Dictionary

This Glossary is provided to help guests understand more about the rental of inns, resorts and vacation rentals. It is not comprehensive but serves as a primer for terms guests may encounter in renting specialty lodging. Not all terms apply to all properties or managers.

Parallel turning

Turning with the skis remaining parallel throughout each turn.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Passive unweighting

An unweighting of the skis created by skiing over a bump or through a dip, and not by a skier's conscious body movement.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Penitents

Tall blades of snow found at high altitudes.
Origin: Faheem, Muhammad Link: SaltLakeVacationRentals.com

Pillow Drift

A snow drift crossing a roadway and usually 3 to 4.5 metres (10 - 15 feet) in width and 30 cm to 90 cm (1 - 3 feet) in depth.
Origin: Faheem, Muhammad Link: SaltLakeVacationRentals.com

Piste

A piste is a marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports.
See also: Off Piste Origin: SkiDictionary.com Link: SkiDictionary.com

Piste basher

A large tracked vehicle used for grooming the snow.
Origin: freestylesnowsports.co.uk Link: freestylesnowsports.co.uk

Pivot

Rotating or twisting action by the legs to turn the skis.
Origin: freestylesnowsports.co.uk Link: freestylesnowsports.co.uk

Pizza

Snow plough or to slowly come to a halt.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Plough

With the skis angled out in a `V' form as when snowploughing.
Origin: http://www.freestylesnowsports.co.uk Link: freestylesnowsports.co.uk

Pole-plant

The point at which the ski pole is driven into the snow, either as a trigger to aid turning, or as a method of propulsion.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Poles

When held in the hand, used to propel oneself along, or balance. See also stock.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Positive ski base

A patterned non-wax ski base that has a protruding pattern, above the level of the base. See also negative ski base .
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Powder

This refers to freshly fallen, soft Snow. For more information, see our section on Snow Types.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Powder snow

Dry, freshly fallen snow that has not yet been compacted, by natural or other means. Deep powder requires different downhill skiing techniques if the skier wishes to remain above the snow surface.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Pre-rotation

Turning the body into the direction of the intended turn, to assist the skier's change in direction. See anticipation.
See also: skiresorts.org Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Prerelease

Is the term used when your Skis come off earlier than expected. Visit our section on Ski Bindings - Having the Correct Release Setting to know more about Prerelease.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Pressure

Applied to one or both skis by the skier's body mass or muscle. See weighting.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Pulk

A type of sled or toboggan most commonly found in Scandinavia used to tow children, or other loads behind the skier, connected by a harness to the skier's waist.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Rallied

Means crashing really bad or getting hurt or getting owned.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Rebounding

The recoil or spring effect when decambered (bent backwards) skis (due to turning forces) are "released" and bounce back into its natural position.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org