Glossary of skiing terms

Ski vocabulary

When you start skiing, you enter a world filled with technical terms and specific vocabulary you need to know. Here, we list the main terms you will come across, organized by theme:

Different skiing techniques:

Carving: A turning technique where the skis follow a curved trajectory without skidding.

Side-slipping: A technique where the skis slide sideways to control speed.

Short turns: A series of quick, short turns made while descending.

Schuss: A straight downhill descent without turning.

Stem turn: A turning technique where one ski is pushed out to initiate the curve.

Traverse: Skiing across the slope.

Parallel turn: A technique where the skis remain parallel throughout the turn.

Skidded turn: A turn where the skis slide sideways to control speed.

Different types of snow:

Powder: Fresh, light snow. Also called "pow."

Groomed snow: Snow compacted by grooming machines.

Spring snow: Often soft and heavy snow due to daytime warming.

Artificial snow: Snow produced by snow cannons.

Transformed snow: Snow that has undergone cycles of freezing and thawing.

Tracked snow: Fresh snow that already has tracks from previous skiers.

Terms related to slopes and lifts:

Groomer (snowcat): Vehicle used to compact snow on the slopes.

Cable car: Mountain lift using suspended cabins.

Chairlift: A suspended chair used to carry skiers up the slopes.

T-bar / Drag lift: A surface lift using a pole or cable to pull skiers uphill.

Snowpark: An area dedicated to tricks and jumps, with various features and ramps.

Green slope: Beginner-level ski slope.

Blue slope: Easy-level ski slope.

Red slope: Intermediate-level ski slope.

Black slope: Advanced-level ski slope.

Uphill: The part of the mountain above the skier.

Downhill: The part of the mountain below the skier.

Different types of skiing:

Alpine skiing: A set of disciplines practiced on descents, either on marked slopes, off-piste (backcountry), or in competition.

Ski touring: Combines uphill and downhill skiing, practiced off-piste in forests or mountains with lightweight, versatile equipment, emphasizing autonomy and mountain safety.

Classic cross-country skiing: Movement similar to walking, with parallel skis in prepared tracks.

Skating cross-country skiing: A V-shaped movement similar to ice skating, outside the classic tracks.

Freeride: Skiing or snowboarding off-piste.

Freestyle: Skiing or snowboarding while performing tricks, either in a snowpark or off-piste.

Equipment-related terms:

Edges: The metal sides of skis or snowboards that bite into the snow and ice for better grip and turning.

Beacon (Avalanche transceiver): Device that emits or receives a radio signal to locate someone buried under an avalanche.

Wax: Product applied to the ski base to protect it and improve glide or grip depending on conditions.

Bindings: Ski bindings connect ski boots to skis. They are designed to release during a fall to reduce injuries.

Waist: The part of the ski under the boot where the binding is mounted.

Shape: The geometry of the ski, including sidecut and radius. It varies depending on the discipline.

Tip: The front part of the ski.

Tail: The back part of the ski.

Camber: The way a ski presses against the snow depending on its profile.

Other common terms:

Avalanche: A snow slide that can be dangerous.

Snow build-up: Accumulation of snow on clothing.

Moguls: Snow bumps formed naturally or artificially.