Sports Glossaries
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Alpine combined

A competitive event that combines results from one downhill run and two slalom runs.

Alpine camber

A slight camber built into Alpine skis so that they're relatively rigid, allowing more maneuverability on slopes. See also double camber; Nordic camber.

Alpine skiing

Types of skiing that developed primarily in the Alpine regions, all of which are based on going downhill rather than cross country. Among the Alpine races are the downhill, the giant slalom, the slalom, and the super giant slalom.

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backcountry skiing

Recreational cross country skiing away from developed land and open roads.

base

1) The bottom of a ski; its running surface, typically coated with polyethylene or carbon fiber. 2) The bottom of a slope or mountain. 3) The average depth of snow at a ski area.

basket

The cup at the bottom of a ski pole, which encircles a sharp tip that bites into the snow to prevent slipping.

biathlon

A competitive event that combines cross country skiing and marksmanship.

binding

An attachment on the ski that clips onto the boot, thus holding the ski to the foot. See also release.

bunny slope

A gently sloping hill for beginning skiers.

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camber

A lengthwise arch or bow built into a ski to make it more flexible. Generally speaking, a lower camber is better for Alpine skiing, because it makes turning easier, while a higher camber is better for cross country, because it allows for better gliding. See Alpine camber; double camber; Nordic camber.

carve

To make a clean turn, using the edge of the ski, with no skidding.

catch an edge

To have an edge of a ski dig into the snow, causing a fall or near fall.

catch some air

To take flight briefly after skiing over a small hill or mogul.

chatter

Vibration of a ski caused by the edges bouncing off hard snow instead of biting in.

christie

A braking turn on which the tails of the skis are allowed to skid.

classical cross country

A cross country race in which skiers use the traditional straight striding technique, leaving distinct parallel tracks, with considerable assistance from the ski poles. Skating is not allowed.

combined

See Alpine combined; Nordic combined.

combined pursuit

A cross country event that's made up of two races. The first is usually a 5-kilometer classical race, the second a 5-kilometer freestyle. Competitors start the second portion in the same order in which they finished the first portion, and separated by the same amount of time.

corn

Small, rounded kernels of snow, most often seen in the springtime.

cross country

A type of race that takes place over a considerable distance. See classical cross country; freestyle cross country.

crud

Snow of variable consistency because of temperature changes and several snowfalls.

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double camber

A double arch built into some skis, typically used in cross country rather than Alpine skiing. Both the weight-bearing area beneath the bindings and the tips of the skis are slightly raised so there's less surface area in contact with the snow when the skier is gliding. See also Alpine camber; Nordic camber.

downhill

A race almost straight down the fall line of a steep slope. Skiers usually go individually and the result is based on electronic timing.

draw

A method of determining the start order for an Alpine race. Because a course becomes more difficult as racing goes on, the top 15 ranked skiers are always the first group to go. Their start positions are determined randomly. In events that require two runs, the start order is reversed in the second run.

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edge

The sharpened area, usually made of carbon steel, on the side of the ski's base that bites into the snow and can assist the skier in maneuvering.

equipment controller

An official who checks skis, bindings, and ski boots to ensure that the equipment meets competition standards.

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fall line

The fastest route down a ski slope, but not necessarily the straightest.

flex

The flexibility of a ski, due partly to the camber and partly to the materials used. A ski with little flex is better for hard-packed snow and Alpine skiing, while more flex is desirable for softer, deeper snow and most cross country skiing.

freestyle cross country

A cross country race in which skiers are allowed to use any technique, including skating.

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gate

A pair of flags set on flexible poles through which a skier must pass in Alpine events.

gate controller

One of several officials who ensure that racers pass the slalom gates correctly.

giant slalom

A type of race similar to the slalom, but with fewer and wider turns that require the skier to spend a lot of time going across the hill rather than down it. Each skier makes two runs, on two different courses, and the fastest cumulative time determines the winner.

glide wax

A wax that decreases the friction between the skis and the snow, which is applied to the entire ski for freestyle races, but only to the tails and tips for classical races. Compare grip wax.

granular surface

Ungroomed snow that isn't fresh powder; it's made up of tiny pellets of icy snow.

grip

The part of a ski pole that the skier grasps.

grip wax

A wax that increases the friction between the skis and the snow. It's applied to the middle section of the ski for classical races. Compare glide wax.

groom

To prepare a course or run by smoothing it with machinery, allowing more consistent skiing.

Gundersen competition

A Nordic combined event in which the jumping competition is held first. Differences in jumping points are converted into time differences for the cross country starting order, with the winner of the jumping portion starting first.

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inrun

The part of a ski jump on which the skier is traveling down the ramp, building up speed for the takeoff.

intermediate time

The time it takes a competitor to ski a specific section of the course.

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jury

A group of officials who ensure that a competition is run safely and in accordance with the rules.

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k point

The distance on a ski jump equivalent to the height of the hill. A jump that reaches the k point is worth 60 points. Each meter over or under that distance decreases or increases the score by 2 points. On a normal hill, the k point is 90 meters from the takeoff; on a large hill, it's 120 meters away.

kick wax

See grip wax.

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large hill

A ski jump hill 120 meters high. Compare normal hill.

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mashed potatoes

Wet, lumpy snow that makes for difficult skiing.

mass start

A type of cross country race in which all of the skiers start at the same time.

mogul

A bump of snow on a ski run. Some moguls are natural and others are accumulations of snow built up in an area where skiers frequently turn.

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Nordic combined

A competitive event that combines ski jumping and cross country. Competition usually begins with a cross country race, followed by two rounds of ski jumping. See also Gundersen competition.

Nordic camber

The high arch built into Nordic skis to allow better gliding in cross country skiing. See also Alpine camber; camber; double camber.

Nordic skiing

Types of skiing that developed primarily in Scandinavian countries. The Nordic events include cross country racing and ski jumping, as well as the Nordic combined.

normal hill

A ski jump hill 90 meters high. Compare large hill.

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outrun

A flat area at the bottom of the hill where skiers can come to a gradual stop.

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parallel turn

A turn in which the skis are kept parallel to each other.

piste

A groomed course or groomed trail.

pole

A round, lightweight shaft with a basket and spike on the lower end, a handle and strap at the upper end. In Nordic skiing, the poles are used primarily for propulsion. In Alpine skiing, they're used mainly to help maintain balance and to assist in making turns.

powder

Fresh, dry, light snow that hasn't been groomed.

pursuit start

A type of start in which the skiers go in the order in which they finished the first portion of the pursuit. See combined pursuit.

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relay

A cross country race among teams made up of four skiers, each of whom races one of the four legs. Legs are generally 5, 7.5, or 10 kilometers long. The first two are skied classical style and the last two are freestyle.

release

A mechanism that detaches the ski binding from the boot, when a certain amount of force is applied, to help prevent injury after a fall.

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schuss

To ski straight downhill as fast as possible. (German for "shoot.")

scramble leg

The first leg of a cross country relay race, so called because there's a mass start and the skiers have to scramble for position.

sidecut

The measured difference, usually in millimeters, between the waist of the ski and the tip and tail.

sitzmark

An indentation in the snow caused by a skier's fall.

skating

A cross country technique that is similar to ice skating. The skier pushes the inside edge of the ski backward and outward at about a 45-degree angle. Skating is permitted in freestyle cross country, but not in classical.

ski jumping

A type of Nordic competition in which skiers come down a long approach, the inrun, and then take off into the air to a landing area. Points are given for distance and style.

slalom

A race that combines downhill speed with technical ability. The course is marked with gates that are not in a straight line, so the skier has to make a whole series of quick turns while racing down the slope. Each skier makes two runs, on different courses, and the fastest total time determines the winner.

snowplow

A method of stopping in which the front tips of the skis are brought together, almost touching, while the tails are spread outward.

sprint

The shortest cross-country race, usually 1.5 kilometers, in which any style of skiing is allowed.

staggered start

A type of cross country race in which the skiers start at set intervals and the result is based on elapsed time, not on the order in which the skiers cross the finish line.

stem christie

A turn on which the skier first stems a ski by pushing the tail outward and then brings the skis parallel into a christie.

super giant slalom

The newest of the Alpine skiing disciplines, this event combines downhill speed with the precise turns of giant slalom. Each skier makes one run down the course and the winner is determined by electronic timing. Commonly known as "super G."

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tail

1. The very rearmost section of a ski. 2) The entire rear section, from the back of the binding to the very end.

takeoff

The moment when a ski jumper takes flight at the end of the inrun.

team jumping

A competition among teams of four jumpers on a large hill. Each skier takes two jumps and the team score is the total number of points from all eight jumps.

telemark position

The position in which a ski jumper lands, with one ski in front of the other.

timing clock

An electronic timing device that's automatically activated when the skier begins a run.

tip

1. The very frontmost section of a ski, where it is tipped upward. 2) The entire front of the ski, from binding to top.

tuck

An aerodynamic position assumed in downhill skiing. The skier basically squats above the skis, with the arms brought in tight against the body.

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v position

The ski position that most jumpers use while in the air, with the skis touching or nearly touching at the tails and spread apart at the tips, thus forming a V.

vertical

A section of a cross-country course where there is an uphill climb.

video controller

An official who watches on closed circuit television. If the video controller believes that a skier missed a gate, it must be reported to the gate controller.

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waist

The narrowest section of a ski between the tail and the tip.

wax

A soft substance applied to the base of a ski for protection and to improve its snow-going properties. See glide wax; grip wax.

waxless skis

Skis that have small ridge patterns on the middle area of the base to provide grip; used in classical cross country.

wedge

Another name for the snowplow.

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