Reference

Snow glossary

Layers, boots, ski, snowboard and mountain vocabulary explained in plain language. Guides across the site link back to these terms whenever a technical expression appears.

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Base layer: The piece in direct contact with the skin. Its main job is not warmth but moving sweat away from the body. Usual materials: merino wool and technical synthetics. Cotton is discouraged because it holds moisture.
Mid layer: The intermediate layer responsible for insulation: fleece, microfleece or light down. It is the piece you add or remove according to the temperature of the day.
Shell / outer layer: The outer layer, responsible for blocking wind and water. It can be a hardshell (stiff, no insulation) or an insulated jacket, combining barrier and thermal filling.
Waterproof rating (mm): Measured in millimetres of water column. Around 5,000 mm suits dry snow and light use; 10,000 to 20,000 mm covers wet days, heavy snow and long use.
Breathability (g/m²/24h): How much vapour the fabric lets out in 24 hours. The higher the value, the less clammy you get during intense activity. It matters if you ski all day or hike uphill.
DWR: Durable Water Repellent: a surface treatment that makes water bead and run off. It wears out with use and can be reapplied with specific products.
Taped seams: Heat-applied tape inside the seams to stop water entering through needle holes. “Fully taped” protects more than “critically taped”.
Powder skirt: An elastic band inside the bottom hem of the jacket that seals against the body and keeps snow out during falls.
Bib / salopette: Snow trousers with a chest panel and braces. They protect the lower back better and stop snow entering at the waist, common among snowboarders and children.
Inner gaiters: Elastic cuffs at the trouser hem that sit over the boot, blocking snow and wind at the shin.
Balaclava: A hood covering head, neck and part of the face, leaving the eyes free for goggles. Used on very windy days and in very low temperatures.
Neck gaiter: A fabric tube closing the gap between jacket and helmet. It is the cheapest item that most changes how cold the face and neck feel.
Mitten: A glove where the fingers share one compartment. It is warmer than a five-finger glove, at the cost of dexterity.
Snow boot: A boot for walking on snow and ice — it is not for skiing. It prioritises insulation, waterproofing and a grippy sole.
Ski boot: A rigid plastic boot that clips into the ski binding. It is not made for walking; the correct fit is decided at the rental shop or in a bootfitting.
Flex: The boot's stiffness index. Low numbers (60–80) flex easily and suit beginners; high numbers (100+) transmit more force to the ski and demand technique.
Mondopoint: The international sizing standard for ski and snowboard boots, given in centimetres of foot length. It avoids confusion between BR, EU and US sizing.
Binding: The part attaching the boot to the ski or board. On skis it is set to release the boot in a fall; on a snowboard it keeps both feet fixed to the board.
DIN: The scale defining how much force is needed for a ski binding to release the boot. It is calculated from weight, height, age and level — and must be set by a technician.
Snowplough (pizza): A “V” position with the ski tips together, used by beginners to control speed and stop. It is the first technique taught in most schools.
Parallel skiing: Skiing with both skis aligned, controlling speed through the shape of the turn rather than the wedge. It marks the move from beginner to intermediate.
Carving: A turn where the edge cuts the snow, leaving a clean line with no sideways slip. It requires control of tilt and pressure.
Poles: Used in skiing to set the rhythm of turns and help balance on flat ground. They are not used in snowboarding.
Regular and goofy: The two possible stances on the board: regular rides with the left foot forward, goofy with the right. Neither is superior — it depends on your natural posture.
Heel edge: The board edge on the heel side. It is one of the first a beginner learns to control in order to brake and start turns.
Toe edge: The board edge on the toe side. Switching in a controlled way between heel edge and toe edge is the basis of snowboarding.
Falling leaf: An exercise in which the rider slides from side to side on a single edge, like a falling leaf. It comes before linked turns.
Catch an edge: When one edge unintentionally catches the snow and causes a quick fall forward or backward. A classic beginner tumble.
Switch: Riding with the opposite foot forward, reversing your natural stance. Practising switch improves balance and is a prerequisite for tricks.
Stance: Your posture on the board and also the binding setup (width and foot angles).
Groomer: A slope smoothed by machines (snowcats) overnight. The surface is uniform and predictable — the best terrain for learning and drilling turns.
Powder (pow): Fresh, light and soft snow. It is the most celebrated condition among experienced riders, but demands more technique than a groomer.
Machine-made snow: Snow produced by guns from water and cold air. It is denser and harder than natural snow, and keeps the season running at resorts with little precipitation.
Hardpack / icy: A compacted, slippery surface, common late in the day and in cold, dry regions. It demands sharp edges and more precise turns.
Whiteout: A condition where snow, fog and sky blur together and the terrain disappears. High-VLT lenses (yellow or rose) help recover contrast.
VLT: Visible Light Transmission: the percentage of light passing through the goggle lens. High VLT (40–80%) for cloudy days; low VLT (5–20%) for bright sun.
OTG: Over The Glasses: snow goggles designed to be worn over prescription glasses, with side cutouts for the temples.
Wind chill: The perceived temperature when wind is added to the real cold. −5 °C with strong wind can feel like −15 °C, especially on the lift.
Chairlift: The way up the mountain. A chairlift is the open chair; a gondola is the enclosed cabin; a magic carpet is the conveyor used in beginner areas.
Lift pass: The ticket giving access to the lifts. It is usually cheaper bought in advance and in multi-day packages.
Après-ski: Everything that happens after the slopes: bars, restaurants and walks through the village. This is when snow boots replace ski boots.
Altitude sickness: A set of symptoms (headache, nausea, shortness of breath) that can appear above ~2,500 m. Hydration, gradual ascent and an easy first day reduce the risk.