Heading to Park City for the first time? Get ready to immerse yourself in more than just fresh powder and breathtaking views—there’s a whole new language to learn! Ski towns like Park City are full of unique slang, jargon, and phrases that locals and seasoned skiers use to describe everything from the perfect powder day to an epic wipeout.
To make sure you’re ready to fully embrace the Park City experience, we asked our employees to share their favorite ski town slang. Whether it’s your first time here or you’re a regular, these terms will help you blend in like a local. Don't worry; we’ve got you covered!
Here’s your cheat sheet:
Après-Ski – Socializing after a day of skiing or snowboarding, often with food, drinks, and music. If you’re planning on some Après in Park City, check out the best spots here.
Blower Pow – This is light, fluffy powder snow that makes you feel like you're floating down the mountain. Think of it as the holy grail of snow conditions.
Bluebird Day – A perfect day when the skies are clear, the sun is out, and the snow is fresh. Ideal for skiing or snowboarding. And don’t forget your sunscreen!
Bunny Slope – The easiest slope on the mountain, perfect for first-time riders to get comfortable before tackling the bigger runs.
Champagne Powder – Super light and dry snow that sparkles when you ski through it. You'll feel like you’re skiing on clouds. It’s pretty much interchangeable with Blower Pow.
Corn – Soft, small pellets of snow that form when daytime temperatures warm up and then cool off again at night. Corn snow is common in the springtime.
Dust on Crust – When a thin layer of powder snow sits on top of a hard, crusty base. It’s a tricky condition to ski in, but it happens.
Dumping – When a ton of snow falls in a short period. Bliss.
Face Shot – The epic moment when powder sprays into your face as you carve down the mountain. It’s one of the best feelings in skiing.
Flat Light – When lighting conditions are flat, and there’s little contrast between shadows and sunny spots. It makes it hard to see bumps or moguls on the terrain. Pro tip: ride near trees for extra visibility when the light is flat.
First Chair – The first chairlift of the day. The first chair is the most prized ride, especially on powder days when you get to make the first tracks in fresh snow.
Liftie – The person who operates the chairlifts. They make sure you get safely on and off the lifts, so always show them some appreciation.
Nuking – When it’s snowing so heavily that you can barely see. You’re in for a good day!
Pow – Short for powder. It’s the soft, fresh snow that skiers and snowboarders dream about.
Park Rat – A skier or snowboarder who spends most of their time in the terrain park, perfecting tricks and jumps.
Power Hour – The last hour of the ski day when most people have already hit the bars, leaving the slopes uncrowded and the lift lines nice and short.
Quiver – A skier or snowboarder’s collection of equipment, from skis to boards to accessories. It's your ultimate gear setup.
Shred the Gnar – When you’re tackling some seriously gnarly terrain, whether it’s steep powder or a technical park run. Time to shred.
Straight Lining – When a skier or snowboarder points their gear straight downhill and goes full throttle. It’s all about speed.
Stoke – The feeling of excitement and anticipation before hitting the slopes. It's that rush of energy that keeps you coming back for more.
Steezy/Steez – When you pull off a cool move with a lot of style. It’s about looking good while you ride.
Ski Bum – Someone who lives for the ski and snowboard lifestyle. Ski bums often work in resort jobs like liftie or bartender, just so they can spend all day on the slopes.
Traverse – Skiing or hiking across a slope instead of heading straight down. It’s a necessary skill when exploring a mountain.
Tomahawk – When a skier or snowboarder falls and starts tumbling with their arms and legs flying all over the place. It looks like a tomahawk in motion, but it’s definitely not a graceful move.
White Room – When you’re skiing or snowboarding in such deep powder that everything around you is a blur of white. Pure magic.
Yardsale – When you wipe out so hard that your skis, poles, and maybe even your gloves end up scattered all over the slope. It’s embarrassing, but hey, it happens to the best of us.
Now that you're familiar with some of the lingo, you're ready to enjoy your time in Park City! From fresh powder to après-ski fun, knowing the local terms will help you feel like a pro. And for an extra hassle-free experience, Skis on the Run offers convenient ski rental delivery right to your accommodations. Skip the rental lines and get straight to the fun. Happy skiing!
