Colorado Ski Blog Ski reviews, trip recaps, and all-things Powder7.com

Ski Terms and Vocabulary

Each manufacturer has their own way of describing a ski's shape, construction, and features.  Sometimes it can be downright confusing, and we're here to sort it all out for you. The below definitions come straight from the respective manufacturer.

Line Skis

Butter Zone - The top veneers end a specific point in front and behind the binding to create a distinct "hinge" point for smooth, controllable nose/tail presses and buttering that doesn't restrict all-mountain handling.

Carbon OllieBand - Tip to tail carbon-fiber stringers are vertically laminated into the core for more energy and pop for ollieing over snowboarders.

Directional Flex - The softer tip floats and initiates turns easily while the stiffer tail provides reliable powerful turn exits and stability.

Early Rise - Tip rise starts earlier in the ski so that the tips effortlessly rise out of powder and stay on top without needing to sit back.

Early Taper - The widest point of sidecut starts tapering earlier in the tip to reduce tail drag and hooking in powder.

G-Cut Geometry - 5-radius sidecut with the tightest turn radius in the tail for powerful predictable exits and less unwanted tip hooking.

Metal Matrix - Die cut titanal, or composite laminate provides more power and grip where you need it underfoot and at the tips, while reducing weight where you don't.

P-Cut Geometry - 5-radius sidecut with the tightest radius in the tip for effortless predictable turn initiation at any speed.

Symmetric Flex - The same ski flex in front and behind your boot conforms to terrain equally for the same feel riding forward and backwards.

Symmetric Geometry - 5-radius sidecut with the same tight radius in the tip and tail for initiating turns easily riding forward and backwards.

Thin Tip - Super thin core & sidewall in the tips are 50 grams lighter per ski for reduced swing weight.

TigerSnake Technology - Electrical conduit is woven into the core with control knobs on the top so the ski can become aggressive like a tiger, while maintaining natural flex...like a snake!

 

General Ski Terms

Camber- The concave arch the ski makes with the snow. This is what makes the ski have energy and pop when making turns. When you stand on skis, they look flat but really, you're pushing them down.

Rocker- A new technology in the ski industry. It is described as the ski surface's early departure from the snow. Different names for rocker indicate the angle at which the snow leaves the snow (e.g. early rise, slow rise).  Rocker can be found in the tip, tail, or fully throughout the ski.

All Mountain Rocker- Rocker in the tip of the ski only.

Freeride Rocker- Rocker in both the tip and tail of the skis.

Reverse Camber- Rocker technology throughout the ski including underfoot. Instead of the ski having a concave arch when placed on snow, it has a convex arch.

Yard Sale- When a skier falls and loses his skis, poles, hat, goggles, etc.

Après Ski- Essentially a happy hour near the slopes where people show up wearing all their ski equipment and discuss that day's ski experience.

Front Side- A term to describe the groomed and clearly marked trails on a mountain.

Back Side- A term to describe ungroomed and unmarked trails on a mountain. Also referred to as the backcountry although this also has another meaning.

Backcountry- The area outside of resorts which can be accessed by hiking, helicopter, or car which is good for skiing. Avalanches are a danger here. Sometimes backcountry is synonymous with back side of the mountain but it depends on the situation.

Resort- Skiing is only one part of the experience. There are hotels, condos, houses, restaurants, bars, shops, and other conveniences within walking distance of the slopes. The trails are cleared of debris and the lift tickets are a little more expensive.

Ski Area- A no frills skiing business. There aren't any hotels on site. There is one basic lodge with a snack bar. Typically these have less expensive lift tickets, have die-hard local supporters, are accessed by more treacherous roads, and are family owned.