OK, I couldn't let this one pass. On my birthday I received an email from my grandparents (thanks for the gift!) wishing be a happy birthday. Included in the email was the following sentence:
"We've been reading your blog. You have a whole different vocabulary than we speak!!!!"
Now that the resort is open my entries may trend towards ski-talk, so it is of the utmost importance that we're all on the same page with the vocabulary. I visited a Ski Bum site for a starter list, and then added some definitions of my own. Sentences or words in [brackets] are my own additions.
May this entry act as a tool for those that struggle to decipher my slang/ski lingo.
Types of Runs
Bunny Hill – the area of any ski mountain that’s specifically set aside for beginners. It’s
always got a very slight incline, and lots of extra room for everyone to fall down without
any worries.
Backcountry – the unmarked trails that are beyond the areas of the mountain that are
accessible by the lifts. Only the most expert skiers and riders should ever explore
backcountry areas. They go through extensive avalanche survival training, and carry
special gear. If you’re the sort of skier or rider who’s reading this vocabulary list, don’t go
into the backcountry. [True Dat]
Groomed run (or “groomer”) – a run that’s been combed over by grooming
equipment, resulting in a smooth, wavy surface that some folks will call corderoy [it looks like the fabric]. A
groomed surface is the easiest surface to ski or ride on. Most grooming is done overnight,
so the best time to enjoy groomed runs is early in the day.
Bowl -- a large, open, bowl-shaped area of a mountain, usually with few trees and lots of
snow. More common out West than in the East. [Think Vail]
Mogul run – a run that’s got big bumps, which are particularly challenging. Sometimes
these bumps are the natural byproduct of a fresh snowfall that’s been churned up by a
day or two of skiers and riders, and sometimes they’re moguls that are shaped by special
equipment. Most mogul runs are black diamond runs. [Knee cartilage is overrated]
Chutes – extremely challenging trails that dodge between trees or rocks, usually at the
top of a mountain. These are often marked with double-black diamonds. [see also couloir -- a subcategory of chute characterized by steep rock walls on either side, almost universally narrow and steep]
Cat tracks - a very thin trail that cuts across a mountain, usually connecting one part of
the mountain to another, with a very slight incline. Snowboarders often dislike them,
because the slight incline makes it difficult to maintain speed.
Traverse – verb: to ski or slide-slip against the fall line, to move sideways across a
slope, instead of down. If you suddenly discover a field of moguls below you, you might
traverse across the slope to get to an easier area of the run. noun: a path that cuts
sideways across a slope.
What's a Line?
Lift line – the line of people waiting to board a chair lift.
Fall line – the imaginary line down the natural slope of a trail: if you allowed a big ball to
roll down a hill, that’s the fall line. [good definition--if you know this one people will think you're good]
Line – the particular path that you take down a run, most often used when skiing or riding
in an open bowl. Skier 1: “I’m going to head out left, then head straight down.” Skier 2:
“Yeah, that’s a great line.”
Types of Snow
Powder - fresh snowfall that's low in moisture content. Powder is the best snow to ski or
ride on. In the West, some resorts (particularly in Utah) have fluffy powder with
extremely low moisture content, which they'll call champagne powder.
Crud – powder that’s been skied over. It looks like cookie dough; it's chunky looking, but
still soft. Crud is a preferred snow texture.
Corn – hard re-frozen pellets of snow – a preferred snow texture.
Grapple – like very small hail pellets, or like sleet, but rounder and thicker. Grapple isn't
the best snow, but it's not the worst. It doesn't stick to your skis or board.
Groomed - see "groomed run" above.
Crust - hard packed snow that's frozen, but not icy. [wind crust - layer of hard, windblown snow with soft powder underneath - notoriously difficult to ski]
Mashed Potatoes [slush] – warm, melting snow, most common during the spring at the base of
a mountain. It's notoriously slow to ski or ride in.
Types of Conditions
Bluebird day – The most gorgeous day imaginable. A bluebird day is a bright, sunny day
after a fresh snowfall the night before.
Vertigo – foggy conditions, which make it very easy to lose your sense of balance.
Flatlight – a cloudy day, which makes it hard to perceive definition on the snow surface,
and can easily trigger a headache. A yellow-lens goggle will often help the best.
Andrew's Additives
Gnarly - Line or run which is intense, steep, rocky, or otherwise dangerous and risky. Syn: burly Var: Gnar, gnarilicious, tasty, burlicious, beefy, sick Usage: "Lace up your gnar boots, this could get sticky!"
Sick - Adjective describing something amazing, spectacular, intense, skillful, ballsy, unbelievable, etc. Syn: Ill, wicked, rad Usage: "That footage of Hugo Harrison sure was sick!"
Blower - Adj describing absolutely spectacular powder conditions Usage "Today was blower man, I can't believe your sorry ass had to work."
Epic - Unbelievable conditions, perfect day skiing, etc.
Huck, Drop, Send - All terms for skiing off a cliff. Usage: "When there's more snow, I'm gonna send that cliff."
Amped, psyched, pumped - Charged up, ready to go, excited etc.
Face Shots - A "Face shot" occurs when a skier (snowboarders don't get face shots) skis through such deep powder that the snow is pushed up and splashes the skier in the face, temporarily blinding him/her. This will nearly universally elicit war whoops, yells and shouts of ecstasy. The face shot is the holy grail of powder skiing.
Stomp - To stick a landing, to land soundly without thrashing about or nearly falling.
Yard Sale - This occurs when a skier falls at high speed and items such as poles, goggles, hat, gloves, boots, skis etc. become strewn across the slope. Self explanatory, really.
Sketch - Verb, transitive. To "sketch" something is to very nearly mess it up. For example, "Ferdinand sketched that landing" would indicate that Ferdinand nearly fell while landing. Adj - Sketchy. Indicated a high degree of danger, unknown consequence or risk. Also a person of questionably character or judgement.
Gaper - (GAY-per) A person who is not an experienced skier. Hallmarks of Gaperdom are a complete inability to carry skis, dated clothing, rear-entry boots, a complete inability to walk in ski boots, anyone from Texas, etc.
Goggle Gap - The space between the top of the goggles and the helmet. There should be no space between the goggles and the helmet, as snow and wind will otherwise freeze your brains. Goggle gap = major gaper.
Rip - To ski/snowboard very well. SYN - "To shred" Usage "Jolene was a real ripper. Did you see her shred that line?"
Kill, Slay - To ski/ride something exceptionally well. Usage "Ronaldo slayed [killed] that line."
Well, I could keep writing but I think that's enough working vocab for the time being. If I think of any crucial words I have forgotten I will post them at a later date. Happy reading!!
"We've been reading your blog. You have a whole different vocabulary than we speak!!!!"
Now that the resort is open my entries may trend towards ski-talk, so it is of the utmost importance that we're all on the same page with the vocabulary. I visited a Ski Bum site for a starter list, and then added some definitions of my own. Sentences or words in [brackets] are my own additions.
May this entry act as a tool for those that struggle to decipher my slang/ski lingo.
Types of Runs
Bunny Hill – the area of any ski mountain that’s specifically set aside for beginners. It’s
always got a very slight incline, and lots of extra room for everyone to fall down without
any worries.
Backcountry – the unmarked trails that are beyond the areas of the mountain that are
accessible by the lifts. Only the most expert skiers and riders should ever explore
backcountry areas. They go through extensive avalanche survival training, and carry
special gear. If you’re the sort of skier or rider who’s reading this vocabulary list, don’t go
into the backcountry. [True Dat]
Groomed run (or “groomer”) – a run that’s been combed over by grooming
equipment, resulting in a smooth, wavy surface that some folks will call corderoy [it looks like the fabric]. A
groomed surface is the easiest surface to ski or ride on. Most grooming is done overnight,
so the best time to enjoy groomed runs is early in the day.
Bowl -- a large, open, bowl-shaped area of a mountain, usually with few trees and lots of
snow. More common out West than in the East. [Think Vail]
Mogul run – a run that’s got big bumps, which are particularly challenging. Sometimes
these bumps are the natural byproduct of a fresh snowfall that’s been churned up by a
day or two of skiers and riders, and sometimes they’re moguls that are shaped by special
equipment. Most mogul runs are black diamond runs. [Knee cartilage is overrated]
Chutes – extremely challenging trails that dodge between trees or rocks, usually at the
top of a mountain. These are often marked with double-black diamonds. [see also couloir -- a subcategory of chute characterized by steep rock walls on either side, almost universally narrow and steep]
Cat tracks - a very thin trail that cuts across a mountain, usually connecting one part of
the mountain to another, with a very slight incline. Snowboarders often dislike them,
because the slight incline makes it difficult to maintain speed.
Traverse – verb: to ski or slide-slip against the fall line, to move sideways across a
slope, instead of down. If you suddenly discover a field of moguls below you, you might
traverse across the slope to get to an easier area of the run. noun: a path that cuts
sideways across a slope.
What's a Line?
Lift line – the line of people waiting to board a chair lift.
Fall line – the imaginary line down the natural slope of a trail: if you allowed a big ball to
roll down a hill, that’s the fall line. [good definition--if you know this one people will think you're good]
Line – the particular path that you take down a run, most often used when skiing or riding
in an open bowl. Skier 1: “I’m going to head out left, then head straight down.” Skier 2:
“Yeah, that’s a great line.”
Types of Snow
Powder - fresh snowfall that's low in moisture content. Powder is the best snow to ski or
ride on. In the West, some resorts (particularly in Utah) have fluffy powder with
extremely low moisture content, which they'll call champagne powder.
Crud – powder that’s been skied over. It looks like cookie dough; it's chunky looking, but
still soft. Crud is a preferred snow texture.
Corn – hard re-frozen pellets of snow – a preferred snow texture.
Grapple – like very small hail pellets, or like sleet, but rounder and thicker. Grapple isn't
the best snow, but it's not the worst. It doesn't stick to your skis or board.
Groomed - see "groomed run" above.
Crust - hard packed snow that's frozen, but not icy. [wind crust - layer of hard, windblown snow with soft powder underneath - notoriously difficult to ski]
Mashed Potatoes [slush] – warm, melting snow, most common during the spring at the base of
a mountain. It's notoriously slow to ski or ride in.
Types of Conditions
Bluebird day – The most gorgeous day imaginable. A bluebird day is a bright, sunny day
after a fresh snowfall the night before.
Vertigo – foggy conditions, which make it very easy to lose your sense of balance.
Flatlight – a cloudy day, which makes it hard to perceive definition on the snow surface,
and can easily trigger a headache. A yellow-lens goggle will often help the best.
Andrew's Additives
Gnarly - Line or run which is intense, steep, rocky, or otherwise dangerous and risky. Syn: burly Var: Gnar, gnarilicious, tasty, burlicious, beefy, sick Usage: "Lace up your gnar boots, this could get sticky!"
Sick - Adjective describing something amazing, spectacular, intense, skillful, ballsy, unbelievable, etc. Syn: Ill, wicked, rad Usage: "That footage of Hugo Harrison sure was sick!"
Blower - Adj describing absolutely spectacular powder conditions Usage "Today was blower man, I can't believe your sorry ass had to work."
Epic - Unbelievable conditions, perfect day skiing, etc.
Huck, Drop, Send - All terms for skiing off a cliff. Usage: "When there's more snow, I'm gonna send that cliff."
Amped, psyched, pumped - Charged up, ready to go, excited etc.
Face Shots - A "Face shot" occurs when a skier (snowboarders don't get face shots) skis through such deep powder that the snow is pushed up and splashes the skier in the face, temporarily blinding him/her. This will nearly universally elicit war whoops, yells and shouts of ecstasy. The face shot is the holy grail of powder skiing.
Stomp - To stick a landing, to land soundly without thrashing about or nearly falling.
Yard Sale - This occurs when a skier falls at high speed and items such as poles, goggles, hat, gloves, boots, skis etc. become strewn across the slope. Self explanatory, really.
Sketch - Verb, transitive. To "sketch" something is to very nearly mess it up. For example, "Ferdinand sketched that landing" would indicate that Ferdinand nearly fell while landing. Adj - Sketchy. Indicated a high degree of danger, unknown consequence or risk. Also a person of questionably character or judgement.
Gaper - (GAY-per) A person who is not an experienced skier. Hallmarks of Gaperdom are a complete inability to carry skis, dated clothing, rear-entry boots, a complete inability to walk in ski boots, anyone from Texas, etc.
Goggle Gap - The space between the top of the goggles and the helmet. There should be no space between the goggles and the helmet, as snow and wind will otherwise freeze your brains. Goggle gap = major gaper.
Rip - To ski/snowboard very well. SYN - "To shred" Usage "Jolene was a real ripper. Did you see her shred that line?"
Kill, Slay - To ski/ride something exceptionally well. Usage "Ronaldo slayed [killed] that line."
Well, I could keep writing but I think that's enough working vocab for the time being. If I think of any crucial words I have forgotten I will post them at a later date. Happy reading!!
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