Quick guide to ski and snowboard slang

Impress fellow skiers and snowboarders and dominate the after-ski banter with our handy guide to ski and snowboard slang. Hone your winter sports lingo and you don’t even have to be the next world or Olympic champion to dazzle people on your next trip to the mountains. Bundle up, throw on your beanie and puffy gloves and get started. Here are some important snowboarding and skiing terms to know so you’ll fit right in, whether you’re hitting the slopes or ordering a warming drink at the resort coolest bar.

01

Black diamond

In the world of skiing and snowboarding, a black diamond symbol signifies an advanced or expert trail. These runs are characterized by steep gradients (often exceeding 40%), narrow passages or challenging obstacles like trees and moguls (large bumps).

If you’re a beginner, do not try the black diamond trail. It’s the toughest way from the top to the bottom and is the type of track only the pros go down. Look for paths labelled as green circle trails, as those are the slopes meant for new skiers. These are wide, flat and groomed with a gentle slope. Intermediate skiers can head out to the slopes marked with a blue square. They’re steeper than greens but usually groomed and predictable.

02

Carving

Carving in the snow sport world is slang for a series of clean turns using the steel edges of your snowboard or skis to slice through the snow rather than sliding across it. Instead of pushing your tails out to brake (skidding), you tilt the ski or board onto its side. The “sidecut” (the hourglass shape) naturally bends into an arc, pulling you into a smooth, semicircular turn. You leave behind a pencil-thin line in the snow rather than a wide, smeared spray.

Carving feels like you’re on rails. Because there is minimal friction, you maintain almost all of your speed through the turn. It’s an elegant way to get from the top of the mountain to the bottom.

03

Mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes refers to heavy, thick, and wet snow. It usually happens in the springtime or during a sudden warm spell when the sun melts the top layer of the snowpack. The snow loses its light, “powdery” feel and becomes clumped and sticky—exactly like the consistency of thick mashed potatoes.

This snow is incredibly dense and creates a vacuum-like pull on your skis or board, making it feel like you’re moving through wet cement and you have to “muscle” your way through each turn. To survive a mashed potato day, stay centered over your bindings and keep your speed up—momentum is your best friend when the snow gets sticky.

04

Chocolate chips

In ski and snowboard slang, “chocolate chips” refer to rocks poking through the snow surface. They typically appear when the snowpack is thin, often early or late in the season, when strong gusts scour the snow off ridges, exposing the ground beneath or during heavy traffic when many skiers scrape over a specific spot (like a traverse) and dig up the underlying debris.

Hitting chocolate chips can cause deep gouges in your ski or board base or blown-out metal edges. A sudden snag on a rock can lead to a pre-release from your bindings or a nasty fall. If you see chocolate chips, it’s time to use your “rock skis”—the beat-up pair you don’t mind scratching.

05

Disco sticks

In skiing, “disco sticks” is a slang term for short skis (also known as ski blades or skiboards). They earned this nickname because their shorter length makes them incredibly maneuverable, allowing skiers to “dance” or spin down the mountain with flashy, fast-paced footwork. While they’re a blast for quick turns and performing tricks, they lack the stability of full-length skis at high speeds.

Disco sticks are widely considered excellent for beginners because they’re significantly easier to control than traditional long skis. Because they are less intimidating and easier to stop, beginners often build confidence and learn basic techniques in hours rather than weeks. Shorter skis have a smaller turning radius, allowing for sharper, quicker turns and easier navigation.

06

Après ski

Après ski is French for “after ski” and refers to any post-skiing or snowboarding activity, from partying to soaking in an outdoor hot tub or feasting on a fondue. It typically starts in the late afternoon while people are still in their ski gear and continues into the evening. It usually involves outdoor terraces and cozy mountainside lodges with fire pits.

For entertainment, expect anything from chilled acoustic sets to high-energy DJs. Essentially, the goal is to relax after a great day of skiing and swap stories about your best runs (or wipeouts) of the day.