Need to Know Ski Terminology

Skiing has a rich vocabulary and specific terminology used to describe various techniques, equipment, and aspects of the sport. Here's a short list of common terms:

Skiing Styles:

• Alpine Skiing: Downhill skiing, typically on groomed slopes, using ski lifts.

• Nordic Skiing: Cross-country skiing on flat or rolling terrain.

• Freestyle Skiing: Involves tricks, jumps, and maneuvers in terrain parks.

• Freeride Skiing: Skiing off-piste, in ungroomed terrain, often in powder snow.

• Backcountry Skiing: Skiing in unmarked or unpatrolled areas outside ski resorts.

Ski Equipment:

• Skis: Long, narrow boards worn on the feet for gliding on snow.

• Bindings: Mechanisms that attach boots to skis, releasing in case of a fall.

• Boots: Footwear specifically designed for skiing, providing ankle support.

• Poles: Tubular shafts with grips used for balance and propulsion.

• Skins: Attachable strips with a special texture used in backcountry skiing for climbing uphill.

• Ski Wax: Applied to the ski base for better glide and control.

• Ski Tuning Tools: Equipment used for ski maintenance and tuning, including files, edge sharpeners, and waxing tools.

Skiing Techniques:

• Carving: Turning skis by tilting them on their edges, creating clean arcs in the snow.

• Edging: Using ski edges to grip the snow for better control and turning.

• Piste: Groomed, marked ski slopes.

• Off-Piste: Ungroomed, unmarked, and often challenging terrain outside the designated ski area.

• Powder: Fresh, soft snow, often found off-piste.

• Moguls: Bumps formed on the slopes due to skier traffic and natural snow movement.

• Jibbing: Performing tricks and maneuvers on non-snow surfaces, like rails and boxes.

Skiing Movements:

• Herringbone: A technique in cross-country skiing where skiers walk uphill with skis forming a V shape.

• Snowplow: A braking technique where skis are positioned in a V shape to slow down.

• Parallel Skiing: Skiing with skis parallel to each other for increased speed and control.

• Tuck Position: Crouching down to reduce air resistance and increase speed.

Skiing Safety:

• Avalanche: A rapid flow of snow down a slope, often in backcountry areas.

• Tree Well: A dangerous void or depression around the base of a tree in deep snow.

• Ski Patrol: Trained individuals responsible for safety and emergency response at ski resorts.

Skiing Competitions:

• Slalom: A race discipline with a course featuring closely spaced gates.

• Giant Slalom (GS): A race with a more open course than slalom but tighter than downhill.

• Downhill: High-speed racing on a longer course with fewer, widely spaced gates.

• Ski Cross: A form of ski racing where multiple skiers race downhill on a course with jumps, rollers, and banked turns.