Logo
    Show
    Hide
    Login
    Close

    SITE LOGIN

    • Forgot your password?

    Register

    New Ski Touring Maps and Guides
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
        • Skis
        • Boots
        • Bindings
        • Climbing Skins
        • Poles
        • Snowboards
      • Clothing
        • Hard Shells
        • Soft Shells
        • Insulation
        • Mid Layers
        • Base Layers
        • Gloves
        • Socks
      • Accessories
        • Safety Gear
        • Goggles and Helmets
        • Ski Touring Packs
        • Ski Boxes and Bags
        • Sleeping Bags - 4 Season
        • Technology
        • Sunglasses
        • Insoles & Braces
        • Books
      • Off-Season Gear
        • Hiking
          • Rain Shells
          • Day Packs
          • Apparel
          • Footwear
          • Safety
        • Camping
          • Backpacks
          • Sleeping Bags
          • Sleeping Pads
          • Tents
          • Coolers / Cooking
          • Furniture / Storage
          • Lighting / Power
        • Biking
        • Paddling
        • Climbing
        • Mountaineering
        • Running
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Best New Summer Gear
        • Best New Summer Gear 2022
        • Best New Summer Gear 2021
        • Best New Summer Gear 2020
      • Holiday Gift Guide
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2022
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2021
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2019
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2018
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2017
        • Holiday Gift Guide 2016
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
        • Alpine Touring Boots
        • Backcountry Skis
        • Alpine Touring Bindings
        • Backcountry Accessories
        • Off-Season Gear
        • Climbing Skins
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us
    • REVIEWS
      • Ski Gear
      • Clothing
      • Accessories
      • Off-Season Gear
      • Lifestyle
      • Lodges and Accommodation
      • Nutrition
      • Manufacturers
      • Destinations
      • Training
      • Gear of the Year
      • Best New Summer Gear
      • Holiday Gift Guide
      • Pro Skier Interviews
    • FORUMS
    • STORE
      • Guides & Maps
      • Gear Deals
    • ROUTES
    • LODGING
      • Coast Mountains
      • Interior Mountains
      • Rocky Mountains
    • VIDEOS
      • 2022/23 Gear Reviews
      • 2021/22 Gear Reviews
      • 2020/21 Gear Reviews
      • 2019/20 Gear Reviews
      • 2018/19 Gear Reviews
      • 2017/18 Gear Reviews
      • 2016/17 Gear Reviews
      • 2015/16 Gear Reviews
      • 2014/15 Gear Reviews
      • 2013/14 Gear Reviews
      • 2012/13 Gear Reviews
      • 2011/12 Gear Reviews
      • 2020 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2019 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2018 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2017 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2017 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2016 Outdoor Presscamp
      • 2016 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2015 SIA Show
      • 2014 Outdoor Retailer
      • 2013 SIA Show
      • 2012 Outdoor Retailer
      • Tips and Tricks
      • Backcountry Skiing
    • SAFETY
      • Plan Ahead
      • Equipment
      • Resources
      • Avalanche Skills Training
      • Managing warmth & heat loss
    • ABOUT
      • Advertise
      • Glossary
      • Contact Us

    HOTTEST REVIEWS


    Elan Ripstick 106 Black Edition Skis Dynafit Free 107 Skis Ortovox Diract Voice Transceiver Burton Straight Chuter Splitboard Scarpa 4-Quattro XT Boots Atomic Backland Carbon Boots Plum OAZO Bindings

    VIDEOS YOU'LL LIKE


    Avalanche Transceivers 101 Dalbello Quantum Boots How To Buy a Transceiver North Face FUTURELIGHT Jacket Faction La Machine Skis Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro Boots Plum OAZO Bindings

    NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

    Unsubscribe
    • Home
    • »
    • ABOUT
    • »
    • Glossary

    GLOSSARY

    Alpine Touring: Also called Backcountry Skiing or AT, is the act of climbing up a hill or mountain and then skiing down. This is traditionally done in the backcountry and on routes which have some avalanche danger and lots of fresh powder.

    Avalanche: Is a large volume of snow falling down a mountain because of weather, instabilities in the snow pack or some sort of human trigger. Avalanches can prove deadly and thus, avalanche avoidance is extremely important.

    Avalanche probe: Is a long rod commonly made of light metal that are used to probe down through the snow in path of an avalanche to locate people buried under the snow.

    Avalanche Tranceiver: Also known as a Beacon, this is a device worn when skiing in the backcountry or out of bounds in order to locate party members caught in an avalanche. A transceiver transmits and receives a radio  signal which can be detected by another transceiver. They can locate victims buried in an avalanche if the user is educated in their use and the subject is wearing the device properly.

    Backcountry: The area beyond the groomed runs of a ski area or backcountry away from developed ski areas.

    Backcountry Skiing: Backcountry skiing is skiing over ungroomed and unmarked slopes not in a developed ski resort but instead in the rural areas away from roads and populated arid. The snow pack is not monitored, patrolled, or maintained and mechanical means of ascent such as ski lifts are typically not present. Human power is frequently the means of access and ascent. It offers skiers a chance to experience challenging terrain in a more natural setting, and make the first tracks in fresh powder.

    Bowl Skiing: Skiing on wide open bowl shaped slopes usually without trees and very prone to avalanches. 

    Cirque: A bowl shape or amphitheater sculpted out of the mountain.

    Dump: An unusually large or heavy snowfall when it has been "puking" [see puking].

    Elephant Snot: Wet, heavy snow not good for skiing.

    Fat Skis: Very wide skis designed to perform in deep powder snow.

    First Tracks: When a skier is the first to ski an area of fresh snow before anyone else; also known as “freshies".

    Freshies: The act of getting first tracks down a run/route with fresh powder.

    Mashed Potatoes: Wet, heavy snow not good for skiing.

    Pillows: The soft tops of moguls or buried tree stumps or rocks after a fresh powder dump.

    POW: Is a slang term for fresh powder snow [see powder].

    Powder: Light, flufy, and deep snow accumulation which is freshly fallen and soft.

    Puking: Heavy thick snowfall that accumulates to form good powder snow and freshies for skiing. 

    Skins: Long adhesive strips with fibbers on one sideband glue on the other which fasten to a ski or snowboard. When affixed to ski and use properly one side will grip the snow in one direction and glide in the other direction - used for ascending a hill or mountain in the sport of AT or backcountry skiing.

    Skin Track: The route which backcountry skier take up the mountain to then ski down. 

    Snorkeling: When powder runs up the body and blurs a skier’s vision [because a snorkel is required to breathe properly].

    Snowboarding: Skiing on one “ski” which is wider and shorter, with both feet fixed in a position similar to surfing or skateboarding.

    Randonnee: Is a French word to describe the gear or technique used for backcountry skiing or "AT" [alpine touring skiing]. The word means "excursion" or "tour," and if used in French to speak of ski touring is generally combined with the word "ski".

    Randonee skiing: Also known as Alpine Touring (AT) or Backcountry skiing, it is a form of skiing in which you ascend the mountain under your own power through the use of specialized bindings and "skins."

    Telemark skiing: is a style of skiing in which the heel is allowed to move upward and the opposing knee downwards. Telemark skiing is useful for backcountry skiing but is not essential as one can use "AT"  alpine touring equipment.

    Vertical Drop: The vertical distance from the top to the bottom of the mountain or slope.

    We built this backcountry skiing community for you, the passionate skier, and hope you enjoy the hard work we put into all the reviews, routes, videos, and posts we create. It’s been free from day one but that doesn’t mean it’s not a valuable resource. If you enjoy this website and value the content we create for you, then please support Backcountry Skiing Canada by donating today or by clicking on those sponsor ads and 'Buy Now' links at the bottom of the reviews. Thank you!

    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

    Copyright © 2022-23 Backcountry Skiing Canada. All Rights Reserved.