snowTRICKS/TERMS
This Vocabulary was extracted from the Snowboarding On-Line Archives.
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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.
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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. Snowboards used for
racing and carving should have a greater bevel than say a snowboard used in the halfpipe.
BFM
See Elguerial
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 of four 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.v
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.
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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 on the coping and allow 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.
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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.
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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.
G's
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.
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 fakie.
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J's
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.
Jib
The act of riding on something other than snow, i.e. rails, trees, garbage cans, logs.
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Kink
When riding halfpipes or other jumps, one may come into contact with various abnormal and
not smoothly transitional surfaces. These kinks cause problems when trying to ride over
them.
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Lame
A term used to describe when something is not good. e.g. "This really lame guy cut me
off in the lift line.
Late
A term used to describe incorporating something into a trick just before its' completion
and landing, i.e. a Method to Late 180 would mean doing a method air and at the last
possible second rotating 180 degrees and landing fakie.
Leash
A retention device used to attach the snowboard to the front foot so that it doesn't run
away.
Lien Air
The front hand grabs the heel edge and the body leans out over the nose. Named after
skateboarder Neil Blender. (Lien is Neil spelled backwards).
Lien Method Air
A cross between a Method and a Lien.
Lip
The top edge portion of the halfpipe wall. See Coping.
Lip Trick
Any trick performed on or near the lip of the wall of the halfpipe.
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McEgg
An invert where the athlete plants the front hand on the wall, rotates 540 degrees in a
backside direction, and lands riding forward.
McTwist
An inverted aerial where the athlete performs a 540 degree rotational flip. In other
words, the athlete approaches the halfpipe wall riding forward, becomes airborne, rotates
540 degrees in a backside direction while performing a front flip, and lands riding
forward. Named after skateboarder Mike McGill.
Melonchollie Air
The front hand reaches behind the front leg and grabs the heel edge in-between the
bindings while the front leg is boned.
Method Air
The front hand grabs the heel edge, both knees are bent, and the board is pulled to level
of the head.
Miller Flip
An invert where the halfpipe wall is approached riding forward, the front hand is planted,
a 360 degree frontside rotation is made, and the rider lands riding fakie.
Misty Flip
An inverted backside 540 performed off of a straight jump. It is the straight jump version
of the McTwist. Therefore the approach is riding forward and the landing is fakie.
Mosquito Air
A halfpipe trick in which the front hand reaches behind the front leg and grabs the heel
edge between the bindings. The front knee is then bent to touch the board tuck knee style.
Mute Air
The front hand grabs the toe edge either between the toes or in front of the front foot.
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900 Air (a.k.a. nine)
The snowboarder rotates 900 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In the halfpipe,
the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 900 degrees, and lands riding
forward.
Nollie
Much like an Ollie only you spring off of your nose instead of your tail. See
Ollie.
Nollie Frontflip
Springing off of the nose while going off of a jump and leaning forward, allows you to do
a frontflip.
Nose
The front tip of the snowboard.
Nose Bonk
To hit an object with the nose of the snowboard.
Nose Grab Air
The front hand grabs the nose of the snowboard.
Nose Poke Air
Any maneuver where you bone your front leg and "poke" the nose of the snowboard
in a direction away from your body usually while grabbing, i.e. Indy Nose Poke Air.
Nose Slide
To slide along the ground or an object solely on the nose of the snowboard.
Nuclear Air
The rear hand reaches across the front of the body and grabs the heel edge in front of the
front foot.
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Ollie
A method to obtain air without a jump by first lifting the front foot then lifting the
rear foot as you spring off of the tail. First invented in skateboarding by Alan Gelfand,
(Ollie was his nickname).
180 Air
The snowboarder rotates 180 degrees in the air and lands riding fakie. In the halfpipe,
the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 180 degrees, and lands riding
forward.
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Pack
A term used to describe a crash or fall. e.g. "He packed into that snow bank and
broke his leg."
Palmer Air
A kind of method where the grab is near the nose, the board is pulled across the front of
the body, and the nose is pointed downward. Named after Shaun Palmer.
Phillips 66
An invert where the athlete approaches the halfpipe wall riding fakie, plants the rear
hand on the lip of the wall while doing a "front flip" and lands in the
transition riding forward. Named after skateboarder Jeff Phillips.
Pipe Dragon
A grooming machine invented by Doug Waugh that shapes the walls of a halfpipe. It has a
transitionally shaped cutting arm which is towed behind a snowcat.
Plate Binding
A binding system in which hard shell boots, similar to those used in downhill skiing, are
attached to the board by a flat "plate." Similar to ski bindings. However, most
snowboard binding are non-releasable.
Poach
If the Halfpipe is closed, or the powder field is roped off... and your rode it anyway...
you poached it.
Polyurethane Injection Construction
More common in lower-priced snowboards, this snowboard construction is made by injecting
Polyurethane foam into a mold to comprise the core. These snowboards are usually lighter
than wood core boards but are also less durable and lose flex and camber after a hard
season of riding.
Pop Tart
Airing from fakie to forward in the halfpipe without rotation.
Poseur
One who pretends to be something one is not.
Pro Jump
A drop off built on a race course which is usually two to four feet in height.
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Quadratic Sidecut
Sidecut design shape which is based on a quadratic formula; rather than the arc of a
circle. Simply, this design allows for camber and board flex to be integrated into the
board design.
Quarterpipe
A halfpipe with only one wall. In other words, a snow sculpted shape which contains a
transition and a vertical, and is used as a jump to catch air.
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Rail
There are two rails on a snowboard; each comprised of a sidewall and an edge.
Railing
A term used to describe making fast and hard turns. e.g. "He was railing around that
turn before he slid out."
Rail Slide
To slide the rails of the snowboard onto almost anything, other than a flat slope. Some
good rail sliding surfaces include: fallen tree branches/logs, the coping of a halfpipe, a
picnic table.
Reaction Injection Molding (RIM)
Snowboard construction in which a wood core is placed into a mold, and resin is injected
into the mold around the core. These boards are very durable and efficient to make, but
are sometimes a little heavy.
Rear Hand
The trailing hand closest to the tail of the snowboard. In other words, the right hand for
regular footers and the left hand for goofy footers.
Rear Foot
The foot mounted closest to the tail. A regular-footers right foot and a goofy-footers
left foot.
Regular Footed
Riding on a snowboard with the left foot in the forward position. In other words, the left
foot is closest to the nose, furthest from the tail, and in between the right foot and the
nose.
Revert
To switch from riding fakie to forward, or from forward to fakie, usually while the
snowboard is still touching the ground.
Rewind
A term used to describe any maneuver where a rotation is initiated, stopped, and its'
momentum reversed.
Roast Beef Air
The rear hand reaches between the legs and grabs the heel edge between the bindings while
the rear leg is boned.
Rocker
The opposite of camber. Some early snowboards were built with rocker, presumably for
riding in powder.
Rocket Air
The front hand grabs the toe edge in front of the front foot (mute) and the back leg is
boned while the board points perpendicular to the ground.
Rodeo Flip
An inverted frontside 540. Off of a straight jump, it feels like doing a backflip and
landing riding fakie. In the halfpipe, it is more like performing a 540 degree rotation
which is inverted and off-axis.
Rolling down the windows
A phrase used to describe when someone is caught off balance and they
rotate their arms wildly in the air to try and recover.
Rollout Deck
The very top horizontal portion of the halfpipe wall where one can stand and look into the
halfpipe. Also used as a walkway in order to hike to the top of the halfpipe.
Running Length
The length of the base of the snowboard which touches the snow.
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Sad Plant
A term used to describe any handplant where the front leg is boned for style.
Sandwich Laminated Construction
Snowboard construction which is the most labor intensive and therefore the most expensive
to make. Can use either foam or wood core and usually provides the lightest weight and
most lively flex.
Seatbelt Air
The front hand reaches across the body and grabs the tail while the front leg is boned.
Segmented Edges
Steel edges which do not form one or two solid pieces around the edge of the snowboard.
Snowboards with segmented edges usually have many pieces around the nose and tail. They
are less durable, but easier to replace than solid steel edges.
Session
A name for a certain interval in which one snowboards. e.g. "That was a good halfpipe
session, but the powder session was even better."
720 Air (a.k.a. seven)
The snowboarder rotates 720 degrees in the air and lands riding forward. In the halfpipe,
the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 720 degrees, and lands riding fakie.
Of course, it may also be performed switchstance by riding fakie and landing riding
forward.
Shifty Air
A grabless trick where the upper torso and lower body are twisted in opposite directions
and then returned to normal. Usually the front leg is boned.
Shovel
The lifted or upward curved sections of a snowboard at the tip and tail.
Sick (Slang)
An expression used to describe something exceptionally good.
Sidecut Radius
The measure (usually in cm) of the circle radius to which the sidecut of a snowboard
corresponds. A small circle or sidecut (under 900cm) will make tighter turns than a large
sidecut (over 900cm).
Sintered Base
High molecular-weight base formed by the heating and compression of small fragments of
P-tex. Sintered bases absorb and hold wax better and are more durable than extruded bases,
i.e. they are faster.
Sketching
The act of riding along precariously and near falling.
Slob Air
The front hand grabs mute, the back leg is boned, and the board is kept parallel with the
ground.
Slopestyle Competition
A freestyle event in which the competitor rides over a series of various kinds of jumps.
He or she is then judged on the performance of tricks and maneuvers.
Smith Grind
A lip trick where one slides with the coping perpendicular to the snowboard, the front leg
is boned, and the nose is oriented below the coping while the tail is above. This is
another skate trick that doesn't really make sense in snowboarding.
Soft Boots
Footwear designed for use in freestyle and freeride snowboarding. Boots are soft and
pliable and allow a large range of motion while maintaining sufficient support.
Snake
A term used to describe someone who cuts in front of you in the lift line, or drops in
front of you in the halfpipe.
Spaghetti Air
The rear hand reaches between the legs and behind the front leg to grab the toe edge in
front of the front foot while the back leg is boned.
Speed Check
If you are approaching a jump too fast, you may need to slow down by making quick speed
check. In other words, sliding sideways to slow down.
Spine
A snow sculpted jump which has two transitional walls coming together to form a spine. One
may air off either side and land on the other.
Spoon Nose
A nose of a snowboard which is shaped so the edges curve up like a spoon.
Stale Egg
An eggplant with a stalefish grab. See Eggplant and Stalefish
Stalefish Air
The rear hand grabs the heel edge behind the rear leg and in between the bindings while
the rear leg is boned.
Stalemasky Air
The front hand reaches between the legs and grabs the heel edge between the bindings while
the front leg is boned.
Stalled
When a maneuver is performed such that the point of emphasis in the maneuver is held or
"stalled" for an extended period of time. Usually the best time to take a
picture.
Staircase
A series of ledges where one jumps down from one to the next. For example, a staircase
could be on a naturally occurring cliff jump or on a manmade BoarderCross course.
Stance
The position of one's feet on the snowboard. Includes: stance types, such as regular or
goofy, and also stance specifications, such as widths and angles.
Step-in Binding
Binding system in which no major manual adjustment is needed in order to attach and detach
the boot from the binding. You simply "step in" and then pull a lever to
"step out". It has been developed for hard as well as soft boot binding
configurations.
Stick
1. Another name for a snowboard.
2. A term used to describe making a good landing. e.g. "He stuck a huge Method Air
off of that jump."
Stiffy Air
Any maneuver in which both legs are boned and a grab is incorporated, i.e. Mute Stiffy.
Stinky
Riding with the legs spread open, (knees apart).
Stoked (slang)
An alternate term for the word psyched. In other words, to be excited.
Stomp
A term used to describe making a good landing. e.g. "He stomped that McTwist."
Stomp Pad
The no slip pad attached to the snowboard between the bindings for aiding in getting on
and off the lift with the rear foot out of the binding.
Suitcase Air
A maneuver similar to the Method Air; only once the knees are bent, the front hand reaches
under the base of the snowboard to grab the toe edge.
Swiss Cheese Air
The rear hand reaches between the legs behind the front leg and grabs the heel edge in
front of the front foot while the back leg is boned.
Switchstance (Switch)
The term for performing a trick while riding fakie (backwards). It is important to note
that it's a specific term given to a maneuver which is performed exactly like riding
forwards. The only difference is the rider is going backwards, hence the term
"switched stance". Thus, any trick may be performed switchstance. Also, see Fakie
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Table Top
A jump in which the take off and landing is connected by a long flat surface. Ideally, one
wants to clear the "table" and land on the down slope.
Tail
The rear tip of the snowboard.
Tail Bonk
To hit an object with the tail of the snowboard.
Tail Grab Air
The rear hand grabs the tail of the snowboard.
Tail Poke
Any maneuver where you bone your rear leg and "poke" the tail of the snowboard
in a direction away from your body, usually while grabbing.
Tail Slide
To slide along the ground or an object solely on the tail of the snowboard.
Tail Tap
See Tail Bonk
Tail Wheelie
To ride solely on the tail of the snowboard with the nose in the air.
Taipan Air
The front hand reaches behind the front foot and grabs the toe edge between the bindings.
The front knee is then bent to touch the board tuck knee style.
360 Air (a.k.a. three)
The snowboarder rotates 360 degrees in the air and lands riding forward. In the halfpipe,
the rider approaches the wall riding forward, rotates 360 degrees, and lands riding fakie.
This trick may also be performed by riding fakie and landing riding forwards; in which
case it is called a Caballerial. See Caballerial
Toe Edge
A snowboard has two different edges. The toe edge is the one at which the toes rest.
Toe Overhang/Drag
If the bindings of a snowboard are mounted so that the toe hangs off the edge, the toe may
drag, catch in the snow, and cause one to slide out while turning.
Toeside Turn
Making a turn on your toe side edge.
Transition (Tranny)
The radial curved section of a halfpipe wall between the flat bottom and the vertical. A
snowboarder pumps and rides the transition to gain speed, to catch air, and to land.
Traverse
To ride perpendicular to the fall line. A halfpipe rider traverses from wall to wall in
the halfpipe.
Tuck
A crouched position of low wind resistance used to attain higher speed.
Tuck knee
A technique where one knee is bent and the ankle bent sideways in order to touch the knee
to the snowboard between the bindings. (e.g.. Tuck Knee Indy Air).
Tweaked
1. A term used to explain the emphasis of style in a trick. In other words, if someone
"tweaked out a method" they would grab hard and create an emphasis of the
maneuver such that their ankles or other joints may appear bent or twisted to a maximum
degree. 2. A term used to describe an injury. i.e. "He tweaked his ankle." 3.
Someone who isn't quite right, "He is seriously tweaked."
Twin Tip
A snowboard which has both nose and tail shaped identically. The board is meant to ride
the same both ways.
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Vertical (Vert)
The vertical top portion of a wall in a halfpipe.......which allows the snowboarder to fly
straight up into the air; and not out of the pipe....or into the pipe.
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Wack
Something that is not good. e.g. "It's pretty wack that my board broke in half."
Wall
The wall of a halfpipe is comprised of a transition and a vertical section.
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