Hucks, hero bumps, and getting pitted in freshies together with your snorkel.
Yeah, Merriam-Webster has nothing on our complete ski slang glossary.
As quickly because the barometer begins dropping, the leaves begin altering, and we’re consuming pumpkin beers round a hearth, these of us who dwell and breathe snowboarding at Powder7 (which, let’s be trustworthy, is all of us) discover ourselves talking in another way. All of the sudden, with out warning, phrases like “freshies” and “pitted” make their manner into our vocabulary. Our family and friends roll their eyes once we speak about “getting sendy” and “laying trenches.”
Should you weren’t raised on a weight loss plan of Warren Miller for breakfast and TGR for dinner, a few of this ski slang might go away you dazed and confused. Why everyone seems to be saying such bizarre issues? Fortunately, the pow slaying, pillow poaching, and booter stomping squad right here at Powder7 has shed some gentle on this unusual dialect. We’ve sorted key phrases into snow situations, actions on or off snow, and common gabber. We suggest corresponding flash playing cards if you happen to’re critical about speaking the discuss.
Snow Circumstances
Blower – continuously used at the side of “pow”, that is the kind of powder that’s tremendous gentle, low density, and usually worthy of a “YEEEEWW!” Face pictures are to be anticipated.
Bluebird – these days when the sky is evident, the solar is shining, and nothing can cease you…or your goggle tan. We like as of late.
Champagne Powder (additionally see “Blower”) – Tremendous light-weight snow with a low moisture content material, sometimes related to the Rocky Mountain West and trademarked by Steamboat. This snow is the place powder snowboarding goals come true. Skiers who cross over into browsing might refer to those powder turns as “double overhead,” a nod to the billowing rooster tail that follows them down the mountain.
Chop – a number of notches beneath pow, however undoubtedly higher than chunder. That is the kind of snow that’s created when the recent stuff will get tracked out, and there are bumps and craters and cuts. This uneven and typically exhausting layer of snow retains you in your toes.
Chunder (Chowder) – Heavy, gross, sticky, no-good snow. I imply, all snow is sweet, however chunder is unquestionably on the backside of that record. Waaaaayyy down there.
Corduroy – the peerlessly coiffed, pleasure-inducing, freshly groomed snow that frontside rippers will argue rivals powder. Get these Tremendous G turns down, and also you’ll really feel like Lindsey Vonn on a gold medal day.
Corn – You understand that feeling if you chunk into a wonderfully cooked cob of corn, and it’s pure bliss? That’s what corn snowboarding appears like. It’s what occurs when spring temps heat up the snow to the purpose that it’s crumbly and tender, however not slushy and moist (see chunder). We like corn, each roasted on a grill and underneath our skis. Every spring, the pursuit of corn sends skiers to the far-flung reaches of their native mountains.
Crust – The skinny layer of snow that melted then froze on high of the remainder of the snow. Normally simple to interrupt via, however makes for a uneven floor. Finest dipped in honey (Sure, Colorado pizza IS a factor).
Mud on Crust – See “crust” and add a skinny layer of dusty gentle snow. Widespread out East.
Loss of life Cookies – a big chunk of snow and ice that’s created when the grooming machines groom earlier than a freeze. These are the one varieties of cookies we are saying no to. Properly, these and the varieties of cookies supplied to us by strangers, although that’s extra of a 50/50 if we’re being trustworthy.
Freshies – First tracks, aka the holy grail of snowboarding. So recent and so clear.
Hero Bumps – Low angle bumps proper underneath the chairlift that make you appear to be Jonny Moseley circa 1998.
Mashed Potatoes – feels and appears and skis like a finger lickin’ good plate of Grandma’s house cooked mashed potatoes. The thick stuff, that’s. It ranks someplace beneath corn however above chunder and is intently associated to cut. Steadily seen within the late spring, when temperatures rise and the snow will get saturated.
Pillows – rounded piles of sentimental powder ready to be smashed. Not frequent in Colorado, however within the Northwest and BC. Typically present in ski movies.
Pow (Powder, Pow Pow) – the heavenly recent snow that graces us with its presence every time we do the snow dance and pray to the snow gods ( you, Ullr). It’s the kind of snow that the majority skiers dwell for, and you could discover us growing a slight *chilly* when powder is within the forecast on a workday. It may be somewhat heavier when it falls with a excessive moisture content material or gentle and fluffy. “Blower” and “Champagne Powder” are the lightest variations of Pow.
Actions and/or Options
Aprés – (quick for “aprés-ski”) – arguably among the best elements of any well-balanced ski day. This comes from the European custom of consuming and consuming after a full day on the slopes (or, even only a few hours within the morning). It’s that beer/cocktail/nacho-filled post-ski hangout that occurs anywhere that may serve you whilst you’re sporting ski boots. It may possibly even occur in parking heaps. That is the time the place you attempt to impress your mates with tales of your epic sends from the day. The extra beer, the extra epic the tales change into.
Bombing (Bomber, Bomb) – Unchecked pace, full tuck, weaving round unsuspecting vacationers…that’s the sensation of bombing down the hill. Simply beware the mountain cops, and also you’ll be superb. Skis described as “bomber” effortlessly facilitate the act of bombing.
Bulletproof – When the snow is extraordinarily arduous, and nothing however FIS licensed race skis will maintain an edge. Finest averted until you’re a die arduous East Coast skier, by which case bulletproof runs are little one’s play. Should you ski tour into the alpine throughout spring, you’re sometimes wanting descend when the snow “corns up” after the bulletproof floor warms.
Butter – If you put unsalted butter onto the bases of your skis to make them glide higher. Additionally, when one rocks onto the ideas or tails of their skis to finish a 180-degree flip whereas staying on the snow.
Chalk – snow that appears like chalk. Onerous and dry, simple to dig your edges into, and created by chilly and windy situations. Normally discovered on steeper terrain. We like chalk. Chalk is surprisingly good.
Cost – to ski quick in such a manner that appears way more harmful than it really is…since you’re a ripper. Intently associated to “ship.”
Dump/Puke/Nuke – The act of snow falling out of the sky in massive quantities. Dumping is so much, puking is extra, and nuking is completely dreamy. If it’s nuking, you’re setting your alarm for verrrrry early to ensure first tracks.
Face Shot – When all that tender, tender powder kicks up throughout your flip and hits your face, obscuring your view and letting you understand that you just actually did discover the products. The very best face pictures are documented by GoPros, as a result of pics or it didn’t occur, proper?
Sizzling Canine – Now we could also be exhibiting our age right here, however earlier than there have been sendy skiers, there have been sizzling doggers. These are skiers who like to point out off and throw flashy strikes. They can even out drink you on the bar and achieve this in a onesie. They could even be nonetheless bombing on some 209cm straight skis.
Huck – to ship it off a cliff, leap, tree, roof, automobile… no matter object is excessive sufficient so that you can get some air time. The air time is the necessary half right here, not the touchdown. The extra air you get, the extra factors you earn. Which means, anybody can “huck their meat.” See “bombhole” if you happen to’re within the touchdown half.
Gnarly – Badass, harmful, and funky. Steadily used with “bro” to explain a second of sheer awesomeness. “That was so gnarly bro!”. If somebody says that in reference to one thing you probably did, you may go forward and say you’re the very best skier on the mountain. “Gnarly” additionally refers to a terrain function or line that was unexpectedly intense, scary, or committing. For continued schooling, seek advice from G.N.A.R: The Film.
Jib – the act of turning inanimate objects across the mountain right into a playground. Most popular objects embrace rails, containers, and fallen bushes. If somebody jibs, they might be what we name a “park rat” who likes to do “park issues”. Good jibbers ski or trip with plain type (see steeze).
Kicker – a leap for skiers or snowboarders. A real kicker is a leap you make with your personal two arms… and possibly the arms of some mates…oh and a shovel or two…possibly your buddy with a sled can assist…anyhow, it’s principally a candy home made leap you can apply all of your tips on. An even bigger kicker is a booter.
Laying Trenches – carving aggressively. Solely carried out by those that can use the power and are comfy placing their skis on edge. When tipped to aggressive angles at quick speeds, skis lower deep trenches within the snow. For many skiers, it’s next-level. For rippers, it’s simply one other day on the workplace.
Pitted – the act of getting completely enveloped in powder throughout a flip. It is a skier’s dream.
Schussing – Straight-lining down the hill with out turning your skis. Solely undertaken by rippers and Jerrys. Nobody in between ought to try this.
Ship (Sendy) – to ski as arduous as potential and to take action in type. We are saying this on a regular basis at Powder7. Why? Properly, we’re a sendy squad who are inclined to go full ship. The true origins of “ship it” come from the climbing world, the place it’s quick for “ascend it.” If you hear “sendy,” the phrase has been become an adjective. A “sendy” line requires true dedication, very like “gnar.”
Shred the Gnar – the far cooler and extremely extra related manner of claiming “go snowboarding.” Should you “go snowboarding,” your favourite yogurt taste might be plain. Should you “shred the gnar,” you know the way to have a superb time. The expression may seek advice from aggressively descending scary or blower strains with reckless abandon.
Slarve – The smear, the slide, and the carve had a love little one.
Smash – to ski via or land on explode-able piles of snow.
Smearing – Think about The Quick and the Livid: Tokyo Drift on skis, in powder. That’s what smearing is. It’s nice.
Stomp – A British percussion group that makes use of atypical objects to create rhythm and sound. Additionally, if you stick the touchdown off a kicker, booter, and so forth. Because the phrase goes within the Disney traditional Johnny Tsunami: “He completely stomped the touchdown!”
Tomahawk – Tumbling finish over finish over finish down the hill after a crash. Usually a movement greatest averted.
Yard Sale – the act of falling in such a manner that one loses their skis, poles, hats, gloves, goggles, and pocket snacks. They primarily explode. This phenomenon resembles a Memorial Day yard sale, with varied gadgets scattered everywhere. No! These goggles aren’t on the market!
Common Gabber
Bombhole – The opening within the snow that’s left over after a big impression from hucking (see, “huck”). Usually physique formed, and if you may get a definite imprint of your poles, you’ve finished nicely.
Chilly Smoke – an ethereal sight. The ethereal puff of glistening and glowing powder that trails skiers in deep champagne powder situations. Should you’re fortunate sufficient to see this sight, you’re having an all-time day.
Core Shot – you hit a snow shark and now there’s a gouge within the base of your ski that has uncovered the wood core. See a ski tech instantly. Or, if you happen to’re a ripper, preserve snowboarding. Instruments not jewels!
Damp – No, we aren’t referring to your boot liners after an aggressive day of snowboarding. We’re referring to the power of a ski to cut back vibrations brought on by uneven snow surfaces.
Free Refills – When the snow is dumping quick, and by the point you’re on the high of the chairlift, the tracks are crammed in and also you get some freshies once more. If it’s a free refill form of day, you higher be snowboarding bell to bell or we’ll choose you.
Jerry (or Gaper) – A skier for whom ignorance is bliss, Jerries stand out instantly on the mountain as individuals with minimal vogue sense and most chance of crashing…each on the hill and within the cafeteria. Typically clueless, these of us can normally be recognized by the hole between their goggles and helmet, referred to as the “gaper hole”.
Alternate definition, from Jerry of the Day: “a person who sends life towards the grain regardless of the implications.”
Knuckle Draggers – snowboarders. Want we are saying extra?
Quiver – the gathering of skis that one owns, i.e. “one ski quiver”, “two ski quiver”, “ten ski quiver”…and so forth.
Rad – it’s like “superior”…however a lot radder.
Ripper – A very actually actually good skier. The kind of skier who turns heads. The kind of skier you level to from the chairlift. If you’re one, you don’t want this glossary. You wrote the glossary. Does that make the creator of this weblog publish a ripper? Fairly probably. (Editor’s word: Sure. Sure, it does.)
Secret Stash – a secret location on the mountain that’s unknown to the vacationer crowd and doesn’t get skied out as rapidly after a giant storm. Don’t ask the place it’s. Hold it secret, preserve it secure.
Sick – cool, however higher. Additionally, a situation rippers feign once they need to get out of different less-important commitments as a way to go snowboarding.
Snorkel – Don’t overcomplicate this. It’s the gadget you utilize to have a look at colourful fish within the ocean. In snowboarding, you want it when the snow is tremendous deep and also you’re getting simply. plain. pitted.
Slay – This phrase is somewhat totally different for skiers than it’s for Beyonce. However the gist is similar. To “slay” on skis is to descend a line with overwhelming success and elegance.
Snow Sharks – These hidden rocks underneath the snow that rear their ugly heads to take a chunk out of your skis. They’re particularly prevalent in early and late season, however local weather change threatens to normalize them. Finest averted.
Steeze – Plain type. All steezey skiers have type. Not all good skiers have steeze.
Two Minus One – The way in which you clarify or affirm that you’re taking yet another run. To say “final run” or “yet another” is like saying “Macbeth” in a theater. It’s dangerous. Very dangerous. And it may finish your season.
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