Definitions
A
alpine zone - n. the top of a mountain which is above the tree line and therefore a unique microclimate and fragile ecosystem exposed to all elements.
alpine touring (AT) - n. a binding/ski package that disjoints at the toe so skiiers making alpine turns can hike or "skin" up the mountain.
après - v. a gathering or event after outdoor recreation often involving a cold or hot beverage.
B
bushwhack - v. to climb on or over logs, push past the brush and other understory vegetation otherwise known as coarse and fine woody debris in pursuit of your destination. This is also known as traveling off trail - please note trail guidelines before your try it!
C
crust - n. a thin layer of snow occurring in the top and/or middle layers of the snowpack that has melted and immediately frozen into hard, icy snow.
D
dawn patrol - n. going for a backcountry tour in the early, dark hours of the morning.
dumping - adj. when it is snowing heavily.
E
ejected - v. when ski boots are released from their binding which often occurs at speed and sometimes in combination with awkward ski placement such as when someone goes off a jump and lands in a strange way.
F
faceplant - n. a position someone achieves while skiing when their head goes over and above their tips. Usually a person's head is in the snow.
face shot - n. when a puff of powdery snow sprays you in the face.
G
grab - n. a trick achieved when a person holds a part of their ski, board or binding while in the air.
L
line - n. the path or route downhill which a skiier may follow.
S
snow snake - n. anything that might grab your edge or ski tip while skiing down including wood or trees buried in the snow or a rock.
skins - n. long manufactured strips applied to the bottom of a person's skis. On one side they are sticky and the other side has one directional fibers so when downward pressure is applied, they hold fast, allowing someone to climb forward on a slope.
skin track - the trail on which one climbs to reach the top of the backcountry area using climbing skins.
alpine zone - n. the top of a mountain which is above the tree line and therefore a unique microclimate and fragile ecosystem exposed to all elements.
alpine touring (AT) - n. a binding/ski package that disjoints at the toe so skiiers making alpine turns can hike or "skin" up the mountain.
après - v. a gathering or event after outdoor recreation often involving a cold or hot beverage.
B
bushwhack - v. to climb on or over logs, push past the brush and other understory vegetation otherwise known as coarse and fine woody debris in pursuit of your destination. This is also known as traveling off trail - please note trail guidelines before your try it!
C
crust - n. a thin layer of snow occurring in the top and/or middle layers of the snowpack that has melted and immediately frozen into hard, icy snow.
D
dawn patrol - n. going for a backcountry tour in the early, dark hours of the morning.
dumping - adj. when it is snowing heavily.
E
ejected - v. when ski boots are released from their binding which often occurs at speed and sometimes in combination with awkward ski placement such as when someone goes off a jump and lands in a strange way.
F
faceplant - n. a position someone achieves while skiing when their head goes over and above their tips. Usually a person's head is in the snow.
face shot - n. when a puff of powdery snow sprays you in the face.
G
grab - n. a trick achieved when a person holds a part of their ski, board or binding while in the air.
L
line - n. the path or route downhill which a skiier may follow.
S
snow snake - n. anything that might grab your edge or ski tip while skiing down including wood or trees buried in the snow or a rock.
skins - n. long manufactured strips applied to the bottom of a person's skis. On one side they are sticky and the other side has one directional fibers so when downward pressure is applied, they hold fast, allowing someone to climb forward on a slope.
skin track - the trail on which one climbs to reach the top of the backcountry area using climbing skins.
