Whether you're hitting the slopes for the first time or trying to decode what your ski patrol buddy is talking about, this glossary of skiing and snowboarding terms has you covered — from the mountain vocabulary to gear jargon.
Mountain Terrain Terms
Groomer: A trail that has been machine-groomed into a smooth, corduroy surface. Glade: A tree-lined ski run through the forest. Moguls: Bumps formed on the snow from repeated turning by skiers. Chute: A narrow, steep ski run between rock formations or trees. Cornice: An overhanging ledge of snow at the top of a ridge or gully — never ski under one.
Skiing Technique Terms
Carving: Making clean, arced turns where the ski edge cuts into the snow. Traversing: Skiing across a slope at an angle rather than straight down. Fall line: The most direct line down the slope — the path a ball would roll. Edge angle: The angle at which your ski edge is tilted into the snow. Powder: Freshly fallen, dry, light snow — every skier's dream.
Lift & Resort Terms
Gondola: An enclosed cabin lift. Chairlift: An open chair suspended from a cable. T-bar: A surface lift with a T-shaped bar that tows two skiers at a time. Base lodge: The main building at the base of the ski area. Snowcat: A tracked vehicle used for grooming trails and transporting people.
Après-Ski & Culture Terms
Après-ski: The social activities and drinks enjoyed after skiing. Gaper: A derogatory term for a beginner or tourist who looks out of place. Shredder: Someone who skis or snowboards aggressively and skillfully. Pow day: A day with abundant fresh powder. Bluebird: A perfect ski day — sunny, no wind, fresh snow.
Gear Terms
Waist width: The width of a ski at its narrowest point (underfoot), measured in mm. A wider waist floats better in powder. Radius: How much a ski turns — shorter radius = tighter turns. Camber: The arch shape built into a ski. Rocker: Reverse camber, where the tips and/or tails curve upward. Binding DIN: The release tension setting on ski bindings — higher DIN = harder release.