Lexicon

abs bag
/ ə ˈbi: ˈes bæɡ /
noun

A backpack with a deployable airbag to aid users caught in an avalanche to rise up amongst the debris. These tend to be in the form of a large balloon or balloons that inflate when manually triggered. The trigger either releases a small explosive charge that in turn releases a valve on a compressed air canister or switches on an electric fan that inflates the bag or bags. They are designed to make the person wearing it larger so that they naturally rise to the surface of the snow.

\\ Glad to see you have your abs bag today. I wouldn't want to be caught in a slide around the backside of the Col de Fruit without it.

Also known as:
air bag avi pack avi bag avalanche pack

additional power
/ əˈdɪʃn̩əl ˈpaʊə /
noun

A safety fall back allowing you to recharge or replenish electronic devices when you're out on the mountain. These can be traditional batteries or rechargeable USB devices. Either way, super handy to have in cold conditions where battery life can be diminished. Good for transceivers, mobile phones, torches, cameras and the like.

\\ My GoPro is dead, any chance you're carrying additional power?

Also known as:
power bank power bar

adrenaline
/ əˈdrenəlɪn /
noun

Half of the magic formula for feeling great, a naturally produced hormone that floods into the body when skiing steeps and dropping cliffs. When it comes, it increases blood flow to muscles, output from the heart and blood sugar levels, it also dilates your pupils. Pair this with Dopamine and you have a glorious formula.

\\ That drop was bigger than I thought, I can still feel the adrenaline in my veins.

air bag
/ ˈeə bæɡ /
noun

A backpack with a deployable airbag to aid users caught in an avalanche to rise up amongst the debris. These tend to be in the form of a large balloon or balloons that inflate when manually triggered. The trigger either releases a small explosive charge that in turn releases a valve on a compressed air canister or switches on an electric fan that inflates the bag or bags. They are designed to make the person wearing it larger so that they naturally rise to the surface of the snow.

\\ Glad to see you have your air bag today. I wouldn't want to be caught in a slide around the backside of the Col de Fruit without it.

Also known as:
avi pack avi bag avalanche pack abs bag

All mountain
/awl moun-tn/
Noun / Adjective

Gear and riding style for the whole mountain and all conditions.
A term used to describe both gear and riding style that’s built for versatility across the entire mountain. Whether you’re carving groomers, navigating chopped-up powder, or dipping into tree runs, all mountain skis or boards are designed to handle it all — without being overly specialised in one area. For riders who want one setup to do everything — piste, powder, crud, and side hits — all mountain gear offers the ultimate quiver-of-one solution. Expect medium flex, directional shapes, and a profile that balances float and edge hold.

\\ \\ Those all mountain skis are awesome in the deep powder but also carve some great lines on-piste

alpine
/ ˈælpaɪn /
noun

Initially used to describe the European Alps subsequently used to describe any high mountain area. Also now used as a group term for various competitive skiing disciplines, including downhill, super-g and slalom.

\\ The alpine on Blackcomb yesterday was all-time.

alpine binding
/ ˈælpaɪn ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Device to hold alpine ski boots to your skis. Attached to skis by screws & glue. These allow the boot to be held securely whilst skiing. The binding holds the boot heel and toe cups in place utilising a spring-loaded mechanism. The toe piece of the boot is inserted into the front of the binding, then the heel is then forced down to activate a 'locking' mechanism in the rear part of the binding. These bindings include a safety mechanism that will automatically 'release' the boot when a preset force is applied. The measurement setting used for release is know as DIN.

\\ I'm on the hunt for an alpine binding that's compatible with a traditional alpine and gripwalk soles - what can you recommend?

alpine ski boot
/ ˈælpaɪn ˈski: buːt /
noun

Ski boots designed to work with alpine bindings. They're made predominantly from plastic. They come in many different styles, sizes and flex patterns. They all share commonality with regard to the design of the heel and toe pieces as these must comply with the ISO 5355 standard. This outlines the interface between boot and binding, to ensure a safe fit.

\\ I'm thinking of trading these alpine boots for a proper FreeRide boot, what do you think?

alpine touring binding
/ ˈælpaɪn ˈtʊərɪŋ ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Generic term for bindings that aid travel uphill as well as down. They fall into three categories pin / tech, frame and hybrid. AT ski bindings allow you to temporarily alter your set-up, so you can lift your heels whilst moving uphill and then lock your boots back in place to allow you to ski downhill. These bindings are used in combination with climbing skins and most often alpine touring boots. AT bindings make travelling through snowy ground fast and efficient. Originally only available in pin / tech form, more recently they come in an expanding menu of flavours.

\\ I've mounted some alpine touring bindings on my Ranger 102s. I think this'll give me an ideal setup for our hut trip....

Also known as:
at binding ski touring binding touring binding

alpine touring boot
/ ˈælpaɪn ˈtʊərɪŋ buːt /
noun

Boots designed for both downhill skiing and ascending using climbing skins. AT boots have downhill ‘locked’ ski mode as well as a more flexible ‘unlocked’ or 'walk' mode. In the later the cuff of the boot is allowed an increased range of movement, this lets your ankle and lower leg flex forward and back for skinning and boot-packing uphill. These boots usually have a rubber base along with a curved or rockered sole to improve grip on slippery surfaces, such as rocks and allow for a more natural footfall when walking. In addition these boots tend to be lighter than regular Alpine Boots and generally have softer flex.

\\ I bet those AT boots are sweet on a multi-day tour. I heard Scarpa have dropped the weight below a kilo.

Also known as:
at boot ski touring boot

altimeter
/ ˈæltɪmiːtə /
noun

Pocket device, usually digital, to measure altitude. Most altimeters used in outdoor activities are in fact digital barometric pressure sensors, these measure air pressure to calculate altitude and can be more reliable than GPS in certain situations, for example where there is no signal or when available satellites are near the horizon.

\\ I can't see a thing in this cloud, I guess we aren't far from the summit, what's your altimeter showing?

appropriate clothing
/ əˈprəʊpriət ˈkləʊðɪŋ /
noun adjective

The right clothing for the conditions. If you are travel using rider power then your best option is layering. The number of layers and their thickness is up to the individual but are generally acknowledged in the following categories: base layer, mid layer, shell.

\\ The forecast tomorrow looks pretty mixed so we need to make sure we have appropriate clothing.

at binding
/ ət ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Generic term for bindings that aid travel uphill as well as down. They fall into three categories pin / tech, frame and hybrid. AT ski bindings allow you to temporarily alter your set-up, so you can lift your heels whilst moving uphill and then lock your boots back in place to allow you to ski downhill. These bindings are used in combination with climbing skins and alpine touring boots. AT bindings make travelling through snowy ground fast and efficient. Originally only available in pin / tech form, more recently they come in an expanding menu of flavours.

\\ I've mounted some AT bindings on my Ranger 102s. I think this'll give me an ideal setup for our hut trip....

Also known as:
ski touring binding touring binding alpine touring binding

at boot
/ ət buːt /
noun

Boots designed for both downhill skiing and ascending using climbing skins. AT boots have downhill ‘locked’ ski mode as well as a more flexible ‘unlocked’ or 'walk' mode. In the later the cuff of the boot is allowed an increased range of movement, this lets your ankle and lower leg flex forward and back for skinning and boot-packing uphill. These boots usually have a rubber base along with a curved or rockered sole to improve grip on slippery surfaces, such as rocks and allow for a more natural footfall when walking. In addition these boots tend to be lighter than regular Alpine Boots and generally have softer flex.

\\ I bet those ski touring boots are sweet on a multi-day tour. I heard Scarpa have dropped the weight below a kilo.

Also known as:
ski touring boot alpine touring boot

ava
/ ˈɑːvə /
noun

A mass of objects such as snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside. In the case of snow avalanches, these are typically caused by a force being applied to the snowpack that overcomes the frictional forces holding the snow in place, ultimately causing a slide. Each historic snowfall has its own characteristics such as; the size and shape of the snowflakes, wind direction and air temperature. These snowfalls make up the layers in the snowpack, the strength of bonding between these layers, the ground and other natural features vary. When force is applied the bonding maybe overstressed causing the bond to break and a slide to occur.

\\ Holy Shit, did you see the size of the ava on the Grand Bec yesterday, I've never seen it go there!

Also known as:
avi slide avalanche

ava 1-5
/ ˈeɪvə wʌn tu faɪv /
noun

The internationally recognised 5 level avalanche danger scale where 1 is low and 5 is extreme. Ava 1-5 refers to the avalanche warning bulletin, a simple 5 level danger scale of low (1), moderate (2), considerable (3), high (4) and extreme (5) designed to make clear what the avalanche danger is in a particular area.

\\ Where are we on ava 1-5?

ava bulletin
/ ˈeɪvə ˈbʊlətɪn /
noun

A daily (sometimes twice daily) report that identifies the avalanche danger level in a specified region for a specified period of time. Unless your FreeRide adventures take you to the frontier of the skiing world, where-ever you ride there’s likely a local ava bulletin that's updated daily (sometimes twice daily) throughout the season.

While the look and feel of these may differ from country to country they tend to follow an internationally recognised information pyramid with the avalanche danger level at the top followed by successive layers of information, such as avalanche prone locations, types of avalanche risk present and a description of likely dangers, ranked in order of relevance and importance finishing with the raw, uninterpreted data.

\\ Have you checked today's ava bulletin?

Also known as:
avalanche bulletin ava report avi bulletin avi report avalanche report

ava report
/ ˈeɪvə rɪˈpɔːt /
noun

A daily (sometimes twice daily) report that identifies the avalanche danger level in a specified region for a specified period of time. Unless your FreeRide adventures take you to the frontier of the skiing world, where-ever you ride there’s likely a local ava report that's updated daily (sometimes twice daily) throughout the season.

While the look and feel of these may differ from country to country they tend to follow an internationally recognised information pyramid with the avalanche danger level at the top followed by successive layers of information, such as avalanche prone locations, types of avalanche risk present and a description of likely dangers, ranked in order of relevance and importance finishing with the raw, uninterpreted data.

\\ Have you checked today's ava report?

Also known as:
avalanche bulletin ava bulletin avi bulletin avi report avalanche report

avalanche
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ /
noun

A mass of objects such as snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside. In the case of snow avalanches, these are typically caused by a force being applied to the snowpack that overcomes the frictional forces holding the snow in place, ultimately causing a slide.

Each historic snowfall has its own characteristics such as; the size and shape of the snowflakes, wind direction and air temperature. These snowfalls make up the layers in the snowpack, the strength of bonding between these layers, the ground and other natural features vary. When force is applied the bonding maybe overstressed causing the bond to break and a slide to occur.

\\ Holy Shit, did you see the size of the avalanche on the Grand Bec yesterday, I've never seen it go there!

Also known as:
ava avi slide

Lexicon: Transceiver, Beacon, Transponder

avalanche beacon
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ ˈbiːkən /
noun

An emergency locator device. A transmitter and receiver in one unit, operating at 457 kHz for the purpose of finding people buried under snow. Available in Analog & Digital versions with various levels of sophistication depending on manufacturer / model. Basic capabilities must include Transmit & Receive modes as well as directional and distance locators. More advanced functions include multiple burial mode and detection of vital signs.

\\ Can you confirm that your avalanche beacon is on and set to send?

Also known as:
beacon avalanche transceiver transponder transceiver

avalanche beacon park
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ ˈbi:kən pɑːk /
noun

A dedicated area where riders can test and train with their transceivers. Transceivers, simulating victims, are buried in the snowpack of the park area, these are connected underground to a central control box where one or more units can be turned on to emit a signal that is picked up by the avalanche transceivers worn by those practising their rescue drills.

\\ It's gonna be avi 4/5 tomorrow afternoon so how about we head to the avalanche beacon park for some rescue practice?

Also known as:
avalanche transceiver park

avalanche bulletin
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ ˈbʊlətɪn /
noun

A daily (sometimes twice daily) report that identifies the avalanche danger level in a specified region for a specified period of time. Unless your FreeRide adventures take you to the frontier of the skiing world, where-ever you ride there’s likely a local avalanche bulletin that's updated daily (sometimes twice daily) throughout the season.

While the look and feel of these may differ from country to country they tend to follow an internationally recognised information pyramid with the avalanche danger level at the top followed by successive layers of information, such as avalanche prone locations, types of avalanche risk present and a description of likely dangers, ranked in order of relevance and importance finishing with the raw, uninterpreted data.

\\ Have you checked today's avalanche bulletin?

Also known as:
ava bulletin ava report avi bulletin avi report avalanche report

avalanche danger scale
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ ˈdeɪndʒə skeɪl /
noun

An internationally recognised 5 level scale to assess and inform avalanche risk. Level 1: LOW - Generally stable conditions. Triggering is generally possible only from high additional loads in isolated areas of very steep, extreme terrain. Only small and medium natural avalanches are possible.
Level 2: MODERATE - Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Triggering is possible, primarily from high additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. Very large natural avalanches are unlikely.
Level 3: CONSIDERABLE - Dangerous avalanche conditions. Triggering is possible, even from low additional loads, particularly on the indicated steep slopes. In certain situations some large, and in isolated cases very large natural avalanches are possible.
Level 4: HIGH - Very dangerous avalanche conditions. Triggering is likely, even from low additional loads, on many steep slopes. In some cases, numerous large and often very large natural avalanches can be expected.
Level 5: VERY HIGH - Extraordinary avalanche conditions. Numerous very large and often extremely large natural avalanches can be expected, even in moderately steep terrain. Very rarely forecast.

\\ The avalanche danger scale is rising to 4 this afternoon above 3200, so we'll need to ride lower faces after lunch.

avalanche fatalities
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ fəˈtælɪtɪz /
noun

People who have died as a result of an avalanche. Figures are stated over a given time period, usually over an entire winter season for snow avalanches.

\\ I read that the increase in global avalanche fatalities is in part due to the rise in sled riding.

avalanche pack
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ pæk /
noun

A backpack with a deployable airbag to aid users caught in an avalanche to rise up amongst the debris. These tend to be in the form of a large balloon or balloons that inflate when manually triggered. The trigger either releases a small explosive charge that in turn releases a valve on a compressed air canister or switches on an electric fan that inflates the bag or bags. They are designed to make the person wearing it larger so that they naturally rise to the surface of the snow.

\\ Glad to see you have your avalanche pack today. I wouldn't want to be caught in a slide around the backside of the Col de Fruit without it.

Also known as:
abs bag air bag avi pack avi bag

avalanche probe
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ prəʊb /
noun

A lightweight collapsible rod used to locate a victim buried under avalanche debris. Designed to be stowed in a backpack and quickly assembled. This is achieved by throwing the sections away from the body, whilst holding the cord or string at the top end of the device. Pulling this cord brings the sections together, once assembled a locking mechanism is engaged to hold the sections together whilst the probe is used. Probes are constructed from aluminium or carbon and marked with a measuring scale to aid location of a buried victim. Avalanche professionals and patrollers tend to choose longer, heavier aluminium probes.

\\ Now we have a strong consistent signal, Pascal can you grab your avalanche probe and start probing here, it looks like Michelle is 1.2 metres below this point.

Also known as:
probe snow probe

avalanche report
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ rɪˈpɔːt /
noun

A daily (sometimes twice daily) report that identifies the avalanche danger level in a specified region for a specified period of time. Unless your FreeRide adventures take you to the frontier of the skiing world, where-ever you ride there’s likely a local avalanche bulletin that is updated daily (sometimes twice daily) throughout the season.

While the look and feel of these may differ from country to country they tend to follow an internationally recognised information pyramid with the avalanche danger level at the top followed by successive layers of information, such as avalanche prone locations, types of avalanche risk present and a description of likely dangers, ranked in order of relevance and importance finishing with the raw, uninterpreted data.

\\ Have you checked today's avalanche report?

Also known as:
avalanche bulletin ava bulletin ava report avi bulletin avi report

avalanche snow shovel
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ ˈsnəʊ ˈʃʌvl̩ /
noun

A collapsible, portable tool used for extracting burial victims from an avalanche. The blade and handle detach to allow them to be carried (externally or internally) in a backpack. You can buy super light shovels with plastic blades but these are designed for competitive skimo racing, not cutting through debris of a wet snow avalanche, aluminum blades are a good option as they are sturdy, effective and relatively low in weight.

\\ I see your new avalanche snow shovel has a telescopic handle, I guess that makes shovelling more efficient?

Also known as:
avi shovel rescue shovel shovel snow shovel

avalanche terrain
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ teˈreɪn /
noun

Terrain where avalanches are able to occur under the right circumstances. e.g. a slope that is steep enough for snow to slide. Avalanches are more likely to occur in certain types of terrain due to the makeup of the landscape. Significant but not failsafe characteristics include:
Slopes with an angle between 30 and 45 degrees gradient.
Slopes with historic records of avalanche activity.
Slopes that are un-forested or those with a dispersed tree cover on angles between 30 and 50 degrees.
Slopes lacking vegetation where avalanche paths are quite obvious because they run frequently enough to prevent establishment of mature forests or other vegetation which are prevalent in the vicinity.
Slopes where there are soil, rock and other debris deposits in the potential runout zone.

\\ When the skin track descends around the corner at the end of this ridge we will be entering avalanche terrain and so we need to practice safe travel techniques.

avalanche transceiver
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ trænˈsiːvə /
noun

An emergency locator device. A transmitter and receiver in one unit, operating at 457 kHz for the purpose of finding people buried under snow. Available in Analog & Digital versions with various levels of sophistication depending on manufacturer / model. Basic capabilities must include Transmit & Receive modes as well as directional and distance locators. More advanced functions include multiple burial mode and detection of vital signs.

\\ Can you confirm that your avalanche transceiver is on and set to send?

Also known as:
beacon avalanche beacon transponder transceiver

avalanche transceiver park
/ ˈævəlɑːntʃ trænˈsiːvə pɑːk /
noun

A dedicated area where riders can test and train with their transceivers. Transceivers, simulating victims, are buried in the snowpack of the park area, these are connected underground to a central control box where one or more units can be turned on to emit a signal that is picked up by the avalanche transceivers worn by those practising their rescue drills.

\\ It's gonna be avi 4/5 tomorrow afternoon so how about we head to the avalanche transceiver park for some rescue practice?

Also known as:
avalanche beacon park

avalung
/ ˈeɪvə lʌŋ /
noun

Apparatus designed to aid breathing and increase the victims window of survival, when trapped under the snow as the result of an avalanche. The most common cause of avalanche death is asphyxiation, this is due to the victim breathing carbon dioxide that accumulates around their face as their oxygen supply depletes. The avalung is a long tube with a bivalve intake that pulls air from the snowpack and deposits exhaled carbon dioxide away from the face. It is claimed that the device can extend the victim’s survival window from around 15 minutes to nearly an hour.

\\ I was thinking about investing in an avalung but I'm not sure how realistic it would be to get the tube in my mouth when being tumbled down the mountain.

avi
/ ˈɑːvi /
noun

A mass of objects such as snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside. In the case of snow avalanches, these are typically caused by a force being applied to the snowpack that overcomes the frictional forces holding the snow in place, ultimately causing a slide. Each historic snowfall has its own characteristics such as; the size and shape of the snowflakes, wind direction and air temperature. These snowfalls make up the layers in the snowpack, the strength of bonding between these layers, the ground and other natural features vary. When force is applied the bonding maybe overstressed causing the bond to break and a slide to occur.

\\ Holy Shit, did you see the size of the avi on the Grand Bec yesterday, I've never seen it go there!

Also known as:
slide avalanche ava

avi bag
/ ˈɑːvi bæɡ /
noun

A backpack with a deployable airbag to aid users caught in an avalanche to rise up amongst the debris. These tend to be in the form of a large balloon or balloons that inflate when manually triggered. The trigger either releases a small explosive charge that in turn releases a valve on a compressed air canister or switches on an electric fan that inflates the bag or bags. They are designed to make the person wearing it larger so that they naturally rise to the surface of the snow.

\\ Glad to see you have your avi bag today. I wouldn't want to be caught in a slide around the backside of the Col de Fruit without it.

Also known as:
avalanche pack abs bag air bag avi pack

avi bulletin
/ ˈɑːvi ˈbʊlətɪn /
noun

A daily (sometimes twice daily) report that identifies the avalanche danger level in a specified region for a specified period of time. Unless your FreeRide adventures take you to the frontier of the skiing world, where-ever you ride there’s likely a local avi bulletin uthat's updated daily (sometimes twice daily) throughout the season.

While the look and feel of these may differ from country to country they tend to follow an internationally recognised information pyramid with the avalanche danger level at the top followed by successive layers of information, such as avalanche prone locations, types of avalanche risk present and a description of likely dangers, ranked in order of relevance and importance finishing with the raw, uninterpreted data.

\\ Have you checked today's avi bulletin?

Also known as:
avalanche bulletin ava bulletin ava report avi report avalanche report

avi pack
/ ˈɑːvi pæk /
noun

A backpack with a deployable airbag to aid users caught in an avalanche to rise up amongst the debris. These tend to be in the form of a large balloon or balloons that inflate when manually triggered. The trigger either releases a small explosive charge that in turn releases a valve on a compressed air canister or switches on an electric fan that inflates the bag or bags. They are designed to make the person wearing it larger so that they naturally rise to the surface of the snow.

\\ Glad to see you have your avi pack today. I wouldn't want to be caught in a slide around the backside of the Col de Fruit without it.

Also known as:
avi bag avalanche pack abs bag air bag

avi report
/ ˈɑːvi rɪˈpɔːt /
noun

A daily (sometimes twice daily) report that identifies the avalanche danger level in a specified region for a specified period of time. Unless your FreeRide adventures take you to the frontier of the skiing world, where-ever you ride there’s likely a local avi report that is updated daily (sometimes twice daily) throughout the season.

While the look and feel of these may differ from country to country they tend to follow an internationally recognised information pyramid with the avalanche danger level at the top followed by successive layers of information, such as avalanche prone locations, types of avalanche risk present and a description of likely dangers, ranked in order of relevance and importance finishing with the raw, uninterpreted data.

\\ Have you checked today's avi report?

Also known as:
avalanche bulletin ava bulletin ava report avi bulletin avalanche report

avi shovel
/ ˈɑːvi ˈʃʌvl̩ /
noun

A collapsible, portable tool used for extracting burial victims from an avalanche. The blade and handle detach to allow them to be carried (externally or internally) in a backpack. You can buy super light shovels with plastic blades but these are designed for competitive skimo racing, not cutting through debris of a wet snow avalanche, aluminum blades are a good option as they are sturdy, effective and relatively low in weight.

\\ I see your new avi shovel has a telescopic handle, I guess that makes shovelling more efficient?

Also known as:
rescue shovel shovel snow shovel avalanche snow shovel

back side
/ bæk saɪd /
noun

Where the magic happens. In the world of FreeRide there is no disputing that off-piste is where the magic happens but our understanding of off-piste, or 'back-side' or 'backcountry' differs from one continent to another. It's important to know the differences.

In North America and Asia, 'back-side' tends to refer to terrain outside the resort boundary - hence uncontrolled mountain and un-patrolled terrain. Within the resort boundary (see also inbounds terrain) the ski patrol secures not only the marked pistes and trails but also un-groomed terrain where the snow has not been subject to mechanical compaction or alteration (see also Grooming). In Europe there is generally no resort boundary and the ski patrol only secures marked pistes and trails. Even 10 metres beyond the piste markers is considered 'back-side' and is not secured.

In Europe you ride beyond the piste markers at your own risk. In North America and Asia you ride beyond the resort boundary at your own risk.

\\ the back-side is where the magic happens.

Also known as:
off-piste hors piste backcountry uncontrolled mountain un-patrolled terrain freeride terrain

Solo rider boot-packing into an expansive backcountry scene, on a blue-sky day

backcountry
/ bæk ˈkʌntri /
noun

Where the magic happens. In the world of FreeRide there is no disputing the backcountry is where the magic happens but our understanding of backcountry differs from one continent to another. It's important to know the difference.

In North America and Asia, backcountry tends to refer to terrain outside the resort boundary - hence uncontrolled mountain and un-patrolled terrain. Within the resort boundary (see also inbounds terrain) the ski patrol secures not only the marked pistes and trails but also un-groomed, off-piste terrain where the snow has not been subject to mechanical compaction or alteration (see also Grooming). In Europe there is generally no resort boundary and the ski patrol only secures marked pistes and trails.

In Europe you ride off-piste beyond the piste markers at your own risk. In North America and Asia you ride beyond the resort boundary at your own risk.

\\ The backcountry is where the magic happens.

Also known as:
off-piste hors piste back side uncontrolled mountain un-patrolled terrain authentic mountain freeride terrain

backcountry travel
/ bæk ˌkʌntri ˈtrævl̩ /
noun

Travelling, most often by rider power through terrain that is beyond resort boundaries and is not patrolled or avalanche controlled. Freeriders most often choose split boards or skis with skins to move through the backcountry. In North America the use of sleds is also common but not in most European mountains. In addition the backcountry can be accessed by helicopter but this access varies from country to country, heli access is not traditionally associated with Backcountry travel as it’s not moving ‘through’ the terrain.

\\ I guess that new splitboard means you're looking to get into some serious backcountry travel..?

backpack
/ ˈbækpæk /
noun

A pack for stowing gear and carried on the back using shoulder straps and often a hip belt. In the context of FreeRide this allows you to carry the FreeRide Essentials for your time on the mountain. At a minimum, shovel and probe but ideally a bladder pack. The longer the time spent in FreeRide Terrain the more equipment one needs to carry, it's for this reason that fit becomes increasingly important. The inclusion of a safety whistle on the chest strap is ideal.

\\ How is that new backpack working out? Does it have a dedicated pocket for your shovel & probe?

Also known as:
bergan daysack

base
/ beɪs /
noun

The underside of a ski or snowboard. Bases are generally made of blends of plastic, most commonly they come in extruded and sintered constructions. Extruded bases are manufactured by melting polyethylene pellets together, sintered bases are manufactured by crushing the pellets together under high pressure. The former is cheaper and requires almost no maintenance however is limited in terms of performance, the latter creates a more porous bases, this allows maximum wax absorption and is more abrasion-resistant.

\\ I wonder what that 'dry skiing' has done to my bases?

base-layer
/ beɪs-ˈleɪə /
noun

The layer of clothes, closest to your skin. Its primary function is not to keep you warm but to keep you dry by wicking sweat away from the body. Ideally made of moisture wicking fabrics, natural fibres such as merino wool and silk perform this function well and have odour resistance properties. Synthetic materials, such as nylon and polyester tend to be really durable but may not be as planet friendly as you'd like.

\\ Your base layer looks perfect for these spring conditions - is it merino? Something like 190 GSM?

Also known as:
base layer

beacon
/ ˈbiːkən /
noun

An emergency locator device. A transmitter and receiver in one unit, operating at 457 kHz for the purpose of finding people buried under snow. Available in Analog & Digital versions with various levels of sophistication depending on manufacturer / model. Basic capabilities must include Transmit & Receive modes as well as directional and distance locators. More advanced functions include multiple burial mode and detection of vital signs.

\\ Can you confirm that your beacon is on and set to send?

Also known as:
avalanche transceiver avalanche beacon transponder transceiver

beacon signal
/ ˈbi:kən ˈsɪɡnəl /
noun

The signal emitted by an emergency locator beacon or transceiver. Regardless of make or model, avalanche transceivers or beacons manufactured for the purpose of finding people buried under snow all transmit on 457 kHz .

\\ I'm picking up a beacon signal 20 metres away.

Also known as:
transceiver signal

bear trap binding
/ ˈbeə ˈtræp ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Old School ski binding that looked like a bear trap. Invented in 1929 by ski racer and engineer Guido Reuge and brand-named after the Kandahar Ski Club. This was the most common ski binding in use up until the 1960s. They consisted of a large spring that attached to a cup / toe piece and wrapped around the heel of the skiers chosen boot (usually made of leather).

\\ Can you imagine sending it with a bear trap holding you in your skis.

Also known as:
kandahar binding cable binding

bergan
/ ˈbɜːɡən /
noun

A pack for stowing gear and carried on the back using shoulder straps and often a hip belt. In the context of FreeRide this allows you to carry the FreeRide Essentials for your time on the mountain. At a minimum, shovel and probe but ideally a bladder pack. The longer the time spent in FreeRide Terrain the more equipment one needs to carry, it's for this reason that fit becomes increasingly important. The inclusion of a safety whistle on the chest strap is ideal.

\\ How is that new bergan working out? Does it have a dedicated pocket for your shovel & probe?

Also known as:
daysack backpack

boarding
/ ˈbɔːdɪŋ /
verb

The essence of life (see also skiing). Boarding, Skiing, Sliding, Riding. Whatever your prefered method and equipment choice, it makes no sense and all the sense in the world.

\\ Boarding is the same as skiing, only different.

boot packing
/ buːt ˈpækɪŋ /
noun verb

In the world of FreeRide the bootpack or booter is a single lane ascent route or trail kicked into the snow. Bootpacking is almost always harder and more exhausting than skinning but sometimes it's the only way to get to where you need to be. Since most bootpacks are in steep terrain you may also need some additional gear such as crampons and/or an ice axe. Depending on the conditions, booting will either make you feel like a FreeRide Hero or make you wish you'd spent more time working on your quads in the off-season. As with most things in life there are rules for successful bootpacking. The most important of which is, no matter how narrow the trail, don't pee in the bootpack.

\\ WTF! I don't want to be kicking through yellow snow when boot packing!

Also known as:
boot pack bootpack booter booting

booter
/ buːtɚ /
noun verb

In the world of FreeRide the bootpack or booter is a single lane ascent route or trail kicked into the snow. Bootpacking is almost always harder and more exhausting than skinning but sometimes it's the only way to get to where you need to be. Since most bootpacks are in steep terrain you may also need some additional gear such as crampons and/or an ice axe. Depending on the conditions, booting will either make you feel like a FreeRide Hero or make you wish you'd spent more time working on your quads in the off-season. As with most things in life there are rules for successful bootpacking. The most important of which is, no matter how narrow the trail, don't pee in the bootpack.

\\ WTF! Yellow snow in the booter!!

Also known as:
boot pack bootpack boot packing booting

booting
/ ˈbuːtɪŋ /
noun verb

In the world of FreeRide the bootpack or booter is a single lane ascent route or trail kicked into the snow. Bootpacking is almost always harder and more exhausting than skinning but sometimes it's the only way to get to where you need to be. Since most bootpacks are in steep terrain you may also need some additional gear such as crampons and/or an ice axe. Depending on the conditions, booting will either make you feel like a FreeRide Hero or make you wish you'd spent more time working on your quads in the off-season. As with most things in life there are rules for successful bootpacking. The most important of which is, no matter how narrow the trail, don't pee in the bootpack.

\\ WTF! Yellow snow in the boot pack!!

Also known as:
boot pack bootpack booter boot packing

bootpack
/ buːtpæk /
noun verb

In the world of FreeRide the bootpack or booter is a single lane ascent route or trail kicked into the snow. Bootpacking is almost always harder and more exhausting than skinning but sometimes it's the only way to get to where you need to be. Since most bootpacks are in steep terrain you may also need some additional gear such as crampons and/or an ice axe. Depending on the conditions, booting will either make you feel like a FreeRide Hero or make you wish you'd spent more time working on your quads in the off-season. As with most things in life there are rules for successful bootpacking. The most important of which is, no matter how narrow the trail, don't pee in the bootpack.

\\ WTF! Yellow snow in the boot pack!!

Also known as:
boot-pack booter boot packing booting

Boundary Marker
/ ˈbaʊndri ˈmɑːkə /
Noun

Signs or poles marking the edge of a piste or to indicate the boundary between maintained ski areas and off-piste, or out of bounds areas. Broadly there are two types:

Piste Markers: Piste markers are physical signs or poles placed along ski runs (pistes) to guide skiers. These markers indicate the level of difficulty (green, blue, red, black), trail direction, or specific areas of the ski resort. In off-piste skiing, trail markers may be less frequent or absent entirely, making navigation more challenging and requiring skiers to rely on their knowledge, maps, or GPS devices.

Boundary Markers: These are markers placed by ski resorts to indicate the boundary between maintained ski areas (pistes) and off-piste or out-of-bounds areas. Crossing these boundaries typically leads to unpatrolled and potentially dangerous terrain, so skiers should be aware of these markers when venturing off-piste.

Marker: Marker is also a well-known brand that manufactures ski bindings for off-piste and freeride skiing.

\\ Dude, that sick line is just beyond the boundary markers. Are you up for it?

Also known as:
Marker Piste Marker

bracketing
/ ˈbrækɪtɪŋ /

Bracketing is a technique used for conducting the fine search in an avalanche rescue. Once you are within 5 metres of an avalanche burial victim, slow your search and get down on your hands and knees. This way you will be able to place your beacon right on the snow surface. Now you can begin bracketing.

The victim is just 5 metres away, buried somewhere beneath the snow surface. You're looking to establish the lowest reading on your transceiver, bearing in mind this will not be a zero reading. Keep moving steadily forward in a straight line with your eyes glued to your transceiver distance readings. This is now your sole focus – do not allow yourself to be distracted.

As you get closer your readings will go down, but at some point you are going to pass over the victim and your readings will start to go back up again. Stop. Return to the lowest reading and mark that point in the snow. Now, move the transceiver either 90° left or 90° right of that point, keeping a close eye on the distance readings as before. This is known as bracketing. Continue this process until you have established the closest or lowest reading. Make a mental note of the lowest distance (eg 1.5 metres) and mark that point. If you've searched correctly,the victim is directly below this point.

\\ When my transceiver indicates a distance of 5m to the burial victim I complete my coarse search and start my fine search by bracketing the search area.

Also known as:
fine search

braquage turn
/ ˈbrækˈeɪdʒ tɜːn /
noun

A low speed turn used as a training tool to promote technique for challenging steeps. The fundamentals of this turn are to move from having your skis parallel and facing in one direction across the mountain, similar to the sideslip position, then planting the downhill pole and moving your skis through 180 degrees by letting you hips fall over your feet, flattening your skis and allowing them to turn and point down the fall line and then back across the mountain. Once the fundamentals are understood and repeatable, this can be used in a series of linked turns in steeps or moguls.

\\ You know when your braquage turn is coming together, it's that feeling of your hips falling over your feet.

Also known as:
pivot turn zero speed turn

bungee
/ ˈbʌndʒi /
noun

Elasticated nylon chord with a hook at each end. A useful addition to any backpack. Everyone loves a bungy (or sometimes bungee) or two in their backpack. The perfect 'Secret Santa' gift for any FreeRider, bungee straps or cords offer a simple and effective solution to a multiplicity of unanticipated problems from fixing something to the outside of you backpack to making an emergency shelter.

\\ Bungees!! Thanks santa.

Also known as:
bungee cord bungee strap bungy

bungee cord
/ ˈbʌndʒi kɔːdz /
noun

Elasticated nylon chord with a hook at each end. A useful addition to any backpack. Everyone loves a bungy (or sometimes bungee) or two in their backpack. The perfect 'Secret Santa' gift for any FreeRider, bungee straps or cords offer a simple and effective solution to a multiplicity of unanticipated problems from fixing something to the outside of you backpack to making an emergency shelter.

\\ Bungeee cords!! Thanks santa.

Also known as:
bungee bungee strap bungy

bungee strap
/ ˈbʌndʒi stræp /
noun

Elasticated nylon chord with a hook at each end. A useful addition to any backpack. Everyone loves a bungy (or sometimes bungee) or two in their backpack. The perfect 'Secret Santa' gift for any FreeRider, bungee straps or cords offer a simple and effective solution to a multiplicity of unanticipated problems from fixing something to the outside of you backpack to making an emergency shelter.

\\ Bungee straps!! Thanks santa.

Also known as:
bungee bungee strap bungy

bungy
/ ˈbʌndʒi /
noun

Elasticated nylon chord with a hook at each end. A useful addition to any backpack. Everyone loves a bungy (or sometimes bungee) or two in their backpack. The perfect 'Secret Santa' gift for any FreeRider, bungee straps or cords offer a simple and effective solution to a multiplicity of unanticipated problems from fixing something to the outside of you backpack to making an emergency shelter.

\\ Bungees!! Thanks santa.

Also known as:
bungee bungee strap bungee cord

button
/ ˈbʌtn̩ /
noun

Method of mechanical uplift where the rider is dragged or pulled uphill. T-bars and button lifts hark back to a bygone era before snowboards when skis were very long, very thin and very straight. Only a few old schoolers mourn their passing into history but drag lifts have their place. As a FreeRider you're going to want to get up there in all weathers and it's a fairly safe bet the drag lift will still be turning long after the chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars have all shut due to high winds.

\\ Riding the button hands free - nice!

Also known as:
drag drag lift button lift t-bar tow

button lift
/ ˈbʌtn̩ lɪft /
noun

Method of mechanical uplift where the rider is dragged or pulled uphill. T-bars and button lifts hark back to a bygone era before snowboards when skis were very long, very thin and very straight. Only a few old schoolers mourn their passing into history but drag lifts have their place. As a FreeRider you're going to want to get up there in all weathers and it's a fairly safe bet the drag lift will still be turning long after the chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars have all shut due to high winds.

\\ Riding the button lift hands free - nice!

Also known as:
drag drag lift button t-bar tow

cable binding
/ ˈkeɪbl ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Old School ski binding that looked like a bear trap. Invented in 1929 by ski racer and engineer Guido Reuge and brand-named after the Kandahar Ski Club. This was the most common ski binding in use up until the 1960s. They consisted of a large spring that attached to a cup / toe piece and wrapped around the heel of the skiers chosen boot (usually made of leather).

\\ Can you imagine sending it with a cable binding holding you in your skis.

Also known as:
bear-trap binding kandahar binding

camber
/ ˈkæmbə /

A slight arching or upward curve in the middle of a ski. Camber maximises edge contact with the snow which improves the responsiveness and stability of your ski. It’s ideal for carving turns when you're riding hardpack and ensures a good grip on icy steeps.

\\ There's a decent camber on these skis.

cat track
/ kæt træk /
noun

A wide gentle snowy path running through a mountain landscape. Due to their relatively flat profile, they are often marked as the easiest way to descend a mountain. In addition to riders that are also often also used by snowmobiles, cross country skiers and snow shoers. They are maintained throughout winter through ploughing and grooming by a snow cat.

\\ Be careful at the bottom of this pitch as there'll be a big drop onto a cat track.

cheat sheet
/ tʃiːt ʃiːt /

Plastic (often mesh) sheet used to separate the adhesive layer of climbing skins. Cheat sheets or skin savers help to prevent the glue on your climbing skins from sticking to itself. They are used to cover the glue base when not attached to your skis. The skin gets folded over this sheet, and then the pair of skins can be placed in their storage bag. This also helps prevent the adhesive from drying out when not in use.

\\ I always use a cheat sheet with my skins - less faff, less goo, less maintainence.

Also known as:
skin saver

coarse search
/ kɔːs sɜːtʃ /
noun verb

The second in the five phases of avalanche rescue: 1. Signal Search; 2. Coarse Search; 3. Fine Search; 4. Pinpoint Search; 5. Extraction. In avalanche rescue using a transceiver or beacon, the coarse search is preceded by the signal search and followed by the fine search. Once your transceiver detects a strong, reliable signal align your beacon and follow to within 5 metres of the victim.

\\ When doing a coarse search, follow the arrow on your transceiver until you get to within 5 metres of the victim.

compaction
/ kəmˈpæk ʃɒn /
verb

Where snow is compressed to remove weaknesses such as depth hoar. Compacting snow removes some of the inherent instability in the snowpack by bonding successive layers and compressing weaknesses such as depth hoar. This can be achieved mechanically in the formation of pistes, often referred to as piste bashing, by successive riders on popular off-piste routes or by bootpack where multiple riders may deliberately walk over a slope to compress the snowpack.

\\ This line gets ridden a lot so compaction will most likely have stabilised the snowpack.

Also known as:
grooming piste bashing

compass
/ ˈkʌmpəs /
verb

An instrument that indicates magnetic north and bearings from it. The compass comes in many forms, from an app on your phone to an old school free-pivoting magnetised needle. It doesn't really matter which type you prefer so long as it's reliable and you know where north is. Not to be confused with the device of the same name used by students to scratch their initials into desks and other furniture found in academic institutions.

\\ Some people can find true north using the stars or their wristwatch. I'm not one of those people, so I always carry a compass in the back country.

concave slope
/ ˈkɒŋkeɪv sləʊp /
adjective

A terrain feature that is rounded inward like the inside of a bowl. Whether a slope is concave, convex, or planar makes some difference in avalanche danger, but usually not a significant difference. Avalanches happen on any steep slope without thick anchors despite the shape of the slope. Slope shape makes more difference on smaller slopes than on larger ones. On small concave slopes, there is sometimes enough compressive support from the bottom to prevent hard-slabs from releasing but on medium to large slopes, compressive support plays very little role.

\\ If you paid attention in geography class you will already know the difference between a concave slope and a convex one.

consequential terrain
/ ˌkɒnsɪˈkwenʃl̩ teˈreɪn /
noun

Terrain where there will be consequences for making errors! Consequential terrain refers to any terrain where an error (eg: flawed snowpack analysis or fall) will have significant consequences for the rider. The more extreme the consequences (eg: death) the more consequential the terrain. Bottom line: If you don't like the potential consequences, choose a different line. Sometimes also referred to as the No Fall Line, this is an imaginary line drawn on a descent above which a fall will most likely lead to serious injury or death.

\\ I wouldn't feel happy riding a tech binding on consequential terrain.

Also known as:
no fall line

contact gloves
/ ˈkɒntækt ɡlʌvz /
noun

Gloves used primarily when skinning. Regular ski gloves are not ideal for skinning because they'll just get hot and sweaty but not wearing gloves isn't really a good option either because your hands will get too cold, especially if they come into direct contact with the snow or metal objects. Most FreeRiders and Ski Tourers will stow their ski gloves when skinning or touring and wear a thinner pair of gloves, often with some kind of contact grip in the palm.

\\ I've worn a hole in my contact gloves.

Also known as:
skinning gloves thin gloves touring gloves

convex slope
/ kɒnˈvɛks sloʊp /

A terrain feature that is curved or rounded like the exterior of a sphere or circle. Convex slopes:
- Generally tend to be less safe than concave slopes.
- Statistically produce more avalanches and more avalanche accidents than other kinds of slopes, partly because they are inherently less stable and partly because they present more safe travel problems than other slopes.
- Have less compressive support at the bottom than other slopes, which makes a difference for small avalanche paths, some difference on medium sized avalanche paths but has little effect of large avalanche paths.
- Tend to wind load more than other slopes. (Wind slows down as it rounds the convexity which causes it to drop its load of snow.)
- Are tricky to descend because each step or turn you take adds another degree of steepness until suddenly you find yourself on terrain that’s too steep. But you can also use this to your advantage. With a soft slab, if you descend slowly, especially jumping on the snow or slope-cutting while you descend, the avalanches tend to break at your feet instead of above you more so than on planer or concave slopes. (Remember that hard slabs tend to break above you no matter what.)
- Are difficult to assess because the conditions you find on the upper flat part of the slope often are much different than on the steepest part of the slope where you will most likely trigger an avalanche. For instance, there are some stories in which someone digs a snow profile on the upper section, pronounces the slope safe, then triggers an avalanche on the steeper part below

\\ Take it easy on convex slopes, they tend to go more often!

crevasse
/ krɪˈvæs /
noun

A deep crack found in a glacier or ice sheet. These tend to have sheer or almost sheer walls, they can be up to 40 meters deep and 20 meters wide, possibly running to several hundred meters long. They are caused as result of differing rates of movement of the underlying layers of ice. Sheer stress causes the ice to break apart forming a crevasse.

\\ I hear you need to rope up on the Gebroulaz glacier now due to several new crevasses opening up.

cross country skiing
/ ˈkrɒs ˌkʌntri ˈskiːɪŋ /
adjective noun

A form of skiing where users rely on their own locomotion to move across terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a means of transportation. Variants of cross-country skis are adapted to a range of terrain which spans unimproved, sometimes mountainous terrain to groomed courses that are specifically designed for the sport.

Modern cross-country skiing is similar to the original form of skiing, from which all skiing disciplines evolved, including alpine skiing, ski jumping and Telemark skiing. Skiers propel themselves either by striding forward (classic style) or side-to-side in a skating motion (skate skiing), aided by arms pushing on ski poles against the snow.

\\ I prefer FreeRiding to cross country skiing.

Also known as:
touring skis cross country skis

cross country skis
/ ˈkrɒs ˌkʌntri skiːz /
adjective noun

A form of skiing where users rely on their own locomotion to move across terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a means of transportation. Variants of cross-country skis are adapted to a range of terrain which spans unimproved, sometimes mountainous terrain to groomed courses that are specifically designed for the sport.

Modern cross-country skiing is similar to the original form of skiing, from which all skiing disciplines evolved, including alpine skiing, ski jumping and Telemark skiing. Skiers propel themselves either by striding forward (classic style) or side-to-side in a skating motion (skate skiing), aided by arms pushing on ski poles against the snow.

\\ I prefer FreeRide skis to cross country skis.

Also known as:
touring skis cross country skiing

day tour freeride
/ ˈdeɪ ˌtʊə ˈfri: raɪd /
noun

A planned excursion to ride off-piste terrain lasting no more than a day. As the name suggests a FreeRide Day Tour lasts no more than a day and involves a planned excursion to ride off-piste terrain. While it may appear similar to randomly hooning around in off-piste terrain it is significantly different in that it involves a plan that includes factors such as weather and avalanche conditions, terrain, rider capabilities and equipment requirements. (See also Multi-day Tour FreeRide)

\\ The only thing to beat a FreeRide day tour is a FreeRide multi-day tour.

daysack
/ ˈdeɪ sæk /
noun

A pack for stowing gear and carried on the back using shoulder straps and often a hip belt. In the context of FreeRide this allows you to carry the FreeRide Essentials for your time on the mountain. At a minimum, shovel and probe but ideally a bladder pack. The longer the time spent in FreeRide Terrain the more equipment one needs to carry, it's for this reason that fit becomes increasingly important. The inclusion of a safety whistle on the chest strap is ideal.

\\ How is that new daysack working out? Does it have a dedicated pocket for your shovel & probe?

Also known as:
backpack bergan

depth hoar
/ ˈdepθ hɔː /
noun

Sparkly and/or large grained snow crystals that frequently create a weak layer in the snowpack. Typically resulting from large temperature gradients within the snowpack and very noticable in snow pack analysis, these kinds of snow crystals frequently create a weak layer which has the potential to slide, creating a slab avalanche.

\\ We should check the snowpack for any depth hoar before we ride this line.

Also known as:
facets faceted snow sugar snow kinetic snow

din
/ dɪn /
noun

Deutsche Industrie Normen. Refers to the amount of pressure required for a ski binding to release the attached ski boot. Found on alpine bindings, adjustments are made using a screwdriver on the heel and toe piece of the binding, setting the DIN to the appropriate number (seen through a small window). The number is determined by inputting the following parameters into a DIN calculator: Skier Level / Age / Weight / Height / Boot Sole Length.

\\ Your skiing has really improved, you might want to take a look at your DIN settings.

din calculator
/ dɪn ˈkælkjʊleɪtə /
noun

Tool to calculate the ideal safety release settings of a ski binding. These tools work through use of the following inputs: skiing ability, age, weight, height and boot sole length. These are used to determine the bindings' release force setting (DIN). Calculations are based on ISO 11088 (Alpine ski/binding/boot (S-B-B) system — Assembly, adjustment and inspection)

\\ I'm riding 2 above the DIN calculator today, I don't want to risk losing a ski on these exposed faces.

directional snowboard
/ dɪˈrekʃn̩əl ˈsnoˌbɔːd /

Directional snowboards are optimized to ride in the rider's front foot direction. A directional snowboard features a slightly longer and higher nose than tail, for superior floatation in powder snow. This makes them ideal for riding all-mountain, freeride powder where the rider can easily lead with their front foot the whole way down.

Directional snowboards achieve their ability to ride exclusively in one direction by their distinct shape. Moreover, although a directional snowboard is ideal for riding down powder slopes on which the rider can afford to lead with their front foot the whole way through, these boards are not well-suited for freestyle riders where the ability to do tricks and land in either direction is a must.

\\ When should I choose a directional snowboard?

dopamine
/ ˈdəʊpəmiːn /
noun

Half of the magic formula for feeling great. A naturally produced hormone that floods into the body when readying to go big. Pair this with adrenaline and you have a glorious formula. WARNING: This can lead to a major powder habit.

\\ That drop gave me just the double dopamine / adrenaline hit I've been looking for...

downhill
/ ˌdaʊnˈhɪl /

Relating to skiing downhill. A timed ski race on a steep slope in which competitors take the most direct route to the finish line following a course with relatively few turns and attaining very high speeds.

\\ Downhill racers wear lycra.

drag
/ dræɡ /
noun

Method of mechanical uplift where the rider is dragged or pulled uphill. T-bars and button lifts hark back to a bygone era before snowboards when skis were very long, very thin and very straight. Only a few old schoolers mourn their passing into history but drag lifts have their place. As a FreeRider you're going to want to get up there in all weathers and it's a fairly safe bet the drag lift will still be turning long after the chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars have all shut due to high winds.

\\ Riding the drag hands free - nice!

Also known as:
drag lift button button lift t-bar tow

drag lift
/ dræɡ lɪft /
noun

Method of mechanical uplift where the rider is dragged or pulled uphill. T-bars and button lifts hark back to a bygone era before snowboards when skis were very long, very thin and very straight. Only a few old schoolers mourn their passing into history but drag lifts have their place. As a FreeRider you're going to want to get up there in all weathers and it's a fairly safe bet the drag lift will still be turning long after the chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars have all shut due to high winds.

\\ Riding the drag lift hands free - nice!

Also known as:
drag button button lift t-bar tow

dry skiing
/ draɪ ˈskiːɪŋ /
verb

When snow cover gets thin, so you unexpectedly find yourself riding over rocks rather than snow. Not to be confused with 'dry skiing' i.e. skiing on a dry ski slope.

\\ I'm not looking forward to seeing what that dry skiing did to my base.

dynafit binding
/ ˈdaɪnə fɪt ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Lightweight ski bindings that rely on two sets of precision-machined pins to hold the toe and heel of a ski boot in place. Most usually used for ski touring and ski mountaineering, to save weight. These bindings must be matched with a boot that features a tech fitting. These are metal pin sockets moulded into the toe of the ski boot and deep moulded indents in the heel. The pins of the bindings slot into the pin sockets, but do not feature a sophisticated tension adjustment mechanism as used in an alpine binding.

\\ Goose aren't you worried that your dynafit binding won't release when needed?

Also known as:
pin binding tech binding

emergency card
/ ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi kɑːd /
noun

A card containing contact details to be used in an emergency. Ideally aa small laminated card, showing your name, address of where you are staying and an emergency contact telephone number. Enhanced by using the reverse to repeat the information in the local language.

\\ Anyone know the French for 'staying at', I need it for my emergency card.

esf snake
/ ˈi: ˈes ef sneɪk /
noun

Line of ski school students making S shaped turns whilst following their école du ski français instructor in single file. Generally seen whilst students are practicing basic skiing techniques or performing drills as a group.

\\ That ESF Snake seemed to go on forever, I reckon they must have picked up a few strays.

expert halo
/ ˈekspɜːt ˈheɪləʊ /
noun

One of the Heuristic Traps identified by avalanche researcher, Ian McCammon. When skiing in a group it is sometimes easier to let others make the decisions or accept a decision that conflicts with your own, especially when the decision maker appears to have more experience or expertise. At the Republic we think everyone has a voice (that’s why we're a republic) but we also know it takes real courage to speak up. (See also Heuristic Traps)

\\ Don't fall into the expert halo trap. Never be afraid to question. Speak up, don't follow in silence. A true expert will appreciate your input.

exposure
/ ɪkˈspəʊʒə /
noun

A mountaineering and climbing term relating to risk of injury or death. Exposure is a very broad term. Simply defined, it relates to the degree of risk of injury or death you are exposing yourself to in the mountains.

Your level of exposure while FreeRiding is best assessed by considering all the possible bad outcomes of a situation. If you don't like the possible consequences if things start going pear shaped, or you don't think the risks justify the rewards, then you could be taking on too much exposure. For example, even relatively easy ascents and descents could still have a high degree of exposure if you take a tumble.

However, the term is not exclusive to falling. When considering exposure and it's potential consequences FreeRiders need to include other factors such as avalanche, weather, communications and proximity of rescue services amongst other things.

\\ There's a fair degree of exposure on this route

Also known as:
mountain exposure

extended column test
/ ɪkˈstendɪd ˈkɒləm ˈtest /

An extended column test is a method of assessing snow pack stability. There are lots of different kinds of snow stability tests, but the one we like, and the standard for backcountry travellers everywhere, is the Extended Column Test. The Republic favour the ECT because it is relatively quick to prepare (meaning we can do lots of tests right across the slope for a more complete picture of snowpack stability) and because it also gives an indication of propagation, which is critical for assessing slab avalanche potential.

\\ I'm worried about propagation, so I think we should do an extended column test.

face plant
/ feɪs plɑːnt /
noun

A fall in which the rider lands on their face. The face plant is an inevitable consequence of FreeRiding. No matter how accomplished the rider we all have to embrace the face plant from time to time. It can even be fun on a powder day but not so much on hardpack.

\\ Did you see my face plant? So glad I was wearing a helmet.

face shot
/ feɪs ʃɒt /
noun

Where the rider's face is obscured by powder spray. The pow must be deep and light enough and the rider must have sufficient speed to elevate the snow to face level. These are very special moments for any rider.

\\ Multiple face shots through that line.

Also known as:
faceshot

faceted snow
/ ˈfæsɪtɪd snəʊ /
noun

Sparkly and/or large grained snow crystals that frequently create a weak layer in the snowpack. Typically resulting from large temperature gradients within the snowpack and very noticable in snow pack analysis, these kinds of snow crystals frequently create a weak layer which has the potential to slide, creating a slab avalanche.

\\ We should check the snowpack for any faceted snow before we ride this line.

Also known as:
facets sugar snow depth hoar kinetic snow

FACETS
/ ˈfæsɪts /
pneumonic

A mnemonic proposed by Ian McCammon for remembering the heuristic traps F: Familiarity.
A: Acceptance.
C: Consistency.
E: Expert Halo.
T: Tracks.
S: Social Facilitation.

\\ Have you used FACETS to remember the heuristic traps?

fine search
/ ˈfaɪn sɜːtʃ /

Bracketing is a technique used for conducting the fine search in an avalanche rescue. Once you are within 5 metres of an avalanche burial victim, slow your search and get down on your hands and knees. This way you will be able to place your beacon right on the snow surface. Now you can begin bracketing.

The victim is just 5 metres away, buried somewhere beneath the snow surface. You're looking to establish the lowest reading on your transceiver, bearing in mind this will not be a zero reading. Keep moving steadily forward in a straight line with your eyes glued to your transceiver distance readings. This is now your sole focus – do not allow yourself to be distracted.

As you get closer your readings will go down, but at some point you are going to pass over the victim and your readings will start to go back up again. Stop. Return to the lowest reading and mark that point in the snow. Now, move the transceiver either 90° left or 90° right of that point, keeping a close eye on the distance readings as before. This is known as bracketing. Continue this process until you have established the closest or lowest reading. Make a mental note of the lowest distance (eg 1.5 metres) and mark that point. If you've searched correctly,the victim is directly below this point.

\\ When my transceiver indicates a distance of 5m to the burial victim I complete my coarse search and start my fine search by bracketing the search area.

Also known as:
bracketing

fire making equipment
/ faɪə ˈmeɪkɪŋ ɪˈkwɪpmənt /
noun

Tools for making heat and light accompanied by flame. Most mountain refuges have a wood burner and a good supply of logs but not always the means by which to initiate the phenomenon of combustion. Therefore, if you're hut to hut touring it's a good idea to carry fire making equipment in your pack. If you're planning to spend the night in a snow hole then you'll also want to add a candle to your fire making equipment to act as a CO2 monitor. If you like to pack for every eventuality then it's an even better idea to keep your fire making equipment in your pack at all times.

\\ Make fire making equipment a permanent fixture in your backpack.

first aid kit
/ ˈfɜ:st eɪd kɪt /
noun

A collection of supplies used to administer medical treatment. FreeRide sits at the extreme end of recreational skiing and can often be in remote terrain with difficult access for emergency services. FreeRiders need to be comfortable with the possibility they may be the first responders in the event of an accident or emergency and prepare accordingly. A first aid kit or med pack is a sensible addition to any FreeRiders backpack. Contents will vary based on the rider's first aid knowledge & experience and the environment for which it is being prepared. At its most basic it should include
• Adhesive plaster spool (may also act as repair tape for your kit)
• Anti-inflammatory / pain medicine
• Butterfly closures
• Standard dressing
• Wound compress sterile
• Conforming bandage
• Blister plasters
• Aspirin (to relieve headache caused by acute mountain sickness)
• Antiseptic cream or wound wash

\\ There's a first aid kit in my backpack behind my shovel blade.

Also known as:
med pack med kit

first tracks
/ ˈfɜ:st træks /
noun

The reason we rise before dawn on a blue bird powder day First tracks refer to the very first tracks on a descent following fresh snow.

\\ I'm so stoked!! We made first tracks in the Nord Couloir today.

flex
/ fleks /
verb

The level of resistance a ski boot provides when trying to push forward in the boot. Flex is described in number form and is usually imprinted onto the outside of the boot cuff. Levels of flex range from very soft (30) for small novice kids to very stiff (130) for male ski racers. More specifically you are likely to find flex patterns of 30-90 for kids, 80-120 for women and 90-130 for men. The method of determining flex index is not standardised between boot manufacturers, so one company’s may have a boot with 100 flex that feels more like another companies 110 flex.

\\ I think I should have chosen a stiffer flex, these are rated at 110 but it feels like I'm skiing in yoghurt pots.

Also known as:
flex rating

flex rating
/ fleks ˈreɪtɪŋ /
verb

The level of resistance a ski boot provides when trying to push forward in the boot. Flex is described in number form and is usually imprinted onto the outside of the boot cuff. Levels of flex range from very soft (30) for small novice kids to very stiff (130) for male ski racers. More specifically you are likely to find flex patterns of 30-90 for kids, 80-120 for women and 90-130 for men. The method of determining flex index is not standardised between boot manufacturers, so one company’s may have a boot with 100 flex that feels more like another companies 110 flex.

\\ I think I should have chosen a stiffer flex rating, these are rated at 110 but it feels like I'm skiing in yoghurt pots.

Also known as:
flex

fluorocarbons
/ ˌflʊroˈkɑːbənz /
noun

Toxic 'forever chemicals' found in traditional ski and board waxes. Fluorocarbons are synthetic compounds are used to reduce friction and enhance speed on snow due to their water repellent properties. However, particularly in the case of per-fluorinated compounds (PFCs) they are toxic and environmentally persistent.

Wax on the bases of skis and snowboards gradually dissolve into the snowpack. These find their way into the freshwater ecosystem posing risks to wildlife and human health.

Fortunately excellent high performing fluorocarbon-free waxes are now readily available. These are mandatory in FIS alpine events and have proven to be equal in terms of performance to those containing fluorocarbons.

\\ I'm stoked that the big brands are catching up with 'Mountain Flow' & 'Purl', making waxes without those nasty fluorocarbons.

food
/ fuːd /
noun

Calories you carry to sustain you when needed. Ideally something that can easily be consumed on the mountain.

\\ Got any spare food, I feel ravenous after that last bootpack.

free-skiing
/ ˈfri: ˈskiːɪŋ /
noun verb

Free-skiing involves tricks, jumps, big air and terrain park features such as rails, boxes and other man made obstacles. Not to be confused with FreeRide, which mostly takes place beyond the markers, free-skiing is a performance sport comprising aerial skiing, mogul skiing, ski cross, halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines which are conducted on specially prepared courses.

\\ The sports of free-skiing and boarding are governed by the International Ski Federation.

Also known as:
new school skiing freestyle skiing jibbing freeskiing slopestyle

freerando
/ ˈfri: ˈrɑːndəʊ /
verb

Mixture of FreeRide and the French term for Ski Touring (Ski De Randonnée). The Freedom afforded by choosing your own path up and down the Mountain.

\\ Tomorrow looks like the perfect day for some freerando on the backside of the Mont Fort.

freeride
/ ˈfri: raɪd /
verb

Boarding or Skiing in natural, un-groomed terrain without goals or rules. The Freedom afforded by choosing your own path. This is it.

\\ Tomorrow looks like the perfect day for some FreeRide off the top of Mont Gele.

Also known as:
freeriding

freeride essentials
/ ˈfri: raɪd ɪˈsenʃl̩z /
noun

The basic recommended safety tools to carry when venturing into FreeRide terrain (TSP). A transceiver strapped to your body, shovel and probe stowed securely, but easily accessible, ideally in a backpack.

\\ I'll only FreeRide with my crew if they're carrying the FreeRide Essentials. If one of us gets buried I wanna know that everyone has a chance of performing a rescue.

freeride intel
/ ˈfri: raɪd ˌɪnˈtel /
noun

FreeRide specific information gathered by the FreeRide community. Ranging from how to access FreeRide lines to where to buy wax for your skins.

\\ Elise knows this place like the back of her hand, defo the go to person for FreeRide Intel.

freeride levels
/ ˈfri: raɪd ˈlevl̩z /
adjective

FreeRide is as much a state of mind as it is a level of physical ability. There are all kinds of charts and guides that will help you figure out your rider ability level, most of which use categories like Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced and Expert. They’re all pretty good for figuring out stuff like gear choices and to assess your physical ability level, but at the Republic we believe FreeRide is as much a state of mind as it is a level of physical ability. That’s why we came up with some categories of our own. Where are you on your FreeRide journey?

\\ What's your FreeRide level?

Two skiers making fresh tracks in freeride terrain as the sun rises over the clouds

freeride terrain
/ ˈfri: raɪd teˈreɪn /
noun

Natural, un-groomed terrain used for skiing or boarding. In the world of FreeRide there is no disputing that the magic happens in FreeRide terrain, or 'off-piste' but our understanding of off-piste differs from one continent to another. It's important to know the differences.

In North America and Asia, off-piste tends to refer to terrain outside the resort boundary - hence uncontrolled mountain and un-patrolled terrain. Within the resort boundary (see also in-bounds terrain) the ski patrol secures not only the marked pistes and trails but also un-groomed terrain where the snow has not been subject to mechanical compaction or alteration (see also Grooming). In Europe there is generally no resort boundary and the ski patrol only secures marked pistes and trails. Even 10 metres beyond the piste markers is considered off-piste and is not secured.

In Europe you ride beyond the piste markers at your own risk. In North America and Asia you ride beyond the resort boundary at your own risk.

\\ Tomorrow afternoon the avi should be down to 2, maybe time to consider some freeride terrain around the back of Sainte Foy.

Also known as:
off-piste backcountry uncontrolled mountain un-patrolled mountain back side

freeriders
/ ˈfri: ˈraɪdəz /
noun

Skiers or Snowboarders in pursuit of the riding natural ungroomed terrain. This is the purest form of riding. FreeRiders prioritise descent in natural ungroomed terrain over other options.

\\ I heard a group of FreeRiders on the backside of Mont Fort yesterday, sounded like the stoke was high.

freeriding
/ ˈfri: ˈraɪdɪŋ /
verb

Boarding or Skiing in natural, un-groomed terrain without goals or rules. The Freedom afforded by choosing your own path. This is it.

\\ Tomorrow looks like the perfect day for freeriding off the top of Mont Gele.

Also known as:
freeride

freeskiing
/ ˈfri: ˈskiːɪŋ /
noun verb

Freeskiing involves tricks, jumps, big air and terrain park features such as rails, boxes and other man made obstacles. Not to be confused with FreeRide, which mostly takes place beyond the markers, freeskiing is a performance sport comprising aerial skiing, mogul skiing, ski cross, halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines which are conducted on specially prepared courses.

\\ The sports of freeskiing and boarding are governed by the International Ski Federation.

Also known as:
free-skiing new school skiing freestyle skiing jibbing slopestyle

freestyle
/ ˈfri: staɪl /
verb

A term previously used instead of freeriding, subsequently reappropriated as a banner for several other disciplines. Namely as Winter Olympics disciplines - aerials, moguls, cross, half-pipe, slope-style and big air. Freestyle was initially coined to describe the skiing equivalent of boarding's FreeRide, which came into being as a response to the highly regimented world of ski competition that dominated Snowsports at that time. Overtime Skiing started to adopt the Boarding term FreeRide, the final synchronisation took place when the Boarding Freeride World Tour (FWT) absorbed the Freeskiing World Tour.

\\ Have you see the urban build plans for freestyle at the 2022 Winter Olympics?

Also known as:
freestyle skiing

freestyle skiing
/ ˈfriː staɪl ˈskiːɪŋ /
verb

A term previously used instead of freeriding, subsequently reappropriated as a banner for several other disciplines. Namely as Winter Olympics disciplines - aerials, moguls, cross, half-pipe, slope-style and big air. Freestyle skiing was initially coined to describe the skiing equivalent of boarding's FreeRide, which came into being as a response to the highly regimented world of ski competition that dominated Snowsports at that time. Overtime Skiing started to adopt the Boarding term FreeRide, the final synchronisation took place when the Boarding Freeride World Tour (FWT) absorbed the Freeskiing World Tour.

\\ Have you see the urban build plans for freestyle skiing at the 2022 Winter Olympics?

Also known as:
freestyle

fresh line
/ freʃ laɪn /
noun

Finding and riding virgin snow, leaving your own uninterrupted track. One of the best things you can do on a snowboard or skis. WARNING: The level of addiction associated with riding fresh lines has resulted in empty bank accounts and broken marriages.

\\ It hasn't snowed for nearly a week so I couldn't believe my luck in finding a fresh line off the top of the Vallugagarat.

Also known as:
freshies fresh-line

fresh lines
/ freʃ laɪnz /
noun

A great reason to get out of bed on a bluebird powder day. We can't all put the first tracks on a fresh face! Fresh lines and/or fresh tracks refers to a clean line on a slope which has already been tracked but where the rider's line is not bisected by another. First tracks are more highly prized (although bear in mind commandment #5 of Bruce Tremper's ten commandments for safe travel in avalanche terrain). A fresh line or fresh track will still provide the stoke all FreeRiders seek.

\\ Someone beat us to first tracks on the Creux Noir but we still made fresh lines - it was awesome.

Also known as:
fresh tracks

fresh tracks
/ freʃ træks /
noun

A great reason to get out of bed on a bluebird powder day. We can't all put the first tracks on a fresh face! Fresh lines and/or fresh tracks refers to a clean line on a slope which has already been tracked but where the rider's line is not bisected by another. First tracks are more highly prized (although bear in mind commandment #5 of Bruce Tremper's ten commandments for safe travel in avalanche terrain). A fresh line or fresh track will still provide the stoke all FreeRiders seek.

\\ Someone beat us to first tracks on the Creux Noir but we still made fresh tracks - it was awesome.

Also known as:
fresh lines

fresh-line
/ freʃ laɪn /
noun

Finding and riding virgin snow, leaving your own uninterrupted track. One of the best things you can do on a snowboard or skis. WARNING: The level of addiction associated with riding fresh lines has resulted in empty bank accounts and broken marriages.

\\ It hasn't snowed for nearly a week so I couldn't believe my luck in finding a fresh-line off the top of the Vallugagarat.

Also known as:
fresh line freshies

freshies
/ freʃ ɪz /
noun

Finding and riding virgin snow, leaving your own uninterrupted track. One of the best things you can do on a snowboard or skis. WARNING: The level of addiction associated with riding fresh lines has resulted in empty bank accounts and broken marriages.

\\ It hasn't snowed for nearly a week so I couldn't believe my luck in finding freshies off the top of the Vallugagarat.

Also known as:
fresh-line fresh line

gaffer
/ ˈɡæfə /
noun

Strong reusable waterproof adhesive tape. A godsend for patching, joining, repairing almost anything on a temporary basis. Maybe your best friend when miles from civilisation.

\\ I gashed my jacket, any chance you have some gaffer I can use for a temporary repair?

Also known as:
gaffer tape

gaffer tape
/ ˈɡæfə teɪp /
noun

Strong reusable waterproof adhesive tape. A godsend for patching, joining, repairing almost anything on a temporary basis. Maybe your best friend when miles from civilisation.

\\ I gashed my jacket, any chance you have some gaffer tape I can use for a temporary repair?

Also known as:
gaffer

grip walk sole
/ ɡrɪp wɔːk səʊl /
noun

Soft rubber ski boot soles designed to improve grip when scrambling over rocks or kicking in steps on a steep boot pack. Ski boot soles used to be only made of hard plastic, at the time this was to ensure the boot fitted into alpjne bindings and met the relevant safety standards. Thanks to advances in compounding, the same can now be achieved using rubber. These give several advantages - unlike plastic, rubber does not become brittle in low temperatures. Rubber soles can be replaced, potentially extending the potential life of a ski boot. Most importantly for FreeRiders rubber is far more slip resistant, allowing for much safer travel on foot in adverse conditions. Some brands are even offering a rockered sole to aid ergonomic footfall. There are also aftermarket products to put over traditional soles to aid foot powered travel but these are not compatible with ski bindings.

\\ That scramble felt much less sketchy with these grip walk soles.

Also known as:
traction sole vibram sole

groomer
/ ˈɡruːmə /
noun

A marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports. A defined ski run usually shaped with compacted snow and marked by coloured poles at the sides. Piste is a French term used throughout Europe, it is similar in meaning to run, groomer or trail in other parts of the world.

\\ The pisteurs have reopened the Sarenne groomer this morning, shall we check it out before FreeRiding over the back?

Also known as:
piste trail run

grooming
/ ˈɡruːmɪŋ /
verb

Where snow is compressed to remove weaknesses such as depth hoar. Compacting snow removes some of the inherent instability in the snowpack by bonding successive layers and compressing weaknesses such as depth hoar. This can be achieved mechanically in the formation of pistes, often referred to as piste bashing, by successive riders on popular off-piste routes or by bootpack where multiple riders may deliberately walk over a slope to compress the snowpack.

\\ There grooming of this line a few times a seaason which will most likely have stabilised the snowpack.

Also known as:
piste bashing compaction

guide
/ ɡaɪd /
noun

Formerly qualified mountain expert. Mountain Guides hold a professional qualification in guiding gained through training and assessment, often in technical and climbing skills, from guiding groups while hiking, classic mountaineering in all sectors, to treks on high altitude peaks or accompanying expeditions. These skills may vary from association to association or by the level of qualification achieved.

\\ None of the group have any experience of the Sólheimajökull glacier, so we should consider hiring a guide for this part of the trip.

Also known as:
mountain guide

head torch
/ hed tɔːtʃ /
noun

A small torch strapped to the forehead or attached to a helmet. Often available with varying levels of brightness and beam patterns and increasingly USB chargeable.

\\ Our tour starts early tomorrow, so we need to make sure our head torches are charged.

heel cup
/ hiːl kʌp /
noun

The rear part of an alpine or hybrid ski binding that locks around the heel of an alpine ski boot to secure the boot into the binding. The fit between the heel cup and boot heel lug is governed by a International Standards to ensure compatibility between brands. The ISO 5355 standard covers alpine boots / bindings and the ISO 9523 covers touring boots /bindings.

\\ You might want to check your forward pressure settings as it doesn't look like you're getting a good fit into that heel cup.

hike & ride
/ haɪk ənd raɪd /
noun

Term used to describe ski boots that have a mode designed to make hiking easier and more comfortable than a regular alpine ski boot. When a boot is in hike mode, sometimes also referred to as walk mode, usually activated by a lever or handle at the rear of the boot. The upper cuff is unlocked to allow articulation over an increased range of movement. This increases comfort when boot packing or skinning. When in ride mode the boot acts like regular alpine ski boot i.e. the upper cuff is locked into place, only allowing slight movement, mostly from the flex of the boot material

\\ The range of movement I now have in hike & ride mode is massive. That's the last of my slow skinning excuses gone...

hike mode
/ haɪk məʊd /
noun

Setting on a hike & ride ski boot that allows for an increased range of motion in the upper cuff, make hiking easier and more comfortable. This is usually activated by a lever or handle at the rear of the boot that unlocks the upper cuff. The increased range of motion, allow the ankle joint to properly hinge, therefore increasing comfort and efficiency when boot packing or skinning.

\\ I remember when I did that boot pack in my alpine boots, having hike mode on these boots feels like a game changer.

Also known as:
walk mode

Light catches skier in deep powder, skiing off-piste in the trees

hors piste
/ ˌɔ ˈpēst /
noun

Where the magic happens. In the world of FreeRide there is no disputing that off-piste is where the magic happens but our understanding of off-piste differs from one continent to another. It's important to know the differences.

In North America and Asia, off piste tends to refer to terrain outside the resort boundary - hence uncontrolled mountain and un-patrolled terrain. Within the resort boundary (see also inbounds terrain) the ski patrol secures not only the marked pistes and trails but also un-groomed terrain where the snow has not been subject to mechanical compaction or alteration (see also Grooming). In Europe there is generally no resort boundary and the ski patrol only secures marked pistes and trails. Even 10 metres beyond the piste markers is considered off-piste and is not secured.

In Europe you ride beyond the piste markers at your own risk. In North America and Asia you ride beyond the resort boundary at your own risk.

\\ hors piste is where the magic happens

Also known as:
off-piste backcountry back side uncontrolled mountain un-patrolled terrain

hybrid binding
/ ˈhaɪbrɪd ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

The latest generation of binding evolution, attempting to provide the best of both worlds for uphill and downhill travel. They combine the ability to lock the ski boot toe in place using pins, whilst allowing the heel to raise up and down - this allows for uphill travel in the form of skinning. They also provide the downhill performance and safety of an alpine binding by using a DIN controlled release for both boot toe and heels.

\\ My new hybrid bindings feel like a freeride game changer. I can't believe I can tour and ride without compromise.

Example a piste map marked with a boundary edge, showing what is 'in-bounds'

In-bounds
/ ɪn baʊndz /
noun

Terrain lying inside the ski resort boundary that is subject to avalanche control, snow patrol and other safety measures. In Europe it's unusual for a ski resort to have a boundary either marked on a map or physically on the ground, so 'in bounds' is a term that doesn't get a whole lot of mileage, but in Asia and North America it's a different story. For riders on these continents, inbounds doesn't just mean inside the resort boundary it also means that the terrain, both on and off-piste, has been subjected to avalanche control measures and is covered by the snow patrol should a rescue or evacuation be required.

Technically, it also means that riding inbounds and off-piste without a transceiver, shovel and probe should be OK, but at FreeRide Republic we mitigate risk to maximise stoke. Lore #06: No TSP, No Party.

\\ It's inbounds right along this ridge - drop in where ever you feel comfortable.

Also known as:
Inbounds In bounds

Inbounds
/ ɪn baʊndz /
noun

Terrain lying inside the ski resort boundary that is subject to avalanche control, snow patrol and other safety measures. In Europe it's unusual for a ski resort to have a boundary either marked on a map or physically on the ground, so in-bounds is a term that doesn't get a whole lot of mileage, but in Asia and North America it's a different story. For riders on these continents, in-bounds doesn't just mean inside the resort boundary it also means that the terrain, both on and off-piste, has been subjected to avalanche control measures and is covered by the snow patrol should a rescue or evacuation be required.

Technically, it also means that riding in-bounds and off-piste without a transceiver, shovel and probe should be OK, but at FreeRide Republic we mitigate risk to maximise stoke. Lore #06: No TSP, No Party.

\\ It's in-bounds right along this ridge - drop in where ever you feel comfortable.

Also known as:
In-bounds

island of safety
/ ˈaɪlənd əv ˈseɪfti /
noun

A safe destination at the end of a chosen line, free from avalanche danger whilst allowing for visual contact with the rest of your crew. This could be an area of trees, rocks, high ground at the edge of the avalanche path or a gentler part of the slope, essentially a place where riders can renedezvous in relative safety to regroup.

\\ As the line flattens out I'm going to break sskiers left to the higher ground with that pyramid shaped rock, I reckon that's the best island of safety where we can all regroup.

Also known as:
safe zone safe haven

jibbing
/ ˈdʒɪbɪŋ /
noun verb

Jibbing involves tricks, jumps, big air and terrain park features such as rails, boxes and other man made obstacles. Not to be confused with FreeRide, which mostly takes place beyond the markers, jibbing is a performance sport comprising aerial skiing, mogul skiing, ski cross, halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines which are conducted on specially prepared courses.

\\ The sport of jibbing is governed by the International Ski Federation.

Also known as:
free-skiing new school skiing freestyle skiing freeskiing slopestyle

kandahar binding
/ ˈkændəhar ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Old School ski binding that looked like a bear trap. Invented in 1929 by ski racer and engineer Guido Reuge and brand-named after the Kandahar Ski Club. This was the most common ski binding in use up until the 1960s. They consisted of a large spring that attached to a cup / toe piece and wrapped around the heel of the skiers chosen boot (usually made of leather).

\\ Can you imagine sending it with a kandahar binding holding you in your skis.

Also known as:
cable binding bear-trap binding

kinetic snow
/ kɪˈnetɪk snəʊ /
noun

Sparkly and/or large grained snow crystals that frequently create a weak layer in the snowpack. Typically resulting from large temperature gradients within the snowpack and very noticable in snow pack analysis, these kinds of snow crystals frequently create a weak layer which has the potential to slide, creating a slab avalanche.

\\ We should check the snowpack for any depth hoar before we ride this line.

Also known as:
facets faceted snow sugar snow depth hoar

lens type
/ lenz taɪp /
noun

Different shades of lens on snow goggles, designed to optimise riders vision depending on weather conditions. A darker lens, towards the grey end of the colour spectrum will perform better in brighter light conditions, whereas a yellow lens will perform in lower light conditions. Higher end goggles tend to come with an interchangeable lens system, so these can be easily swapped on the mountain depending on the conditions. Manufacturers continue to develop lenses that are designed to work more effectively across a wider spectrum of light.

\\ I wish I'd brought my yellow lenses today, they're the only lens type that lets me see anything in these conditions.

Marker
/ ˈmɑːkə /
Noun

Signs or poles marking the edge of a piste or to indicate the boundary between maintained ski areas and off-piste and/or out of bounds areas Piste markers are physical signs or poles placed along ski runs (pistes) to guide skiers. These markers indicate the level of difficulty (green, blue, red, black), trail direction, or specific areas of the ski resort. In off-piste skiing, trail markers may be less frequent or absent entirely, making navigation more challenging and requiring skiers to rely on their knowledge, maps, or GPS devices.

Boundary Markers: These are signs placed by ski resorts to indicate the boundary between maintained ski areas (pistes) and off-piste or out-of-bounds areas. Crossing these boundaries typically leads to un-patrolled and potentially dangerous terrain, so skiers should be aware of these markers when venturing off-piste.

'Marker' is also a well-known brand that manufactures ski bindings for off-piste and freeride skiing.

\\ Dude, that sick line is just beyond the markers. Are you up for it?

Also known as:
Boundary Marker Piste Marker

med kit
/ med kɪt /
noun

A collection of supplies used to administer medical treatment. FreeRide sits at the extreme end of recreational skiing and can often be in remote terrain with difficult access for emergency services. FreeRiders need to be comfortable with the possibility they may be the first responders in the event of an accident or emergency and prepare accordingly. A first aid kit or med pack is a sensible addition to any FreeRiders backpack. Contents will vary based on the rider's first aid knowledge & experience and the environment for which it is being prepared. At its most basic it should include
• Adhesive plaster spool (may also act as repair tape for your kit)
• Anti-inflammatory / pain medicine
• Butterfly closures
• Standard dressing
• Wound compress sterile
• Conforming bandage
• Blister plasters
• Aspirin (to relieve headache caused by acute mountain sickness)
• Antiseptic cream or wound wash

\\ There's a med kit in my backpack behind my shovel blade.

Also known as:
first aid kit med pack

med pack
/ med pæk /
noun

A collection of supplies used to administer medical treatment. FreeRide sits at the extreme end of recreational skiing and can often be in remote terrain with difficult access for emergency services. FreeRiders need to be comfortable with the possibility they may be the first responders in the event of an accident or emergency and prepare accordingly. A first aid kit or med pack is a sensible addition to any FreeRiders backpack. Contents will vary based on the rider's first aid knowledge & experience and the environment for which it is being prepared. At its most basic it should include
• Adhesive plaster spool (may also act as repair tape for your kit)
• Anti-inflammatory / pain medicine
• Butterfly closures
• Standard dressing
• Wound compress sterile
• Conforming bandage
• Blister plasters
• Aspirin (to relieve headache caused by acute mountain sickness)
• Antiseptic cream or wound wash

\\ There's a med pack in my backpack behind my shovel blade.

Also known as:
first aid kit med kit

motor-sled
/ ˌməʊtər sled /
noun

A motorized vehicle with runners and caterpillar tracks, designed for travelling on snow and ice. They have skis at the front to provide directional control. Typically they are driven on open terrain or trails. Popular as recreational tools in North America, where snowmobiling is a big sport in its own right.

\\ Did you see that pisteur caning his motor-sled up to the Col de la Loze?

Also known as:
snow-mobile sled ski-doo

mountain exposure
/ ˌmaʊntɪn ɪkˈspəʊʒə /
noun

A mountaineering and climbing term relating to risk of injury or death. Exposure is a very broad term. Simply defined, it relates to the degree of risk of injury or death you are exposing yourself to in the mountains.

Your level of exposure while FreeRiding is best assessed by considering all the possible bad outcomes of a situation. If you don't like the possible consequences if things start going pear shaped, or you don't think the risks justify the rewards, then you could be taking on too much exposure. For example, even relatively easy ascents and descents could still have a high degree of exposure if you take a tumble.

However, the term is not exclusive to falling. When considering exposure and it's potential consequences FreeRiders need to include other factors such as avalanche, weather, communications and proximity of rescue services amongst other things.

\\ There's a fair degree of mountain exposure on this route

Also known as:
exposure

mountain guide
/ ˌmaʊntɪn ɡaɪd /
noun

Formerly qualified mountain expert. Mountain Guides hold a professional qualification in guiding gained through training and assessment, often in technical and climbing skills, from guiding groups while hiking, classic mountaineering in all sectors, to treks on high altitude peaks or accompanying expeditions. These skills may vary from association to association or by the level of qualification achieved.

\\ None of the group have any experience of the Sólheimajökull glacier, so we should consider hiring a mountain guide for this part of the trip.

Also known as:
guide

no fall line
/ ˈnəʊ fɔːl laɪn /
noun

Terrain where there will be consequences for making errors! Consequential terrain refers to any terrain where an error (eg: flawed snowpack analysis or fall) will have significant consequences for the rider. The more extreme the consequences (eg: death) the more consequential the terrain. Bottom line: If you don't like the potential consequences, choose a different line. Sometimes also referred to as the No Fall Line, this is an imaginary line drawn on a descent above which a fall will most likely lead to serious injury or death.

\\ I wouldn't feel happy riding a tech binding on no fall line.

Also known as:
consequential terrain

off-piste
/ ɒf ˈpēst /
noun

off-piste is where the magic happens. In the world of FreeRide there is no disputing that off-piste is where the magic happens but our understanding of off-piste differs from one continent to another. It's important to know the differences.

In North America and Asia, off-piste tends to refer to terrain outside the resort boundary - hence uncontrolled mountain and un-patrolled terrain. Within the resort boundary (see also in-bounds terrain) the ski patrol secures not only the marked pistes and trails but also un-groomed terrain where the snow has not been subject to mechanical compaction or alteration (see also Grooming). In Europe there is generally no resort boundary and the ski patrol only secures marked pistes and trails. Even 10 metres beyond the piste markers is considered off-piste and is not secured.

In Europe you ride beyond the piste markers at your own risk. In North America and Asia you ride beyond the resort boundary at your own risk.

\\ Off-piste is where the magic happens

Also known as:
hors piste backcountry back side uncontrolled mountain un-patrolled terrain freeride terrain

patrolled terrain
/ pəˈtrəʊld teˈreɪn /
noun

An area of a mountain regularly patrolled by ski patrol / pisteurs and intended to be avalanche safe. This terrain may or may not be groomed, it is however patrolled and declared safe / open, or marked as closed by ski patrol.

\\ I wish the whole playground sector was patrolled terrain, there are too many FreeRider triggered slides there every season.

pin binding
/ pɪn ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Lightweight ski bindings that rely on two sets of precision-machined pins to hold the toe and heel of a ski boot in place. Most usually used for ski touring and ski mountaineering, to save weight. These bindings must be matched with a boot that features a tech fitting. These are metal pin sockets moulded into the toe of the ski boot and deep moulded indents in the heel. The pins of the bindings slot into the pin sockets, but do not feature a sophisticated tension adjustment mechanism as used in an alpine binding.

\\ Goose aren't you worried that your pin bindings won't release when needed?

Also known as:
tech binding dynafit binding

piste
/ ˈpēst /
noun

A marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports. A defined ski run usually shaped with compacted snow and marked by coloured poles at the sides. Piste is a French term used throughout Europe, it is similar in meaning to run, groomer or trail in other parts of the world.

\\ The pisteurs have reopened the Sarenne piste this morning, shall we check it out before FreeRiding over the back?

Also known as:
trail run groomer

piste bashing
/ ˈpi:st ˈbæʃɪŋ /
verb

Where snow is compressed to remove weaknesses such as depth hoar. Compacting snow removes some of the inherent instability in the snowpack by bonding successive layers and compressing weaknesses such as depth hoar. This can be achieved mechanically in the formation of pistes, often referred to as piste bashing, by successive riders on popular off-piste routes or by bootpack where multiple riders may deliberately walk over a slope to compress the snowpack.

\\ This line gets a piste bashing a few times a seaason which will most likely have stabilised the snowpack.

Also known as:
compaction grooming

Blue piste-marker with piste in the background

Piste Marker
/ ˈpi:st ˈmɑːkə /
Noun

Signs or poles marking the edge of a piste or to indicate the boundary between maintained ski areas and off-piste and/or out of bounds areas Piste Markers: Piste markers are physical signs or poles placed along ski runs (pistes) to guide skiers. These markers indicate the level of difficulty (green, blue, red, black), trail direction, or specific areas of the ski resort. In off-piste skiing, trail markers may be less frequent or absent entirely, making navigation more challenging and requiring skiers to rely on their knowledge, maps, or GPS devices.

Boundary Markers: These are markers placed by ski resorts to indicate the boundary between maintained ski areas (pistes) and off-piste or out-of-bounds areas. Crossing these boundaries typically leads to unpatrolled and potentially dangerous terrain, so skiers should be aware of these markers when venturing off-piste.

Marker: Marker is also a well-known brand that manufactures ski bindings for off-piste and freeride skiing.

\\ Dude, that sick line is just beyond the piste markers. Are you up for it?

Also known as:
Marker Boundary Marker

pivot turn
/ ˈpɪvət tɜːn /
noun

A low speed turn used as a training tool to promote technique for challenging steeps. The fundamentals of this turn are to move from having your skis parallel and facing in one direction across the mountain, similar to the sideslip position, then planting the downhill pole and moving your skis through 180 degrees by letting you hips fall over your feet, flattening your skis and allowing them to turn and point down the fall line and then back across the mountain. Once the fundamentals are understood and repeatable, this can be used in a series of linked turns in steeps or moguls.

\\ You know when your pivot turn is coming together, it's that feeling of your hips falling over your feet.

Also known as:
zero speed turn pivot turn

planks
/ plæŋks /
noun

A pair of things you strap to your feet to slide downhill on snow. Typically relatively long and narrow pieces of equipment used for gliding over snow. They're made of a variety of materials, often a wood core with additions such as fibreglass or titanal to vary flex and stiffness. They are designed so a binding mechanism can be mounted on the ski to allow skiers boots to securely connect to the ski. They come in various shapes and sizes, tailored for different types of skiing, including FreeRide, Alpine, Freestyle / Park and Cross-Country. The underside is often coated with a smooth material, such as polyethylene, to reduce friction and enhance glide, while the topside (top-sheet) often features designs, graphics, colours and branding. Skis allow users to navigate snow-covered terrain efficiently.

\\ Those planks look sick. What are they, 110 underfoot?

Also known as:
skis

powder day
/ paʊdə ˈdeɪ /
noun

A day after or during significant fall of fresh light snow that makes riding a joy like no other. It's the environment perfect for free flowing riding. You feel like a hero as you float down the mountain.

\\ I'm calling in sick tomorrow, it's gonna be a powder day.

Powder snow
/ˈpaʊ.dər/ /snəʊ/
Noun

Freshly fallen, un-compacted snow characterised by its light, fluffy formation providing a soft forgiving surface for skiing and boarding. It's easily kicked up in a spray with each turn, creating a "floaty" sensation. It forms when temperatures are cold enough and the air is dry, allowing snow to fall and settle without compacting.

The density and moisture content of powder snow can vary widely; snowfall in coastal regions and areas with higher humidity is usually heavier than a similar depth of snowfall in an arid or continental region. Light, dry (low moisture content, typically 4–7% water content) powder snow is prized by FreeRiders

\\ "We're expecting a huge dump of fresh powder snow overnight, see you at first lift - tomorrow is going to be epic."

Also known as:
Fresh powder Pow

power bank
/ paʊə bæŋk /
noun

A safety fall back allowing you to recharge or replenish electronic devices when you're out on the mountain. These can be traditional batteries or rechargeable USB devices. Either way, super handy to have in cold conditions where battery life can be diminished. Good for transceivers, mobile phones, torches, cameras and the like.

\\ My GoPro is dead, any chance you're carrying a power bank?

Also known as:
power bar additional power

power bar
/ paʊə bɑː /
noun

A safety fall back allowing you to recharge or replenish electronic devices when you're out on the mountain. These can be traditional batteries or rechargeable USB devices. Either way, super handy to have in cold conditions where battery life can be diminished. Good for transceivers, mobile phones, torches, cameras and the like.

\\ My GoPro is dead, any chance you're carrying a power bar?

Also known as:
additional power power bank

probe
/ prəʊb /
noun

A lightweight collapsible rod used to locate a victim buried under avalanche debris. Designed to be stowed in a backpack and quickly assembled. This is achieved by throwing the sections away from the body, whilst holding the cord or string at the top end of the device. Pulling this cord brings the sections together, once assembled a locking mechanism is engaged to hold the sections together whilst the probe is used. Probes are constructed from aluminium or carbon and marked with a measuring scale to aid location of a buried victim. Avalanche professionals and patrollers tend to choose longer, heavier aluminium probes.

\\ Now we have a strong consistent signal, Pascal can you grab your probe and start probing here, it looks like Michelle is 1.2 metres below this point.

Also known as:
snow probe avalanche probe

rendezvous
/ ˈrɒndɪvuːz /
noun

The agreed point where you're going to meet with your crew. This can be any agreed place but importantly one that is fully understood by the group.

\\ We'll rendezvous under the cliff band skiers right just over that second roller, the same place we stopped for lunch on Tuesday after the short botpack. Does anyone not know where I mean?

Also known as:
rv rendezvous point

rendezvous point
/ ˈrɒndɪvuːz pɔɪnt /
noun

The agreed point where you're going to meet with your crew. This can be any agreed place but importantly one that is fully understood by the group.

\\ Our rendezvous point will be under the cliff band skiers right just over that second roller, the same place we stopped for lunch on Tuesday after the short botpack. Does anyone not know where I mean?

Also known as:
rendezvous rv

rescue shovel
/ ˈreskjuː ˈʃʌvl̩ /
noun

A collapsible, portable tool used for extracting burial victims from an avalanche. The blade and handle detach to allow them to be carried (externally or internally) in a backpack. You can buy super light shovels with plastic blades but these are designed for competitive skimo racing, not cutting through debris of a wet snow avalanche, aluminum blades are a good option as they are sturdy, effective and relatively low in weight.

\\ I see your new rescue shovel has a telescopic handle, I guess that makes shovelling more efficient?

Also known as:
shovel snow shovel avalanche snow shovel avi shovel

resort power
/ rɪˈzɔːt ˈpaʊə /
noun

Mechanical lifts to enable ascent of a mountain. These come in many forms, from basic rope tows, t-bars, buttons, chairs, in-mountain trains to revolving gondolas.

\\ I don't care about earning my turns, give me resort power any day!

rider power
/ ˈraɪdə ˈpaʊə /
noun

Rider provided muscle power to enable ascent of a mountain. This comes in many forms from walking to climbing, bootpacking to skinning.

\\ There's nothing like earning your turns with a bit of rider power.

rockered sole
/ ˈrɒkər ed səʊl /
noun

A shaped ski boot sole to aid ergonomic footfall. Rockered soles are contoured, with a rise in the surface of the sole from the ball to the tip of the toe and similarly with a rise running to the rear.

\\ Wow - I've now got a rocker on my boots as well as my skis. I can't imagine it'll be quite the same level of impact. I guess we'll see on the hike out from Lac Tueda tomorrow.

run
/ rʌn /
noun

A marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports. A defined ski run usually shaped with compacted snow and marked by coloured poles at the sides. Piste is a French term used throughout Europe, it is similar in meaning to run, groomer or trail in other parts of the world.

\\ The pisteurs have reopened the Sarenne run this morning, shall we check it out before FreeRiding over the back?

Also known as:
groomer piste trail

runout zone
/ ˈrʌnaʊt zəʊn /
noun

A flatter section of the mountain below an area of possible avalanche activity. Additional safety measures are required in these areas to help mitigate risk, as they would likely be impacted by the runout of an avalanche coming from above.

\\ We are about to cross a runout zone, so we need to be mindful of potential activity from above.

rv
/ ə ˈviː /
noun

The agreed point where you're going to meet with your crew. This can be any agreed place but importantly one that is fully understood by the group.

\\ We'll rv under the cliff band skiers right just over that second roller, the same place we stopped for lunch on Tuesday after the short botpack. Does anyone not know where I mean?

Also known as:
rendezvous point rendezvous

safe haven
/ seɪf ˈheɪvn̩ /
noun

A safe destination at the end of a chosen line, free from avalanche danger whilst allowing for visual contact with the rest of your crew. This could be an area of trees, rocks, high ground at the edge of the avalanche path or a gentler part of the slope, essentially a place where riders can renedezvous in relative safety to regroup.

\\ As the line flattens out I'm going to break sskiers left to the higher ground with that pyramid shaped rock, I reckon that's the best safe haven where we can all regroup.

Also known as:
island of safety safe zone

safe zone
/ seɪf zəʊn /
noun

A safe destination at the end of a chosen line, free from avalanche danger whilst allowing for visual contact with the rest of your crew. This could be an area of trees, rocks, high ground at the edge of the avalanche path or a gentler part of the slope, essentially a place where riders can renedezvous in relative safety to regroup.

\\ As the line flattens out I'm going to break sskiers left to the higher ground with that pyramid shaped rock, I reckon that's the best safe zone where we can all regroup.

Also known as:
safe haven island of safety

shovel
/ ˈʃʌvl̩ /
noun

A collapsible, portable tool used for extracting burial victims from an avalanche. The blade and handle detach to allow them to be carried (externally or internally) in a backpack. You can buy super light shovels with plastic blades but these are designed for competitive skimo racing, not cutting through debris of a wet snow avalanche, aluminum blades are a good option as they are sturdy, effective and relatively low in weight.

\\ I see your new shovel has a telescopic handle, I guess that makes shovelling more efficient?

Also known as:
snow shovel avalanche snow shovel avi shovel rescue shovel

side country
/ saɪd ˈkʌntri /
noun

Terrain adjacent to a designated ski area or resort boundary yet accessible via a lift. Prized sidecountry allows riders to get the goods without hiking or skinning at the start of the end of their descent.

\\ The Roc de Fer side country from the top of the Olympic chair is incredible, all that vert and then back to the gondola at Le Raffort without skinning, boot-packing or any pushing.

Also known as:
sidecountry

ski binding
/ ˈski: ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Device to hold ski boots to skis. They are attached to skis by screws & glue. They are designed to hold the ski boot securely in position whilst skiing. There are several different types of ski bindings (See alpine bindings, hybrid bindings and touring bindings)

\\ I hear Chris ripped another set of ski bindings off his Rossignol Super 7s, maybe time to invest in some binding inserts....

ski fundamentals
/ ˈski: ˌfʌndəˈmentl̩z /
noun

The use of Pressure, Edge and Rotation to control speed and direction of travel when skiing. All skiing is a combination of these fundamentals, there are infinite combinations and ratios of these three elements even at different points in the same turn let alone in different snow conditions. Some definitions also include Centre of Balance. It's not that we think Centre of Balance isn't important (it really is) but at the Republic we just feel that it's achieved by the correct application of pressure, edge and rotation so we didn't include it here. Plus we like things that come in threes. Don't shoot us.

\\ Making those tight turns on that steep pitch was a great test of your ski fundamentals.

ski lift
/ rɪˈzɔːt lɪft /
noun

Mechanical devices built to carry people and equipment up and or down a mountain. They come in many forms, from basic rope tows, t-bars, buttons, chairlifts, in-mountain trains to revolving gondolas.

\\ How many resort lifts do you think there are in the Espace Killy?

Also known as:
resort lift

ski touring binding
/ ˈski: ˈtʊərɪŋ ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Generic term for bindings that aid travel uphill as well as down. They fall into three categories pin / tech, frame and hybrid. AT ski bindings allow you to temporarily alter your set-up, so you can lift your heels whilst moving uphill and then lock your boots back in place to allow you to ski downhill. These bindings are used in combination with climbing skins and alpine touring boots. AT bindings make travelling through snowy ground fast and efficient. Originally only available in pin / tech form, more recently they come in an expanding menu of flavours.

\\ I've mounted some ski touring bindings on my Ranger 102s. I think this'll give me an ideal setup for our hut trip....

Also known as:
touring binding alpine touring binding at binding

ski touring boot
/ ˈski: ˈtʊərɪŋ buːt /
noun

Boots designed for both downhill skiing and ascending using climbing skins. AT boots have downhill ‘locked’ ski mode as well as a more flexible ‘unlocked’ or 'walk' mode. In the later the cuff of the boot is allowed an increased range of movement, this lets your ankle and lower leg flex forward and back for skinning and boot-packing uphill. These boots usually have a rubber base along with a curved or rockered sole to improve grip on slippery surfaces, such as rocks and allow for a more natural footfall when walking. In addition these boots tend to be lighter than regular Alpine Boots and generally have softer flex.

\\ I bet those ski touring boots are sweet on a multi-day tour. I heard Scarpa have dropped the weight below a kilo.

Also known as:
alpine touring boot at boot

ski-doo
/ ˈski: ˈduː /
noun

A motorized vehicle with runners and caterpillar tracks, designed for travelling on snow and ice. They have skis at the front to provide directional control. Typically they are driven on open terrain or trails. Popular as recreational tools in North America, where snowmobiling is a big sport in its own right.

\\ Did you see that pisteur caning his ski-doo up to the Col de la Loze?

Also known as:
motor-sled snow-mobile sled

skicut
/ ˈski:kʌt /
verb

An incision made by skiing / boarding across the top of an intended line at a 45 degree angle to asssess snowpack stability. This defensive safety technique helps asses if a rider will trigger a slide. The rider ideally ends the cut at a high point / island of satefy where they are safe from an loose snow.

\\ Once I've completed the skicut I'll continue to head skiers left to that higher ground with the distinctive rock stack.

Also known as:
slope cut ski cut

skiing
/ ˈskiːɪŋ /
verb

The essence of life. Skiing, Boarding, Sliding, Riding. Whatever your preferred method and equipment choice, it makes no sense and all the sense in the world.

\\ Do you ride?

Also known as:
boarding sliding riding

skin saver
/ ˈskɪn ˈseɪvə /

Plastic (often mesh) sheet used to separate the adhesive layer of climbing skins. Cheat sheets or skin savers help to prevent the glue on your climbing skins from sticking to itself. They are used to cover the glue base when not attached to your skis. The skin gets folded over this sheet, and then the pair of skins can be placed in their storage bag. This also helps prevent the adhesive from drying out when not in use.

\\ I always use a skin saver with my skins - less faff, less goo, less maintainence.

Also known as:
cheat sheet

skinning gloves
/ ˈskɪnɪŋ ɡlʌvz /
noun

Gloves used primarily when skinning. Regular ski gloves are not ideal for skinning because they'll just get hot and sweaty but not wearing gloves isn't really a good option either because your hands will get too cold, especially if they come into direct contact with the snow or metal objects. Most FreeRiders and Ski Tourers will stow their ski gloves when skinning or touring and wear a thinner pair of gloves, often with some kind of contact grip in the palm.

\\ I've worn a hole in my skinning gloves

Also known as:
thin gloves touring gloves contact gloves

skins
/ skɪnz /
noun

Strips of fabric designed to attach to the underside of skis or splitboards to enable rider powered uphill travel. Skins have 3 main elements:
1) Clips that attach to the front and rear of ski / split-board to hold them in place.
2) A rubberised top side covered in a reusable adhesive to stick to the underside of the ski / split-board.
3) A synthetic material (originally seal skin) whose fibres are angled such that they grip the snow, preventing the ski from sliding backwards down the mountain, whilst simultaneously allowing the ski to slide forward / uphill to ease ascent.

\\ Are you packing skins for our trip tomorrow up the Creux Noirs or will you be bootpacking?

skis
/ skiːz /
noun

A pair of things you strap to your feet to slide downhill on snow. Typically relatively long and narrow pieces of equipment used for gliding over snow. They're made of a variety of materials, often a wood core with additions such as fibreglass or titanal to vary flex and stiffness. They are designed so a binding mechanism can be mounted on the ski to allow skiers boots to securely connect to the ski. They come in various shapes and sizes, tailored for different types of skiing, including FreeRide, Alpine, Freestyle / Park and Cross-Country. The underside is often coated with a smooth material, such as polyethylene, to reduce friction and enhance glide, while the topside (top-sheet) often features designs, graphics, colours and branding. Skis allow users to navigate snow-covered terrain efficiently.

\\ Those skis look sick, what are they 110 underfoot?

Also known as:
planks

sled
/ sled /
noun

A motorized vehicle with runners and caterpillar tracks, designed for travelling on snow and ice. They have skis at the front to provide directional control. Typically they are driven on open terrain or trails. Popular as recreational tools in North America, where snowmobiling is a big sport in its own right.

\\ Did you see that pisteur caning his sled up to the Col de la Loze?

Also known as:
ski-doo motor-sled snow-mobile

slide
/ slaɪd /
noun

A mass of objects such as snow, ice, and rocks falling rapidly down a mountainside. In the case of snow avalanches, these are typically caused by a force being applied to the snowpack that overcomes the frictional forces holding the snow in place, ultimately causing a slide. Each historic snowfall has its own characteristics such as; the size and shape of the snowflakes, wind direction and air temperature. These snowfalls make up the layers in the snowpack, the strength of bonding between these layers, the ground and other natural features vary. When force is applied the bonding maybe overstressed causing the bond to break and a slide to occur.

\\ Holy Shit, did you see the size of the slide on the Grand Bec yesterday, I've never seen it go there!

Also known as:
avalanche ava avi

slope cut
/ sləʊp kʌt /
verb

An incision made by skiing / boarding across the top of an intended line at a 45 degree angle to asssess snowpack stability. This defensive safety technique helps asses if a rider will trigger a slide. The rider ideally ends the cut at a high point / island of satefy where they are safe from an loose snow.

\\ Once I've completed the slope cut I'll continue to head skiers left to that higher ground with the distinctive rock stack.

Also known as:
ski cut skicut

slopestyle
/ sləʊp staɪl /
noun verb

Slopestyle skiing involves tricks, jumps, big air and terrain park features such as rails, boxes and other man made obstacles. Not to be confused with FreeRide, which mostly takes place beyond the markers, slopestyle skiing is a performance sport comprising aerial skiing, mogul skiing, ski cross, halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines which are conducted on specially prepared courses.

\\ The sports of slopestyle skiing and boarding are governed by the International Ski Federation.

Also known as:
free-skiing new school skiing freestyle skiing jibbing freeskiing

Sluff snowfall caused by a Freeride boarder on a steep slope over 45 degrees

Sluff
/ slʌf /
noun

Loose snow often triggered to fall by riders on steep slopes over 45 degrees. Slopes in excess of 45 degrees tend to naturally purge snow as sluff and are therefore less prone to avalanche. However, riders in the steeps can also trigger sluff so if you choose to ride lines in excess of 45 degrees you're going to have to learn to live with it. It's unlikely that sluff will result in a full burial but it can easily sweep you off your feet and potentially put you into a terrain trap so you'll still want to avoid it and plan your route accordingly. This is often referred to as sluff management. All the best sluff managers have eyes in the back of their head.

\\ I got caught out by own sluff on that line.

snow probe
/ ˈsnəʊ prəʊb /
noun

A lightweight collapsible rod used to locate a victim buried under avalanche debris. Designed to be stowed in a backpack and quickly assembled. This is achieved by throwing the sections away from the body, whilst holding the cord or string at the top end of the device. Pulling this cord brings the sections together, once assembled a locking mechanism is engaged to hold the sections together whilst the probe is used. Probes are constructed from aluminium or carbon and marked with a measuring scale to aid location of a buried victim. Avalanche professionals and patrollers tend to choose longer, heavier aluminium probes.

\\ Now we have a strong consistent signal, Pascal can you grab your snow probe and start probing here, it looks like Michelle is 1.2 metres below this point.

Also known as:
avalanche probe probe

snow saw
/ ˈsnəʊ ˈsɔː /
noun

A lightweight tool with a serrated edge for cleanly cutting through snow. Most often used whislt digging snow pits for analyzing the snowpack. They can also be used to build snow shelters and block structures.

\\ We're ready for the extended column test, could someone pass me that snow saw, so I can make the first cut.

snow shovel
/ ˈsnəʊ ˈʃʌvl̩ /
noun

A collapsible, portable tool used for extracting burial victims from an avalanche. The blade and handle detach to allow them to be carried (externally or internally) in a backpack. You can buy super light shovels with plastic blades but these are designed for competitive skimo racing, not cutting through debris of a wet snow avalanche, aluminum blades are a good option as they are sturdy, effective and relatively low in weight.

\\ I see your new snow shovel has a telescopic handle, I guess that makes shovelling more efficient?

Also known as:
avalanche snow shovel avi shovel rescue shovel shovel

snow-mobile
/ ˈsnəʊ ˈməʊbaɪl /
noun

A motorized vehicle with runners and caterpillar tracks, designed for travelling on snow and ice. They have skis at the front to provide directional control. Typically they are driven on open terrain or trails. Popular as recreational tools in North America, where snowmobiling is a big sport in its own right.

\\ Did you see that pisteur caning his snow-mobile up to the Col de la Loze?

Also known as:
sled ski-doo motor-sled

steep and deep
/ stiːp ənd diːp /
adjective

Steep terrain covered in deep snow. Terrain sought out by FreeRiders looking for a challenge and a thrill.

\\ I know you love it steep & deep, have you ever ridden in Jackson?

sugar snow
/ ʃʊgə snəʊ /
noun

Sparkly and/or large grained snow crystals that frequently create a weak layer in the snowpack. Typically resulting from large temperature gradients within the snowpack and very noticable in snow pack analysis, these kinds of snow crystals frequently create a weak layer which has the potential to slide, creating a slab avalanche.

\\ We should check the snowpack for any sugar snow before we ride this line.

Also known as:
facets faceted snow depth hoar kinetic snow

sweeper
/ ˈswiːpə /
noun

The last rider in the group with the responsibility of ensuring that everyone in the group is accounted for. Ideally a strong experienced rider who can help others if they end up in difficulty during their descent.

\\ Great line Francois, are you ok being sweeper on the next one?

t-bar
/ ˈti: bɑː /
noun

Method of mechanical uplift where the rider is dragged or pulled uphill. T-bars and button lifts hark back to a bygone era before snowboards when skis were very long, very thin and very straight. Only a few old schoolers mourn their passing into history but drag lifts have their place. As a FreeRider you're going to want to get up there in all weathers and it's a fairly safe bet the drag lift will still be turning long after the chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars have all shut due to high winds.

\\ Riding the t-bar hands free - nice!

Also known as:
drag drag lift button lift button tow

tech binding
/ tek ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Lightweight ski bindings that rely on two sets of precision-machined pins to hold the toe and heel of a ski boot in place. Most usually used for ski touring and ski mountaineering, to save weight. These bindings must be matched with a boot that features a tech fitting. These are metal pin sockets moulded into the toe of the ski boot and deep moulded indents in the heel. The pins of the bindings slot into the pin sockets, but do not feature a sophisticated tension adjustment mechanism as used in an alpine binding.

\\ Goose aren't you worried that those tech binding won't release when needed?

Also known as:
dynafit binding pin binding

tech fitting
/ tek ˈfɪtɪŋ /
noun

Metal pin sockets moulded into the toe of the ski boot and deep moulded indents in the heel. The pins of tech bindings slot into the tech fitting pin sockets. This fitting is mainly used by ski tourers and ski mountaineers due to their relative weight compared to Alpine Bindings. These bindings do not usually feature a sophisticated tension adjustment mechanism such as DIN as used in an alpine binding.

\\ Mike, I see those kingpins have mashed the plastic around the toe piece of your tech fittings.

thigh steering
/ θaɪ ˈstɪərɪŋ /
verb

Efficient and powerful technique for making parallel ski turns, prioritising the use of large muscles in the thigh. Beginner skiers naturally tend to steer their skis with their feet, whilst this may work effectively in easier terrain over short periods of time, it falls short in more challenging terrain and longer descents. Recruiting bigger and more powerful muscles i.e. thigh muscles is more effective.

\\ I'm feeling way less fatigued now that I've adopted thigh steering

thin gloves
/ ˈθɪn ɡlʌvz /
noun

Gloves used primarily when skinning. Regular ski gloves are not ideal for skinning because they'll just get hot and sweaty but not wearing gloves isn't really a good option either because your hands will get too cold, especially if they come into direct contact with the snow or metal objects. Most FreeRiders and Ski Tourers will stow their ski gloves when skinning or touring and wear a thinner pair of gloves, often with some kind of contact grip in the palm.

\\ I've worn a hole in my touring gloves

Also known as:
skinning gloves touring gloves contact gloves

toe lug
/ təʊ lʌɡ /
noun

The front part of a ski boot shell that connects into an alpine ski binding. These lugs must comply with industry standards for quality and dimensions. In the majority of cases they are an integrated part of the boot shell but higher end boots are more likely to be replaceable in the event of wear.

\\ My toe lugs are shot from hiking up and down main street. I swear they won't fit in my bindings soon.

touring binding
/ ˈtʊərɪŋ ˈbaɪndɪŋ /
noun

Generic term for bindings that aid travel uphill as well as down. They fall into three categories pin / tech, frame and hybrid. AT ski bindings allow you to temporarily alter your set-up, so you can lift your heels whilst moving uphill and then lock your boots back in place to allow you to ski downhill. These bindings are used in combination with climbing skins and alpine touring boots. AT bindings make travelling through snowy ground fast and efficient. Originally only available in pin / tech form, more recently they come in an expanding menu of flavours.

\\ I've mounted some touring bindings on my Ranger 102s. I think this'll give me an ideal setup for our hut trip....

Also known as:
alpine touring binding at binding ski touring binding

touring gloves
/ ˈtʊərɪŋ ɡlʌvz /
noun

Gloves used primarily when skinning. Regular ski gloves are not ideal for skinning because they'll just get hot and sweaty but not wearing gloves isn't really a good option either because your hands will get too cold, especially if they come into direct contact with the snow or metal objects. Most FreeRiders and Ski Tourers will stow their ski gloves when skinning or touring and wear a thinner pair of gloves, often with some kind of contact grip in the palm.

\\ I've worn a hole in my thin gloves

Also known as:
skinning gloves thin gloves contact gloves

touring skis
/ ˈtʊərɪŋ skiːz /
adjective noun

A form of skiing where users rely on their own locomotion to move across terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. Cross-country skiing is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity; however, some still use it as a means of transportation. Variants of cross-country skis are adapted to a range of terrain which spans unimproved, sometimes mountainous terrain to groomed courses that are specifically designed for the sport.

Modern cross-country skiing is similar to the original form of skiing, from which all skiing disciplines evolved, including alpine skiing, ski jumping and Telemark skiing. Skiers propel themselves either by striding forward (classic style) or side-to-side in a skating motion (skate skiing), aided by arms pushing on ski poles against the snow.

\\ I prefer FreeRide skis to touring skis.

Also known as:
cross country skiing cross country skis

tow
/ təʊ /
noun

Method of mechanical uplift where the rider is dragged or pulled uphill. T-bars and button lifts hark back to a bygone era before snowboards when skis were very long, very thin and very straight. Only a few old schoolers mourn their passing into history but drag lifts have their place. As a FreeRider you're going to want to get up there in all weathers and it's a fairly safe bet the drag lift will still be turning long after the chairlifts, gondolas and cable cars have all shut due to high winds.

\\ Riding the tow hands free - nice!

Also known as:
drag drag lift button lift button t-bar

traction sole
/ ˈtrækʃn səʊl /
noun

Soft rubber ski boot soles designed to improve grip when scrambling over rocks or kicking in steps on a steep boot pack. Ski boot soles used to be only made of hard plastic, at the time this was to ensure the boot fitted into alpjne bindings and met the relevant safety standards. Thanks to advances in compounding, the same can now be achieved using rubber. These give several advantages - unlike plastic, rubber does not become brittle in low temperatures. Rubber soles can be replaced, potentially extending the potential life of a ski boot. Most importantly for FreeRiders rubber is far more slip resistant, allowing for much safer travel on foot in adverse conditions. Some brands are even offering a rockered sole to aid ergonomic footfall. There are also aftermarket products to put over traditional soles to aid foot powered travel but these are not compatible with ski bindings.

\\ That scramble felt much less sketchy with these traction soles.

Also known as:
vibram sole grip walk sole

trail
/ treɪl /
noun

A marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports. A defined ski run usually shaped with compacted snow and marked by coloured poles at the sides. Piste is a French term used throughout Europe, it is similar in meaning to run, groomer or trail in other parts of the world.

\\ The pisteurs have reopened the Sarenne trail this morning, shall we check it out before FreeRiding over the back?

Also known as:
run groomer piste

transceiver
/ trænˈsiːvə /
noun

An emergency locator device. A transmitter and receiver in one unit, operating at 457 kHz for the purpose of finding people buried under snow. Available in Analog & Digital versions with various levels of sophistication depending on manufacturer / model. Basic capabilities must include Transmit & Receive modes as well as directional and distance locators. More advanced functions include multiple burial mode and detection of vital signs.

\\ Can you confirm that your transceiver is on and set to send?

Also known as:
beacon avalanche transceiver avalanche beacon transponder

transceiver signal
/ trænˈsiːvə ˈsɪɡnəl /
noun

The signal emitted by an emergency locator beacon or transceiver. Regardless of make or model, avalanche transceivers or beacons manufactured for the purpose of finding people buried under snow all transmit on 457 kHz .

\\ I'm picking up a transceiver signal 20 metres away.

Also known as:
beacon signal

transponder
/ trænsˈpɒndə /
noun

An emergency locator device. A transponder is both a transmitter and receiver in one unit, operating at 457 kHz for the purpose of finding people buried under snow. Available in Analog & Digital versions with various levels of sophistication depending on manufacturer / model. Basic transponder capabilities must include Transmit & Receive modes as well as directional and distance locators. More advanced functions include multiple burial mode and detection of vital signs.

\\ Can you confirm that your transponder is on and set to send?

Also known as:
beacon avalanche transceiver avalanche beacon transceiver

TSP
/ ˈti: ˈes ˈpiː /
noun

Transceiver, Shovel, Probe - the safety trifecta: fundamental equipment required for venturing into FreeRide terrain. The basic safety equipment carried by FreeRiders to effect an avalanche rescue.

\\ Quick safety check, does everyone have their transceiver, shovel and probe?

Also known as:
Transceiver, Shovel & Probe

un-patrolled terrain
/ ˈən pəˈtrəʊld teˈreɪn /
noun

Where the magic happens. In the world of FreeRide there is no disputing that off-piste is where the magic happens but our understanding of off-piste differs from one continent to another. It's important to know the differences.

In North America and Asia, off piste tends to refer to terrain outside the resort boundary - hence uncontrolled mountain and un-patrolled terrain. Within the resort boundary (see also inbounds terrain) the ski patrol secures not only the marked pistes and trails but also un-groomed terrain where the snow has not been subject to mechanical compaction or alteration (see also Grooming). In Europe there is generally no resort boundary and the ski patrol only secures marked pistes and trails. Even 10 metres beyond the piste markers is considered off-piste and is not secured.

In Europe you ride beyond the piste markers at your own risk. In North America and Asia you ride beyond the resort boundary at your own risk.

\\ un-patrolled terrain is where the magic happens.

Also known as:
off-piste hors piste backcountry uncontrolled mountain back side

uncontrolled mountain
/ ˌʌnkənˈtrəʊld ˈmaʊntɪn /
noun

Where the magic happens. In the world of FreeRide there is no disputing that off-piste is where the magic happens but our understanding of off-piste differs from one continent to another. It's important to know the differences.

In North America and Asia, off piste tends to refer to terrain outside the resort boundary - hence uncontrolled mountain and un-patrolled terrain. Within the resort boundary (see also inbounds terrain) the ski patrol secures not only the marked pistes and trails but also un-groomed terrain where the snow has not been subject to mechanical compaction or alteration (see also Grooming). In Europe there is generally no resort boundary and the ski patrol only secures marked pistes and trails. Even 10 metres beyond the piste markers is considered off-piste and is not secured.

In Europe you ride beyond the piste markers at your own risk. In North America and Asia you ride beyond the resort boundary at your own risk.

\\ the uncontrolled mountain is where the magic happens.

Also known as:
off-piste hors piste backcountry un-patrolled terrain back side

upper cuff
/ ˈʌpə kʌf /
noun

Part of a ski boot that wraps around the shin, upper ankle and calf. This is a key component in transferring power from the skier into the ski, this aids turn initiation and speed control through extension and compression.

\\ I've added a ratchet to my power straps, I am hoping this is going to allow me to drive more force through the upper cuff in the bumps.

usp
/ ˈju: ˈes ˈpiː /
noun

Unique Selling Point. A factor that differentiates a product from its competitors, such as the lowest cost, the highest quality or the first-ever product of its kind.

\\ The Shift binding has this incredible USP. DIN settings on the heel and toe piece of a touring binding.

vibram sole
/ vaɪˈbræm səʊl /
noun

Soft rubber ski boot soles designed to improve grip when scrambling over rocks or kicking in steps on a steep boot pack. Ski boot soles used to be only made of hard plastic, at the time this was to ensure the boot fitted into alpjne bindings and met the relevant safety standards. Thanks to advances in compounding, the same can now be achieved using rubber. These give several advantages - unlike plastic, rubber does not become brittle in low temperatures. Rubber soles can be replaced, potentially extending the potential life of a ski boot. Most importantly for FreeRiders rubber is far more slip resistant, allowing for much safer travel on foot in adverse conditions. Some brands are even offering a rockered sole to aid ergonomic footfall. There are also aftermarket products to put over traditional soles to aid foot powered travel but these are not compatible with ski bindings.

\\ That scramble felt much less sketchy with these vibram soles.

Also known as:
grip walk sole traction sole

walk mode
/ wɔːk məʊd /
noun

Setting on a hike & ride ski boot that allows for an increased range of motion in the upper cuff, make hiking easier and more comfortable. This is usually activated by a lever or handle at the rear of the boot that unlocks the upper cuff. The increased range of motion, allow the ankle joint to properly hinge, therefore increasing comfort and efficiency when boot packing or skinning.

\\ I remember when I did that boot pack in my alpine boots, having walk mode on these boots feels like a game changer.

Also known as:
hike mode

water
/ ˈwɔːtə /
noun

Melted snow. The liquid state of H2O at standard ambient temperature and pressure. Best drunk from a mountain stream, but at it's best when formed into biscuit sized snowflakes, falling on your favourite fall line.

\\ There's little better than cold water from a mountain stream.

zero speed turn
/ ˈzɪərəʊ spi:d tɜːn /
noun

A low speed turn used as a training tool to promote technique for challenging steeps. The fundamentals of this turn are to move from having your skis parallel and facing in one direction across the mountain, similar to the sideslip position, then planting the downhill pole and moving your skis through 180 degrees by letting you hips fall over your feet, flattening your skis and allowing them to turn and point down the fall line and then back across the mountain. Once the fundamentals are understood and repeatable, this can be used in a series of linked turns in steeps or moguls.

\\ You know when your zero speed turn is coming together, it's that feeling of your hips falling over your feet.

Also known as:
braquage turn zero speed turn

Not signed up yet?

Lexicon

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

W

Z

Discover our content

FreeRide

Account

Whats Up?

Username
Password

	Remember Me Lost your password?