Skiing Terms For Beginners: A Complete Glossary For Success
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Are you heading to the ski slopes for the first time and want to master some essential ski slang? We’ve all been there!
As someone who has been skiing for about a decade, I know all about the need-to-know ski phrases so that you can confidently talk and ride out on the slopes!
The Ultimate Guide Of Skiing Terms For Beginners
Keep reading as I break down the key terms every beginner skier should know to understand the lingo and have an awesome time on the slopes this winter.
- Apres-ski: Socializing after skiing typically with drinks and food near (or on) the slopes
- Avalanche: A sudden, powerful, dangerous snow slide
- Backcountry: Skiing in ungroomed, remote areas
- Bail: Falling while skiing or snowboarding
- Black Diamond Runs: Advanced, steep terrain for experienced riders
- Bluebird Day: Clear blue skies and sunny weather
- Blue Runs: Intermediate-level slopes
- Bowl: A wide, open ski area with no trees that is steep
- Bunny Hill: A beginner-friendly, gentle slope meant for those starting out
- Cat Track: Flat, narrow path connecting slopes
- Carving: Making clean turns by digging your skis or snowboard edges in
- Chairlift: A ride up the mountain on a chair
- Corduroy: Freshly groomed, ribbed snow surface on a ski slope
- First Tracks: Being the first to ski on untouched morning snow
- French Fry: Skiing with skis parallel facing downhill, your skis are side by side, which looks like two french fries
- Glades: Skiing through tree-covered areas
- Gnar: Challenging, steep, or intense terrain; a popular saying you’ll hear is “Shred the gnar,” which means conquering challenging runs at a fast pace
- Goofy: When a snowboarder rides with the right foot forward
- Gondola: An enclosed lift for multiple riders, you can typically stand up on these or sit
- Green Runs: Easy, beginner slopes
- Groomed: Smoothed-out snow surface that has been groomed by cats (machines that flatten snow slopes)
- Half Pipe: U-shaped terrain feature for tricks and jumps
- Liftie: A worker operating the ski lift
- Magic Carpet: A conveyor belt lift for beginners, often seen on bunny hills
- Moguls: Small, snow-covered bumps
- Off-Piste: Skiing off marked trails
- Pizza: A beginner skier stance to slow down when your skis go into the V position and look like a slice of pizza
- Pow: Soft, fresh powder snow
- Powder Hound: Someone who loves powder skiing
- Quad: A chairlift seating four people
- Shred: Skiing or snowboarding with skill
- Ski-in/Ski-out: Direct slope access from lodging
- Straight Lining: Skiing directly downhill at speed
- T-Bar: A T-shaped lift pulling skiers and snowboarders uphill
- Terrain Park: This area contains jumps and obstacles; you’ll usually only find advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders here
- Traverse: Skiing across a slope horizontally
- Tree Skiing: Skiing between trees
- Tree Well: A deep hole around a tree trunk. You typically can’t tell because it’s covered by fresh snow, but if you ski over the top, sometimes loose snow will collapse, and riders will fall in; they are very dangerous, which is why it’s essential to avoid skiing super close to trees and always ski with a buddy
- Wax: Applied to skis or boards for speed
- White Out: Low visibility due to heavy snow
- Yard Sale: A significant fall where gear gets scattered, skis become unstrapped, gloves can fly off, etc.
FAQs About Skiing Terms For Beginners
Keep reading as I answer a variety of questions about skiing terms for beginners.
What is ski lingo?
Ski lingo is terms skiers and snowboarders use relating to riding, ski resorts, skiers, and the weather. Make sure to read this whole guide to understand the essential ski lingo and phrases you need to know before heading out on the mountain.
What are beginner ski slopes called?
Beginner ski slopes are called bunny slopes or green runs.
What is a lifty ski slang?
A lifty is someone who operates the chairlift at a ski resort.
What do mashed potatoes mean in skiing?
Lumped, sloppy snow that makes it easy for skiers and snowboarders to catch an edge and fall on.
What does a jerry mean in skiing?
A jerry in skiing is someone who is brand new and looks like they don’t know how to operate skis.
What do skiers call fresh snow?
Skiers call fresh snow powder.
What is ski slang for falling?
Ski slang for falling is bailing.
Final Thoughts On Skiing Terms For Beginners
Learning a new sport can already seem intimidating, especially when you add in a whole new glossary of vocabulary words and phrases. While you might’ve read this guide and may have gotten overwhelmed, don’t stress.
Skiing is all about having fun and enjoying winter snow! While I recommend brushing up on all of these words and phrases so that you understand what others are saying out on the mountain, there’s no need to grab index cards and quiz yourself over them.
This guide was simply made to help you gain a better understanding while out on the ski slopes.
