The ski-related English words that gave you trouble all these years—right here!

It’s undeniable that skiing is closely tied to the English language. From ski resort information to technical tips, if you don’t know even a bit of English, not only will you instantly feel clueless, but it’ll also seriously hinder your ability to communicate and learn how to ski effectively. But here’s the thing—there’s no need to master English inside and out. If you’re worried about the hassle, why not just focus on learning skiing-related vocabulary? After all, isn’t that enough? (…But is that really a good idea?) Today, whether you’re heading abroad for some winter fun or diving into ski lessons back home, we’ve rounded up the most comprehensive and practical skiing-themed English words for you. No matter your goal, this handy list is sure to have everything you need!

>>>>Skiing types Skiing Categories

Snowboarding

Alpine Skiing High-Mountain Skiing

Glade Skiing: Skiing Amidst the Woods

Night Skiing

Cross-country skiing, speed skiing

Schuss: Downhill Sliding

Backcountry skiing: off-piste/backcountry skiing (referring to skiing on unprepared and unmarked slopes or trails in remote, uninhabited wilderness areas)

Nordic skiing: Cross-country skiing (where the heel is not fixed to the ski)

Cross-country skiing

Ski jumping

Freestyle skiing

Classical skiing – Traditional-style skiing

Downslope skiing: Mountain skiing

Military skiing: a method used in the military for transportation.

Kite skiing: a form of skiing pulled or carried by a paraglider, glider, or kite.

The events include slalom (slalom race), giant slalom, super G (super-giant slalom), and downhill race.

>>>>Skiing equipment

Hardgoods: Snowshoes, snowboards, and ski poles equipment

skiing board

Snowboard

ski pole

tipped ski board tip

Tail-equipped ski board

Ski break anti-slip device

Binding Fixator

Avalanche Beacon

Softgoods: Clothing and eyewear accessories

ski suit – ski clothing

skiing jacket

Down ski jacket — Down snowsuit

Parka-style ski jacket Leather-style ski jacket

Tapered trousers/ski pants – ski pants

Suspender ski slacks/pants

ski boots

Snow cap

skiing gloves

ski mitts — non-fingered gloves for skiing

Leather ski gloves – Leather ski gloves

Ski glasses/goggles

Brain Bucket/Helmet – Helmet

Balaclava Ski Facekini

Kneepad protective knee pad

ski socks – ski short socks

Plush earmuffs

Thermos insulated water bottle

>>>>Skiing moves

Pole planting, leaning on a staff

Flexion: Vertical bending of the body

Angulation: Lateral bending of the body

pivot: Turn (rotate the lower body)

Rotation: Rotating (turning the upper body)

Inclination: Leaning the body

Steering

Edge angle: the angle between the bottom of the sled and the snow surface.

extension: The position of stretching (or straightening) the leg or arm
Fall line: the shortest route downhill, also known as the slide line.

Carving: the deep snow tracks left behind as a snowboard glides across the snow.

Mogul: Mushroom/Cat's Leap (a bump, snow mound, or snow hump on the slope)

Short-radius turn

Angle/Comma Position Rotation

Giant Slalom Turn (G.S. Turn) – Alpine Skiing, Giant Slalom

Parallel turn: Parallel Turn (Parallel Turning)

Snow plow, plow-style brake

Airplane turn: Aerial maneuver

Stem Christie: Braking and Turning

Short-radius turn

>>>>Skiing facilities Ski resort facilities

Ticket Office – Ticket Sales Counter

Ski resort

Bunny Slope Beginner's Guide

Green Circle Beginner Trail

Blue Square Intermediate Path

Black Diamond Advanced Trail

Double Black Diamond

Off-Piste: Untouched Ski Trails

Track

ski slopes/runs/piste/trail: Ski runs/Ski trails

The primary/elementary ski slopes/runs/Bunny Slope – Beginner Trails

The intermediate ski slopes/runs

The high-class, high-level, or high-grade ski slopes/runs: Advanced Trails

Snowmaking machine / Snowmaker

Bombardier snow groomer

Cableway/Lift

Drinking Station

Shuttle Bus

Ski Equipment Hall

The distance between... Spacing

the cable car gondola lift (cable car with suspended cabins)

Chairlift – Cable-Powered Chair Lift

Magic-Carpet

Snow Entertainment Snow Play Area

Snow entertainment area for children – Children's Snow Playland

Entertainment facilities

ski area

Skiing show

>>>>Ski area conditions Snow Resort Natural Conditions

Powder Snow / Dump Powder Snow

Corduroy Noodle Snow

Crude, Rotten Snow

Slushy Milkshake Snow

Sluff Snow Slurry

Corn snow—granular snow

Crust: Hard Snow / Bread-Crust Snow

Debris Snow Pile

Artificial Snow

Grooming: Snow Track Maintenance

Slope

Temperature

Humidity

Altitude: Elevation

The slope orientation – direction of the hillside

Natural resources

Sunlight: Sunlight

Local climate

Transport capacity/ability: Capacity

>>>>Ski slangs Skiing slang

snow bunnyA lady who looks adorable in her outfit, with delicate makeup and fully equipped—yet she’s not very good at skiing.

sick: If you hear someone at the ski resort say you’re skiing "sick"—don’t worry, they’re totally complimenting you on how well you’re doing! For example: "Your run was sick."

yard saleA scene where skis, goggles, a helmet, and other items are scattered all over the ground after a fall while skiing.

face plant: I fell while skiing—and landed face-first in the snow.

fakie: Sliding backward in the snow.

manky: The smell radiating from your polyester underwear after a day of skiing—definitely not pleasant.

Skiing knowledge is vast and profound—yet even after covering so much, there are still plenty of little tidbits we haven’t touched on yet.
Feel free to leave a comment below the article if you'd like to add anything—interested friends are welcome!