Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA N A • W I N T E R 2 0 1 9 18 ALL-MOUNTAIN SKI: ese skis are designed to perform in all types of snow conditions and at most speeds. Also known as the One-ski Quiver. APRÈS-SKI: e day's over—time for drinks. ink dancing on tables, listening to live music, while swapping stories from the slopes. BAIL: is term is used when you majestically fall to the ground and take a tumble, as in "She bailed on that rail." BALACLAVA: A facemask worn to cover exposed skin. A key extra whenever you are caught riding a lift in fierce, driving wind or snow. BASE: Used to describe the underside of a ski or snowboard which can take a few scrapes along the way. Also used in reference to the main area at the bottom of a ski resort, or the overall depth of snow. BUMPS: e term used by novices for anything and everything they encounter such as moguls plus what they have all over their body at the end of the week. BUNNY: A female skier who appears to be more concerned with whether her boots and gloves match than actually skiing. CARVING: A series of clean turns using the edges of skis or a snowboard. Carving turns can vary from tight turns to giant "S" shaped swoops. CHATTER: e vibration of skis or snowboards caused by traveling at high speeds. Excessive chatter reduces contact between the ski and the snow and the ability to stay in total control. CHOWDER OR CHUNDER: Chopped/skied up snow + powder = chowder = the exact opposite of effortless. CRUST: Refers to a frozen layer either covering softer snow or buried under a fresh dusting of snow. EDGE: e sharpened metal strip on the sides of skis and snowboards, used for gaining control by biting into the snow for smoother carving and cutting. Holding an edge is a key to a good turn. GLADE: Heavily treed areas that are still skiable. GNARLY: A word for something that is over the top extreme, radical, dangerous and/or perfect. It can be used in both positive and nega- tive contexts. i.e that was an awesome ski run, so steep and gnarly. GNAR: A shortened version of the word gnarly, meaning high on the scale of dangerousness and coolness. Also an acronym that stands for Gaffney's Numerical Assessment of Radness. GROOMING: e most common form of trail maintenance, done to spread new snow and to smooth over bumps, icy patches and other obstacles. To groom, tractors drag giant rakes over the snow. JIB: Riding a snowboard or skis across on a non-snow surface, be it a rail, fun box, or even fallen log. Jibbers are a new phenomenon, those who like to use everything and anything as their playground. LIFTIE: A slang term for a ski lift operator. If you want some free local knowledge, these guys have their ears to the ground. LINE: e proposed route down the mountain—"check out that line through the trees." LUNCH TRAY (AKA "LAUNCH" TRAY): Snow- board. PLANKER (TWO-PLANKER): Skier RAG DOLL/TOMAHAWK: e dramatic action when a skier or snowboarder loses control and crashes in a cartwheel tumble, turning head over heels down the mountain side. POW (POW-POW): Light, dry, fluffy snow referred to normally as powder. e Holy Grail of skiers and snowboarders. But watch out, it's also hard to get up in. SCHUSSING: Heading straight downhill without turning. Normally done when a slope flattens out but also attempted anywhere by university types to get "gnar" points. A NOVICE WITH LITTLE ABILITY TO PERFORM BASIC TECHNIQUES. MAY BE RECOGNIZED WEARING JEANS TUCKED INTO THEIR RENTED SKI BOOTS, BRIGHTLY COLORED WIND- BREAKERS, AND A GAP ("GAPER") BETWEEN THEIR HELMET AND GOGGLES. TERM FOR THE COOKIE-SIZED CHUNKS OF ICE FORMED BY GROOMING AND SNOWMAKING; A PLAGUE AT RESORTS WHEN IT IS REALLY COLD. Death Cookies gaper Brain BUcket SLANG TERM FOR A HELMET.

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