Air-to-Fakie
Any trick in the halfpipe where the wall is approached riding forwards,
no rotation is made, and the snowboarder lands riding backwards.
Alley-oop
A term used to describe any maneuver in the halfpipe where one rotates 180
or more degrees in an uphill
direction; that is, rotating backside on the frontside wall or rotating
frontside on the backside wall.
Alpine Snowboarding
This term is most often used to describe riding a directional carving board
with hardboots and plate bindings. Since there is no such thing as Nordic
or cross-country snowboarding it is not used to describe snowboarding in general.
Andrecht
A rear handed backside handplant with a front handed grab.
Asymmetrical Sidecut
Snowboard sidecut design in which the toe edge and heel edge have different
sidecut radii. In shifted asymmetrical sidecut boards the center of the heel
sidecut radius is shifted farther back than the toe side radius in order to
compensate for the center of weight distribution which differs between toe
and heel edges.
Backside
The backside of the snowboard is the side where the heels rest; and the
backside of the snowboarder is the side to which his/her back faces.
Backside Air
Any air performed on the backside wall of the halfpipe.
Backside Rotation
A rotation in which your back the first thing to cross the vector in which
you're traveling. i.e. clockwise for a regular-footer, and counter-clockwise
for a goofy-footer.
Backside wall
If you ride straight down the pipe the backside wall is the wall that your
back faces.
Bail
A term used to describe crashing or falling. e.g. "He bailed and landed
on his head."
Banked Slalom
A slalom race course in which the turns around the gates are set up on snow
banks. Originated at Mount Baker, Washington where the course is set through
a ravine.
Baseless Bindings
Snowboard bindings without a base plate. Thus, one's boots are in direct
contact with the top of the snowboard and are as close to the snow as possible.
Some people say it gives them a better "feeling" of the snow and terrain beneath
the board; hence, better control. Other say it's a silly sales gimmick.
Beat
A term used to describe something that is not good. e.g. "It's pretty beat
that we have to shape the pipe all day."
Bevel
The degree of angle to which the edges of a snowboard are tuned..
Blindside
A term given to any rotation where the snowboarder has oriented themselves
"blind" to their takeoff or landing and must stretch to look over their shoulder.
Such a technique usually increases the difficulty. (e.g. A backside alley
oop air in the halfpipe is often harder than a frontside alley oop air because
it is blindside).
Boarder Cross Competition
A race course in which gates have been set up through an obstacle course.
It is a snowboarding version of a Motocross. Racers run head to head, usually
in heats offour or six, over various jumps and banked turns.
Boned
A term used to explain the emphasis of style in a trick. In other words,
if someone "boned out a method" they would grab hard and create an emphasis
of the maneuver such that his/her legs or arms may appear extended or stretched
to a maximum degree. To "Bone" means to straighten one or both legs.
Bonk
The act of hitting a no-snow object with the snowboard (e.g. A tail bonk
could be hitting a picnic table with the tail of the snowboard).
Boost
A term used to describe catching air off of a jump. e.g. "He boosted ten
feet out of the halfpipe."
Burger Flip
A halfpipe trick in which the rider performs a switch 180 to late McTwist.
One approaches the backside wall riding fakie, rotates 180 degrees in the
air, and then reenters the pipe while doing a McTwist. Invented by Todd Richards.
Bust
A term used the same as the verb "to do" only with more emphasis. e.g. "He
busted a huge air over that tree."
Caballerial (Cab)
A halfpipe trick which begins fakie, spins 360 degrees, and lands riding
forward. Named after skateboarding guru, Steve Caballero. Also see Half-Cab
and Gay Twist.
Camber
When a snowboard is placed on a flat surface, the center portion of the
board is raised and it rests only on the tip and tail. This curvature in
the snowboard effectively aids in turning. Camber is measured by looking
at the amount of space between the center of the base and the flat surface
on which it rests.
Canadian Bacon Air
The rear hand reaches behind the rear leg to grab the toe edge between the
bindings while the rear leg is boned.
Cant
A term used to describe the angle at which either foot is positioned medial
or lateral from a vertical axis. In other words, how much angle beneath your
feet from side to side bends your knees together or apart.
Cap Construction
Snowboard construction in which the top sheet wraps around to the steel
edges. Provides increased torsional stiffness over a traditional top sheet
and is of a simpler and cleaner cosmetic design because it does not require
sidewalls.
Centered Stance
Mounting the bindings on a snowboard such that there is the same distance
between the tail and the rear binding as the nose and the front binding. This
allows the board to be ridden backwards and forwards with similar control.
Chatter
When the snowboard vibrates unnecessarily. Usually this happens at higher
speeds and through turns. Racers are always trying to reduce chatter in their
boards so they can stay in control.
Chicken Salad Air
The rear hand reaches between the legs and grabs the heel edge between the
bindings while the front leg is boned. Also, the wrist is rotated inward to
complete the grab.
Coping
A reference to the edge of the lip which runs the length of a halfpipe wall.
Borrowed from pool coping.
Corduroy
When a snowcat freshly grooms a trail it will leave a finely ridged surface.
Corduroy is usual very nice for laying out clean turns.
Corkscrew
A term used to describe a very fast and tightly performed rotation, either
free riding or in the halfpipe. A term used to describe any rotation which
is off-axis.
Crail Air
The rear hand grabs the toe edge in front of the front foot while the rear
leg is boned.
Crater
A term used to describe a crash or fall. e.g. "He fell off the lift and
cratered into a snow bank."
Crippler Air
An inverted aerial where the snowboarder performs a 180 degree flip. In
other words, the athlete approaches a halfpipe wall riding forward, becomes
airborne, rotates 90 degrees, flips over in the air, rotates another 90 degrees,
and lands riding forward.
Crossbone Method Air
A Method Air where the back leg is boned. See Method Air.
Crooked Cop Air
Free riding version of the mosquito air. See Mosquito Air.
Cruiser Run
What you call making a relaxed and mellow run on a fairly smooth trail.
Dampening
The technique of reducing vibration of the snowboard in order to increase
handling at high speeds. Some boards have a dampening material such as rubber
laminated into the snowboard. As an alternative, some racers attach various
materials to the topsheet.
Delaminate
When the layers in your snowboard come apart. It usually happens from crashing,
long term use, or a defect in the snowboard.
Detune
The process of "unsharpening" the edges of the snowboard. Most people detune
the edges around the nose and tail so they don't catch in the snow.
Directional Stance
Having a stance on a snowboard which allows one to ride differently in one
direction than the other. In otherwise, your feet may be situated so that
riding forwards is easier than riding backwards.
Disaster
A halfpipe lip trick where one lands with the coping perpendicular to the
snowboard. Originated in skateboarding when skaters would land their skateboard
trucks (axle) to hang-up. With no trucks it's really not a disaster, but we'll
call it that anyway.
Double Grab
Doing two separate tricks while in the air. One goes off of a jump, grabs
the board one way, then grabs it in another way, then lands.
Double Handed Grab
Simultaneously grabbing the snowboard with both hands while in the air.
Duckfoot
A term used to describe stance angles with toes pointing outward like a
duck.
Effective Edge
The length of metal edge on the snowboard which touches the snow; it is
the effective part which is used to make a turn. Therefore, it does not include
the edge of the tip and tail.
Eggflip
An Eggplant where the athlete chooses to flip over in order to re-enter
the pipe instead of rotating 180 degrees. Thus, this trick is performed forward
to fakie......or switchstance (fakie to forward).
Eggplant
A one handed 180 degree backside rotated invert in which the front hand
is planted on the lip of the halfpipe wall.
Elgeurial (BFM)
An invert where the halfpipe wall is approached fakie, the rear hand is
planted, a 360 degree backside rotation is made, and the rider lands going
forward.
Eurocarve
A term used to describe a certain mode of riding in which the rider makes
large and hard carving turns; usually riding high on the edge and leaning
the body parallel to the ground. Certain equipment may also be associated
with the eurocarver such as hard shell boots, plate bindings, and certain
clothing. The style was popularized by Peter Bauer and Jean Nerva, two of
the best slalom racers ever.
Extruded Base
P-tex base of a snowboard which is formed by extrusion of sheets. It is
of lower quality, doesn't hold and absorb wax very well, and is less durable.
Fakie
A term for riding backwards. See also Switchstance.
Fall Line
The path of least resistance down any given slope, the direction that gravity
would pull you.
Fat/Phat (slang)
Used to describe how exceptional something is like a "Phat Air" might be
a really styled out trick as well as being "large", that is, very high.
50/50
To slide with the board parallel to the coping. Also see Grind.
540 Air (a.k.a. five)
The snowboarder rotates 540 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In
the halfpipe, the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 540 degrees,
and lands riding forward.
Flail
A term used to describe riding badly and out of control. e.g. "He flailed
off the jump and hit a tree."
Flat Bottom
The area in a halfpipe between the two opposing transitional walls.
Flatland
Term used to describe tricks performed on a flat slope without obstacles.
(e.g. nose slide, blunt slide, tail wheelie, etc...)
Flex
Term used to describe the stiffness and pattern of how a snowboard flexes.
i.e...stiff, medium, soft.
Flow
If someone gives you free product, they "flowed" you some stuff. a.k.a.
Bro-form.
Flying Squirrel Air
Bending at the knees and grabbing the heel edge of the snowboard with both
hands; the front hand near the front foot, and the rear hand near the rear
foot.
Forward Lean
The angle of degree to which the highbacks of soft bindings, (or the boots
of plate bindings), keep your ankles bent in a forward leaning position.
Freeriding
Snowboarding on all types of terrain for fun...no contests, no halfpipe,
no gates, no rules, etc...
Freestyle Snowboarding
The kind of snowboarding which is mostly associated with riding the halfpipe,
but which may also be used to describe any type of snowboarding which includes
tricks and maneuvers.
Fresh Fish Air
The backside version of the Stale Fish. See Stale Fish.
Front Hand
The hand closest to the nose of the snowboard. In other words, the left
hand for regular footers and the right hand for goofy footers.
Front Foot
The foot mounted closest to the nose of the board
Frontside Air
A true Frontside Air is performed on the toeside wall of a halfpipe with
a grab to the toeside edge between the feet. A frontside air can be any air
performed on the toeside wall of the halfpipe.
Frontside Rotation
Rotating the direction your front heel points.
Frontside Wall
The wall that your toes point to when you're riding straight down a halfpipe.
For goofy-footers it's the left wall, for regular footers it's the right.
Gap Jump
A jump constructed with empty space in-between the takeoff and the landing.
Not clearing the gap usually has detrimental consequences.
Gay Twist
A Caballerial which includes a grab. See Caballerial.
Goofy Footed
Riding on a snowboard with the right foot in the forward position.
Grab
To grab either edge of the snowboard with one or both hands.
Grind
To slide with the board parallel to the coping. Also see 50/50. (This is
not a snowboard trick but we put it in here anyway.)
Grommet (Grom)
Another name for a small, young snowboarder. Especially one who is very
"in" to snowboarding.
Haakon Flip
An inverted switch 720. A halfpipe trick in which the rider approaches the
backside wall riding fakie and rotates in the backside direction while going
upside down. Invented by Terje Haakonsen.
Half-Cab
Cannot be performed in the halfpipe. It is the freeriding version of the
Caballerial in which one rotates 180 degrees from fakie to forward off of
a straight jump. Also see Caballerial and Gay Twist.
Halfpipe
A snow structure built for freestyle snowboarding. It consists of opposing
radial transition walls of the same height and size. Snowboarders utilize
the halfpipe to catch air and perform tricks by traveling back and forth from
wall to wall while moving down the fall line. The following are some recommended
dimensions:
Measurement
Inclination 20 degrees
Length 110 meters
Width wall to wall 15 meters
Height of walls 3 meters
Transition radius 2 meters
Vertical 20 centimeters
Rollout deck width 1 meter
Drop in height 3 meters
Handplant (Backside)
A 180 degree handplant in which both hands or the rear hand may be planted
on the lip of the wall and the rotation is backside.
Handplant (Frontside)
A 180 degree handplant in which the front hand is planted on the lip of
the wall and the rotation is frontside.
Handplant (Layback)
A 180 degree handplant in which the rear hand is planted on the lip of the
wall behind the take off point and the rotation is frontside.
Hard Boots
Footwear designed for use in carving and racing. Boots are stiff and may
use hard plastics to provide maximum support. Similar to alpine ski boots.
Head Wall
When a road cuts across a ski run it creates a flat spot on the hill; which
also makes a good place to catch air.
Heel Drag/Overhang
If the bindings of a snowboard are mounted so that the heel hangs off the
edge, the heel may drag, catch in the snow, and cause one to slide out while
turning.
Heel Edge
A snowboard has two different edges. The heel edge is the one at which the
heels rest.
Heelside Turn
A turn made on your heelside edge.
High Back Bindings
A binding system which includes a highback component that extends perpendicularly
from the board, lies flat against ones calf, and provides support, especially
for edging and turning on the heel edge.
Highway
A large groove that forms across the flat bottom and/or up the wall of a
halfpipe. Usually it forms on the first hit of both sides of the walls where
everyone is riding in the same place.
Ho Ho
An old-school general term given to any two handed handplant.
Hole Pattern
The current standardized hole patterns for snowboard bindings are one of
two types, four hole and three hole. The majority of snowboard companies use
four hole.
Hucker
One who throws himself/herself wildly through the air and does not land
on his/her feet.
Iguana Air
The rear hand grabs the toe edge near the tail. Made famous by Damian Sanders.
Indy Air
A true "Indy Air" is performed backside with the rear hand grabbing between
the bindings on the toe edge while the rear leg is boned. Done correctly the
board will be even over high than the riders head.
Insert
A piece of metal with a threaded hole. It is laminated into a snowboard
in order to screw the bindings to the board.
Invert
A trick where the head is beneath the level of the board and the snowboarder
balances on one or two hands.
Inverted Aerial
A maneuver where the snowboarder becomes airborne and upside down at any
given moment.
Inverted 180
See Crippler.
Inverted 540
See McTwist.
Inverted 720 (720 McTwist)
An inverted aerial where the snowboarder performs a 720 degree rotational
flip. In other words, the snowboarder approaches the wall riding forward,
becomes airborne, rotates 720 degrees in a backside direction while performing
a front flip, and lands riding faki.
Jam Session Halfpipe Competition
An event where all competitors are allowed to ride the halfpipe continuously
during one allotted amount of time.
The top winners are chosen by judges who watch the jam session and decide
who is the best.
J-Tear
An invert where the athlete rotates roughly 540 degrees in a frontside direction
while planting one or both hands on the lip of the wall. Invented by Mike
Jacoby.
Japan Air
The front hand grabs the toe edge in front of the front foot(mute), both
knees are bent, the rear leg boned, and the board is pulled to the level of
the head.