The Biggest Lines

Ski and Snowboard Glossary

Alpine Skiing (or downhill skiing): is the pastime of sliding down snow-covered slopes on skis with fixed-heel bindings, unlike other types of skiing (cross-country, Telemark, or ski jumping), which use skis with free-heel bindings. Whether for recreation or for sport, it is typically practiced at ski resorts, which provide such services as ski lifts, artificial snow making, snow grooming, restaurants, and ski patrol. (Wikipedia)


Backcountry Skiing, also called off-piste (Europe), alpine touring, or out-of-bounds: is skiing in the backcountry on unmarked or unpatrolled areas, either inside or outside a ski resort's boundaries. This contrasts with alpine skiing which is typically done on groomed trails benefiting from a ski patrol. Unlike ski touring, backcountry skiing can include the use of ski lifts including snowcats and  helicopters. Recent improvements in equipment have increased the popularity of the sport. (Wikipedia) 


Ski Touring: is skiing in the backcountry on unmarked or unpatrolled areas. Touring is typically done off-piste and outside of ski resorts, and may extend over a period of more than one day. It is similar to backcountry skiing. Ski touring combines elements of Nordic and alpine skiing  and embraces such sub-disciplines as telemark and randonnée. A defining characteristic is that the skier's heels are "free" – i.e. not bound to the skis – in order to allow a natural gliding motion while traversing and ascending terrain which may range from perfectly flat to extremely steep. Ski touring has been adopted by skiers seeking new snow, by alpinists, and by those wishing to avoid the high costs of traditional alpine skiing at resorts. Touring requires independent navigation skills and may involve route-finding through potential avalanche terrain. It has parallels with hiking and wilderness backpacking. Ski mountaineering is a form of ski touring which variously combines the sports of telemark, alpine, and backcountry skiing with that of mountaineering. (Wikipedia)


Ski Mountaineering: is a skiing discipline that involves climbing mountains either on skis or carrying them, depending on the steepness of the ascent, and then descending on skis. There are two major categories of equipment used, free-heel Telemark skis and skis based on Alpine skis, where the heel is free for ascents, but is fixed during descent. The discipline may be practiced recreationally or as a competitive sport. (Wikipedia)


Freeriding is a style of snowboarding or skiing performed on natural, un-groomed terrain, without a set course, goals or rules. It evolved throughout the sport's early years as a contrary response to the highly regimented style of ski competition prevalent at the time. Snowboarders primarily refer to freeriding as backcountry, sidecountry, or off-piste snowboarding, and sometimes big mountain or extreme riding. (Wikipedia)


Splitboard: is a snowboard that can be separated into two ski-like parts used with climbing skins to ascend slopes the same way alpine touring or telemark skis are. Unlike normal snowboards, it will have nose and tail clips, split hooks, and touring mounts. Similar to cross country skiing, splitboarding allows free heel movement and with skins attached to the bottom of the skis, provides uphill traction. The two halves can then be connected to form a regular snowboard for descent. Splitboarding culture often focuses on the idea of using your own power to access the backcountry usually on unmaintained trails. (Wikipedia)


Couloir (French: [ku.lwaʁ], "passage" or "corridor"): a narrow gully with a steep gradient in mountainous terrain. A couloir may be a seam, or scar, or fissure, or vertical crevasse in an otherwise solid mountain mass. Though often hemmed in by sheer cliff walls, couloirs may also be less well-defined, and often simply a line of broken talus or scree ascending the mountainside and bordered by trees or other natural features. Couloirs are especially significant in winter months when they may be filled in with snow or ice, and become much more noticeable than in warmer months when most of the snow and ice may recede. These physical features make the use of couloirs popular for both mountaineering and skiing. (Wikipedia)


IPA: is a hoppy beer style within the broader category of pale ale. This style of pale ale, which became known as India Pale Ale, from its origins as an export shipped to India, would grow in popularity, and was widespread in England by 1815. [It’s distinctive taste] benefited exceptionally from the conditions of [long] ocean voyages. (Wikipedia)

IPAs are a favorite (and oftentimes essential) post-tour refreshment among many backcountry ski and snowboard enthusiasts. (Biggest Lines)

Some tips for the aspiring backcountry skier/snowboarder:

A Beginner’s Guide to Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding
(REI Co-op)