Skiing Glossary - REI Expert Advice Learn at REI > Expert Advice > Skiing Glossary Skiing Glossary New to downhill skiing? This skiing can quickly help you to get familiar with the most common terminology. A-D A Aerial—Airborne, gymnastic-type maneuvers performed on skis. Done by freestyle skiers who first ski off a jump. AFD (Anti-Friction Device)—Teflon® pad or mechanical slider attached to the top of the ski just behind the binding toe unit. The ski boot toe rests on this piece. Reduces friction between the top of the ski and the boot sole so that the boot releases smoothly during a fall. All Mountain Skis—Skis designed to perform well in a variety of snow conditions over the whole mountain. Alpine Skiing—Commonly known as downhill skiing. Uses stiff-cambered skis, hard-shell boots and fixed-heel, releasable bindings. B Base—The material on the underside of the ski, which allows it to slide when waxed. Usually made of polyethylene, the most common brand of which is P-Tex 1000.

Black Diamond—An expert-level ski slope designated by a sign with a black diamond on a white background. Boards—Another term for skis. Bumps (see Moguls) C Camber—The slight arch of a nonweighted ski when resting on a flat surface which contributes to the ski's flexibility. A ski with higher camber will feel springier than one with low camber. Alpine skis have alpine camber. They lack a significant arch or wax pocket underfoot, as found on Cross-Country-camber skis. Cap Skis—Skis designed with a seamless piece covering the top and sides so there are no separate sidewalls. Plastic caps, sometimes called "monocoque" construction, cover the true structure of the ski, usually a torsion box or a laminate. Carve—A clean turn made on the edge of the ski, without skidding. The skier must put pressure and weight on the ski edge, which forms an arc in the snow. Catwalk—A gentle, narrow trail that joins one ski slope to another or that winds down the entire mountain. Chatter—Vibration or instability of a ski on hard snow due to the edges bouncing off the snow instead of biting in.

Christie—A braking turn in which the ski tails are allowed to skid. Easier to do than carving turns since the skis are not angled up on their edges. Core—The center section of a ski, usually made of foam or laminated wood, which holds the structural layers apart. A ski's flex is determined by its core thickness. Corn Snow—Snow condition usually occurring in spring and consisting of small, rounded "kernels" or balls. Crud—Transition snow that is not packed down by skiers or grooming machines. Altered by temperature changes and repeated snowfalls, it has variable consistency, making it difficult to ski on. D Damping—A ski's resistance to sustained vibration, usually built into the ski with layers of shock-absorbing material. Delamination—The separation of a ski's base or top sheet from its core, which is usually irreparable. DIN—Deutsche Industrie Normen (German industrial standards organization). Sets standards for many things, among them alpine ski binding release settings and boot soles. (One DIN standard relates to the shape of boots as they fit into bindings.) The term "DIN" is typically used to refer to the binding release values when relating to alpine skiing.

Double Diamond—An extreme, expert-only ski slope, designated by a sign with 2 black diamonds on a white background. Downhill—High-speed ski racing with tight turns and jumps. Speeds can be in excess of 60 mph. Also, the common term used for alpine skiing. E-L E Edge—Usually made of carbon steel, it is the sharpened part on either side of a ski's base that bites into the snow. To edge a ski is to tip it up onto the side, pressing the steel edges into the snow. Express Lift—Common name for a high-speed chairlift. F Fall Line—The line of gravity or the most direct route down a slope. Fat Skis—Very wide skis designed to perform in deep powder snow. FIS—Federation Internationale de Ski, the international governing body of alpine and Cross-Country skiing. Flex—The amount of stiffness or "give" in a ski. A softer-flexed ski will perform better on soft, deep snow, whereas a stiff-flexed ski handles better on hard-packed snow.

Free-Carving—The relatively new style of skiing in which skiers use super-sidecut skis to make extreme, carved turns at high speeds, but without gates or moguls. The skier leans into the turn and compresses the legs. Poles are optional. Freeride—Term given to skis built to handle everything from powdery, groomed slopes to bumps, crud and other challenging terrain. Freestyle Skiing—Acrobatic skiing that includes moguls, jumps and aerial maneuvers such as twists and somersaults. G Giant Slalom (also G.S.)—A racecourse with medium-to-long-radius turns around gates. Also the type of skis used in those races. Gondola—A fully enclosed ski lift, in which skiers remove skis and stand or sit. Groomed Run—A ski run that has been smoothed over by machine for more consistent skiing. H Hourglass Skis—Super-sidecut skis, or skis on which the tips and tails are significantly wider than the waist. I Inner Boot—Insulating, cushioning ski boot liner that can be removed for drying. Fits inside the rigid plastic outer boot.

M-S M Mashed Potatoes—Lumpy, wet snow that catches ski tips and edges easily, making skiing challenging. Moguls—Humps of snow created by skiers repeatedly making turns in the same places on the slope. Also known as bumps. N NASTAR (National Standard Racing)— A racing organization for recreational skiers. O Off-piste—The area beyond the groomed runs of a ski area or backcountry away from developed ski areas. Overlap Boots—Traditional-style ski boot that closes in front with overlapping flaps and several buckles P Parabolic Skis—Shaped skis, or the most dramatically sidecut skis. Easier for beginners and intermediates to turn and control. Parallel Turn—A turn in which the skis are parallel to each other (rather than angled, as in a wedge turn). Piste—French for a groomed course on snow or the groomed portion of a ski area (see Off-piste). Powder—Fresh, dry snow, prized by skiers and snowboarders for its lightness. PSIA—Professional Ski Instructors of America. The organization that certifies most ski professionals in the U.S. Q Quad—Chairlift that carries 4 people per chair.

R Rear-Entry Boots—A style of ski boot that opens in back with a hinged flap that you push down to open and pull up to close. Usually has 1 or 2 buckles. Most commonly used for children and beginning skiers. Rock Skis—Old skis used for thin snow conditions in early and late season when hitting rocks is more likely. Rope Tow—A lift that pulls skiers up gentler slopes. Skiers hold on to handles along a continuously moving "rope" and keep their skis flat on the snow. S Shaped Skis (see Hourglass Skis) Sidecut—The difference in millimeters between the ski's waist (or narrowest part) and the tip and tail. A large sidecut allows skis to carve turns more readily. Sidewall—The material along the sides of a ski that covers the structural and core components (see Cap Skis). Schuss—Literally, "to shoot" or "shot" in German. To ski straight downhill very fast with skis parallel. Ski Boards—Very short, twin-tipped skis used for carving fast turns, jumping and doing acrobatic tricks.

Slalom—Skiing in a zigzag or wavy course between upright obstacles, usually flags. Also, a timed ski race over a winding or zigzag course past a series of flags or markers. Snowcat—A machine driven over the snow (on belts similar to a bulldozer's) to groom slopes for skiing or to transport people and gear. Snowplow—A means of slowing or stopping on skis in which ski tips are pointed inward, tails outward, and pressure is put on the inside edges. Stem Christie—A skiing turn begun by stemming a ski (pushing the tail outward) and completed by bringing the skis parallel into a christie (a braking turn in which the ski tails are allowed to skid). T-Z T T-Bar—A ski lift that pulls one or 2 skiers up a slope at a time with their skis resting on the snow. Skiers lean their hips/buttocks against a bar that hangs down between them. Torsional Rigidity—Resistance to twisting. A ski's torsional rigidity comes from its construction and core materials. A more rigid ski performs well on hard snow, whereas a less rigid ski will be easier to handle in soft snow.

Tuck—A tight, forward-lean position used for fast downhill runs. The skier is in a squatting position with the arms tight against the sides and skis parallel. W Waist—The narrowest part of a ski in between the tip and the tail. Wedge (see Snowplow) Definitions for skiing terms The A-Z ski glossary New to skiing and unfamiliar with all the jargon? Don't worry. We'll get you up to speed. As North America’s largest provider of ski vacation packages, we get a lot of questions about everything related to skiing. Our Mountain Vacation Specialists have skied and stayed at all of the 120-plus ski resorts we sell worldwide. They really know their stuff when it comes to terrain, ski vacations, ski accommodations and ski resorts, which is why we tapped them to help define some key terms related to skiing. If you have additional questions about any of the ski terms below, don’t hesitate to give one of our knowledgeable Specialists a call or start a chat! Expert-crafted definitions for all things related to skiing A Alpine skiing: Downhill skiing where the toe and heel of the boot are fixed to the ski. Après-ski: The nightlife following a day of skiing, e.g.

shopping, drinking, listening to live music or relaxing in a hot tub. Learn more about the best resorts for après-ski . B Backcountry skiing: Also called off-piste or out-of-bounds, this type of skiing happens in unmarked, unpatrolled areas beyond the boundaries of the resort. Experience, avalanche knowledge and proper equipment is imperative when backcountry skiing. Base: Average depth of snow on the mountain; also the bottom of the mountain where the lodge is located. Basket: A round, generally flat, disc located near a ski-pole tip to prevent the pole from sinking too far in the snow. Big-mountain skiing or snowboarding: The style of skiing or snowboarding seen in ski movies, featuring fast, big turns on long, steep vertical descents and, usually, cliff drops. Bowl skiing: Skiing on wide bowl-shaped slopes with or without trees. See Cirque below. Brain bucket: A helmet. Bunny slope: The area of the mountain with a gradual decline, perfect for beginner skiers to be taught basic ski techniques. Learn more about the best ski resorts to learn to ski . C Carve: The act of digging the ski/snowboard’s edge into packed snow in order to turn.

Catching an edge: When the edge of a ski or snowboard accidentally digs into the snow, usually resulting in a fall or a near fall. Cat-skiing: Backcountry or off-piste terrain which is accessed via a snowcat. Chondola: A ski resort lift that features a mix of chairlifts and gondola cars. Chutes: Narrow sections of snow between two rock walls typically skied by expert or advanced skiers or snowboarders. Cirque: A bowl shape or amphitheater usually sculpted out of the mountain terrain by a glacier. Cliff-hucking: A move done by only experienced skiers and overly ambitious beginners in which the skier jumps off a cliff. Corduroy: Named for the ridges in the snow caused by grooming machines, corduroy is another word for groomer or groomed slope. Corn: Snow characterized by its large corn-kernel-sized granules found during the spring. Cornice: An overhanging mass of snow at the edge of a ridge or peak. Cross-country skiing: Skiing on flat terrain using self-produced power with no extra help from slopes.

There are two recognized cross-country skiing techniques: “skating” and “classic” (or “striding”). Cross-country skiing is more aerobic than alpine skiing and uses lighter weight boots and lighter, narrower skis. Crud: A type of snow characterized by an uneven surface, usually encompassing some lumps of soft powder-like snow as well as icy or slippery patches. D DIN settings: Deutsche Industrie Normen (DIN) is a scale to ensure ski bindings release under the same force at all skiing destinations worldwide. Downhill: A speed discipline in alpine ski racing, downhill features poles (gates) which are set the maximum amount apart to increase speeds. Dump: An unusually large or heavy snowfall. E Early season: The beginning of ski season. Typically before the New Year. Learn more about the best resorts for early-season skiing . Edge: A metal strip found on the bottom sides of skis and snowboards used for carving. Ego bumps: Small, well-spaced moguls on an intermediate slope that are generally easier to ski than those found on more difficult slopes. Epic: A day characterized by the large amount of powder or other conditions that make it unforgettable and out of the norm.

F Fall line: The line a ball would follow if rolled down the slope; the quickest route down the mountain. Figure eight: Tandem skiers whose tracks when viewed from above give the illusion of the numerical “eight.” Figure eleven: The tracks left by a skier who makes no turns. First tracks: When a skier is the first to ski an area of fresh snow before anyone else; also known as “freshies.” Freeride skiing or snowboarding: see Big-mountain skiing. Freestyle skiing: A skiing discipline that incorporates aerial acrobatic techniques into downhill skiing. Funicular: A cable railway in which a pair of tram-like cabs on rails moves along cables and transports skiers up and down a steep slope. Funiculars are more widely found in Europe. Learn more about the world's top funiculars . Funitel: An aerial cable lift used to transport skiers. Funitels are more widely found in Europe. Learn more about the world's top funitels . G Gaper: A skier who does not understand proper on-slope etiquette, ski wear or ski technique.

Giant slalom: An alpine ski racing discipline in which the poles (gates) spaced at a greater distance to each other than Slalom but less than in Super-G. Gondola: A gondola is an enclosed lift suspended from a cable to transport passengers up and down a mountain. Learn more about the world's top gondolas . Grass skiing: An all-seasons skiing discipline done on grass with specialized equipment. Groomed slope: Refers to the slope terrain that has been groomed and is now smooth. H Halfpipe: A pipe-shaped snow construction which amateur and competitive skiers and snowboarders perform tricks out of as they descend down the hill. Hard-packed: A euphemism to describe icy conditions; generally occurs with the lack of new snowfall. Headwall: A steep cliff, usually the uppermost part of a cirque. Heli-skiing: A skiing discipline requiring helicopter transportation to the highest slopes and known for providing skiers/boarders with fresh tracks. Herringbone: A skiing technique named after the marks left by skis when a skier nudges upward through the snow.

I Indie grab: An industry term for grabbing the skis or snowboard under the boot on the outside edge while executing a jump. J Jib[bing]: Any single or combination of tricks on skis or a snowboard, generally done in terrain parks, but not limited to that. Jump turn: A method of turning direction by jumping with your skis in the air; generally used in steep terrain. K Kick turn: An about-face turn while stationary, by lifting one ski and reversing its direction, followed by the other ski. Kicker: The sharply angled end of a jump, allowing a skier or boarder to gain significant height. L freestyle skiing | sport | Britannica.com Freestyle skiing Freestyle skiing, winter sport that combines skiing and acrobatics. The sport has experimented with a range of events, but there are two that have been constant through the course of the sport’s international competition: aerials and moguls. Aiko Uemura competing in the Freestyle Skiing Women’s Moguls Cup event in Åre, Sweden, March … Janerik Henriksson/AP Somersaults and other tricks were exhibited before 1914 and became popular meet additions in the early 1920s.

Such stunts performed in the air (now called aerials ) were developed in the 1950s, especially by Olympic gold medalist Stein Eriksen . Currently there are two varieties: upright and inverted. Flips or any movements where a competitor’s feet are higher than his head are not allowed in upright competition. Instead, the skier performs such jumps as the daffy (one ski extended forward, the other backward) or the spread eagle. In inverted competition contestants execute flips and somersaults, often reaching heights of 12.2 to 15.2 metres (40 to 50 feet). The skiers build up speed on the inrun, which leads to various ramps and a landing hill with an incline of 34°–39° and a length of 30 metres (100 feet). Based on the degree of difficulty, the routine is scored on form and technique (50 percent), takeoff and height (20 percent), and landing (30 percent). skiing: Freestyle skiing Mogul skiing arose soon after aerials in an effort to navigate the large bumps, called moguls, on many ski slopes.

Competing on a steep (22°–32°), 200- to 270-metre (660- to 890-foot) course, the skier is scored on speed, turn techniques, and two mandatory upright jumps. One of the first freestyle events was acro , also known as ballet, which was invented in the early 1930s in Europe. Utilizing moves from figure skating and gymnastics, the acro skier performed a 90-second routine set to music in which jumps, pole flips, and spins were executed while skiing on a gently sloping hill. By the 21st century acro had given way to the more-dramatic half-pipe and ski-cross competitions that were derived from snowboard events. Similar Topics World Cup Freestyle skiing flourished on American slopes in the 1950s and ’60s as “hot dog” skiers performed increasingly daring moves. Widespread popularity quickly established it as a serious sport. In 1980 a World Cup tour was founded, and in 1980–81 the International Ski Federation (FIS) recognized freestyle skiing as an official sport.

After an appearance at the 1988 Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada , as a demonstration discipline , freestyle skiing was approved for Olympic competition. Mogul skiing debuted at the 1992 Games in Albertville, France , and aerials events were added to the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Ski half-pipe and slopestyle (wherein skiers race down a course laden with jumps and rails, off of which they do tricks that are judged for points) were added to the schedule for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. Overview of freeskiing. Skiing Glossary Buying Guides Skiing Glossary Like many sports and hobbies, over the years skiing has cultivated its own unique language. To a skier, many of these expressions are second nature; but to the ears of a layman, these words are merely incomprehensible jargon. Below is a list of common colloquialisms that the ski community uses on a daily basis accompanied with a short definition. Obviously, not every single ski term is listed, but these are the most common words and phrases you will hear on the mountain.

Aerial - Airborne moves performed by skiers who go off a jump or catch air in a halfpipe. AFD (Anti-Friction Device) - Small pad attached to the ski directly behind the toe piece of the ski binding. This piece reduces friction between the boot and the top of the ski, allowing the boot to easily release in case of a fall. All-Mountain Skis - Skis designed to perform well in various conditions at most speeds. These are all-purpose skis. Alpine Skiing - Also known as downhill skiing. Backcountry Skiing - Skiing outside of the resort boundaries, therefore you are not protected by the ski patrol. This can be dangerous and is only meant for expert skiers. Base of Ski - Underside of the ski that slides smoothly across the snow when waxed. Base Layer - Layer worn under your ski jacket and pants. This layer adds insulation and breathability to control your body temperature while on the mountain. Bindings - Fixture that connects your boots to your skis. Bindings are installed individually depending on your skill level, height, and weight. Black Diamond - Usually the most difficult runs on the resort, and are meant to be attempted by experts.

Blue Run - Intermediate trail that is usually groomed and generally popular because of the mix of accessibility and difficulty. Bunny Slope - Located at the base of most mountains, this is a flat area for first-timers and young children to learn the nuances of skiing. Camber - The upward curvature on the base of your skis. Cambers increases responsiveness through tension created within the ski. Carve - Turning on the edge of your skis with minimal or no skidding. Chair Lift - Aerial chair suspended by a cable that takes skiers up the mountain. Chatter - Vibrations caused from traveling at high speeds or on hard snow. The instability stems from the skis bouncing off of the snow rather than digging into it. Corn Snow - Springtime snow that turn into corn sized kernels through the repeated melting and refreezing of the snow. Cross Country Skiing - Long distance, endurance skiing along a relatively flat trail. Crud - Transitional snow that typically stems from a combination of powder and ice. The top layer is crusty and hard, while the underneath layer is soft. Damping - Shock absorbing material built into skis to help resist chatter (vibrations).

DIN (Deutsche Industrie Normen) - Standardized setting related to the amount of pressure required before your bindings release from your skis upon falling. Double Diamond - Even more difficult than black diamond runs, these trails are designed specifically for the best of the best. Downhill Skiing - Also called alpine skiing. Edge - Sharp metal strip located on the sides of your skis. Edges are important for turning because they bite into the snow, which enables smoother carving. Fall Line - The most precise, direct line down a slope. FIS (Federation Internationale de Ski) - The main international governing body for the sport of skiing. Flex - The stiffness of your skis, or how much your skis bend when pressure is applied. Typically, soft skis are designed for soft snow or slower speeds; while stiffer skis work better on hard snow and at higher speeds. Freeride Skiing - Also known as backcountry/sidecountry skiing, this style is skiing ungroomed trails inside or outside resort boundaries. Freestyle Skiing - Style of skiing focused on tricks by using moguls and jumps to perform aerial tricks. Giant Slalom - Race course with gates placed far apart to allow for higher speeds and wider turns.

Glade Skiing - Skiing through a batch of trees or forest. Gondola - Enclosed lift that fits multiple skiers and is often faster than standard open lifts. Green Run - Beginner level groomed trails that wide and flat. These are trails for beginners and first time skiers to learn and practice. Grooming - A common practice in trail maintenance, snow is spread and smoothed over by a machine to eliminate bumps and inconsistencies. Halfpipe - A long, u-shaped channel used for freestyle aerial tricks. Heliskiing - Traveling atop of mountain via helicopter. Expert skiers are transported to the top of a backcountry mountain for an exhilarating, ungroomed run. In-Bounds - Ski trails located inside the boundary of a resort. Liner - Soft, removable portion of your ski boot located inside the hard outer shell that provides padding and warmth for your feet. Mashed Potatoes - Wet, heavy snow that catches your ski tips and edges. Skiing is difficult with this type of snow. Moguls - Bumps created in the snow. These bumps can either occur naturally through repeated skiers making turns in the same area, or carefully constructed for freestyle skiing.

Mondopoint - Standardized European measurement for boot sizing. NASTAR (National Standard Racing) - International racing organization that allows skiers of all ages and ability levels to compare themselves to contemporaries across the world. Off-Piste (Out-of-Bounds) - Also know as backcountry skiing, any trail located outside of resort boundaries. Packed Powder - Newish snow that has been packed down by either grooming machines or repeated skiers. Piste - French word for a groomed trail. Powder - Fresh, light snow that skiers dream about. Fresh powder is the best ski condition. Powder Skis - Skis that float on top of the powder and primarily used in areas that receive frequent snow storms. Their extreme wideness prevents the skis from sinking into the snow. Quad - Four-person chairlift. Racing Skis - Built for speed, these skis are stiffer, longer, and narrower than most skis. Shaped Skis - Also known as hourglass skis, the tip and tail of these skis are wider than the waist. Most skis utilize this design.

Sidecut - The measurement (in millimeters), between the narrowest portion of the waist to the widest portion of the tip and tail of your skis. Ski Blades - Also known as snowblades, these are two, very short twin-tipped skis. Ski Brakes - When you detach from your bindings, brakes deploy to prevent your skis from sliding down the slope. Ski Patrol - Trained employees at ski areas that assist skiers when injured. Slalom - A race course set up via gates or flags you must pass through using quick turns. Snowcat - Vehicle used to groom snow on the slopes, but can also be used to transport employees and skiers. Snowplow - A beginner method for braking. In this technique, you point the tips of your skis inward while the tails spread apart, causing pressure on the inside edges that slows you down. Superpipe - Larger version of the halfpipe. T-Bar - Ski lift, generally found near beginner slopes, that pulls skiers up the slope. Tail - Back end of your skis. Terrain Park - Park isolated from the other trails built for freestyle skiers. These contain jumps, rails, and sometimes a halfpipe.

Tram - Very large aerial lift that transports many skiers at a time. Twin Tip Skis - Specialized skis where both the tail and tip are curved upwards at the ends. These are mainly designed for more freestyle skiers, as the twin tips allow you to take off and land reverse on jumps and tricks. Vertical Drop - Distance from the tallest point of the mountain to the base. Wax - Applied on the base of your skis, wax helps your skis will glide across the snow. White Out - Loss of visibility due to snow, fog, or other weather conditions. Wind Hold - When wind gusts exceed a certain level, ski lifts can temporarily shut down for safety purposes. Enter Email to Get Special Deals Go What is your favorite outdoor activity? Skiing Understand Skiers' Slang Understand Skiers' Slang Abattoir - Mogul Mick's signature freestyle move, where he catches big air off a roll and lands upon a six-pack of stupid snowboarders, sitting on their padded posteriors right in the middle of the run. Abstem - Wedging out the tail of the downhill ski.

ACL - Acronym for Anterior Cruciate Ligament, the tearing of which produces skiers' worst knee injury. Acro - Acrobatic skiing, linking jumps, flips and spins. Air (as in Catching Air) - Jumping off the snow. Airplane Turn - Turning the skis in mid-air, to engage a new set of edges upon landing a jump. Alpine Skiing - The resort-based, sit and ride up, stand and slide down paradigm. Apres Ski - The night-life of a ski area, preferred by some to slope-side activities. ASS - Acronym for Abominable Snow Slider; anyone on the slopes who is wearing a really stupid-looking hat in order to get attention. AT - Acronym for Alpine Touring, using free-heel safety bindings that lock down after climbing, along with downhill-style skis; backcountry skiing combing Nordic and Alpine functions. ATS - Acronym for the American Teaching System; also known as "Always Teach Steering." Avie - Acronym for Big Air, Flat Landing, which may result in compression fractures of the vertebrae. Balance - The fundamental skill of skiing, also known as a sequence of linked recoveries.

Biff - To bump the snow with your body, as in a brief uphill fall and quick recovery. Big Air - Leaving the ground for at least a couple of seconds of hang-time. Boilerplate (Bulletproof) - Hard, dense, unedgeable ice, often created by a mid-winter thaw or rain. Bomb Hole - Impression in the snow produced by landing big air. Bombing (Booming, Schuss-booming) - Recklessly going straight down hill at high speed. The record for speed skiing is 150 mph. Bonk - To bounce off an object. (Caution: this word is also Brit-speak for "shag") Bono - Skiing full-speed into a tree. Bowl - Steep, wide run, usually higher on both sides. Bros - Our fellow rippers and shredders who are just out for fun, rather than doing big hucks for big bucks like some of the Pros. Bumps (Moguls) - Series of small hills and troughs made by skiers repeatedly turning in the same place. Bunny (Snow Bunny) - Novice female skier, usually more interested in posing than in skiing.

Bunny Hill - Falling upon one's posterior, which is (almost) always good for a laugh. Camber - The natural longitudinal curve of an unweighted ski's base, which gives it rebound out of turns. Cap Ski - Monocoque ski construction, without a separate sidewall. Carvaholic - Skier or snowboarder addicted to the sensation of carving. Carving - Turning with the dug-in edge of a ski or snowboard, producing a crisp, clean arc without significant skidding or side-slipping. Champagne Powder - Very dry snow, which is so light that it can't be made into a snowball. Chatter - Vibrations produced by a ski not holding its edge on ice or hardpack. Checking - Briefly setting an edge to reduce speed. Chinese Downhill (Geschmozzle) - Race where everyone starts together. Chocolate Chips - A cluster of rocks poking out of the snow. Chowder - Shallow, closely-spaced parallel grooves in the snow made by grooming machines. Core Shot - An impact causing severe damage to a ski's base, exposing its core. Corn - A type of spring snow that forms into small, light pellets.

Cornice - Overhanging ridge of windblown snow or ice. Coulie (Couloir) - A narrow chute with rock walls on both sides. Crud - Wet, heavy, clumpy, cut-up, mashed-potato-like snow, in which turning is difficult. Cruising - Making big turns at high speed. Crust - Frozen surface covering loose snow. Daffy - Aerial with one ski forward, the other aft. Damp - Ability of a ski to dampen or absorb vibrations. Death Cookies - Firm or frozen clumps of snow, usually the result of incompetent snow-making. Deeps - Deep powder conditions, requiring a powder cord or leash on your skis. Disco Sticks - Short slalom and twin-tip skis, capable of very short radius turns. Eagle (Spread Eagle) - Aerial with arms and legs spread apart. Ego Snow - Machine-groomed packed powder, which holds an edge without much skill or effort. Expert - Someone with the ability to ski under control in any terrain or snow condition. Extreme - Ski conditions or tactics that put your life in danger. Face-Plant - Falling on your face, which is rarely a funny situation.

Face Shot - Skiing fast in deep powder, causing it to fly up into your face. Fakie (Going Fakie) - Skiing, snowboarding or skiboarding backwards. Fall-Line - Path taken by a large ball rolling down a slope. Fatty (Fat Ski) - A very wide ski designed for powder conditions. Fib - Glib attempt to excuse a fall, by saying, "I caught an edge," or "I lost an edge." Figure 11 (Schuss) - Running straight down hill, with skis parallel. FIS - Acronym for Federation Internationale de Ski, which regulates World Cup ski competition. Freecarving (Funcarving, Supercarving) - Laying down slow-speed trenches on hypercarvers without using poles. Freerider - One who prefers to ski off-piste steeps, jab through the trees and huck powder bumps. Freeride Skis (Riders) - Mid-fat, all-terrain skis that excel in the steep and deep. Free Skiing - Non-competitive, non-task-oriented skiing, done for adventure, enjoyment, exploration and/or self-expression.

Freestyle - Aerials off a ramp or tricks on a timed mogul run, these are the only events at which the U.S. Olympic Ski Team excels. Freshies - "V"-shaped climbing step; duck-walking uphill. Hinge - Falling downhill with great force. Hip Check - Smearing one's butt on the snow while turning in steep powder, in order to scrub off speed. Hit - Take-off point of a terrain feature, from which one can catch air. Hoho - Handstand on the apex of a halfpipe. Hooking - Tendency for a ski to turn uncontrollably. Huck - To ski off a cliff or roll, catching big air. Hurl Carcass - To huck in a really major way. The current record is 226 vertical feet. Hypercarver - Short ski with a radical sidecut and a turn radius less than 14 meters, often skied without poles. Invert - Aerial maneuver during which one is upside down. Jetting - Accelerating while exiting a turn by projecting the feet forward. Jibbing - Sliding down anything that isn't snow, such as a railing or sitting snowboarder.

Kicker - Children who can't resist freezing their tongues to the chairlift. Lunch Tray (aka "Launch" Tray) - Snowboard. The nasty odor of polyester underwear after a strenuous day on the slopes. Mid-Fat (Low-Fat) - A wider shaped ski, designed for both on- and off-piste skiing. NASTAR - Acronym for NAtional STAndards Race, a group of small-scale standardized race courses at resorts across the country. Noodle - A ski that lacks torsional rigidity, making it unstable at speed. Nordic Skiing - Usually meant as cross-country ski touring on skinny skis with free-heel bindings; the Nordic skiing events in the Winter Olympics are something quite different. Nosebone - Snowboard jump with front leg straight and rear leg flexed. Off-Piste - Ungroomed portion of the ski area. Ollie - Snowboard pre-jump move, where one foot is lifted before the other. Out-of-Bounds - Unpatrolled regions outside the designated ski area. Pack - To slam hard. Parabolic - Hourglass-shaped ski, with a much wider tip and tail to increase ease of turning and carving.

Park - The snowboard terrain area, with hits and half-pipes. Pin-Head - To scrub off speed on the steeps by dragging your hip across the snow. Snotsicle - Frozen nasal discharge, usually the result of cold-induced rhinorrhea. Snow Farm - Ski area depending primarily upon man-made snow. Snow Gun - Device used to mix water and compressed air to produce ersatz snow. Snow Scum - Skiers or snowboarders who ignore the Responsibility Code. Snow Toys - Devices used for gliding on snow by those who are unable to ski. Spring Conditions - When snow freezes at night and thaws during the day. Sproing (Gelandesprung) - Using your momentum and a double pole plant to lift your skis off the snow and clear an obstacle. Stack - To land a jump on a flat area. Steeps - From double black diamond runs to the snow-holding limit of vertical, about 55 degrees. Stem - To push out or wedge the tail of the uphill ski. Sticks (Planks) - Skis; sticks are also what beginning children call their ski poles. Style - The individual expression of technique.

Sucker Hole - Fleeting patch of blue in an otherwise overcast sky. Super-Sidecut - Modern recreational ski, with a sidecut of at least 14 mm. Sweet Spot - The balance point on a ski that produces optimum turning; the bigger sweet spot, the more forgiving the ski and the lower its performance in demanding situations. Swing Turns - Tip-pivoted parallel turns down the fall-line, with quick edge-checks. Take-off - The lip of a jump's in-run. Telemarking - Skiing alpine runs on free-heel skis, making turns by kneeling on one ski. Ten-Eighty - Aerial spin with three complete revolutions. Ten Eighty-Three - Ski School radio code for a lost child. Terrain Features - Natural or man-made obstacles on a run. Toilet Turns - Sloppy turns made from the pooping position. Torsional Rigidity - The resistance of a ski to twisting about its long axis, considered a desirable feature. Trail - The sloped back side of a man-made jump, beyond the table-top. Traverse - Skiing across the fall line, without turning. Tree Well - Skier-trapping depression in the snow that surrounds a tree trunk.

Trench - Deeply-carved track of a ski or snowboard. Trustafarian - Rich but ragged ski bum, pretending to be poor. Unweighting - Any movement, up or down, that reduces the downward pressure on a ski or snowboard. USSA - Acronym for United States Ski Association, a national race organization. Vermin - Groups of snowboarders or skiers blocking access to the lift lines. Vorlage - Moving one's weight forward just before a turn. Wedeln - Linking hip-wiggling turns down the fall line, feet and knees locked together, edge-set minimal. Wedge - Skiing Vocabulary | English Club Play Word Up, improve your English! Skiing Vocabulary This page covers the vocabulary and language of skiing by looking at its background, equipment and people. Check your understanding with the vocabulary quiz and comprehension quiz . Skiing is the action of travelling over snow or ice with one's feet placed on skis (long narrow pieces of wood or other material). There are many different forms of skiing. Some skiing events take place on icy mountain slopes and peaks and others take place on level or bumpy runs and trails. The three main types of skiing are Alpine, Nordic and Freestyle.

Alpine skiing events take place on steep terrain. Many people call this "downhill" skiing. The boots are attached to the skis with bindings. The toe and heel of each boot are firmly fixed to the skis. Top downhill skiers can go 100 kilometres per hour or faster. Their average speed is similar to a car on a highway. Nordic skiing is generally for terrain that is less steep. In this type of skiing, the toe is fixed firmly to the ski, but the heel is free. The most popular type of Nordic skiing is "cross country". Freestyle skiing is a form of acrobatics. Skiers show off their skills by doing tricks. History Nordic skiing has been around for about 5,000 years. It likely developed as a method for hunting. Skis were carved out of wood. In Scandinavia, skiing was a major mode of transportation before it became a sport. Alpine skiing required more sophisticated bindings to hold the toes and heels to the skis. These were developed in the late 1800's. Downhill skiing originated in the European Alps. This is where it got its name.

Nordic skiing became an official Olympic event at the 1928 Winter Games in Switzerland. This was the first year the Winter Olympics were recognized by the IOC. Alpine skiing was added in 1936. Since then many more skiing events have been added to the Olympic program, including the popular sport with one large ski better known as "snowboarding". Equipment Different types of skiing require different equipment. The length of the skis worn depends on the type of skiing. Some skiers hold ski poles for balance and wear helmets to protect their heads. Many professional skiers wear goggles to protect their eyes as well. Ski lifts, chair lifts or gondolas are often used to transport skiers up to the top of a mountain to ski down a run. Snow-grooming machines are sometimes used when there is not enough real snow. Skiers call real fresh snow "powder". Nordic Skiing In the Olympics there are various types of Nordic events, including individual races, relays, sprints, combined events, and races of different distances. Cross Country There are two main types of cross-country skiing. Classical cross-country skiing involves straight skiing on designated trails. Freestyle cross-country is a faster type of skiing.

In this sport skiers push off on each ski every time they take a stride. Some events combine cross-country and freestyle skiing. Skiers do not go down steep inclines on cross-country skis. Ski Jumping This event is held at the top of a hill. The hill can be "normal", "large" (higher), or "ski-flying" (highest). Skiers start at the top of the hill called an "inrun". They then jump from a ramp. The score for a ski jump is based on the distance and the style of the jump. Skiers make a V with their skis to clear the most distance. Ski jumping in the Olympics is a male-only event. Women ski jumpers hoped the sport would be added in 2010, but the IOC chose not to include it. Nordic Combined In this event, skiers must complete a cross-country race and at least one scored ski jump from the top of a ski hill. The distance, order and number of jumps in the Olympic Nordic combined event changes often. Biathlon This event involves cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. Skiers race around a track and make several stops to shoot at targets.

When skiers miss a target they receive a penalty, such as having to ski an extra loop or having time added to their total. Racers are free to use either classic or freestyle forms of skiing. Alpine Skiing In the Olympics there are five types of Alpine events, including the main four below, plus an event that combines downhill and slalom racing. Downhill and Super G are "speed events" while slalom and giant slalom are "technical events". Men and women compete in the following races against other skiers of their own gender. Downhill This is the longest type of downhill race. Skiers compete to have the fastest time. They have one run down a very steep hill that is usually covered in ice. Downhill courses (seen right) feature a variety of terrain including turns, jumps and straightaways. Slalom This is a short course with sharp turns. Skiers must go through sets of gates (poles) that are very close together. In the Winter Olympics, skiers go down the run twice. The gates are moved for the second run. The two race times are added together for a total. Short skis are worn to maximize movement.

Giant Slalom This is similar to slalom except that the gates are farther apart and the course is longer. The turns are not as sharp and the speeds are faster in the giant slalom. Supergiant (Super G) This is an event that combines downhill and giant slalom events. It is a longer run than the giant slalom and skiers use the "tuck" position as they do in the downhill events. The gates are placed farther apart, allowing skiers to pick up a lot of speed. As in all of the slalom events, skiers are not allowed to take a practice run. They are permitted to view the course ahead of time. Freestyle Skiing Acrobatic skiing was previously known as "hot-dogging". It was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Winter Olympics and has been an official discipline ever since. The two main forms of freestyle skiing are aerials and moguls. Outside of the Olympics, skiers compete in many other freestyle forms. Aerials Aerials became an Olympic sport in 1994. Skiers jump off an elevated area and do flips, summersaults and other twists in the air.

Their formation in the air is worth 50% of their score. Skiers are also judged on how high they "fly" and how well they "land". Moguls "Mogul" is another word for "bump". Skiers race down a run that is full of moguls. Their score is based on how fast they ski and how well they turn corners and perform tricks. Skiing Vocabulary list mogul skiing | sport | Britannica.com Mogul skiing THIS IS A DIRECTORY PAGE. Britannica does not currently have an article on this topic. Freestyle skiing equipment Freestyle skis are generally shorter than Alpine skis in order to allow a skier to execute turns more quickly. Aerials are performed without poles. Freestyle boots and bindings are essentially the same as those used for Alpine skiing. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Learn about this topic in these articles: in skiing: Freestyle skiing Mogul skiing, the navigation of large bumps (moguls) on the slope, was incorporated into competition shortly after the introduction of aerials.

Competing on a steep incline (22° to 32°) over a course of some 660 to 890 feet (about 200 to 270 metres), the mogul skier is scored on speed, turn techniques, and two mandatory upright jumps. There are also freestyle combined competitions in... in freestyle skiing Mogul skiing arose soon after aerials in an effort to navigate the large bumps, called moguls, on many ski slopes. Competing on a steep (22°–32°), 200- to 270-metre (660- to 890-foot) course, the skier is scored on speed, turn techniques, and two mandatory upright jumps.

Question: In freestyle skiing, what are the large bumps on the piste called?
Answer: Moguls