A class of cable-based transport for snow sports where skiers and snowboarders are carried uphill aboard
chairs, cars, cabins, or
gondolas suspended from a cable in the air, as opposed to
surface lifts, where they remain on the ground.
A sub-discipline of
freestyle skiing and a competitive
Winter Olympic event in which participants ski off of 2–4-metre (7–13 ft)
jumps, propelling them into the air, and then attempt to perform various aerial maneuvers including multiple flips and twists before landing on a designated inclined landing hill.
A type of ski or snowboard that is designed to be the jack of all trades and suitable for any terrain or style of
skiing or
snowboarding. From groomed runs and snowpark to powder and backcountry lines, with all-mountain skis or snowboard you’re ready for anything.
A discipline of
skiing that involves sliding down snow-covered slopes on
skis with fixed-heel
bindings, as opposed to other types of skiing (such as
cross-country) which use skis with
free-heel bindings. Alpine skiing is popular as a recreational activity and competitive sport, both at
ski resorts and
off-piste.
Ski touring through very steep, alpine terrain. Alpine touring makes use of a specialized
binding that allows the heel to be raised when ascending steep slopes but locked down for full support when skiing downhill.
Entertainment, nightlife, or other social activity that occurs at a
ski resort after skiing finishes for the day. The culture originated in the
Alps, where it remains most popular.[2]
The first organized system of teaching the principles of
skiing, developed by
Hannes Schneider in the 1930s.[3]
avalament
The way a skier bends and extends his legs by managing pressure such that the skier allows it to push their legs into their chest while maintaining good contact with the snow.
Any area outside of the boundaries of a
ski resort, or else not patrolled,
groomed, or cleared of
avalanche danger. Backcountry areas are usually remote from roads and services and only accessible by long
tours, hiking, snowmobile, or
helicopter.
Snowboarding in a
backcountry area, generally over ungroomed, unmarked, and unpatrolled slopes.
baseplate
The bottom portion of a
binding which acts as the point of direct contact between the
boot and the ski or snowboard and therefore transfers all movement.
basket
A round or star-shaped piece of plastic located at the bottom of a
ski pole and used to keep the pole from pushing too deeply into the snow.
A device that connects a
ski boot to a
ski or
snowboard, holding the boot firmly so as to allow the skier or snowboarder to transfer the motion of their legs and feet to the ski or snowboard. Most bindings automatically release the boot if certain force limits are exceeded in order to minimize injury during a fall or impact.
A type of footwear designed specifically for
skiing or
snowboarding to provide a way to firmly attach the skier's feet to skis or a snowboard in combination with
bindings.
bowl
A wide mountain basin with slopes on at least three sides that is generally free of trees and other obstacles and conducive to large, swooping turns or steep, speedy dives.
bunny slope
A flat or nearly flat, well-groomed area, usually located near the base of a slope, reserved for beginning skiers or snowboarders and those taking
lessons.
A turning technique used in
skiing in which the skier turns by tilting one or both
skis onto their
edges, whereupon the geometry of the ski's
sidecut causes the ski to bend into an arc and naturally follow this arc shape to produce a turning motion. Performed most easily using specialized
carving skis, carve turns allow skiers to retain much of their speed while turning because, unlike the
stem christie and
parallel turn, the skis do not create drag by
sideslipping.
carving ski
A specialized type of
ski designed specifically for efficient
carve turns, typically with a wide
tip and
tail and a relatively narrow
waist.
A type of
ski lift used for uphill transportation to the top of a ski slope, consisting of a series of chairs, each accommodating one to four skiers, suspended from a continuously moving cable. Skiers board the lift at the bottom of the slope and are deposited at the top, after which the empty chairs are returned to the bottom again.[3]
chatter
Vibration of skis or snowboards caused by traveling at high speeds. Chatter can reduce contact between the ski and the snow and therefore the ability to stay in control.
Also called XC skiing, Nordic skiing, or simply cross-country.
A type of
skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using
ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiers propel themselves either by striding forward or side-to-side in a skating motion and by using their arms to push on
ski poles against the snow. Cross-country skiing is popular as a competitive sport and recreational activity but is also used as a means of transportation.
D
DIN setting
The tension-release setting which determines the amount of force required for a ski
binding to release from the skier's boot during a fall or impact. DIN is an acronym for the German Deutsche Institut für Normung.
The sharpened metal strip on either side of a ski or snowboard, used for gaining control by "biting" into the snow. "Holding an edge" is a key technique to maintaining a smooth, stable turn.
A style of
skiing performed on very long, very steep slopes (often from 45 to 60+ degrees from horizontal) in remote and unmanaged mountainous terrain, where the likelihood and consequences of a fall or injury present inherently dangerous conditions for skiers.
A style of
snowboarding and sometimes skiing performed on natural,
off-piste, ungroomed terrain without a set course, goals, or rules, eschewing man-made features such as jumps, rails, and
half-pipes and emphasizing the use of natural variation in terrain to perform tricks.
Also called jibbing. Often used interchangeably with freeskiing.
A competitive skiing event primarily focused on the performance of tricks and typically comprising
aerial,
mogul,
half-pipe,
ski cross, and
slopestyle disciplines.
A type of
alpine skiing through areas with many trees, either
off-piste or on a defined woods trail. Glade skiing is inherently more difficult and dangerous than skiing in treeless areas because of the many additional natural obstacles, which may include fallen logs, stumps,
tree wells, concealed root systems, or unmarked cliffs and streams.
Snow that is carried down a slope from the top of a hill or mountain by skiers and snowboarders throughout the day. It is similar to powder but usually comes from
hardpack, and therefore is not smooth like fresh snow.
Snow that has been densely compacted by repeated
grooming or skiing and a lack of fresh snowfall, often found on the most popular trails and slopes within a
ski resort's boundaries.
The act or technique of generating forward momentum on skis by spreading the tips apart widely (in a "V" shape) and striding the legs forward independently of each other, so named for the geometric pattern this motion leaves behind in the snow. The technique can be useful when climbing uphill or traversing flat ground on skis.
An identification tag which indicates that a skier or snowboarder has paid for the use of one or more
ski lifts at a particular
ski resort, usually attached to the ticketholder's outerwear for easy access.
A large round protrusion carved out of a snow surface, especially a slope, and typically occurring in "fields" of multiple moguls. Moguls are created both naturally by the repeated turns of skiers and artificially.
Skiing or
snowboarding at night, an activity offered by certain
ski resorts for a limited time after sundown. It is usually permitted only on carefully groomed
pistes illuminated by floodlights.
A discipline of
skiing which involves the use of
skis with
free-heelbindings, in which only the toe of the
ski boot is fixed to the binding, allowing the heel to rise off the ski independently, as opposed to
alpine skiing and its variants, in which the boot is fixed to the ski from toe to heel. Nordic skiing is popular as a recreational activity and competitive sport, both at
ski resorts and
off-piste. Its many variants include
cross-country skiing,
Telemark skiing, and
ski jumping.
A marked trail, run, or pathway down a mountain slope, reserved for skiing, snowboarding, or other alpine sports and generally within the boundaries of a
ski resort. Pistes are usually
groomed, marked with signage and indicated on maps, and rated by their difficulty, as opposed to
off-piste areas.
Snowboarding at a resort where snowboards are explicitly prohibited.
pole planting
powder
Fresh, dry, loosely compacted, and lightweight snow, as opposed to densely compacted or repeatedly
groomed snow such as
hardpack.
powder ski
A type of
ski with a very wide
waist (generally between 105 and 130 mm), designed to "float" atop fresh
powder by keeping the ski from sinking into the snow.
Pain or discomfort in the lower anterior portion of the
tibia (the shin) caused by prolonged pressing of the shin against the tongue of a
ski boot. Shin-bang is common among both skiers and snowboarders, though the condition is generally not serious and is easily remedied.
The inward curvature of a
ski or
snowboard, measured by the difference between the width of the ski or snowboard at the narrowest point of the
waist and the width at the widest point of the
tip or
tail. The curvature of the sidecut greatly influences the ski or snowboard's turning radius: drastic sidecuts allow users to make sharper turns.
sideslipping
The slipping of
skis sideways down a slope, perpendicular to the direction in which they are pointed.[3]
A narrow plank of semi-rigid material attached to the sole of the foot in order to allow the wearer to glide easily over snow, used in the sport of
skiing. Skis are characteristically employed in pairs, one on each foot, and attached to specialized
ski boots with
bindings that secure the toe of the boot and in some disciplines also the heel.
A type of protective eyewear worn by skiers and snowboarders, designed for cold-weather use and to protect the eyes both from snow and from the glare of sunlight.
A building located on the grounds of a
ski resort that provides amenities such as food, drink, restrooms, and storage lockers, among others, for guests and patrons.
A long-distance, usually point-to-point race on skis, often covering more than 40 kilometres (25 mi). Racers may use a variety of skiing techniques depending on the rules of the competition. Participation is usually open to the public and major events may feature thousands of racers.
Any team or organization, often employed by a
ski resort, that promotes ski safety, enforces resort policies, and provides medical, rescue, and hazard prevention services to injured or disabled skiers and snowboarders, usually within the boundaries of a particular ski area but sometimes
off-piste as well. Many ski patrollers have technical-medical certifications or
EMS credentials, and may be trained in
wilderness medicine,
avalanche rescue, and/or evacuation by
ski toboggan,
snowmobile, or
helicopter.
A lightweight handheld pole, often made from aluminum or carbon fiber, used by
skiers for balance and propulsion, typically in pairs. Ski poles are commonly used in
alpine,
freestyle, and
cross-country disciplines, but seldom in other disciplines such as
ski jumping.
A
resort developed for
skiing,
snowboarding, and/or other
winter sports, typically situated within a naturally mountainous area and providing
groomedpistes and one or more
ski lifts to guests for a fee. The term may additionally include other amenities and services or even entire towns adjacent to but operated independently of the ski area.
An establishment or program that offers lessons in
skiing or
snowboarding, typically at a
ski resort. Ski schools may teach a variety of disciplines and techniques to students at a wide range of skill levels, from
first-time skiers to advanced or expert skiers.
The part of the year when
skiing,
snowboarding, or other alpine sports are viable at a particular
ski resort, generally corresponding to the period between the resort's opening date and closing date, during which
ski lifts are operating and lift passes can be purchased or used. Because these sports depend largely on the weather, the start and duration of a ski season can vary considerably between resorts due to latitude, altitude, and other climatic factors, and even for the same resort often varies somewhat from year to year.
Removable strips of fabric that attach to the underside of
skis, designed to allow the skis to slide forward on snow but not backward. Skins are often used in
Nordic and
touring disciplines to help skiers ascend
backcountry slopes.
A full-body suit, usually made of a lightweight but waterproof synthetic material, designed to be worn over normal clothing when skiing or snowboarding.
A type of
free-heelskiing done in the
backcountry in unmarked or unpatrolled areas without the aid of
ski lifts or other transport, often for long distances and multiple days. Ski touring combines elements of
Nordic skiing and
alpine skiing and embraces such sub-disciplines as
Telemark and
randonnée. Touring also typically requires independent navigation and route-finding skills. See also cross-country skiing.
A material applied to the underside of snow runners such as skis and snowboards in order to improve their performance on various types of snow, typically either by minimizing kinetic friction with a so-called glide wax (used to make sliding easier in both
alpine and
cross-country disciplines) or by increasing static friction with a grip wax (used to increase traction in cross-country skiing). Both types of wax are designed to be specifically matched with the varying properties of snow, including crystal type and size and the moisture content of the snow surface.
skier's left
The general direction or area to the left of a skier moving or facing downhill.
skier's right
The general direction or area to the right of a skier moving or facing downhill.
A means of transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive
winter sport in which the participant, known as a skier, glides across a
snow-covered surface using
skis attached to their feet.
A hybrid sport that attempts to combine the
carving of
skiing with the riding feel of
snowboarding using a special piece of equipment called a skwal, which is similar to a
snowboard or
monoski in that both feet are attached to the same board; unlike a snowboard or monoski, however, on a skwal the feet are positioned one in front of the other, in line with the direction of forward movement.
A sub-discipline of
alpine skiing and
snowboarding and a competitive
Winter Olympic event which involves skiing or snowboarding between marked poles or gates. In ordinary slalom events, the poles or gates are spaced more closely than those in
giant slalom,
super giant slalom, and
downhill events, necessitating quicker and shorter turns.
A round-edged board of semi-rigid material used in the sport of
snowboarding, placed beneath and usually attached to the soles of both feet to allow the wearer to glide easily on snow. Snowboards are much wider than
skis (typically between 6 and 12 inches (15 and 30 cm)) to accommodate both feet on the same board, and are differentiated from
monoskis in that the rider stands with feet more or less transverse to the longitude of the board, perpendicular to the direction of travel.
A recreational activity or competitive
winter sport in which the participant, known as a snowboarder or rider, descends a
snow-covered slope while standing on a
snowboard attached to their feet.
A closed-cab, truck-sized vehicle propelled by a
continuous track that is designed to move on snow. Snowcats are employed for a wide variety of purposes from personal use to industrial applications; they are often used for
grooming trails and for transporting skiers to
off-piste slopes in a discipline known as "snowcat skiing".
A type of compact
snowboard, conceived of as a hybrid of a snowboard and a
skateboard, intended primarily to allow riders to perform skateboard-style tricks on the snow.
A
snowboard that can be separated into two
ski-like halves and fitted with climbing
skins to allow the rider to ascend slopes in the same manner as
randonnée and
Telemark skis. Unlike normal snowboards, splitboards usually have nose and tail clips, split hooks, and touring mounts. Splitboarding allows for
free-heel movement and, with skins attached, provides uphill traction; the two halves can later be reconnected to form a regular snowboard for descent.
stem
The technique of angling the
tail of one
ski away from the other ski, into a "V" position, while keeping the
tips generally close together. Stemming is a fundamental movement in many techniques of turning and control.[3]
A basic turning technique used in
skiing, initiated by
stemming one ski outward at an angle to the direction of movement, which forces a change in direction opposite to the stemmed ski, and then bringing the other ski parallel to the angled ski for the duration of the turn.[6]
A class of cable-based transport for snow sports where skiers and snowboarders remain on the ground as they are pulled uphill, as opposed to
aerial lifts, where they are suspended in the air.
swingweight
A specification used in manufacturing skis defined as the resistance of an unweighted
ski to being turned. Lighter skis tend to have a lower swingweight than heavy skis.[3]
T
tail
The back end of a
ski or
snowboard, situated behind the skier or snowboarder.
A skiing technique and competitive sport that combines elements of
alpine skiing and
Nordic skiing, in which skiers perform sharp,
carving turns using a squatting and lunging motion with knees bent, typically on skis with deep
sidecuts and specialized
free-heel bindings.
An outdoor recreation area containing terrain and specially constructed obstacles (jumps,
kickers,
jibs, marked courses, etc.) designed to allow skiers and snowboarders to perform tricks.
A
snowboarding trick in which the rider grabs the
toe edge of the snowboard between the rear binding and the
tail with his or her rear hand. It is a combination of an
indy grab and a
tail grab.
tip
The front end of a
ski or
snowboard, situated in front of the skier or snowboarder.
toe edge
The long edge of a
snowboard toward which the rider's toes are pointed.
tracked out
The condition of a slope of once-fresh snow that has been ridden over repeatedly, discernible by the numerous visible tracks left by previous skiers or snowboarders.
A void or area of loose snow around a tree trunk and beneath its branches which forms because the branches prevent this space from receiving the same amount of snowfall as adjacent open spaces. Tree wells are a significant hazard to skiers and snowboarders because falling into one may result in serious injury, and they are often too deep to easily climb out.
U
uphill ski
The upper
ski (i.e. higher on the hill than the
downhill ski) or the one that will become the upper ski during a turn.[3]
V
vertical drop
The difference in elevation between the base of a ski slope or mountain and its highest point. At
ski resorts, this often refers to the highest point served by a
ski lift rather than the geographical summit of a mountain.
virgin snow
W
waist
The narrowest width of a
ski as viewed from above, usually the area beneath where the
ski boot is positioned.[3]
A class of cable-based transport for snow sports where skiers and snowboarders are carried uphill aboard
chairs, cars, cabins, or
gondolas suspended from a cable in the air, as opposed to
surface lifts, where they remain on the ground.
A sub-discipline of
freestyle skiing and a competitive
Winter Olympic event in which participants ski off of 2–4-metre (7–13 ft)
jumps, propelling them into the air, and then attempt to perform various aerial maneuvers including multiple flips and twists before landing on a designated inclined landing hill.
A type of ski or snowboard that is designed to be the jack of all trades and suitable for any terrain or style of
skiing or
snowboarding. From groomed runs and snowpark to powder and backcountry lines, with all-mountain skis or snowboard you’re ready for anything.
A discipline of
skiing that involves sliding down snow-covered slopes on
skis with fixed-heel
bindings, as opposed to other types of skiing (such as
cross-country) which use skis with
free-heel bindings. Alpine skiing is popular as a recreational activity and competitive sport, both at
ski resorts and
off-piste.
Ski touring through very steep, alpine terrain. Alpine touring makes use of a specialized
binding that allows the heel to be raised when ascending steep slopes but locked down for full support when skiing downhill.
Entertainment, nightlife, or other social activity that occurs at a
ski resort after skiing finishes for the day. The culture originated in the
Alps, where it remains most popular.[2]
The first organized system of teaching the principles of
skiing, developed by
Hannes Schneider in the 1930s.[3]
avalament
The way a skier bends and extends his legs by managing pressure such that the skier allows it to push their legs into their chest while maintaining good contact with the snow.
Any area outside of the boundaries of a
ski resort, or else not patrolled,
groomed, or cleared of
avalanche danger. Backcountry areas are usually remote from roads and services and only accessible by long
tours, hiking, snowmobile, or
helicopter.
Snowboarding in a
backcountry area, generally over ungroomed, unmarked, and unpatrolled slopes.
baseplate
The bottom portion of a
binding which acts as the point of direct contact between the
boot and the ski or snowboard and therefore transfers all movement.
basket
A round or star-shaped piece of plastic located at the bottom of a
ski pole and used to keep the pole from pushing too deeply into the snow.
A device that connects a
ski boot to a
ski or
snowboard, holding the boot firmly so as to allow the skier or snowboarder to transfer the motion of their legs and feet to the ski or snowboard. Most bindings automatically release the boot if certain force limits are exceeded in order to minimize injury during a fall or impact.
A type of footwear designed specifically for
skiing or
snowboarding to provide a way to firmly attach the skier's feet to skis or a snowboard in combination with
bindings.
bowl
A wide mountain basin with slopes on at least three sides that is generally free of trees and other obstacles and conducive to large, swooping turns or steep, speedy dives.
bunny slope
A flat or nearly flat, well-groomed area, usually located near the base of a slope, reserved for beginning skiers or snowboarders and those taking
lessons.
A turning technique used in
skiing in which the skier turns by tilting one or both
skis onto their
edges, whereupon the geometry of the ski's
sidecut causes the ski to bend into an arc and naturally follow this arc shape to produce a turning motion. Performed most easily using specialized
carving skis, carve turns allow skiers to retain much of their speed while turning because, unlike the
stem christie and
parallel turn, the skis do not create drag by
sideslipping.
carving ski
A specialized type of
ski designed specifically for efficient
carve turns, typically with a wide
tip and
tail and a relatively narrow
waist.
A type of
ski lift used for uphill transportation to the top of a ski slope, consisting of a series of chairs, each accommodating one to four skiers, suspended from a continuously moving cable. Skiers board the lift at the bottom of the slope and are deposited at the top, after which the empty chairs are returned to the bottom again.[3]
chatter
Vibration of skis or snowboards caused by traveling at high speeds. Chatter can reduce contact between the ski and the snow and therefore the ability to stay in control.
Also called XC skiing, Nordic skiing, or simply cross-country.
A type of
skiing where skiers rely on their own locomotion to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using
ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiers propel themselves either by striding forward or side-to-side in a skating motion and by using their arms to push on
ski poles against the snow. Cross-country skiing is popular as a competitive sport and recreational activity but is also used as a means of transportation.
D
DIN setting
The tension-release setting which determines the amount of force required for a ski
binding to release from the skier's boot during a fall or impact. DIN is an acronym for the German Deutsche Institut für Normung.
The sharpened metal strip on either side of a ski or snowboard, used for gaining control by "biting" into the snow. "Holding an edge" is a key technique to maintaining a smooth, stable turn.
A style of
skiing performed on very long, very steep slopes (often from 45 to 60+ degrees from horizontal) in remote and unmanaged mountainous terrain, where the likelihood and consequences of a fall or injury present inherently dangerous conditions for skiers.
A style of
snowboarding and sometimes skiing performed on natural,
off-piste, ungroomed terrain without a set course, goals, or rules, eschewing man-made features such as jumps, rails, and
half-pipes and emphasizing the use of natural variation in terrain to perform tricks.
Also called jibbing. Often used interchangeably with freeskiing.
A competitive skiing event primarily focused on the performance of tricks and typically comprising
aerial,
mogul,
half-pipe,
ski cross, and
slopestyle disciplines.
A type of
alpine skiing through areas with many trees, either
off-piste or on a defined woods trail. Glade skiing is inherently more difficult and dangerous than skiing in treeless areas because of the many additional natural obstacles, which may include fallen logs, stumps,
tree wells, concealed root systems, or unmarked cliffs and streams.
Snow that is carried down a slope from the top of a hill or mountain by skiers and snowboarders throughout the day. It is similar to powder but usually comes from
hardpack, and therefore is not smooth like fresh snow.
Snow that has been densely compacted by repeated
grooming or skiing and a lack of fresh snowfall, often found on the most popular trails and slopes within a
ski resort's boundaries.
The act or technique of generating forward momentum on skis by spreading the tips apart widely (in a "V" shape) and striding the legs forward independently of each other, so named for the geometric pattern this motion leaves behind in the snow. The technique can be useful when climbing uphill or traversing flat ground on skis.
An identification tag which indicates that a skier or snowboarder has paid for the use of one or more
ski lifts at a particular
ski resort, usually attached to the ticketholder's outerwear for easy access.
A large round protrusion carved out of a snow surface, especially a slope, and typically occurring in "fields" of multiple moguls. Moguls are created both naturally by the repeated turns of skiers and artificially.
Skiing or
snowboarding at night, an activity offered by certain
ski resorts for a limited time after sundown. It is usually permitted only on carefully groomed
pistes illuminated by floodlights.
A discipline of
skiing which involves the use of
skis with
free-heelbindings, in which only the toe of the
ski boot is fixed to the binding, allowing the heel to rise off the ski independently, as opposed to
alpine skiing and its variants, in which the boot is fixed to the ski from toe to heel. Nordic skiing is popular as a recreational activity and competitive sport, both at
ski resorts and
off-piste. Its many variants include
cross-country skiing,
Telemark skiing, and
ski jumping.
A marked trail, run, or pathway down a mountain slope, reserved for skiing, snowboarding, or other alpine sports and generally within the boundaries of a
ski resort. Pistes are usually
groomed, marked with signage and indicated on maps, and rated by their difficulty, as opposed to
off-piste areas.
Snowboarding at a resort where snowboards are explicitly prohibited.
pole planting
powder
Fresh, dry, loosely compacted, and lightweight snow, as opposed to densely compacted or repeatedly
groomed snow such as
hardpack.
powder ski
A type of
ski with a very wide
waist (generally between 105 and 130 mm), designed to "float" atop fresh
powder by keeping the ski from sinking into the snow.
Pain or discomfort in the lower anterior portion of the
tibia (the shin) caused by prolonged pressing of the shin against the tongue of a
ski boot. Shin-bang is common among both skiers and snowboarders, though the condition is generally not serious and is easily remedied.
The inward curvature of a
ski or
snowboard, measured by the difference between the width of the ski or snowboard at the narrowest point of the
waist and the width at the widest point of the
tip or
tail. The curvature of the sidecut greatly influences the ski or snowboard's turning radius: drastic sidecuts allow users to make sharper turns.
sideslipping
The slipping of
skis sideways down a slope, perpendicular to the direction in which they are pointed.[3]
A narrow plank of semi-rigid material attached to the sole of the foot in order to allow the wearer to glide easily over snow, used in the sport of
skiing. Skis are characteristically employed in pairs, one on each foot, and attached to specialized
ski boots with
bindings that secure the toe of the boot and in some disciplines also the heel.
A type of protective eyewear worn by skiers and snowboarders, designed for cold-weather use and to protect the eyes both from snow and from the glare of sunlight.
A building located on the grounds of a
ski resort that provides amenities such as food, drink, restrooms, and storage lockers, among others, for guests and patrons.
A long-distance, usually point-to-point race on skis, often covering more than 40 kilometres (25 mi). Racers may use a variety of skiing techniques depending on the rules of the competition. Participation is usually open to the public and major events may feature thousands of racers.
Any team or organization, often employed by a
ski resort, that promotes ski safety, enforces resort policies, and provides medical, rescue, and hazard prevention services to injured or disabled skiers and snowboarders, usually within the boundaries of a particular ski area but sometimes
off-piste as well. Many ski patrollers have technical-medical certifications or
EMS credentials, and may be trained in
wilderness medicine,
avalanche rescue, and/or evacuation by
ski toboggan,
snowmobile, or
helicopter.
A lightweight handheld pole, often made from aluminum or carbon fiber, used by
skiers for balance and propulsion, typically in pairs. Ski poles are commonly used in
alpine,
freestyle, and
cross-country disciplines, but seldom in other disciplines such as
ski jumping.
A
resort developed for
skiing,
snowboarding, and/or other
winter sports, typically situated within a naturally mountainous area and providing
groomedpistes and one or more
ski lifts to guests for a fee. The term may additionally include other amenities and services or even entire towns adjacent to but operated independently of the ski area.
An establishment or program that offers lessons in
skiing or
snowboarding, typically at a
ski resort. Ski schools may teach a variety of disciplines and techniques to students at a wide range of skill levels, from
first-time skiers to advanced or expert skiers.
The part of the year when
skiing,
snowboarding, or other alpine sports are viable at a particular
ski resort, generally corresponding to the period between the resort's opening date and closing date, during which
ski lifts are operating and lift passes can be purchased or used. Because these sports depend largely on the weather, the start and duration of a ski season can vary considerably between resorts due to latitude, altitude, and other climatic factors, and even for the same resort often varies somewhat from year to year.
Removable strips of fabric that attach to the underside of
skis, designed to allow the skis to slide forward on snow but not backward. Skins are often used in
Nordic and
touring disciplines to help skiers ascend
backcountry slopes.
A full-body suit, usually made of a lightweight but waterproof synthetic material, designed to be worn over normal clothing when skiing or snowboarding.
A type of
free-heelskiing done in the
backcountry in unmarked or unpatrolled areas without the aid of
ski lifts or other transport, often for long distances and multiple days. Ski touring combines elements of
Nordic skiing and
alpine skiing and embraces such sub-disciplines as
Telemark and
randonnée. Touring also typically requires independent navigation and route-finding skills. See also cross-country skiing.
A material applied to the underside of snow runners such as skis and snowboards in order to improve their performance on various types of snow, typically either by minimizing kinetic friction with a so-called glide wax (used to make sliding easier in both
alpine and
cross-country disciplines) or by increasing static friction with a grip wax (used to increase traction in cross-country skiing). Both types of wax are designed to be specifically matched with the varying properties of snow, including crystal type and size and the moisture content of the snow surface.
skier's left
The general direction or area to the left of a skier moving or facing downhill.
skier's right
The general direction or area to the right of a skier moving or facing downhill.
A means of transport, a recreational activity, or a competitive
winter sport in which the participant, known as a skier, glides across a
snow-covered surface using
skis attached to their feet.
A hybrid sport that attempts to combine the
carving of
skiing with the riding feel of
snowboarding using a special piece of equipment called a skwal, which is similar to a
snowboard or
monoski in that both feet are attached to the same board; unlike a snowboard or monoski, however, on a skwal the feet are positioned one in front of the other, in line with the direction of forward movement.
A sub-discipline of
alpine skiing and
snowboarding and a competitive
Winter Olympic event which involves skiing or snowboarding between marked poles or gates. In ordinary slalom events, the poles or gates are spaced more closely than those in
giant slalom,
super giant slalom, and
downhill events, necessitating quicker and shorter turns.
A round-edged board of semi-rigid material used in the sport of
snowboarding, placed beneath and usually attached to the soles of both feet to allow the wearer to glide easily on snow. Snowboards are much wider than
skis (typically between 6 and 12 inches (15 and 30 cm)) to accommodate both feet on the same board, and are differentiated from
monoskis in that the rider stands with feet more or less transverse to the longitude of the board, perpendicular to the direction of travel.
A recreational activity or competitive
winter sport in which the participant, known as a snowboarder or rider, descends a
snow-covered slope while standing on a
snowboard attached to their feet.
A closed-cab, truck-sized vehicle propelled by a
continuous track that is designed to move on snow. Snowcats are employed for a wide variety of purposes from personal use to industrial applications; they are often used for
grooming trails and for transporting skiers to
off-piste slopes in a discipline known as "snowcat skiing".
A type of compact
snowboard, conceived of as a hybrid of a snowboard and a
skateboard, intended primarily to allow riders to perform skateboard-style tricks on the snow.
A
snowboard that can be separated into two
ski-like halves and fitted with climbing
skins to allow the rider to ascend slopes in the same manner as
randonnée and
Telemark skis. Unlike normal snowboards, splitboards usually have nose and tail clips, split hooks, and touring mounts. Splitboarding allows for
free-heel movement and, with skins attached, provides uphill traction; the two halves can later be reconnected to form a regular snowboard for descent.
stem
The technique of angling the
tail of one
ski away from the other ski, into a "V" position, while keeping the
tips generally close together. Stemming is a fundamental movement in many techniques of turning and control.[3]
A basic turning technique used in
skiing, initiated by
stemming one ski outward at an angle to the direction of movement, which forces a change in direction opposite to the stemmed ski, and then bringing the other ski parallel to the angled ski for the duration of the turn.[6]
A class of cable-based transport for snow sports where skiers and snowboarders remain on the ground as they are pulled uphill, as opposed to
aerial lifts, where they are suspended in the air.
swingweight
A specification used in manufacturing skis defined as the resistance of an unweighted
ski to being turned. Lighter skis tend to have a lower swingweight than heavy skis.[3]
T
tail
The back end of a
ski or
snowboard, situated behind the skier or snowboarder.
A skiing technique and competitive sport that combines elements of
alpine skiing and
Nordic skiing, in which skiers perform sharp,
carving turns using a squatting and lunging motion with knees bent, typically on skis with deep
sidecuts and specialized
free-heel bindings.
An outdoor recreation area containing terrain and specially constructed obstacles (jumps,
kickers,
jibs, marked courses, etc.) designed to allow skiers and snowboarders to perform tricks.
A
snowboarding trick in which the rider grabs the
toe edge of the snowboard between the rear binding and the
tail with his or her rear hand. It is a combination of an
indy grab and a
tail grab.
tip
The front end of a
ski or
snowboard, situated in front of the skier or snowboarder.
toe edge
The long edge of a
snowboard toward which the rider's toes are pointed.
tracked out
The condition of a slope of once-fresh snow that has been ridden over repeatedly, discernible by the numerous visible tracks left by previous skiers or snowboarders.
A void or area of loose snow around a tree trunk and beneath its branches which forms because the branches prevent this space from receiving the same amount of snowfall as adjacent open spaces. Tree wells are a significant hazard to skiers and snowboarders because falling into one may result in serious injury, and they are often too deep to easily climb out.
U
uphill ski
The upper
ski (i.e. higher on the hill than the
downhill ski) or the one that will become the upper ski during a turn.[3]
V
vertical drop
The difference in elevation between the base of a ski slope or mountain and its highest point. At
ski resorts, this often refers to the highest point served by a
ski lift rather than the geographical summit of a mountain.
virgin snow
W
waist
The narrowest width of a
ski as viewed from above, usually the area beneath where the
ski boot is positioned.[3]