Skiing on water, as they call it. Water skiing
Skiing, like any other type of human activity, has its own terminology. Therefore, before heading to the mountains, it is useful for tourists to study the dictionary of basic ski terms and understand what they mean. This will help you speak with ski school instructors in the same understandable language and, as a result, quickly master the necessary skiing skills on the slopes. We managed to collect the most common ski terms into the skier's dictionary below. We hope it will serve you well.
Avalman- a technique used at the beginning of a turn to maintain contact between the skis and the snow surface when the terrain of the track changes. It consists of sending the skis forward with a squat. Used when riding on hillocks.
Autocarves- improved design of alpine skis, with deep side cuts, thanks to which the skier enters a carving turn without much effort.
Acclimatization skier– the process of adaptation of a skier’s body to changes in conditions associated with climbing a mountain.
Alpine biathlon- one of the types of alpine skiing that combines downhill and slalom
Angulation- this is a change in the skier’s figure by bending the body at individual joints to increase the angle of the skis. The flexion functions are performed by the knee and hip-femoral joints.
Apres-ski (Apres-Ski, After-Ski)– various recreational activities that occupy leisure time ski resort. These include relaxation in a restaurant, sauna, swimming pool, discotheque, billiard club, classes in a sports club, health programs and spa treatments.
Base- the smooth surface of a snowboard that glides over the snow.
Ballet- a type of freestyle in which, while descending from a mountain, a skier performs rotations, turns and other figures on skis.
Baby lift- an entertainment device in the form of an escalator for lifting children.
Running belts (travalators)— lifts that are used for children and beginner skiers on training slopes.
Backside
Backflip- an overhead somersault performed by a skier during the descent.
Berm- a snow bank that forms on the outside of the skis during a turn. It helps skiers maintain stability on the slope.
Big air– a skier performs various tricks while jumping from a large springboard.
Beeper- a skier’s personal radio beacon that transmits signals if he is caught in an avalanche.
Lateral slip- this is the placement of skis during descent perpendicular to the direction of movement.
Boardercross- a type of sports competition when skiers, starting at the same time, descend along a route with difficult terrain. The route is specially prepared in advance.
Rejection- a technique used for braking. This is done by turning both skis across the direction of movement. Used as an element of the technique for entering a sharp turn. To achieve it, the athlete rotates the body and feet.
Flashy Technician a - a technique as a result of which the skier transfers the rotational movements of his body to the skis before turning.
T-bar lift- a simple version of the lift, which consists of a cable and seats attached to it. It lifts skiers up the slope.
Backcountry- one of the winter sports. Downhill skiing or snowboarding outside the ski area, on unprepared slopes, far from resorts or ski resorts.
Backside- a turn performed on the back edge.
Widow board– a snowboard that differs from the standard one by being wider.
Valset- a skier performs a freestyle ski, continuously rotating on flat skis in one direction 360 degrees.
One-eighty- rotation on flat skis 180 degrees.
Wedeln (godil)- a series of short interconnected turns.
Screw- a complex element that includes rotation of the athlete’s body in different directions: legs with skis rotate in one direction, and the torso and arms rotate in the opposite direction.
Virage– trajectory of movement with turns.
Off-piste skiing- the same as freeride: descending across virgin snow fields on mountain slopes on alpine skiing or snowboarding. The middle part of freeriding skis is wider than standard skis (10-15 cm).
Aerial acrobatics- freestyle elements include jumping from a springboard 2 meters high and individual acrobatic figures performed during the jump. This can be somersaults, pirouettes, etc.
"Magic Carpet"— a belt moving along the surface of a slope, designed for lifting children and beginners.
Rollout- means two concepts. This is the name of the part of the springboard on which skiers make jumps. The part of the route after the steepest part of the descent before the stop has the same name.
Giant slalom- a type of alpine skiing. The height difference on the track for men is 250-450 m. For women, this figure is in the range of 250-400 m.
Gladeskiing– downhill skiing on a slope overgrown with sparse forest.
Godil (Wedeln)– a series of short turns connected to each other.
Gondola– lift cabin with a capacity of 6-24 people. But there are also huge gondolas. Thus, the Mont Fort Jumbo cabin in the resort of Verbier can accommodate up to 150 people. The lifting speed of the gondola does not exceed 6 meters per second. They can only move in one direction or be double-sided.
Landing Mountain- an integral part of the springboard for alpine skiing. The steep part of the slope on which the skier lands has the same name. It is located below the athlete’s takeoff plane.
acceleration mountain- an integral part of the springboard for alpine skiing. It is located at the top of the springboard, has the greatest steepness and consists of launch pad; tracks on which the skier accelerates; transition curve and lift-off area.
Alpine skiing– the ski that is on top during the sliding technique.
Ski slopes- sports facilities on mountain slopes intended for alpine skiing. Slope sections are prepared using special equipment, and a specific profile is created. The trails must meet the standards accepted in alpine skiing, and also ensure the safety of skiers, regardless of their level of athletic training. The difficulty of the trails is marked with a specific color. Training routes are marked with green markers. Blue markings are used to indicate easy trails. Trails of medium difficulty are marked in red. The most technically difficult trails are marked black.
Ski tours - a popular type of active winter recreation, a great way to have a good rest and get fresh, vivid impressions.
Skiing– a winter sport in which an athlete descends from a mountain slope on a specially prepared track on alpine skis. Alpine combined, slalom, giant and super-giant slalom, and downhill are united under the concept of alpine skiing. The International Ski Federation (FIS) adopted alpine skiing in 1924. Included in the Olympic Games program in 1936.
Mountain Beacher– a tourist who prefers not to ski at a ski resort, but to sunbathe.
Grooming– preparation of the route by leveling the snow with snow compacting machines - snowcats. This prevents the formation of snow mounds and allows you to get a flat track with grooves similar to “corduroy” for carving.
Goofy) is the name given to snowboarders who ride with their right foot forward, similar to skateboarding.
Downhill– downhill is a discipline of alpine skiing in which an athlete passes a specially prepared track for a while with a height difference for men from 800 to 1100 meters, for women – 500-800 meters. The course should include a number of turns and natural jumps. Downhill racing is included in the program of the Winter Olympic Games.
Jibing— descent along the track, on which, in addition to jumps and uneven surfaces, there are also artificial buildings.
Valley ski- the ski that is at the bottom when performing oblique descents and slides.
Shaft - the structural part of a ski pole is made, most often, of aluminum alloys or composite materials.
Edging- an element of skating technique that allows you to increase the tilt angle.
Green route— a route for beginner skiers and children. The lightest, with a small slope angle, simple terrain, without bumps and well-groomed.
grainy snow– similar to firn, but somewhat harder. On unprepared routes it occurs in the mornings, when the snow that has thawed during the day freezes overnight.
Zorb) is an attraction in which a tourist descends a slope while sitting in a plastic ball.
Pulse- an element of skiing technique when, at the beginning of a turn, the skier transfers the necessary rotation to the skis.
Inclinometer (incline) - a device that allows you to determine the angle of inclination of slopes.
Herringbone– a technique for setting up skis to make it easier to climb uphill. The skier places his skis in a V shape.
Yooner– Alpine sled “pare” in an improved form.
Cable car– a device for lifting tourists. Chairs or carriages move up along a rope, which is attached to supports. The cable car can be up to 12 km long; Tourists ascend to a height of up to 3 km. The cars move at a speed of 1.5-11 m/sec.
Kant- a structural part of a ski or snowboard, covered with steel sheet (edged). The edge can be internal or external, upper (mountain) or lower (valley), front or rear, depending on the position of the skis during movement.
Canting- technique of changing the inclination of placing the skis on the edges in relation to the surface of the track.
Kamus- a long tape with a fleecy or rough surface, which is put on the ski from below to facilitate climbing the slope.
Carving- a skiing technique in which the skier develops very high speed, laying long arcs with a large diameter.
Carving skis, carves- used for skating using the carving technique. A distinctive feature from standard skis is the large cutout in the middle part. As a result, the toe and heel are slightly wider than the “waist”. The size of the cut directly determines the ability of the skier to make a sharper turn.
Cornice- a snow mass that hangs on a mountain ridge on the leeward side.
Kicker- an upward jump that a skier makes from a springboard. It allows you to get a high reach.
Compact- shortened alpine skis by 20-30 cm in comparison with standard amateur skis.
Counter-rotation- the technique is similar to the screw rotation technique. In this case, the rotation of the shoulder girdle is carried out in the direction opposite to the movement of the skis.
Counter turn- a technique with which a novice skier practices the technique of turns. On parallel skis, before turning away from the slope, a turn is made toward the slope.
Controlled avalanches– measures to prevent avalanches and thereby ensure safety on the slopes. Most often, avalanches are triggered by explosive charges.
Counterclone- the slope of the skier on steep turns to maintain his stability.
Skate turn- a turn made by an athlete on a slalom course using a skate press.
Ridge traverse- a variant of the skating step, when the skier pushes off with the lower ski and glides with the upper. In this case, the top ski, coming off the snow cover and falling onto it, is in a horizontal position. This technique allows you to cross a slope without losing height.
Skating step- in this technique, the skier repeats the movements of the speed skater. It is used on a flat area with alternating sliding and pushing off on one ski.
Corduroy– view of the snow surface (“corduroy”) after preparing the track with a snow groomer.
Red route– a route of medium difficulty for experienced skiers. They are characterized by strong steepness with the absence of flat areas. If flat areas are found, they are combined with short steep places. Riding on such trails requires a certain skill. Usually there are a lot of people on the red slopes, so even well-prepared snowcats, by the end of the day they are covered with bumps.
Chairlift– a cable car with chairs (single or double) attached to the rope. Passengers board and disembark while driving. The movement speed is 1-2.5 m/sec, the height difference between the upper and lower stations is 0.5 km, and the length of the road is 0.6-2 km. Capacity from 200 to 900 people per hour.
Chairlift– the same as a chairlift. For beginners, it is somewhat difficult to use because the road does not make stops for boarding and disembarking passengers. However, these skills are acquired quickly.
Cruciate ligament of the knee– a ligamentous apparatus that provides the functions of flexion and extension of the knee joint. Skiers get injured in the form of a rupture of this ligament. You can prevent such an injury by practicing proper skating skills and strengthening the ligament by training your legs.
Slope steepness- the angle of inclination, which is measured by a special device - an inclinometer (incline).
Cool– a slope with a slope level of more than 30 degrees.
Somersault- a technique that is used to unload skis when approaching a steep slope or when skiing on hillocks. The skier groups himself and pushes his body forward.
Couloir- a depression separating two hills.
Catskiing- a type of alpine skiing coupled with a snowmobile.
Cat track- a snow road, which is intended for the movement of special equipment for preparing slopes. It has a slight slope, so it is popular among lovers of simple descents from the mountains.
Belt lift (children)– an escalator flexible walkway for lifting children in enclosed spaces (entertainment centers) or on children's training tracks.
Avalanche- simultaneous descent of a huge amount of snow from the mountain tops.
Avalanche probe- a tool with which the location of people caught in an avalanche is determined. It is a stick made of composite material, which is easy to assemble and has a length of up to 3 meters. The probe has a scale showing the depth of its immersion in the snow mass.
Liner - an inner soft boot inserted into an outer boot.
Ladder– technique for climbing a mountain. The skier has to place his skis at right angles to the slope after each step. Walking on the stairs is very inconvenient.
Fall line- the most direct trajectory along which the skier descends from the top point of the route down.
Slope line (decline, slope)— the direction of the greatest inclination of the slope.
Lifters- lift operators.
Ski- a device for more convenient movement on a snowy surface, consisting of a curved board.
Ski storage- a room in rental offices, near ski lift stations or in hotels, intended for storing ski equipment. Skiers dry their boots in specially equipped dryers.
Ski base– a number of ski holiday services that the resort provides for tourists.
Ski brake– a device on the ski bindings that holds the skis on the slope if the fastening comes loose as a result of a skier’s fall.
Ski track- a trace on snowy terrain that remains from the skis of a descending skier.
Lurg- a pole with which a skier pushes off to make a turn on alpine skis. Lurg is the predecessor of ski poles, which completely supplanted it.
Magel- a hillock made of artificial snow and covered with an ice crust.
Mini skis– shortened training skis, which are used to acquire skills in downhill techniques.
Mogul– a discipline of alpine skiing, representing a high-speed descent along artificially created hillocks. The same term refers to a type of ski designed for skiing on bumpy slopes. Part of the Winter Olympics program since 1992.
Mogul track- a track on which special equipment (snow groomers) creates a large number of hillocks for skiing using the mogul technique. Available only to skiers with extensive skiing experience.
Ground lift- a lift on which people, when climbing a slope, do not leave the surface of the earth. For example, tourists glide on skis on a rope tow.
Nast- an ice crust that covers the snow and maintains its integrity under the weight of the skier.
Scissors– ski placement is similar to a skating turn. Used when turning on parallel skis
New school- a new type of freestyle, including three disciplines: acrobatics, ballet and moguls. A very spectacular type of skiing. Skis of a special design (“twin tip”) are used: they have curved heels, which makes landing easier during rotation.
Ollie- in snowboarding means a technique for overcoming an obstacle by jumping onto it. The rider, jumping, transfers the weight of his body to the tail of the board, while its nose rises. The tail springs under the weight of the athlete’s body and throws it upward.
Advance- a technique used on slopes with a large slope or when skiing on hillocks. The skier leans his whole body in the direction of movement.
Op-traken- a technique that allows you to control the trajectory of movement and reduce the flight distance after takeoff. It is an advanced jump and is used to overcome obstacles (hillocks).
Glasses– a necessary component of ski equipment. Used to protect the eyes from the effects of sunlight and air flow during downhill running.
Off piste- a term meaning skiing on unprepared slopes, without markings, both within the boundaries of the resort and outside it.
Pipe- a sports facility made of snow in the form of a half-pipe. In free space, snowboarders move from wall to wall, making various figures.
Sticks– the athlete uses ski poles to push off the snow.
Parallel slalom- a type of sports competition for alpine skiers against the clock on parallel slalom tracks.
Engine– skiing of several skiers in a trail. Each athlete descending in the chain exactly repeats the movements of the one in front.
Patrolled area- an area of the resort that is under the control of the ski patrol.
Powder– off-piste skiing on deep and fluffy snow.
Pedaling- a technique for entering a turn, in which the skier transfers his body weight first to one leg, then to the other. At the same time, the back of the inner ski rises.
First traces- a ski track left by skiers who climbed the first lift.
Reedging- a technique for entering a turn, in which the skier moves his skis from the top edges to the inside edges.
Fracture- in this case we are talking about an injury associated with a violation of the integrity of the bone.
Height difference– an indicator of the characteristics of the route, which is calculated as the difference between the heights of the upper and lower lift stations.
Stepping over— technique of performing a turn. The skier sets the top ski aside like a fan and transfers the load to it. The lower ski is parallel to the upper one.
Pist ( piste) - a ski slope prepared using special equipment.
Plow– the simplest technique of skiing on gentle slopes with elements of sliding, braking and turning. At the same time, the skier places his skis in a position similar to the letter V by bringing his toes together.
Turn— changing the descent trajectory. Turns are sharp, medium and shallow. Shallow turns have low curvature and a large radius. In relation to the slope line, turns are divided into turns to the slope and turns from the slope, as well as turns from a straight descent.
Wedge turn- the same as turning with a plow. This is done by bringing the ski toes together at an angle.
Christie turn- a type of turn when the skier places his skis in a position intermediate between turns with parallel skis and a plow.
Jump– the athlete performs a jump to take the load off the skis.
Whiplash– the same as a reduced avalman. The technique of feeding skis forward at the beginning of a turn.
Herringbone rise- a type of climbing a slope on alpine skis. The skier rests on the inside edges.
Lift– a technical structure for lifting a skier to a certain height of the slope. Types of lifts: gondola, rope tow, chairlifts.
Half-plough— skiing diagonally on a slope. The skier makes an emphasis with one ski.
"Poma" is a French company that produces lifts for ski resorts. The lifts themselves are also called. Their distinctive feature is the presence of a support disk instead of a crossbar.
Poskrebysh- a tourist who descends on the edge without making turns.
Pre-rotation- a technique for entering a turn using a rounded slide, and then edging.
Ski deflection- bending of the ski at the starting position.
Prorider- professional snowboarder, skier.
Profiled skis- skis with a pronounced profile: a narrow “waist” and wider front and rear parts. Used to make carved turns.
Direct descent– a skier’s descent on parallel skis along the slope line.
Powder (“powder”)– freshly fallen, fluffy snow that has formed a deep cushion.
Flat skis– this is what cross-country skiing is called at ski resorts.
Spreader- a technique for performing a stance by shifting the skis relative to each other in the direction of movement.
Edging- technique of reducing the edge angle relative to the snow surface. The magnitude of the angle depends on the nature of the slope, the quality of the snow, the speed and trajectory of the skier.
Stretching- an injury associated with excessive load on the tendon, which can result in their tearing.
Snow groomer— a special tractor with wide tracks for preparing ski slopes. It is used as a snow compacting technique, allows you to level the slope and prepare special routes (for example, moguls).
Regular- analogue of Goofy. The concept refers to snowboarding. A type of stance or an athlete skating in this stance who begins the descent with the left foot.
cut slip- a turning technique in which the sliding of the skis is insignificant.
Rail- a device in the fan park in the form of a pipe or other crossbar along which skiers and boarders glide.
Switch– changing the stance during the descent process. The skier can change the positions of regular and goofy.
Flexion-extension– a technique for riding on hillocks that levels out uneven descent. Also used to acquire skills in turns on parallel skis.
Core- a part of alpine skis on which the stiffness of the ski depends. It is located under the cover on the sliding surface.
Surf– sliding technique on unprepared tracks (soft, deep snow cushion). The key is to ski flat.
Blue track– a route for skiers of beginner and intermediate levels of training. Steeper than the green one, so you can ride at speed and make turns with a larger radius. Such trails are carefully prepared by snow groomers; no bumps or sudden changes are allowed.
Ski bass- a bus transporting tourists to the ski lifts and back to the hotels.
Skibob- a device for riding on a snowy surface. The design is similar to a bicycle, which has small skis instead of pedals. The tourist puts on skis, with which he controls and maintains balance.
Ski cross (skicross, skiercross)- discipline in alpine skiing. The start is made simultaneously for four athletes. They go down a special track, making turns and jumping from springboards
Ski pass– a one-time or multiple-use lift ticket (not only for one ski area, but for the entire region). Gives the right to travel by ski bus between the hotel and the ski lifts or between resorts.
Ski stops- a part of the ski bindings that holds the unfastened ski on the snow. It looks like horns.
Ski tour– skiing on slopes where there are no ski lifts and tourists climb on foot on skis. To prevent skis from slipping, they are equipped with special devices - skins. A special model of boots allows you to bend your leg.
Slope- the surface of a mountain between the top and the bottom. Slopes can be very gentle (4-7 degrees), gentle (8-15 degrees), average (15-25 degrees). Slopes with a slope of more than 25 degrees are considered steep, and those with a slope of more than 35 degrees are considered very steep.
Sliding surface (“sliding surface”)– the bottom surface of the ski that comes into contact with the snow.
Downhill– the official discipline of alpine skiing, consists of completing a slope against a time limit. The specially prepared track has a height difference for men from 800 to 1100 m, for women - from 500 to 800 m. It runs along a slope with natural relief and has jumps in some sections. The skier makes a series of turns, passing through the guide gates. The discipline is included in the program of the Winter Olympic Games.
Twist– the technique involves turning the skier’s body.
Slalom- the official discipline of alpine skiing. It consists of descending along a special route, on which passages - gates - are marked with flags. The slalom course for men has 55-75 gates, the height difference is 180-220 meters, and for women, respectively, 45-65 and 140 to 200 meters.
Giant slalom- the official discipline of alpine skiing, consists of descending along a special route with a height difference of 350-600 meters. The track has a length of 1200-2500 meters and 50-70 gates. The discipline has been included in the program of the Winter Olympic Games since 1952.
Slalom skis– characterized by increased rigidity, the rear part of the ski is reinforced. The design provides for vibration damping.
Snowshoes- shoes that make it easier to walk through deep and fluffy snow.
Snow cannon– a technical device for the production of artificial snow. It is used to maintain stable snow coverage on ski slopes in warm winter conditions. The use of snow cannons allows you to increase the duration of the skiing season by 40-60 days.
Snow manger– a fenced part of a gentle slope on which children learn skiing techniques.
Snow park— a complex of descents.
Snowblade- short skis with standard bindings. Size length from 90 to 100 cm.
Snowboard- a special board for descending from a slope.
Snowcat- a synonym for the word “snow groomer”. A machine on wide tracks, which is used to level roads and compact snow cover.
Snow park– a park with various figures with the help of which skiers and snowboarders perform tricks.
Slipping– the movement of a skier down a slope in such a way that parallel skis are located at an angle to the descent path. Slipping can be oblique, lateral, rounded, from a jump and from a stop.
Slipping off a jump– the skier makes a jump, after which, upon landing, the skis edge out, contributing to the start of sliding. Used on ungroomed trails, unfamiliar slopes and low visibility.
DIN standard (Deutsche industrie normen)– a scale with which manufacturers mark the indicators of unfastening of fastenings. The value for each skier is individual and depends on his height (boot length), weight, age and level of training.
Rack- the position that a skier takes when going down the slope.
Strepa- a fastening part with which the ski is fixed on the leg. It is made of plastic and has a soft leather pad at the point of contact with the leg.
"Waist"- the narrowest part of the ski.
Tandem boarding– snowboarding, in which there are 2 participants on one board.
Telemark (Telemark)- a style of skiing developed by Sondre Norheim in the 19th century and named after the Norwegian plateau. The main movements in this technique are step and step. The turn is carried out by pushing one ski forward at an angle to the direction of the turn. Despite the fact that telemark was supplanted by the Christian style, it currently finds many adherents. This is evidenced by the annual international telemark skiing competitions.
Thermoforming– individual adjustment of ski boots to the shape of the athlete’s foot by heating it with a hairdryer. The warm material on the inner surface of the boot, as it cools, takes on the contours of the foot.
Toboggan- a sleigh that does not have runners. Invention of the North American Indians. These are several boards bent at the front and fastened together.
Fat people– skis that are used for skiing on virgin snow fields. A distinctive feature is that they are one and a half times larger in width compared to standard models.
Push technique- consists in the fact that the skier, when entering a turn, makes an edge, then leans on, quickly pushes off and turns the loaded skis. Used on steep slopes to reduce speed.
Traverse (transversus)– the skier’s movement is not along, but across the slope.
Springboard– a special structure on a ski slope designed to increase the duration of an athlete’s flight during a jump. Components of the springboard: acceleration and landing hills, take-off area, transition arc and roll-out.
Trywell- a traumatic depression in the snow surrounding a tree trunk.
Tubing– a method of skiing downhill using car cameras.
Angular position– the position of the skier on the slope, bent at an angle at the waist and knees, in combination with a screw twisting of the body.
Catcher- a leather strap with which the ski is tied to the boot. Serves to secure the ski when opening the mount.
All-mountain skis- classic ski model. It has a medium waist width and medium stiffness. Used in any conditions by skiers with good training.
Emphasis- a technique for making a turn when the skier brings the toes of his skis together, giving them a V-shape position, and transfers the load from one to the other.
Turning phase– the same as the rotation element. A single turn consists of the following elements: preparation and entry into the turn, the turn itself and the end of the turn. When performing double turns, the final phase of one turn overlaps with the preparation phase of the next turn.
Fun-park– a ski area with various figures, designed for extreme, spectacular and stunt skiing.
Firn– snow with a granular structure, formed in the spring after repeated thawing and freezing.
Freeride– off-piste skiing on virgin snow fields.
Freestyle– discipline in alpine skiing. Includes 3 types: mogul, ski ballet and acrobatics.
Funiculaire- a type of transport that moves passengers by means of rope traction over a short distance along a slope.
Fakie– snowboarding backwards.
Half-pipe- a sports facility in a snow park, shaped like a half-pipe, the inner surface of which is covered with snow. Athletes, performing various figures, move from one wall to another.
Heli-skiing– skiing on virgin snow with a helicopter transfer of skiers to the top of the mountain.
Christiania– technique of making a turn on parallel skis. Named after the former name of the capital of Norway.
Virgin land– snow fields covering the slope. Located outside the ski areas.
Virgin skis- a model of skis characterized by flexibility along the entire length and greater width. This increases the sliding surface.
Circus- a volumetric depression in the part of the mountain where the peak begins or at the beginning of the valley.
Charlik- a pole that a skier uses when practicing his skills on a slalom slope.
Bowl- a depression of natural origin, located in the mountains and filled with a lot of snow.
Black track– a technically complex track designed for a high professional level of athletes. These trails are not prepared by snowcats, so they have a lot of hard hills, a complex profile, narrow places, steep slopes with drops, and virgin snow.
"Black brilliant"- so in North America routes are indicated in difficulty equivalent to the red routes.
Step-turn- a type of turn on parallel skis in which the skier pushes the top ski to the side.
Hats- this is the name given to lift passengers who do not have ski equipment and go up the slope only for the purpose of an excursion.
Wide skis- a model of skis whose width is greater than the width of standard skis, so that they do not fall into the snow. Used for skating in deep and fluffy snow.
Schussing— descent along a straight line of fall.
Evolutionary technique– technique of skiing on shortened pairs of skis.
Airboard- inflatable sleds made of synthetic material that are inflated with air. They descend on them in a head-first position.
Glossary of termsAvalman- an element of ski equipment. The essence of avalman is bending (pulling your legs under you) at the stage of entering a turn, unloading the skis (by straightening your legs), and bending your legs again at the stage of completing the turn. Mainly used on mounds. Pushing the skis forward with a squat at the beginning of the turn helps maintain contact between the skis and the snow surface as the terrain changes.
Apresski(French) Après-Ski- “after skiing”). Everything we can do to please ourselves after skiing while at a ski resort: health centers, baths, saunas, bars, restaurants, cafes, clubs, shows and festivals on the mountain, excursions and even shopping.
Big air(English) Big Air- “big air”). One of the elements of the fan park (snowboard park), a springboard for very high jumps. Big air is also called a competition (or demonstration performance) in which an athlete, jumping from a springboard, performs various tricks in flight. Common abbreviation B.A..
Bordercross(English) Boardercross) - speed competition with the simultaneous descent of four athletes along a specially prepared track, complicated by additional ditches, humps, jumps, etc. Common abbreviation SBX.
Rejection(French) Braquage - turn, deflection) a method of braking using the simultaneous turn of unloaded skis across the movement, achieved by the rotating force of the feet. Brakazh is an excellent pre-turn option when entering a sharp turn.
Backcountry(English) Backcountry- “remote area”). This is a kind of synthesis of mountain tourism and skiing/snowboarding. For those who are tired of wasted trails and bored with cable cars. We stomp on foot to the top, which is not equipped with lifts, and, with great joy in our eyes, we rush down the unprepared slope on our favorite skis/boards.
Backside(English) Back side- “back side”) - a turn performed on the back edge.
Backflip(English) Back flip- “back somersault”) - somersault over the head, back somersault.
Valset(French) Valse) continuous rotation of the skier along a vertical axis on flat
Wedeln- short conjugate turns.
Godil(French) short conjugate turns in skiing (same as vedeln).
Mountain Beacher- a type of vacationer at a ski resort for whom skiing is not the main goal. Simply put, this is an individual who prefers to spend time on the mountain, basking in the sun in a sun lounger. Skids/boards are used as a means of descending from this very mountain.
Grab(English) Grab-“grab”) is a type of trick in which the rider, while in flight, grabs the board with his hand. Just like the tricks themselves, various grabs have their own names depending on which hand and which place of the board is grabbed.
Goofy(English) Goofy- “stupid, stupid”) is the generally accepted name for boarders who place their right foot forward. The opposite of Goofy is Regular. The term Goofy does not actually mean that the stance is not correct, much less the mental ability of the rider.
Duckfoot(English) Duckfoot) - a snowboard stance in which the back leg is turned at a negative angle. Remember physical education lessons, “heels together - toes apart”, this is duckfoot. This stance is popular among experienced freestylers because it allows you to land securely in a switch (that is, reverse stance) when jumping and riding in a pipe.
Jibbing(English) Jibbing) - acrobatics, jumping, sliding and moving on a jibline (a stretched sling), and the edges of artificial structures. Jibbing is an all-season entertainment; gliding along a jibline is possible on roller skates, a skateboard, or even just wearing sneakers. But we are interested in winter sports. If you see a boarder/skier sliding along the edges of strange figures, then this is jibbing.
Kamus- a long fleecy tape, worn on the sole of the ski to facilitate climbing uphill. Used in ski touring.
Kant(English) Cant- “beveled, cut edge”) - one of the structural elements of alpine skis or snowboards - the metal edge of the sliding surface. Has a certain sharpening angle. Designed to prevent skis from slipping. Edges are external and internal, mountain (upper) and valley (lower)
Canting- changing the angle of placing the skis/board on the edges in relation to the snow surface. Edging - increasing the angle of edging, edging - decreasing, flatter position of the skis on the snow.
Carving or freecarv(English) Carving/Freecarve) - sharp turns on and off the highway, speeds at the limit, dense snow with an icy crust. Riding style - no slipping. Carvers hold the board at a high angle to the snow during the turn, and when turning over, the board comes off the ground. As a result, carvers are able to leave pencil-thin tracks in the snow and swathes of untouched snow when re-edging. The turns of experienced carvers who literally lie down on the slope in a rapid maneuver are very effective. Common abbreviation C.
Quote pipe(English) Quarter pipe) - a type of half-pipe in the form of a quarter circle.
Kicker(English) Kicker) is a slang name for a springboard.
Kuping(English) Coping) - the crest of the halfpipe.
Liner(English) Liner) - a soft inner boot inserted into a hard plastic outer boot.
Lurg- a pole or stick used for telemark skiing.
Magel- a hard, ice-covered mound of artificial snow.
Mogul(English) Mogul) - rolling on the hills. It is also a sport that represents free downhill skiing on a bumpy slope (up to 250 m long), along the most accurate straight line, with the obligatory performance of two jumps. In Mogul, the bumps (bumps) are located along the track in a checkerboard pattern; the athlete’s task is to descend as accurately as possible in a straight line, from the starting point he has chosen, and in no case, except when entering the springboard for two compulsory jumps, do not allow both of them to rest on the poles. hands.
Nolly(English) Nollie) - A freestyle trick similar to Ollie, only the push occurs with the nose of the board instead of the tail.
Ollie(English) Ollie) is one of the basic freestyle tricks. A way to jump without a springboard by first lifting your front leg and then your back leg, while pushing with the tail of the board. Skateboarder Alan Gelfand was the first to come up with the idea. Ollie is his nickname.
Op-traken(English) Up-tracken) - advanced jump. It is used when overcoming bumps with a sharp profile or declines, helps reduce the flight range after takeoff and control the trajectory of movement.
Powder(English) Powder- “powder”) - soft, freshly fallen snow.
Plow- the simplest technique for sliding, braking and turning on gentle slopes. It is performed on skis placed at an angle with the toes drawn together.
Whiplash- short push of the skis forward when entering a turn (reduced avalman).
Prorider(English) Prorider) - professional rider, professional skier, snowboarder.
Radical(French) Radical- “radical, decisive”) - a certain style of riding a board, taken to the extreme.
Snow groomer- a special snow-compacting machine on caterpillar tracks, used for preparing ski slopes. Snow groomers can also be used for transportation or rescue work in the appropriate area.
Revert(English) Revert- “go back, turn back”) Transition from Fake to front stance or vice versa, usually without lifting the board from the snow.
Regular(English) Regular- “regular”) is the generally accepted name for snowboarders who put their left foot forward on the board when skating. The opposite of Goofy.
Rail(English) Rail- “railing”) A traditional element of the fan park is the railing. It can be either straight or curved. One of the must-haves in Jibbing
Swallow tail(English) swallow-tail- “swallowtail”) - long boards with a wide nose and a tail divided into two parts like the tail of a swallow. These boards are characterized by an increased sliding area, maximum effective edge length and the ability to “float” in the snow. Used in freeride.
Switch- (English) Switch- switching, sudden change) change of stance during descent, for example from a regular position to a goofy position.
Surf- gliding technique with flat skiing. Most often used on soft and deep snow, on rutted slalom tracks.
Ski bass(English) Ski-bus- “ski bus”) - initially - a special bus that runs around the resort and between resorts according to a certain schedule, transporting resort guests from hotels to ski lifts and back (travel is usually included in the price of the ski pass). But in our situation, a ski bus is a bus that runs according to a certain schedule (1-2 times a week, there and back) between the ski resort and the nearest large populated area.
Skido- ride on a children's motor sleigh along your own route, maximum speed 4 km/h.
Ski pass(English) Ski pass -“ski pass, ticket”) - a subscription in the form of a plastic card for access to the ski lifts. Purchased at the ticket office at the ski resort. It varies by ski area and time.
Ski tour(English) Ski-tour) - absence of lifts and any other infrastructure, complete unity with nature! We get on our skis and head to the mountains. But don’t forget a very important nuance: skis with a skin, the design of the boots allows the leg to bend, the bindings make it possible to tear off the heel. If necessary, the heel is fixed and, voila!, your alpine skis are ready for use.
Slalom(Norwegian) Slalam- ski trail on the slope) is a competitive discipline in alpine skiing and snowboarding, which is a high-speed descent from the mountain in which the athlete must descend as quickly as possible, subject to passing all the mandatory gates specially placed on the slope. Common abbreviation SL.
Slopestyle(English) Slopestyle) - a type of competition consisting of performing a series of acrobatic jumps on springboards, pyramids, counter-slopes, drops, railings, etc., located sequentially along the entire length of the route. Common abbreviation SS.
Snowblade(English) Snowblade- “snow blades”). Short skis with a size from 60 to 100 centimeters with standard ski bindings. Due to the design features they have a small turning radius.
Snow park(fan park) (English) Snow-park, Fun-park) - an artificial park on a slope, built of snow and artificial elements, for freestyle and jumping, mainly for snowboarders.
Telemark(Norwegian) Telemark) - a special, old Norwegian style of skiing. The name of the style comes from Norwegian province Telemark is where the popularizer of this style of skating, Sondre Auversen (1825-1897), comes from. Telemarkers use a special skating technique. Skiing is done on skis with a special binding that does not secure the heel. A pole is sometimes used instead of ski poles. Common abbreviation TM.
Tubing(English) Tubing) - descent from the mountain on an inflatable sled, mattresses, inner tubes, etc.
Freeride(English) Freeride- “free skating”) “free skating” in the literal and figurative sense, complete freedom of action. No wasted trails, no lifts nearby, no crowds of plush. Transfer to places suitable for freeride is possible on snowmobiles. Skiing on untouched snow, with different radii of turns, on all types of slopes. Common abbreviation FR.
Freestyle(English) Freestyle- “free style”) - free style of skating. Freestyle skiing is characterized by ballet, moguls and acrobatic jumps. Board freestyle is characterized by jibbing, high-pipe riding, and all types of sliding and spinning on a gentle slope. Common abbreviation FS.
Freehill(English) Freeheel- “loose heel”) is the same as the Telemark riding style.
Fake(English) Fakie) skating in a reverse stance, which is not typical for your normal skating. For a goofy, a fake would be skating in a regular stance, for a regular - in a goofy stance.
Half pipe(English) Half-pipe - “ half pipe") - a concave structure covered with snow, with two opposing slopes and space between them, allowing athletes to move from one wall to another, making jumps and performing tricks with each movement. Halfpipe is also called the Olympic discipline of winter sports. Common abbreviation HP.
Heli-skiing(English) Heliskiing) - a type of freeride, the essence of which consists in descending along untouched snowy slopes, far from prepared trails, with a lift to the beginning of the descent by helicopter. Using a helicopter for ascent allows you to find various options for descending from the mountains in pristine nature, untouched by human invasion, where there is no other way to quickly climb.
Water skiing is a fairly simple way to actively relax and get a lot of positive emotions, because you don’t need to have any special skills, and simple skiing does not require suitable weather conditions and the presence of waves on the water surface. There are practically no requirements for the tug, because all that is needed is a suitable speed to create the necessary resistance.
Water skis are a little reminiscent of those used for walks in winter, and the main difference lies in the special geometry and material used for manufacturing. If we remember the time when water skiing was just in its infancy, skis were made from various types of wood with high resistance to stress and moisture, but this outdated technology has long since sunk into oblivion. Nowadays water skis are high-tech devices made from polyurethane foam, which has significantly less weight with increased gliding characteristics. Therefore, it is safe to use them in any case.
It is noteworthy that today water skiing is not only interesting entertainment, but also a full-fledged sport, despite its absence in the Olympic competitions. Skis practically have different characteristics and features depending on the intended purpose. So, there are pair, jumping and slalom skis. The latter are designed to perform the most difficult tricks on water, and accordingly, they are able to withstand excessive loads with enviable ease.
Plastic water skis, as a rule, have a special longitudinal groove, which significantly increases stability, making them most suitable for those who are just starting to master this type of sports recreation. Jump skis are much heavier than pair skis, and in addition, they have several big sizes. Because of this, only an experienced athlete can handle them. As for the slalom ski, it is a cross between pair skis and a wakeboard (board with a wake). This is the most complex projectile, requiring a certain skill and experience.
When choosing skis, it is important to pay attention to the flexibility indicator. This parameter is the most important, because it is responsible for the ability of the projectile to absorb the shock of waves when moving. Water skis with high flexibility are characterized by increased maneuverability and stability, but at the same time they are not capable of developing high speeds, which is most suitable for beginners. Skis with increased hardness are less stable, but can develop decent speed. Despite these features, both options are fiberglass reinforced and have a flared rear section for easier gliding.
However, not only do water skis differ in their technical characteristics, the price also has a wide range, because everything depends on the quality of the manufactured product, material, and manufacturer. Today, many companies produce quite acceptable sports equipment with a suitable price-quality ratio, but you should not save on this equipment, because not only health, but also life may depend on it.
Surely many have heard the phrase “water skiing” and even roughly understand what it is. You don’t have to be an extreme sports enthusiast to understand in general terms what it is and “what it’s eaten with.”
But recently, more and more people want to learn about skiing. This is not surprising. The sport is becoming more and more popular, and they are even considering including it in the Olympic program.
We will try to tell you everything we know ourselves.
What do they look like?
Externally, water skiing is very similar to cross-country skiing. But they have several significant differences. Firstly, water skis are wider, since their main task is to stay afloat and hold a person. Secondly, their fastenings imply fixation of bare feet. That is, the athlete fixes such skis on his leg without using special boots.
Story
First inventor
The first skis appeared back in 1922. Enthusiast Ralph Samuelson, driven by his own curiosity, decided to experiment with regular cross-country skis. Among other things, the innovator checked whether they could float on the surface of the water.
In order to be able to ride on the water, Samuelson had to slightly increase the width of the boards and equip them with special fastenings. After that, he made a test run on Lake Pepin. The race turned out to be very successful.
Second inventor
As is often the case with sports equipment, water skiing was reinvented in 1925. The innovator turned out to be a man named Fred Waller, who had never heard of Samuelson or his invention.
Waller was able to obtain a patent for it and began producing it under the Dolphin Akwa-Skees brand.
It is worth noting that both the first and second inventors made almost identical products from pine.
Third inventor
The story of the invention of the projectile does not end there. The product has another inventor. He made his name famous in 1928 by reinventing a product that had already been invented twice. Don Ibsen also did not know either Samuelson or Waller.
IN THE USSR
The fashion for water skiing swept the United States quite quickly. But she had difficulty getting to the USSR. As a result, people in the Soviet Union began skiing on water only in the middle of the last century.
One of the most famous people who loved water skiing was Yuri Gagarin. He was the initiator of the creation of a water skiing federation in the USSR. This happened in 1964, and a year later the first water ski championship was held in the Union.
A lot of time passed after that. The sport is developing. New types of water skiing disciplines and new types of equipment have appeared.
Kinds
Some water skis vary in shape. The shape of the projectile depends on the specific discipline in which it is used. Depending on this, disciplinary types of products differ.
Singles and doubles
There are types of disciplines in which the athlete skis on one ski, and there are those in which the athlete stands on two boards. A single ski differs from a pair ski in width.
There are paired skis, one of which has a loop for the second binding in advance. This means that the owner of such skis, if he wants to master single skiing, will not have to buy a separate product.
Figure and jumping
If the skis are used for figure disciplines, they will be short, wide, and have bends at both ends.
Jumping types of projectiles, like slalom ones, are made narrower and longer.
People who love extreme sports have long stopped using wooden water skis. Now they are made from special foam plastic, which holds up well on water.
How to start riding?
From the outside, water skiing seems like an extremely simple activity. However, the attitude towards this process changes when a person first stands on the apparatus. Before learning to water ski well, an athlete will have to experience many falls. This is a reason to think about equipment.
Equipment
There are no special requirements for skier equipment. However, for safety reasons, purchase a life jacket. It must be your size: do not press and do not fly off.
Ski selection
We don't know whether you will buy skis or rent them. But we will tell you which projectile you should start with.
It will be better if you choose classic paired water skis. They are the easiest to start with, they are the most obedient and predictable.
Some equipment is made specifically for beginners. They are slightly wider and more stable than their counterparts.
The fact that each product is marked depending on the weight of the athlete it was created for. Choose your size.
If you are choosing skis for a child, do not forget that it is more difficult for a young athlete to keep his legs in such a position so that they do not “creep apart”. There are junior equipment that can be fastened together. Young athletes often need this function.
Pick up the cable
The fact is that water skis cannot be used with any cable. This sport requires the presence of a low-elastic belt, the size of which will reach 22 and a half meters from one end to the other.
The cable that can be used with your projectile is usually marked accordingly.
Sign language
Learn at least a couple of words from the sign alphabet so that you can communicate with the person sitting at the helm of the boat. This sport is quite dangerous, so it is important to be able to report any problems. Remember that your riding partner will not be able to hear you due to the noise of the water and the hum of the running motor.
- Thumbs up - please speed up.
- Thumb down - please slow down.
- The connected tips of the thumb and index fingers are fine.
- If you want to advise your partner which way to turn, draw a circle with your index finger. The circle should be drawn in the direction in which your interlocutor should turn the steering wheel.
Flag
Another safety measure - signal flag. If the athlete is in the water but not skiing, he must raise a signal flag. Then other ships will see it.
Land training
Beginners should not rush into the water right away. Any sport loves gradualness. Water skiing is no exception. First, learn how to stand on the sand correctly. You need to learn the correct body position in which you can effectively maintain balance:
- Attach the cable to a stationary object located approximately at the level of your hips.
- Take the cable handle in your hands.
- Squat down so that your buttocks touch the ski boards.
- Pull your knees as close to your chest as possible.
- Have a helper tighten the cable a little. Following him, stand in a position as if sitting on a chair. Make sure that your arms are straight and that your knees do not “stick” to each other.
Choose a place and time
Now that your basic riding position has been perfected, find a spot that's ideal for water skiing.
A section of a reservoir with a calm surface and the absence of voluminous mooring buildings is ideal.
You must know the area well to avoid running into shallow water or shallow reefs.
We are calling partners
Water skiing is a team sport. Choose two partners. One of them will control the boat, the other will monitor you.
Getting dressed
Before putting on your water skis, wet them slightly with water. Insert your foot firmly into the fastening, then fasten it.
Don't forget to wear a vest. By the way, it is better not to use swimming trunks with ties, as they tend to come undone while skating and deprive the body of a necessary wardrobe detail.
Let's start
It is believed that it is easiest to start from a small pier. The athlete sits on it with boards on his feet.
Firmly grasp the cable handle with your hands. Do not forget that it is undesirable to bend your elbows. Make sure your palms are facing down.
If you are launching from a pier, give the go-ahead to the person operating the boat. It will start moving and you will slide into the water.
If you're starting from the water, dive in with your buttocks touching your skis and bringing your knees to your chest. The vest will keep you afloat. When the boat starts moving, you will feel that the skis are landing on water surface. Stay on your haunches. As the boat accelerates and you feel balanced, assume the position of a person sitting on a chair.
At the same time, try to work as if in counterbalance to the rope, tilting your torso back, and not tilting it after the rope. Otherwise you will fall.
When you feel confident that you are skating well, you can try to stand up.
We hope your acquaintance with water skiing will go smoothly and you will fall in love with this sport for a long time.
If you have been riding for a long time, please write about your experience in the comments.
Water skiing is a beautiful and exciting sport. The combination of sun, blue skies and refreshing water when practicing water skiing gives this sport a feeling of constant celebration. This is one of the few sports that can provide constant pleasure from training.
Water skiing is a relatively simple water sport.
For amateur skiing, you do not need any special training or long training. It is enough to simply show how to place your feet correctly and make a strong grip with your hands. This sport does not require special physical strength and is available for both adults and children.
The principle of movement on water skis is that a person, being on a board or water skis, moves through the water due to the speed given to him. This speed can be the speed of a wave or a boat.
Water, having the property of volume, buoyancy force and surface tension force, creates an elastic base under a moving board and the higher the speed, the denser the water for the skier.
The most commonly used is the power and speed of the boat. Skis are attached to it using special cables.
There are paired and single ski options.
Among single options there are also types:
- curly
- mono (slalom) skis.
Paired water skis Designed for making tighter geometric shapes, pirouettes and jumps while skating.
Water skiing similar to snow skis, but they are made of a special material and have their own geometry for gliding on water.
In figure skis both sides are slightly bent, the jumping ones are only bent at one end and are long. The mono ski is also long and has a turned up toe and a slightly curved back.
Initially, water skis were made from carefully processed wood. Now skis are made from a special plastic that has a low coefficient of friction and glides well through the water. Plastic skis are more stable and stable on the water due to a specially made profile. In addition, they are more durable and reliable.
Basic rules of water skiing.
Water skiing is based on athletes skiing on the surface of the water.
Skis are attached to a moving boat, with which you can perform various water jumps and figure skiing.
Professional athletes compete on the difficulty of completing routes. The competition on one or two skis takes place on a track where six buoys are located. They need to complete the course without mistakes.
A more skillful activity, since athletes need to perform many different interesting figures with turns at any degree.
It is advisable to perform as many different figures as possible in two approaches of twenty seconds. Each trick is worth a certain number of points. The complexity of the figures and pirouettes made is assessed.
By using wooden flooring perform ski jumping.
The length of the jump is measured from the edge of the feet taking off from the springboard until the feet touch the water. In order to jump correctly, you must follow the jumping technique. To perform ski jumping, a springboard is pre-installed in the water, onto which the skier passes.
His main task is to show a “high-quality” jump with a good distance and quality of execution.
Water slalom is different maneuvering movements at speed, at a distance of buoys from each other.
There are many types of water skiing. One of them includes the famous surfing. Unfortunately, surfing in Russia is not popular enough, but no matter what water sport you take up, it will bring you many pleasant moments, health and a great mood!
