Trying a new activity is hard enough, to say nothing of learning all the lingo and slang associated with your new hobby. If you’re thinking about hitting the slopes this winter for some skiing or snowboarding, knowing these terms will ensure you sound like it’s not your first day on the mountain.
Backcountry
“Backcountry” refers to any area outside of resort boundaries. There’s also “sidecountry,” which is backcountry terrain that one accesses through defined gates at a resort. These areas are for more experienced skiers and snowboarders, as they are not patrolled by resort staff or cleared of avalanche risks. Anyone in these areas is advised to explore at their own risk.
Big Dump
Double entendres abound in snow sports lingo. A “big dump” just denotes a major snowfall, which means it’s a good day to hit the slopes.
Bunny Slope
The bunny slope is basically the opposite of backcountry — it’s a relatively flat, easier-to-navigate area where beginners learn to ski and snowboard. Generally, these areas are found near the bottom of a mountain or close to base.
Cat Tracks
Cat tracks on a ski or snowboarding slope don’t relate to mountain lions, but rather to snowcats or other all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). Cat tracks are the flat, narrow ski trails that are used as service roads for these vehicles. They’re usually a quick way to get down the mountain and may be found on “green trails,” which are a step up in difficulty from the bunny slopes.
Gnar
This is a shortened word for “gnarly,” which is a slang term for something that’s difficult or dangerous, but in a fun way. Someone who is “shredding the gnar” is having an excellent day on the slopes. There’s a good bit of crossover with surfing and snowboarding slang, with words such as “gnar,” “bro,” “ride,” “rip,” and “stick it” common between the sports.
Pizza
Riding “pizza” means skiing with the skis placed in a wedge formation, like a slice of pizza — the tips of the skis are closer together than the tails. Instructors generally teach beginners to ski pizza, as opposed to “french fries,” when the skis are parallel to each other. It’s easier to control speed in pizza versus french fries. The official term for “pizza” is “snowplowing,” but the sport works up quite an appetite, so perhaps that’s where the slang came from.
Yard Sale
A “yard sale” is when someone falls in style — they went so hard that when they fell down, they lost all their gear. They were ejected from their skis or snowboard, and all of their accessories were scattered across the slope. It’s part of learning the sports, and it just means they were giving it their all.
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