Understanding ski terminology
There are three main types of skiing (your annual ski insurance provider will need to know which you plan to do):
1. Alpine skiing: This means skiing downhill on two skis with the toe and heel of the boot fixed to each ski by means of "bindings". These are designed to release when you fall to reduce the likelihood of injury. Ski poles are used to help keep your balance.
2. Snowboarding: This is also done downhill, but with both feet fixed in position on a single short, wide ski, similar to skateboarding.
3. Cross-country or Nordic Skiing: This is skiing on flat terrain, again using two skis and poles but self-propelled rather than using gravity. The toe only is fixed to each ski.
Within these disciplines are variations you may hear the following terms mentioned:
Freestyle skiing: Incorporating aerial acrobatics into downhill alpine skiing or snowboarding.
Heli-skiing: A helicopter transports skiers to the highest slopes where no one has been. This provides skiers with fresh tracks or "freshies" in the "powder"- freshly fallen, soft snow, considered to be the ultimate skiing conditions.
Regardless as to the ski resort you choose, there are two main places to ski:
The "Piste": An area specially prepared for skiing using a large, tracked machine called a "Piste basher".
"Off-Piste": Any area of snow that has not been specially prepared. Many annual ski insurance providers will only cover Off-Piste skiers if they are accompanied by a paid professional guide.
The other activity you need to know about is "Après ski" which is French for "after ski" i.e. anything you do when you've finished skiing.
You will probably find the following set of technical terms useful too:
Edge: A metal strip found on the bottom sides of skis and snowboards used for "carving".
Carving: The act of digging the ski or snowboard 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.
Brain bucket: the somewhat pithy term used to describe the helmet used by snowboarders.
DIN setting: Short for Deutche Industrie Normen (DIN) the scale used to ensure ski bindings release under the same force at all skiing destinations worldwide.
Fall line: This refers to the quickest route down the mountain.
Herringbone: Named after the marks left, is a technique used to go up a slope.
Kick turn: Turning right round whilst stationary by lifting one ski and reversing its direction, followed by the other ski.
Jump turn: A method of turning by jumping both skis in the air allowing a quick change of direction.
Parallel turn: A method of turning with the skis parallel to one another.
Schuss: Onomatopoeic word meaning to ski down the slope without turning.
Snow plough: A braking manoeuvre in which the skier moves their ski tips to form a triangular shape, also called a "wedge" or "pizza".
Traversing: This means moving horizontally across the slope as opposed to vertically down it.
Unweighting: Taking weight off the ski, usually prior to a turn.
Waxes: Applied to the sole of the ski to improve gliding. Also refers to grip-waxes applied to Nordic skis.
Moguls: Bumps in the snow, however they may have been formed.
Ski patrol: Service responsible for patrolling the ski area, summoned in the event of an accident.
