Ski Terminology: A Comprehensive Guide
Skiing has its own unique language, with slang, technical terms, and resort lingo that help skiers and snowboarders communicate on the mountain. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro, knowing these terms will help you navigate the slopes with confidence.
General Skiing Terms
Alpine Skiing – Also called downhill skiing, where both the toe and heel of the boot are fixed to the ski. The most common type of skiing at resorts.
Backcountry Skiing – Skiing in unmarked, unpatrolled areas outside of a ski resort, often requiring hiking or skinning uphill before skiing down.
Carving – Making controlled turns by tilting the skis on their edges, creating smooth, clean arcs in the snow.
Groomer – A trail that has been smoothed and packed by a snow groomer (snowcat), providing an ideal surface for skiing.
Moguls – Bumps formed on ski runs due to repeated skier turns, creating a field of rounded mounds that require a quick turning technique to navigate.
Freeride Skiing – A style of skiing focused on off-piste terrain, steep lines, and natural features, without racing gates or terrain park features.
Freestyle Skiing – A skiing discipline that includes tricks, jumps, and aerial maneuvers, often in terrain parks or halfpipes.
Telemark Skiing – A hybrid style of skiing that combines Alpine and Nordic techniques with bindings that attach only at the toe, allowing for a lunging, free-heel motion.
Cross-Country Skiing (Nordic Skiing) – Skiing on flat or rolling terrain, with bindings that allow the heel to lift, using a kick-and-glide motion.
Piste – A groomed ski trail within a ski resort.
Off-Piste – Skiing outside of marked trails, often in ungroomed, backcountry terrain.
Pow (Powder) – Fresh, light, and fluffy snow that has not been packed or skied on—the holy grail of skiing conditions.
Crud – Chunky, uneven snow, often a mix of powder and tracks left by other skiers, making it difficult to ski through.
Corn Snow – Melted and refrozen snow that forms a granular texture, often found in spring skiing conditions.
Slush – Wet, heavy snow that occurs in warmer temperatures, common in the late season.
Whiteout – A blizzard or heavy snowfall that severely reduces visibility on the slopes.
Base Depth – The total amount of snow on the ground, measured in inches or centimeters.
Vertical Drop – The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest point of a ski resort or run.
Ski Wax – Applied to the base of skis to reduce friction, improve glide, and enhance performance based on snow conditions.
Ski Patrol – A team of trained professionals responsible for slope safety, rescue, and avalanche control at a ski resort.
Avalanche – A rapid, dangerous slide of snow, ice, and debris down a mountain.
Cornice – An overhanging ledge of wind-packed snow on a ridge or cliff—dangerous and prone to breaking off.
Types of Ski Runs & Ratings
🏔️ Green Circle – The easiest trails, suitable for beginners.
🔹 Blue Square – Intermediate runs, steeper and more challenging than green runs.
⚫ Black Diamond – Difficult runs, for advanced skiers. Often steep, narrow, or with moguls.
⚫⚫ Double Black Diamond – Expert-only terrain, featuring cliffs, tight chutes, or technical sections.
🟡 Yellow – European resorts use yellow markings to indicate off-piste runs that are still monitored.
🚩 Marked vs. Unmarked Runs – In some resorts, "marked" means maintained trails, while "unmarked" means natural terrain that may be patrolled but not groomed.
Lift & Resort Terminology
Gondola – An enclosed, cable-suspended lift that carries multiple passengers up the mountain.
Chairlift – An open-air lift that carries skiers on a suspended chair.
Tram – A large, enclosed aerial lift that transports a high volume of people up the mountain.
Magic Carpet – A conveyor belt-style lift used on beginner slopes.
Base Lodge – The main building at the bottom of the mountain where skiers find ticket booths, rentals, food, and seating.
Summit – The highest point of a ski resort.
Lift Line – The area where skiers wait to board a chairlift or gondola.
Boundary Line – Marked signs indicating the edge of a ski resort’s controlled area. Skiing beyond this can be dangerous.
Slang & Fun Ski Terms
Shred – To ski or snowboard aggressively and with style.
Rip – To ski fast and with confidence.
Send It – To go for a big jump, cliff drop, or difficult run with full commitment.
Schralp – To carve aggressively through deep powder.
Hot Lap – A quick, non-stop run down the mountain.
Gnar (Gnarly) – Extreme skiing conditions or crazy lines (e.g., “That chute was pure gnar!”).
Boot Pack – Hiking up a slope on foot while carrying skis.
Boost – Catching big air off a jump.
Après-Ski – The social scene and activities after skiing, often including drinks, food, and live music.
Ski Racing & Freestyle Terms
Slalom – A ski race with tightly spaced gates requiring quick, precise turns.
Giant Slalom (GS) – Similar to slalom, but with wider, faster turns.
Super-G – A high-speed downhill race with fewer turns than GS.
Downhill – The fastest Alpine ski racing discipline, focusing on speed rather than turns.
Halfpipe – A U-shaped snow structure where freestyle skiers perform aerial tricks.
Terrain Park – A designated area with jumps, rails, and boxes for freestyle skiing and snowboarding.
Kicker – A jump or ramp built into a terrain park.
Rail Slide – A trick where a skier slides along a metal rail or box.
Butter – A trick where skiers press into the tips or tails to perform smooth, spinning moves.
Cork – A flipping spin performed in midair.
Knowing these terms will help you navigate the slopes with confidence and style.
