9 Words to Know Before You Hit the Slopes

You might not be able to hit the slopes every week, maybe not even every year…but you can still talk like a skier. Obviously, the ski-specific jargon found in mountain towns across Colorado is extensive and can vary from town to town and region to region. Below we’ve listed a few of our favorites to start you off.

1. Après-ski

…a time to consume plenty of food and alcohol after an exhausting day of skiing; basically happy hour on the mountain.

2. Jibber

…a skier or snowboarder that prefers to stick to the man made features of the mountain, including ramps, rails, and boxes. Also known as a park rat.

3. Jerry

…someone who is insistent on hitting the slopes despite their limited skill set. Look for them on the blacks when they should be on the greens. While they can be a little aloof from time to time, a jerry has heart, always has a good time, and is most often able to laugh at their mistakes.

4. Gaper

…similar to a jerry when it comes to lack of ability and understanding of basic ski culture, but a gaper typically doesn’t realize their own faults. If they wipe out and rip their jeans, they’ll blame it on their rental skis or the snow quality, not the fact that they skied twice in the last decade. To avoid gaperdom this winter season, check out our comprehensive guide that will help you blend in and stay safe on the slopes.

5. Gnar

…shortened form of gnarly, a word used to address extreme intensity or a high level of risk. It’s also known as an acronym for “Gaffney’s Numerical Assessment of Radness.”

6. Boney

…a type of terrain in which tons of rocks, sticks, and dirt sneak their way through the snow, striking the bottom of your skis. Typically early or late season.

7. 6-pack

…a ski lift capable of holding 6 people, usually one of the fastest rides to the top of the mountain. Also typically the most trafficked lifts.

8. Bombing

…blasting down the slopes at maximum speed with little concern for those around you. While tons of experienced skiers do this on a regular basis, partaking in this adrenaline rush on crowded runs with beginners can be disastrous.

9. Freshies

…the first runs of the day, generally when the snow is still a perfect white blanket left over from the night before.