Skiing Dictionary - Skiing Terms and Definitions

AFD

Stands for Anti- friction Device. This is a small and smooth pad located directly behind the toe-side piece of the Ski Bindings. For more details, see our section on Ski Bindings.

ANGULATION

Bending in of the ankles, knees, and hips in any direction to achieve a higher degree of the ski edge

APRèS-SKI

(submitted by: icetest2)

refers to the night life after a day of skiing. This is the time to socialize - drinking, shopping, eating out, etc.

AVALANCHE

Is a condition when huge masses of Snow slide down a slope. This is one of the major dangers during winter. See our section on Avalanche Awareness and Avalanche Survival and Rescue and learn the dangers and types of Avalanches.

AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER

(submitted by: ianh)

Also known as an ARVA (in Europe) or Beacon. This is a device worn when skiing off-piste in order to locate party members caught in an avalanche. The transceiver, in normal mode, transmits a signal which can be detected by another transceiver in search mode.

BASKET

It is a round, usually flat, disc located near the Ski Pole Tip. For more informaiton, see our section on Parts of Ski Poles.

BUMPS

This is another term for Moguls. For more details, see our section on Mogul Skiing.

BUNNY SLOPE

(submitted by: yupgi)

A gently sloping hill on a ski area. This is where novices are taught how to ski.

CAMBER

It is the amount of space beneath the center of a Ski when it lays on a flat surface and its weight rests on the Tip and Tail. For more information, see our section on Parts and Features of Skis.

CANT

(submitted by: hebette)

ski edge (cuting!)

CHOKABELIS

(submitted by: foodball101)

This term means to choke last minute in a competition by acting cocky. In other words, a cocky tweak leading to disasterous results. First displayed by Lindsey Jacobelis in the 2006 Winter

CRASH LANDING

(submitted by: oakley3172)

doing a trick in air vbut then totally wipin out on da landin

CROSS- COUNTRY SKIING

It is what you can do if you want more peaceful and cost-effective mode of exploring backcountry wilderness. For more details, see our section on Cross- country Skiing.

CRUD

This is a tpye of Snow or Snow surface characterized by an uneven surface with lumps of soft Powder-like Snow and slippery patches. For more information, see our section on Snow Types.

DIN SETTINGS

This stands for Deutsche Industrie Normen. It is an internationally agreed scale to ensure that Ski Bindings worldwide release under the same force. Check out our section on Ski Bindings - Components and their Functions to know more about DIN Settings.

EDGE

This refers to the metal strip found at the bottom corners of Skis. For more information, see our section on Parts and Features of Skis.

FALL LINE

A fall line is the line that follows the general slope of the hill.

FLEX ADJUSTMENT

With this adjustment, you can change the amount of resistance to the forward movement of your ankle. See our section on Ski Boots - Components and Features to know more about Flex Adjustment and other characteristics of Ski Boots.

FLEXIBILITY

This is the most essential physical conditioning factor in preventing Skiing injuries. See our section on Ski Fitness - General Conditioning to learn more about Flexibility as well as other elements to Ski Fitness.

FREESTYLE SKIING

This is a Skiing Discipline which incorporates techniques in Skiing and acrobatics. For more information, see oue section on Freestyle Skiing.

FROSTBITE

Occurs when body parts are exposed to extreme cold for a period of time. Learn the various ways on how to prevent Forstbite. For more details, see our section on First Aid - Frostnip and Frostbite.

FRUIT BOOTER

(submitted by: ryanschaefer)

A skier who skis on mini skis.

GARLAND

A garland is a series of fake turns leading the skier to a fall line.

GONDOLA

Also called Cabine Lift, this is the largest and most comfortable Lift. Check out our section on Lifts On Piste - Different Types of Ski and Snow Resort Lifts and learn more about Gondolas and other Lifts.

GRASS SKIING

This is simply Skiing on grass. It is an all-year round Skiing Discipline which is done on grassy slopes using special equipment. For more information, see our section on Grass Skiing.

HELI SKIING

Is a Skiing Discipline which allows you to ski on infinite slopes with untouched Powder. A helicopter is required to take you where normal transportation cannot reach. For more details, see our section on Heli Skiing.

HERRINGBONE

This refers to the technique of moving upwards. It is named after the marks left by the Skis when this technique is used. For more details, see our section on Skiing Beginner Course - Surface Exercises to the Plough.

HYPOTHERMIA

This is a life- threatening condition wherein the body temperature of the person has dropped dramatically below normal. For more information, visit our section on First Aid - Hypothermia.

JIB

(submitted by: Schwalbe181)

To grind across a metal or wooden rail, Usually located in the Terrain Parks

KICK

(submitted by: Kommando)

the amount of uphill steepness a jump has

KICKER

(submitted by: Speedy)

A jump of somekind in which you may try to do some kind of move

OVERSHOOT

(submitted by: Kommando)

whena skier hits a jump at a speed much faster than their comfortable with and gets way more air and distance than they are comfortable with, usually resulting in a crash upon landing

PIZZA

(submitted by: qwerty)

Snow plough or to slowly come to a halt

POWDER

This refers to freshly fallen, soft Snow. For more information, see our section on Snow Types.

PRERELEASE

Is the term used when your Skis come off earlier than expected. Visit our section on Ski Bindings - Having the Correct Release Setting to know more about Prerelease.

RALLIED

(submitted by: Archon)

it means crashing really bad or getting hurt or getting owned

ROLLER SKIING

This is another all-year round Skiing Discipline. Roller Skiing is done by skiers to continue training in the off season. For more information, see our section on Roller Skiing.

ROPE TOWS

They are the simplest Surface Lifts and consist of a loop of rope with knots that move around and around. See our section on Lifts on the Pistes - Different Types of Ski and Snow Resort Lifts to know more about Rope Tows.

SDS (SNOW DEPRIVATION SYNDROME)

(submitted by: buttermute)

When you feel the need to go out and play around in the snow, you have SDS.

SHAPED SKIS

Are relatively new and improved Skis characterized by 'hourglass' shapes. They are Skis which are designed to turn. For more details, see our section on Ski Anatomy and Construction.

SIDE SLIPPING

Side slipping is performed through a slipping motion straight down the fall line with the skis pointed across the hill.

SIDECUT RADIUS

Is the measurement of how deeply or shallowly the Ski's cut is from the Nose of the Ski to the Waist. For more details, see our section on Parts and Features of Skis.

SKI JUMPING

This is a Skiing Discipline which focuses on flying as far and as smooth as possible with your Skis on for maximum lift. For more information, see our section on Ski Jumping.

SKI-MAIL

(submitted by: buttermute)

An email related to skiing (HAHA such a pun, I guess).

SLUSH

Generally, this is Snow that is starting to melt and thus becomes further wet. See our section on Snow Types to have better understanding of what Slush is.

SPEED SKIING

This is a Skiing Discipline which focuses on achieving the highest possible speed on Skis. For more information, see our section on Speed Skiing.

STEERING

Shifting is changing the direction of the skis by any means.

STEM CHRISTIE

Is a Turn which is completed by skididng on both uphill edges. Check out our section on Skiing Beginner Course - Making and Linking Turns to learn more about Stem Christie and other basic Turns.

STEM TECHNIQUE

This is a basic technique in making and linking turns. For more information, see our section on Skiing Beginner Course - Making and Linking Turns.

STEP-UP

(submitted by: peregrino78)

A jump which is followed by a large gap followed by a raised landing area

SWITCH

(submitted by: scratchfs)

Riding with the tails of the skis pointed downhill

TELEMARK SKIING

This is a Skiing Discipline which features the thrill of speed and free-heel Skiing. Visit our section on Skiing Disciplines - Telemark Skiing and learn the important points in Telemark Skiing.

TRAVERSING

Traversing is moving continuously in one direction across a fallline.

TWIN TIP SKIS

(submitted by: IronXMute)

Twin Tip Skis are skis where both the tail end and the front end is turned up. This allows the skier to ski switch (fakie, backwards) easier.

YARD SALE

(submitted by: hwglitz)

A crash where equipment is scattered across the slope.