Downhill Ski Terms

If you are a novice skier, it might seem to you as though experienced skiers have a language all of their own. Becoming familiar with commonly used ski terminology will help you feel more like you fit in on the slopes. Also, if you are having problems with any of your equipment or have questions about the resort you are skiing at, knowing the proper ski lingo can help you communicate better with other skiers.

  1. Apres-ski

    • Refers to evening social activity once skiing is finished for the day. Fashion, drinking, eating and enjoying music with other skiers are all part of the après-ski scene

    Avalanche

    • A serious and very real danger for skiers and snowboarders who ski in the backcountry where deep snow remains untouched and ungroomed. During an avalanche, thick masses of snow slide down a mountain, taking everything in its path along. In most cases, avalanches are triggered by the victim or someone accompanying the victim rather than by loud noises like some people think. Many backcountry skiers and snowboarders reduce their danger by wearing an avalanche beacon so that they can be located if caught in an avalanche, but the danger is still high.

    Bunny Hill or Bunny Slope

    • A gently sloped and generally shorter ski hill used by beginner-level skiers.

    Edge

    • The thin metal strip found on both sides of the bottom of a ski. Good edges are imperative for proper ski control. Inside edges are the edge of your skis that are on the inside of a turn. Leading edge is the front of your ski in relation to the direction of travel, whereas trailing edge is the back of your ski in relation to the direction of travel.

    Freestyle

    • A technical type of skiing that incorporates acrobatics such as flips, somersaults and turning around while in the air.

    Gondola

    • Ski gondola.

      An enclosed ski lift that resembles a cable car.

    Heli-Skiing

    • Skier heli-skiing.

      A method of skiing in which skiers travel by helicopter to ski in areas far beyond where ski lifts go. Heli-skiers experience the thrill of skiing on endless slopes and untouched powder. Powder refers to light, freshly fallen snow.

    Mogul or Bump Field

    • Moguls or bump field.

      A mogul is a small hill or bump of snow. A bump field is a series of small man-made ski bumps of various sizes in close vicinity to one another. There are competitions and freestyle ski events that incorporate mogul skiing.

    Schuss

    • To quickly ski straight down a hill with no turns or stops.

    Trail

    • A ski trail refers to a marked ski path or slope that is prepared and kept in groomed condition. Ski trails are marked with different-colored signs. In North America, green trails are for beginners, blue trails are for intermediate skiers and black diamond trails are for very good skiers.