How To Talk Like A Pro Skier

3 words that describe types of skiing

Alpine skiing

this is what most people talk about when they say skiing. Technically it means skiing on boots with heels fixed to the skis. Usually you're going downhill

Nordic skiing

often used synonymously with cross-country skiing, technically this is where the heels of the boots are not fixed to the skis. Usually you're going on flatter terrain (i.e., skiing as a means of transit, not riding up a lift to get to the top so you can speed down!)

Telemark skiing

combines elements of both Alpine & Nordic skiing. Heels are not fixed to skis, but there are downhill race components

9 words that describe types of runs (a ski trail)

Glade

runs through the trees
let's hit the glades, man'

Slalom

runs with manmade poles or gates, you're supposed to weave through them
I'm going to go slalom skiing tomorrow

Mogul

runs where you need to ski around the big bumps in the snow
most advanced runs are covered in moguls

Groomer

runs that have been groomed by snocats (to either pack, redistribute, or flatten the snow). Also called 'corduroy' since they look like the pants!
let's go find some groomers

Chute

runs that are narrow and bounded on both sides by obstacles
I need an adrenaline boost, let's find a chute!

Deer run

long, meandering runs that leisurely bring you down the mountain
just take that deer run all the way down

Green

the easiest type of run, symbolized by a green circle
I need to warm up on some greens

Blue

intermediate runs, symbolized by blue squares
let's hit some blues in the afternoon

Black

also called Black Diamond, or just diamond, these are advanced runs, symbolized by, you guessed it, a black diamond! There are also double and triple black diamonds, which are even more difficult!
the double black was sick man! and the diamonds out back are pretty great too

3 words that describe parts of the mountain

Bowl

a big mountain basin, exactly like it sounds. The sides are often very steep and covered in black diamond runs
let's get up to the bowl early in the day!

Backcountry

depending on context, can either mean territory that is completely out of boundaries of a resort and therefore you go at your own risk (if even permitted), or within the bounds of a resort, but not mail_tontained in any way (usually backside, in this instance). In both cases, expect tons of natural obstacles!
too crowded here, let's hit up the backcountry

Bunny slope

also called bunny hill, describes the really easy area that just has green runs
stick with the bunny slopes my friend

5 words that describe types of snow

Powder

the holy grail: new snow that's light and fresh, and not yet covered in tracks! Powder skis are skis that are wider than usual to provide greater surface area, allowing riders to glide over non-packed snow
3 feet of fresh powder last night, wahoo!

Crud

after powder packs down from riders, it packs into lumps of snow littering the ground
ride around the crud!

Slush

melted snow on the ground
let's get out of here, this is all slush

Crust

when top snow has melted down and become a layer of ice so it sounds very 'crunchy'
oh man, you hear that? this is all crust here!

Ice

the worst thing ever, period
back inside folks, it's all ice today

3 words that describe types of lifts

Poma lift

also called platter or button lift, the button is a 'seat' of sorts that you stick between your legs and let it drag you up

Rope tow

hold the rope and it drags you forward, often in beginner areas covering short distances

Magic carpet

a conveyor belt that you fully stand on with your skis or board; in beginner areas covering short distances

4 words that describe techniques

Pizza

cross your skis in the shape of a pizza to slow down and stop, the point of the pizza points downhill
pizza out, pizza out!

French fries

make your skis parallel like two French fries; this is how they should be when you want to move
let me see those French fries!

Herringbone

the technique skiers use to walk uphill, like reverse pizza
come on man, show me that herringbone and get up here

Carving

the perfect turn that you're waiting for, the edge of the skis or board dig(s) into the snow and magically you turn without losing speed, leaving a thin trail behind you
dude look at that guy carving

And 1 bonus word for fun...

Après-ski

literally 'after ski'; all the socials that happen after a long day on the mountain
what are you guys doing après-ski? how about hot tub and drinks?

Outpost	Regular hours***	Instructions	Driving	Public transit	Bike or scooter
Downtown SF Last Minute Gear 563 Sutter Street	Mo 12am-11:59pm Tu 12am-11:59pm We 12am-11:59pm Th 12am-11:59pm Fr 12am-11:59pm Sa 12am-11:59pm Su 12am-11:59pm	Self-service only; click here for more info. We do NOT have open, walk-in hours like a store anymore!	Many garages nearby (under Union Square or at Sutter/Stockton, etc.), but tend to be pricey Directly outside, multiple curb spaces are marked yellow commercial loading zones Ticketing & towing are very active, especially once the yellow commercial loading zones are paused weekdays 4-6pm!	4 blocks from Powell Street Station for the BART metro and MUNI lightrail	There is a rack directly outside
SOMA SF Game Post SF 689 3rd Street	Mo 12pm-6pm Tu 12pm-6pm We 12pm-6pm Th 12pm-6pm Fr 12pm-6pm Sa 12pm-6pm Su N/A	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!		2 blocks from the 4th & King Street Station for the CalTrain	There is a rack on the same block
Marina SF West Coast Leather 2060 Union Street	Mo 1pm-6pm Tu 1pm-6pm We 1pm-6pm Th 1pm-7pm Fr 1pm-7pm Sa 10am-7pm Su 1pm-6pm	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!	You can pull into the driveway right next to the shop for a few minutes!		There is a rack on the same block
Cole Valley SF Simple 1001 Stanyan Street	Mo 11am-6pm Tu N/A We 11am-6pm Th 11am-6pm Fr 11am-6pm Sa 11am-5pm Su 11am-5pm	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!		The MUNI lightrail N-line stops right outside	There is a rack directly outside
Mission SF Kelly's Boutique 3156 24th Street	Mo 11am-6pm Tu 11am-6pm We 11am-6pm Th 11am-6pm Fr 11am-6pm Sa N/A Su N/A	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended If you don't see staff they're likely just in the bathroom!	Directly outside, there's 1 curb space marked as a yellow commercial loading zone The grocery store directly behind this outpost has a parking lot; some folks have split up where 1 person shops the grocery store and another handles the gear	3 blocks from 24th Street Station for the BART metro	There is a rack directly outside
Potrero Hill SF BerryClean 1627 20th Street	Mo 8am-4pm Tu 8am-4pm We 8am-4pm Th 8am-4pm Fr 8am-4pm Sa 8am-4pm Su N/A	You must check-in with a staff person, there's no self-service here & please don't leave gear unattended This is an office & rarely, everyone will be out running an errand. We recommend selecting this outpost only it's not too inconvenient for you to come back again in case that happens.	Do NOT pull into or block the garage on-site!	4 blocks from 22nd Street Station for the CalTrain rail	There is a rack across the street
Oakland +$15 Port Labs Co-working 2044 Franklin Street	Mo N/A Tu 12pm-5pm We N/A Th 12pm-5pm Fr N/A Sa N/A Su N/A	We work here on limited days & will schedule a specific time for you to come by between meetings. Do NOT come without an appointment as this is a co-working space, and no one else will be able to help you	Many garages nearby Free street parking is generally readily available	2 blocks from the 19th Street Station for the BART metro	There is a rack directly outside