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.

Retraction

Of the legs up under the body. Used to avoid sudden pressure increases due to terrain changes or turning. Also to avoid obstacles or terrain changes, such as moguls.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Reverse Camber

Reverse camber is, as you may have guessed, the exact opposite. Often referred to as a “banana” shape, the center of the ski is the point of contact with the snow; the tip & tail have a gentle, progressive rise to them (like the letter “U”.) Think waterski.
See also: Camber Origin: SkiDictionary.com Link: SkiDictionary.com

Roller Skiing

This is another all-year round Skiing Discipline. Roller Skiing is done by skiers to continue training in the off season. For more information, see our section on Roller Skiing.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Rope Drop Hysteria

The chaos that ensues when ski operators are rumored to be opening new terrain and skiers line up en masse behind the rope to wait.
Origin: SkiNet.com Link: SkiNet.com

Rope Tows

They are the simplest Surface Lifts and consist of a loop of rope with knots that move around and around. See our section on Lifts on the Pistes - Different Types of Ski and Snow Resort Lifts to know more about Rope Tows.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Running groove

The long groove cut into the base of most skis to allow straight running and stability at speed.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Russian dance

A classical double-pole push followed by one to four skate steps prior to the next pole action, as a method a relaxing the upper body. Can be used with half skating.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Schussing

Skiing straight down the fall-line with the skis parallel. From the German word meaning to shoot.
Origin: skiresorts.org/ Link: skiresorts.org/

SDS (Snow Deprivation Syndrome)

When you feel the need to go out and play around in the snow, you have SDS.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Self-arrest skills

Slowing oneself when descending by the use of poles as braking devices, or using some other available device such as an ice axe.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Sequential leg movement

Moving the legs one at a time in sequence, as opposed to moving them together, or simultaneously.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Set tracks

Machine-prepared tracks suitable for cross-country skiing, sometimes referred to as loipe. Not to be confused with trails, which are merely defined paths that may be skiied along.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Shaped Skis

Are relatively new and improved Skis characterized by 'hourglass' shapes. They are Skis which are designed to turn. For more details, see our section on Ski Anatomy and Construction.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Short-range waxes

Grip waxes with specific temperature ranges, used primarily by racers for maximum performance.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Short-swinging

Tight-radius parallel turning, used mostly in narrow gulleys, or steep slopes.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Shovel

From the widest point of the front section of the ski, known as the shoulder, to the ski tip.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Side Slipping

Skidding sideways on skis down a hill, at an angle to the fall-line, but not directly down it.
Origin: SkiDictionary.com Link: SkiDictionary.com

Side-cut

The amount of 'waisting' in a ski, determined by the difference between the widest (at both ends of the ski) and the narrowest (in the mid-section) points of a ski. See also waist.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org

Sidecut Radius

It is the measurement of how deeply or shallowly the Ski's cut is from the Nose of the Ski to the Waist. For more details, see our section on Parts and Features of Skis.
Origin: abc-of-skiing.com Link: abc-of-skiing.com

Siitonen step

See half skating.
Origin: skiresorts.org Link: skiresorts.org