If you speak to a dedicated skier about skiing for any significant period of time, you'll realise pretty quickly that the sport has a language of its own. Since skiers also tend to use this language even when they're not in the mountains, it's pretty useful to know at least some of the basics of the dialect if you're getting into the sport. And since - for the time being at least - it's not on Duolingo, we thought we'd step in to help you out below with just a few examples from the skier's dictionary.
Below are just a few examples from the skier’s dictionary.
Essential Ski Terms
Steeze
You either have it you don't. Most commonly attached to freestyle skiers and backcountry powder hounds.
“Candide’s double backflip over that cable car was so steezy, man.”
Sendy
Both could be described as “sendy.” Similarly, to “send” something in skiing is to ride it with full vigor and at high speed, and to “go full send” is to go as hard as you possibly can.
“That couloir is so sendy. That is one seriously sendy couloir.”
“Looks like we’re going to need to go full send.”
Not to be confused with: The word ‘sending,’ which is only loosely connected in that you do send yourself from the start point of a ‘sendy line’ to the endpoint.
Butter
Definitely one of the steeziest (see point 1) moves there is on skis. It feels amazing when you nail it.
“I’m getting quite bitter because I can’t butter better.”
Not to be confused with: Chutney, margarine, butter, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter or any other spreadable edible. You can’t eat these butters. Though they do look so sweet.
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Park Rat
Park rats love the snow park... The park rat is also easily identifiable outside of the park, though a rare sighting, as they’ll be wearing a hoody 19 times too big for them and will probably be halfway through a backflip.
“Look, there’s a group of park rats coming!”
“They’ve all got twin tip skis and their jumpers go way down past their knees.”
Not to be confused with: actual rats in a park. Park Rats are very much human, and rats in parks are very much rodents.
Lifty
The person who runs the ski lift. The guy or girl who controls the ski lift. On the ski slope. Normally in a little hut.
“The lifty gave me a courteous nod this morning before turning on the oompah music and taking a swig of a hip flask.”
Not to be confused with: Bellhops. The only similarity is that they both stand near mechanical devices that take you to a higher altitude.
Switch
If you do a 180 and then land correctly, you’ll now be riding switch. However, if you start the 180 from a switch position, then that’s just riding normally again.
“He dropped into that jump switch.”
“He dropped into what, where? Do we need to go and get him out?!”
“It means he skied into the jump backwards, dude. Come on. You’re embarrassing me.”
Not to be confused with: The act of swapping one thing for another thing. Or the 2005 Will Smith song ‘Switch.’ Remember that?
Glades
Definition: Ski areas with trees are called glades. It offers a natural, forest-like skiing experience with challenging and adventurous ungroomed terrain.
“Exploring the glades today was incredible ‘cause the powder was untouched, and the trees added an extra thrill.”
“Glades are perfect for skiers who want to get off the beaten path.”
Not to be confused with: A “groomer,” which is a slope that’s specifically been smoothed for easier skiing.
Gnarly
But it can also mean something that is downright painful, unpleasant, or unattractive, like a horrible wound or scar. It can also mean something that’s good or even perfect, so you can wish someone a ‘gnarly day.’ What we’re really telling you here is that it pretty much means whatever you want it to.
“Look at that skier! That line is totally gnarly.”
“Especially in gnarly weather like this.”
“Oh no! He’s taken a gnarly crash.”
“Totally. I’ve got to head off, dude. Stay gnarly.”
Not to be confused with: The animal ‘narwhal.’ You know, the one with the big tusk coming out its head?
Jibbing
If you hit a rail, a box or even grind a tree, you’re jibbing. The wider definition of jibbing can also include some fun or playful tricks on snow. Butters (see point 4) for example, would be included in jibbing.
"I spent all day jibbing in the backcountry, bro. It was most bodacious.”
Not to be confused with: A triangular mast in sailing, the projecting arm of a crane (if you knew that was called a ‘jib’, kudos), or the act of physically jabbing someone.
Faceshots
Extremely strong levels of pow (see point 2) are required.
"I was taking faceshots left, right, and center today.
Après-ski
“After a full day on the mountain, let’s head to the lodge for some classic après-ski drinks and live music.”
“Après-ski is the perfect way to unwind bro, I’ve shared stories from the slopes, and recharged for the next day.”
Not to be confused with: ”Freeride,” which refers to skiing on ungroomed terrain. Après-ski is not about skiing or the sport itself but about the social aspect that follows the day's skiing.
Pizza
Definition: Pizza is the technique where your skis come together to create a V-shape. It’s also called a wedge or snowplow, where your ski tips touch in order to stop or slow down.
“Don’t forget to pizza when you’re going too fast.”
“The instructor told us to start with pizza before moving on to parallel skiing.”
Not to be confused with: a pizza slice you eat. Pizza in skiing only refers to the V-shape technique you’ll learn as a beginner unless your buddy asks if you want to grab a slice for lunch.
Other Terms
-ski
It can also be added to the end of a person's name, indicating their level of coolness. The addition of more than one "-ski" indicates that the person is more cool than that of a person with only one "-ski". However, adding too many "-ski's" to the end of a word indicates a level of retardation on behalf of the speaker.
"Hey what up broski!?" "Yeah hey man, we're going to B-Dubsski's.
Ski ya later
Master the lingo and the slopes Now that you’ve got a handle on the essential ski terms, you’re ready to hit the slopes like a seasoned pro. Whether you’re carving down a groomer or going full send on a gnarly freeride, knowing ski words will help you blend in with the mountain crowd.
The next time someone asks if you caught any faceshots or wants to meet up for après-ski, you’ll know exactly which skiing term they’re talking about.
Slang and Stereotypes
A colloquial term used by Black males to describe the process of heading to a locale predominantly filled with caucasian women, with the intention of engaging in sexual contact. Has its roots in the term "snow bunny" (used to describe caucasian women), the verb "cut" (to have sex). Is essentially an extended metaphor linking caucasians to snow/winter sports.
There are three types of skier:
tags: #ski #urban #dictionary