow Skiing Terms
Glossary of downhill skiing and cross country skiing terms, including definitions.
Adaptive Skiing
Adaptive skiing enables skiers with disabilities to participate in alpine skiing by using special equipment.
Adaptive skiing enables skiers with disabilities to participate in alpine skiing by using special equipment.
Alpine Skiing
Alpine skiing is skiing downhill on a mountain.
Alpine skiing is skiing downhill on a mountain.
Après-Ski
Après-Ski refers to the end of the day when the mountain has closed and the restaurants and bars are open for socializing.
Après-Ski refers to the end of the day when the mountain has closed and the restaurants and bars are open for socializing.
Average Annual Snowfall
Average Annual Snowfall is the amount of snow a mountain gets during a year.
Average Annual Snowfall is the amount of snow a mountain gets during a year.
Backcountry Skiing
Backcountry skiing is skiing on terrain that isn't marked, mapped, or groomed. It offers skiers a chance to brave more challenging terrain in a more natural setting, and sometimes even make the first tracks in fresh powder.
Backcountry skiing is skiing on terrain that isn't marked, mapped, or groomed. It offers skiers a chance to brave more challenging terrain in a more natural setting, and sometimes even make the first tracks in fresh powder.
Base
The base is the average amount of snow that is on a ski trail, typically measured in inches.
The base is the average amount of snow that is on a ski trail, typically measured in inches.
Bindings
Bindings attach your boots to your skis. They are set to skier classification, height, and weight and should only be set by a certified technician.
Bindings attach your boots to your skis. They are set to skier classification, height, and weight and should only be set by a certified technician.
Black Diamond
Black Diamonds are the color and symbol used to mark advanced ski trails. Black Diamond ski trails are often difficult to ski and have advanced terrain.
Black Diamonds are the color and symbol used to mark advanced ski trails. Black Diamond ski trails are often difficult to ski and have advanced terrain.
Blackout Day
A blackout day is a day when, while using a season pass, your season pass is not valid and you must purchase a normal lift ticket if you wish to ski that day.
A blackout day is a day when, while using a season pass, your season pass is not valid and you must purchase a normal lift ticket if you wish to ski that day.
Blue Bird Day
A blue bird day is a beautiful sunny day after an overnight snowfall. It's a perfect skiing day with a clear blue sky, bright sun, and fresh snow.
A blue bird day is a beautiful sunny day after an overnight snowfall. It's a perfect skiing day with a clear blue sky, bright sun, and fresh snow.
Blue Square
Blue squares are the color and symbol used to mark intermediate ski trails.
Blue squares are the color and symbol used to mark intermediate ski trails.
Bunny Slope
The bunny slope is a ski area with a gentle slope where beginner skiers are taught to ski.
The bunny slope is a ski area with a gentle slope where beginner skiers are taught to ski.
Carving
Carving is when you ski a turn with very little skidding, using the edges of your skis.
Carving is when you ski a turn with very little skidding, using the edges of your skis.
Catching Air
Catching air is going fast enough to have both lift skis off the snow after skiing over a bump.
Catching air is going fast enough to have both lift skis off the snow after skiing over a bump.
Catching an Edge
Catching an edge is a fall or near-fall where the edge of your ski digs into the snow, usually catching a groove made by the ski of another skier.
Catching an edge is a fall or near-fall where the edge of your ski digs into the snow, usually catching a groove made by the ski of another skier.
Chair Lift
A chair lift is a mechanized, cable-suspended, aerial chair device used to carry skiers up a mountain slope.
A chair lift is a mechanized, cable-suspended, aerial chair device used to carry skiers up a mountain slope.
Combined Ski Races - Combined and Super Combined Ski Races
Super combined (super combi) ski races includes a single slalom race and either a shorter than normal downhill run or a super G race. In the super combined, the times of each race are added together and the fastest total time determines the winner.
Super combined (super combi) ski races includes a single slalom race and either a shorter than normal downhill run or a super G race. In the super combined, the times of each race are added together and the fastest total time determines the winner.
Corn Snow
Corn snow is a wet snow usually found in springtime that has gone through a series of melt – freeze cycles. These cycles start with a night freeze causing a crust of frozen snow with wet snow underneath.
Corn snow is a wet snow usually found in springtime that has gone through a series of melt – freeze cycles. These cycles start with a night freeze causing a crust of frozen snow with wet snow underneath.
Cross Country Skiing
Cross country skiing is skiing over level ground or small hills.
Cross country skiing is skiing over level ground or small hills.
Crud
Crud is snow that is a combination of powder snow and patches of ice or snow that is slippery or crusty on the surface and soft underneath.
Crud is snow that is a combination of powder snow and patches of ice or snow that is slippery or crusty on the surface and soft underneath.
Crust
Crust is soft snow that has a layer of harden, frozen crust (hence the name) on the top. Freezing rain, direct sunlight, or the melting and refreezing of the top layer of powder can result in crust.
Crust is soft snow that has a layer of harden, frozen crust (hence the name) on the top. Freezing rain, direct sunlight, or the melting and refreezing of the top layer of powder can result in crust.
Diagonal Stride
Diagonal stride is the equivalent of walking in cross-country skiing.
Diagonal stride is the equivalent of walking in cross-country skiing.
DIN (Deutsche Industrie Normen) Setting
The DIN (Deutsche Industrie Normen) setting determines how easily the binding will release the ski boot from the ski when a skier falls.
The DIN (Deutsche Industrie Normen) setting determines how easily the binding will release the ski boot from the ski when a skier falls.
Double Black Diamond
Double Black Diamonds are used to mark very advanced ski trails that are difficult to ski and have expert terrain.
Double Black Diamonds are used to mark very advanced ski trails that are difficult to ski and have expert terrain.
Downhill Ski Racing
Downhill ski races are designed to be the longest and ultimately generate the highest speed from the skiers. Each skier makes one run only. The skier with the fastest time is the winner. As in all Alpine events, skiers are timed to one hundredth of a second and any ties stand as that.
Downhill ski races are designed to be the longest and ultimately generate the highest speed from the skiers. Each skier makes one run only. The skier with the fastest time is the winner. As in all Alpine events, skiers are timed to one hundredth of a second and any ties stand as that.
Fall Line
The fall line is the line on the mountain down which water would flow if poured down the slope (the straightest and the steepest line down the mountain).
The fall line is the line on the mountain down which water would flow if poured down the slope (the straightest and the steepest line down the mountain).
Freestyle Aerial Competition
Freestyle aerial skiing competition require the competitors to ski a ramp leading to a high kick-off jump. Each "kicker block" is built to a varying formula of rate-of-rise to distance of the initial rise to the top. This allows the competitors to pre-choose 2 of the collection of back flips, twists and turns they will perform based on their own style and technique. What they choose combines to a…
Freestyle aerial skiing competition require the competitors to ski a ramp leading to a high kick-off jump. Each "kicker block" is built to a varying formula of rate-of-rise to distance of the initial rise to the top. This allows the competitors to pre-choose 2 of the collection of back flips, twists and turns they will perform based on their own style and technique. What they choose combines to a…
Freestyle Moguls Competition
Freestyle moguls competition includes a course which is a set of manmade moguls, or bumps, on a steep slope that will provide 3 or 4 lines or paths down. The goal is to ski down through the bumps as fast as possible doing the tricks off the two jumps.
Freestyle moguls competition includes a course which is a set of manmade moguls, or bumps, on a steep slope that will provide 3 or 4 lines or paths down. The goal is to ski down through the bumps as fast as possible doing the tricks off the two jumps.
Freestyle Skiing
Freestyle skiing is a type of skiing where skiers do tricks or jumps. From skiing on halfpipes to getting air and soaring over jumps (and then doing tricks in the air), freestyle skiers also ski moguls. While skiing down close set moguls, freestyle skiers race through moguls and then ski over a jump.
Freestyle skiing is a type of skiing where skiers do tricks or jumps. From skiing on halfpipes to getting air and soaring over jumps (and then doing tricks in the air), freestyle skiers also ski moguls. While skiing down close set moguls, freestyle skiers race through moguls and then ski over a jump.
Glacier Skiing
Glacier skiing is downhill skiing or crosscountry skiing in glaciers. Most glacier skiing is done in the summer, when mountains in the northern hemisphere are closed.
Glacier skiing is downhill skiing or crosscountry skiing in glaciers. Most glacier skiing is done in the summer, when mountains in the northern hemisphere are closed.
Glade Skiing
Glade skiing is skiing back and forth through trees.
Glade skiing is skiing back and forth through trees.
Goggles
Goggles are tight–fitting glasses that are used to protect the eyes from snow, wind, and glare.
Goggles are tight–fitting glasses that are used to protect the eyes from snow, wind, and glare.
Gondola
A gondola is an enclosed structure suspended from a cable that transports skiers up the mountain.
A gondola is an enclosed structure suspended from a cable that transports skiers up the mountain.
Granular Snow
Granular snow is snow with the consistency of small pellets. types of granular snow includes loose, wet, and frozen granular snow.
Granular snow is snow with the consistency of small pellets. types of granular snow includes loose, wet, and frozen granular snow.
Grass Skiing
Grass skiing is sometimes considered summer’s equivalent to winter snow skiing. While not as popular as its cold weather counterpart, skiing on grass instead of snow has made a name for itself, especially in Europe.
Grass skiing is sometimes considered summer’s equivalent to winter snow skiing. While not as popular as its cold weather counterpart, skiing on grass instead of snow has made a name for itself, especially in Europe.
Green Circle
Green circles are the color and symbol used to mark beginner trails (the easiest trails to ski).
Green circles are the color and symbol used to mark beginner trails (the easiest trails to ski).
Heli-Skiing
Heli-Skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing that is reached by a helicopter.
Heli-Skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing that is reached by a helicopter.
Moguls
Moguls are a series of bumps on a trail that a skier skis around, formed naturally after many skiers travel down the slope on the same path or man-made by machine.
Moguls are a series of bumps on a trail that a skier skis around, formed naturally after many skiers travel down the slope on the same path or man-made by machine.
Mountain Casual Attire
Mountain casual attire is the norm at many ski resorts. Mountain casual dress is basically casual attire. If the restaurant dress code says mountain casual, jeans, corduroys, and other casual pants, plus a sweater or shirt, is fine. For nice mountain casual, you may want to dress it up a little with a collared shirt.
Mountain casual attire is the norm at many ski resorts. Mountain casual dress is basically casual attire. If the restaurant dress code says mountain casual, jeans, corduroys, and other casual pants, plus a sweater or shirt, is fine. For nice mountain casual, you may want to dress it up a little with a collared shirt.
Off Piste
Off piste skiing is on ungroomed terrain that is not marked into trails.
Off piste skiing is on ungroomed terrain that is not marked into trails.
Packed Powder
Packed powder snow is now that is compressed and flattened either by skier and snowboarder traffic or by grooming equipment.
Packed powder snow is now that is compressed and flattened either by skier and snowboarder traffic or by grooming equipment.
Powder
Powder snow is freshly fallen, loose and fluffy snow.
Powder snow is freshly fallen, loose and fluffy snow.
Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)
The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) is the premier organization offering training and certification for U.S. Ski Instructors.
The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) is the premier organization offering training and certification for U.S. Ski Instructors.
Randonee Skiing
Randonee skiing, also known as Alpine Touring (AT), is a form of skiing in which athletes ascend the mountain under their own power through the use of specialized bindings and "skins."
Randonee skiing, also known as Alpine Touring (AT), is a form of skiing in which athletes ascend the mountain under their own power through the use of specialized bindings and "skins."
Season Pass
A season pass provides discounted ski resort lift tickets throughout ski season.
A season pass provides discounted ski resort lift tickets throughout ski season.
Ski Binding
The ski binding attaches the ski boot to the ski.
The ski binding attaches the ski boot to the ski.
Ski Boot Footbeds
Ski boot footbeds are inserts (orthotics) molded to bring the load bearing parts of the foot in sync with the gravitational force of the skeletal system. A ski boot footbed is molded from a semi-rigid material which distributes the forces developed on the foot during a ski turn.
Ski boot footbeds are inserts (orthotics) molded to bring the load bearing parts of the foot in sync with the gravitational force of the skeletal system. A ski boot footbed is molded from a semi-rigid material which distributes the forces developed on the foot during a ski turn.
Ski Cross Competition
Ski Cross is a skiing competition event where skiers race in a mass start group of four on a course of bumps and turns best described as a vertical snow covered motorbike "motocross" venue.
Ski Cross is a skiing competition event where skiers race in a mass start group of four on a course of bumps and turns best described as a vertical snow covered motorbike "motocross" venue.
Ski Cross
Ski Cross is a skiing competition event where skiers race in a mass start group of four on a course of bumps and turns best described as a vertical snow covered motorbike "motocross" venue (from which the official name Ski Cross and similar monikers "skicross" amd "ski-X" are derived).
Ski Cross is a skiing competition event where skiers race in a mass start group of four on a course of bumps and turns best described as a vertical snow covered motorbike "motocross" venue (from which the official name Ski Cross and similar monikers "skicross" amd "ski-X" are derived).
Ski Lift
A ski lift is the transportation that gets skiers up the mountain. Aerial ski lifts include chairlifts, gondolas, and trams.
A ski lift is the transportation that gets skiers up the mountain. Aerial ski lifts include chairlifts, gondolas, and trams.
Ski-In / Ski-Out
Ski-In / Ski-Out accommodations are mountainside lodging where you can ski-in and ski-out from the hotel or condo directly to the slope.
Ski-In / Ski-Out accommodations are mountainside lodging where you can ski-in and ski-out from the hotel or condo directly to the slope.
Skiboards
Skiboards are short skis - typically 130cm or less. . Some are available with releasable bindings and others with non-releasable bindings, usually they are not fitted with brakes but require runaway straps.
Skiboards are short skis - typically 130cm or less. . Some are available with releasable bindings and others with non-releasable bindings, usually they are not fitted with brakes but require runaway straps.
Skijoring
Skijoring is the sport of being pulled on cross country skis by a dog or dogs in harness.
Skijoring is the sport of being pulled on cross country skis by a dog or dogs in harness.
Slalom Ski Racing
Slalom ski races are traditionally the shortest race. They are comprised of close together turns or gates. Each competitor makes one run, then the course is reset on the same slope, but, with position of the gates changed.
Slalom ski races are traditionally the shortest race. They are comprised of close together turns or gates. Each competitor makes one run, then the course is reset on the same slope, but, with position of the gates changed.
Slush
Slush is snow that is starting to melt, and it's very heavy and very wet. Some would say that slush doesn't even look like snow, and those who've seen slush during spring conditions know how difficult skiing in slush can be.
Slush is snow that is starting to melt, and it's very heavy and very wet. Some would say that slush doesn't even look like snow, and those who've seen slush during spring conditions know how difficult skiing in slush can be.
Snow Plow
The snow plow is one of the first techniques a beginner skier learns. The front tips of the skis are almost touching, which slows the skier and helps maintain control.
The snow plow is one of the first techniques a beginner skier learns. The front tips of the skis are almost touching, which slows the skier and helps maintain control.
Snowblades
Snowblades are short shaped skis, typically 90-130cm, and are also called skiboards. Snowblades use traditional bindings, so you can use your own boots to ski with them.
Snowblades are short shaped skis, typically 90-130cm, and are also called skiboards. Snowblades use traditional bindings, so you can use your own boots to ski with them.
Speed Skiing
Speed skiing is the art of going downhill through a straight measured course with the object of attaining the highest speed possible.
Speed skiing is the art of going downhill through a straight measured course with the object of attaining the highest speed possible.
Super G - Super Giant Slalom
Super G is short for super giant slalom. Races are run on a course shorter than the downhill, but, longer than the GS. The skier with the fastest time over one run is the winner.
Super G is short for super giant slalom. Races are run on a course shorter than the downhill, but, longer than the GS. The skier with the fastest time over one run is the winner.
Uphill Capacity
The uphill capacity is the number of skiers that can be transported to the top of the mountain at a certain time.
The uphill capacity is the number of skiers that can be transported to the top of the mountain at a certain time.
Vertical Drop
The vertical drop is the distance straight down the mountain (measured in feet).
The vertical drop is the distance straight down the mountain (measured in feet).
Yard Sale
A yard sale is when a skier falls and loses his skis and poles, which end up scattered across the mountainside.
A yard sale is when a skier falls and loses his skis and poles, which end up scattered across the mountainside.