what are the posts on a ski course called?

What are the different types of ski terms?

Plastic caps, sometimes called "monocoque" construction, cover the true structure of the ski, usually a torsion box or a laminate. Carve —A clean turn made on the edge of the ski, without skidding. The skier must put pressure and weight on the ski edge, which forms an arc in the snow. ... a timed ski race over a winding or zigzag course past ...

What is the edge of a ski called?

A. Aerials: Freestyle ski jumping involving flipping in the air. Alpine Skiing: Downhill as opposed to Nordic skiing or Telemark skiing. Apres-Ski: Time spent in the bar after a day of skiing. Artificial Snow: Man-made snow. Not as fine as real snow. Air-to-Fakie: This is a half pipe trick where you approach the wall riding forward, no rotation is made in the air, and you land riding backwards.

What is Course setting in skiing?

A. Alpine skiing: Downhill skiing where the toe and heel of the boot are fixed to the ski. Après-ski: The nightlife following a day of skiing, e.g. shopping, drinking, listening to live music or relaxing in a hot tub. Learn more about the best resorts for après-ski.; B. Backcountry skiing: Also called off-piste or out-of-bounds, this type of skiing happens in unmarked, unpatrolled areas ...

What is all mountain skiing?

Originally Answered: In a ski slalom, why are there sometimes two poles close to each other which are apparently rounded as one pole? It’s called a “delay” gate and is used to change the line. Skiers are going more-or-less straight down one ‘line’ and the course setter uses a delay gate to move the line over a few yards to another line down.

What are ski paths called?

pisteA piste (/piːst/) is a marked ski run or path down a mountain for snow skiing, snowboarding, or other mountain sports.

What are the bumps on a ski trail called?

What are Moguls? Moguls are bumps that you'll find on some groomed slopes at downhill ski areas. They can be constructed purposely by the ski area, but more often they form naturally as skiers carve turns down a slope.

What are the double poles for in slalom skiing?

It's hard to see on TV, but each "gate" actually has 2 poles, an inner marker (the one they actually turn around), and an outer marker, and they must pass between them. Obviously, the closer they get to the inner marker, the faster the line they're skiing so the outer marker is pretty superfluous most of the time.

What is a ski catwalk?

Catwalk—A gentle, narrow trail that joins one ski slope to another or that winds down the entire mountain. Chatter—Vibration or instability of a ski on hard snow due to the edges bouncing off the snow instead of biting in.

What is on the moguls course?

Mogul skiing is a freestyle skiing competition consisting of one timed run of free skiing on a steep, heavily moguled course, stressing technical turns, aerial maneuvers and speed. Internationally, the sport is contested at the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships, and at the Winter Olympic Games.

Why are ski bumps called moguls?

According to dictionary.com, the word 'moguls' originates from a 1960s German dialect word, mugel, or small hill. In the 1970s era of 'hotdogging', when skiers began to bend tradition and freestyle was born, mogul races were harum-scarum races over bumps.

Why are there extra gates in slalom?

The new gates allow a more direct path down a slalom course through the process of cross-blocking or shinning the gates.

What is a hairpin in ski racing?

Hairpin: Only found in slalom courses. A vertical combination of gates to mix up the rhythm of a course. Comprised of two gates set vertically on top of one another, racers must make two quick turns in order to navigate successfully.

What is missing a gate in slalom?

Slalom. The slalom is the shortest course in alpine skiing. It also has the most turns. Skiers have to navigate from one gate to the next. Cutting a turn too close or missing a gate altogether will incur a time penalty which could be the difference between a gold medal and no medal at all.

What is the top of a ski slope called?

Travelator/Magic Carpet: A conveyor-belt like lift where you stand on the lift and it carries you to the top of the slope. Usually found on beginner slopes and children's areas. Traverse: Skiing across a slope in a zigzag pattern rather than straight down.

What does ski mean in slang?

"Spend Kids' Inheritance" is the most common definition for SKI on Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. SKI.

Where does Shred the Gnar come from?

The game of GNAR has since become a legend among Squaw Valley skiers. “Shred” simply means to ski or participate in the game. So “shred the gnar” means you're off to go do gnarly things while skiing, according to Carey. He also notes that people often incorrectly think gnarly is a snowboarding term.

How are ski trails marked?

Green Square for “easiest”, Yellow Triangle "more difficult,” Blue Circle "most difficult,” Red Diamond "extreme caution.”

What is a triple black diamond?

Triple Black Diamond Terrain The methodology for designating trails as triple black diamond includes: exposure to uncontrollable falls along a steep, continuous pitch, route complexity, and high consequence terrain.

What is the international trail marking system?

The IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System is a basic method used to categorize the relative technical difficulty of recreation trails. The IMBA Trail Difficulty Rating System can: Help trail users make informed decisions. Encourage visitors to use trails that match their skill level.

How steep is a black diamond ski run?

40%Black diamond runs will generally have a gradient of 40%. However, it could also be higher, depending on which ski resort you visit. It is imperative that you prepare yourself for black diamond runs, as these can be quite difficult to tackle.

Where is the baseplate on a ski?

Baseplate: A very important part of your bindings. The baseplate sits at the bottom of your bindings in contact with the ski/snowboard and transfers all of your movement into the ski or board.

What is the name of the cross country race that combines skiing and rifle shooting?

In snowboarding, it describes your direction of rotation when the rider spins clockwise in the air and their left foot is facing down the hill. Biathlon: A cross country race that combines skiing and rifle shooting. Binding: The thing that connects your boot to your ski or snowboard.

What is a halfpipe?

Halfpipe: A U-shaped channel with smooth walls used by freestyle skiers and snowboarders for aerial tricks.

What is freestyle skiing?

Freestyle: A style of skiing or snowboarding that focuses on jumps, tricks and aerials. Interested, click here to find out much more.

What is carving on a snowboard?

Carving: Turns where the edges of the skis or snowboard are used.

What is binding on skis?

Binding: The thing that connects your boot to your ski or snowboard. The bindings on skis are designed to release the boot in the case of a fall. Snowboard bindings don't auto release. Black Run: Advanced level ski slope for good skiers and snowboarders.

What is the backside of a ski binding?

Backside: This term originates in surfing and refers to riding the waves in a certain way.

Who sets the individual ski courses?

Coaches of different skiers set the individual courses. The list of coaches (and skiers they represent) picked for creating runs is available at the FIS documents library here.

What is the name of the organization that sets the rules for all ski competitions?

International Ski Federation (FIS) is the organization that sets the rules for all ski competitions.

How many combinations are there in a slalom?

Rules for gates combinations: *each slalom must contain from one to three vertical combinations. *slalom must contain at least three hairpin combinations. *slalom must contain at least one but a maximum of three delay gate combinations.

How many poles does a slalom gate have?

Slalom is different from other disciplines. The gate consists of either two poles or just one turning pole.

How many skiers qualify for the second run of slalom?

In Slalom and Giant Slalom, thirty best skiers from the first run qualify for the second run. They start the second run in reverse order. The thirtieth from the first-run starts as the first one in the second run. The best skier from the first-run starts like the last one (thirtieth) in the second run.

How wide should a ski gate be?

The general rules for setting the poles are: *if the gate is made of two poles then the gate width must be from 4 to 6 meters. *consecutive gates must alternate in blue and red.

What is the most viewed sport in the world? Alpine skiing?

Alpine skiing is the most viewed from all skiing competitions. The thrill and the easy rules (the one who has the shortest time from start to finish wins) makes the downhill, super g, giant slalom, and slalom very attractive to sports fans. The rules are not very complicated, and even the average person understands enough to follow and build a passion for alpine skiing. Though, some questions arise as you become more familiar with the sport. For example, the most asked one is about the slalom course and the way how the poles are set. We did our homework and studied the rules to bring you all answers. Below you will find all you need to become a real expert in alpine skiing, especially slalom.

What is the term for skiing where the toe and heel of the boot are fixed to the ski?

Alpine skiing: Downhill skiing where the toe and heel of the boot are fixed to the ski.

What is backcountry skiing?

Backcountry skiing: Also called off-piste or out-of-bounds, this type of skiing happens in unmarked, unpatrolled areas beyond the boundaries of the resort. Experience, avalanche knowledge and proper equipment is imperative when backcountry skiing.

What is downhill skiing?

Downhill: A speed discipline in alpine ski racing, downhill features poles (gates) which are set the maximum amount apart to increase speeds.

What is the name of the snow ridges in the snow?

Corduroy: Named for the ridges in the snow caused by grooming machines, corduroy is another word for groomer or groomed slope.

What is a cliff hucking ski?

Cliff-hucking: A move done by only experienced skiers and overly ambitious beginners in which the skier jumps off a cliff.

What does it mean when a ski edge is caught?

Catching an edge: When the edge of a ski or snowboard accidentally digs into the snow, usually resulting in a fall or a near fall.

What is basket ski?

Basket: A round, generally flat, disc located near a ski-pole tip to prevent the pole from sinking too far in the snow. Big-mountain skiing or snowboarding: The style of skiing or snowboarding seen in ski movies, featuring fast, big turns on long, steep vertical descents and, usually, cliff drops.

What is all mountain skiing?

All-Mountain. A style of skiing/snowboarding that covers all types of skiing/riding. It is a general term that is used for skiing/riding a bit of everything without specialising in anything.

What is a ski area?

Ski Area. A mountain or collection of mountains with ski lifts and pistes/trails so people can go skiing and snowboarding. Ski areas can be situated around a town or resort, or can be further away.

What is a flatter area of snow?

A flatter area of snow, generally at the bottom of a piste/trail, which can provide enough room for you to lose some speed.

Why is it so hard to see snow?

Weather where the cloud cover is so thick that the light comes from all directions creating no shadows on the snow. This makes it very difficult to see bumps or even the gradient of the snow. For more information please read the description in the Snow and Weather page.

What happens when it doesn't snow?

When it has not snowed for a while the pistes/trails will become more solid and icy, which makes it harder to push the ski edges into the snow, and generally reduces your control.

What happens when snow falls that has not been compressed?

Naturally fallen snow that has not been compressed, which you will sink into a lot.

What is a ski resort?

A town or purpose built resort than is next to or surrounded by a ski area.

Why are skis so short?

This used to be much less pronounced, because skis had to be long to be stable at speed - if you tried to make them shorter, they would twist horizontally and not support the skier properly as he turned. However, modern skis are now made from materials that are very stiff horizontally but still bend vertically, and this allows skis to be much shorter and side-cuts deeper, giving the skier an advantage.

What are the main pieces of a slalom course?

There are a few primary pieces of a slalom course: There are Open Gates - gates that are horizontal to each other and Closed Gates which are vertical to each other. Regular slalom gates - These are open gates (vertical) where you're taking the inside line.

Where is the Hahnenkamm downhill race held?

The Hahnenkamm downhill takes place annually in Kitzbuhel, Austria, and is considered the pinnacle of the sport, ahead of world championships, Olympics, and every other race.

How to turn a ski without losing speed?

The way you turn a ski without losing speed is by setting in on edge and applying pressure to curve the ski, so the ski then runs along its edge around the turn and you lose as little speed as possible. To make this possible the ski has a “side cut” - the curve you see between the tip and tail. Modern slalom skis have very deep side-cuts , given you a turn radius of around 10m if you just set the ski on edge.

Is it easier to ski at low speeds?

The tradeoff for being easier to ski at low speeds is that the ski will not perform as well at high speeds. In fact, some beginner skis are downright scary to ski really fast on.

Do you have to put the outside poles on a slalom course?

So it doesn't really matter where the outside poles of each gate are. They could be down the side of the course for all it matters, and then they would obscure the view of the spectators and TV cameras less. If you put the outside pole of each gate at the edge of the course they end up looking like they don't serve any purpose, but they still have to be there because the rules of slalom say you must pass between a gate made up of two poles (or flags).

What happens if you don't pass the red poles in slalom?

If he doesn't pass between the two poles which make up each gate, he will be disqualified.

What is course setting in ski racing?

Sometimes thought of as an art or even a philosophical statement, course setting is the decisive evaluation to the goal of ski racing. Essentially who can get from start house to finish line in the shortest amount of time.

How does skiing affect course setting?

In addition to the dramatic changes in ski technology, the second leading factor effecting course setting is the quality, consistency and durability of the snow surface. Technological advances in snowmaking, grooming and preparation have improved the field of play to the point where, racers farther down the start order are less impacted by negative conditions. All racers are able to ski more aggressively in almost all conditions and disciplines. Because of these dramatic changes in ski equipment and the accompanying improvements in the training/competition environment, coaches have greater flexibility in course setting, program planning, and have enhanced opportunities to teach ski skills with wider creativity.

What should be the first consideration for a ski coach?

Course setting with safety in mind Safety should be the first and foremost consideration on the coach's mind. This doesn't preclude the coach from setting a course that is fast, or uses challenging terrain, or that has risk/reward tactical elements. It does mean that the coach factors in the environment. How wide is the trail? How steep is the trail? How much protection or safety fencing is set up? What are the snow conditions? What is the skill level of the skiers who will run the course? The course setter must consider these things and set accordingly. Safety installations, such as B-netting, should be set for training just as it would if it is a sanctioned event.

How to develop technical skills in freeskiing?

Most technical skill development is best achieved outside of gates during freeskiing or practicing drills. Once acquired, the skiers should try to apply those skills in the course. The coach can then set a course that will progressively challenge the athlete, and with practice, make the newly learned skill habitual. There are many possible training objectives that the coach may factor into their course set.

How to assist a course setter?

Assisting the course-setter. Several jobs can assist the course-setter: Carrying poles . Usually two buggies are on the poles. Removing the bungee from base leaving the top tied (for a while) will make the carrying job easier. Poles are set red, blue, red, blue, etc. Be prepared to hand or toss the course-setter the next color pole. If there is a lot of help a third person may assist in placing the gate. If tossing the pole, make a momentary eye contact then with the base down and the shaft vertical give the pole a toss to the out-stretched hand of the course- setter. Be aware of where you are during the course-set. Leaving a line of sight up-hill and downhill for the course-setter will allow them to be able to see the course while setting.

What is needed to shut out the race arena?

This is usually accomplished with signs, rope, banner guard, barricade tape, barrier webbing, fabric fence, mesh fence, or marking net.

What are ski poles used for?

Poles are also used for the training of ski racers. The type and style is only mandated by the ski coach. Additionally there are popular ancillary training props that include; Whiskers (aka brushes) and Heroes (aka stubbies).

How are ski courses constructed?

A course is constructed by laying out a series of gates, formed by alternating pairs of red and blue poles. The skier must pass between the two poles forming the gate, with the tips of both skis and the skier's feet passing between the poles. A course has 55 to 75 gates for men and 40 to 60 for women. The vertical drop for a men's course is 180 to 220 m (591 to 722 ft) and slightly less for women. The gates are arranged in a variety of configurations to challenge the competitor.

What is waterskiing on one ski?

Internationally, the sport is contested at the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, and at the Olympic Winter Games . The term may also refer to waterskiing on one ski .

How long are slalom skis?

World Cup skiers commonly skied on slalom skis at a length of 203–207 centimetres (79.9–81.5 in) in the 1980s and 1990s but by the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, the majority of competitors were using skis measuring 160 cm (63.0 in) or less.

When did ski gates become hinged?

In the early 1980s , rigid poles were replaced by hard plastic poles, hinged at the base. The hinged gates require, according to FIS rules, only that the skis and boots of the skier go around each gate. The new gates allow a more direct path down a slalom course through the process of cross-blocking or shinning the gates.

Why are ski gates arranged in a variety of configurations?

The gates are arranged in a variety of configurations to challenge the competitor. Because the offsets are relatively small in slalom, ski racers take a fairly direct line and often knock the poles out of the way as they pass, which is known as blocking.

What ski race was held in Oslo in 1866?

The 1866 "ski race" in Oslo was a combined cross-country, jumping and slalom competition. In the slalom participants were allowed use poles for braking and steering, ...

Where does the word "slalom" come from?

The term slalom comes from the Morgedal / Seljord dialect of Norwegian word "slalåm": "sla", meaning "slightly inclining hillside", and "låm", meaning "track after skis". The inventors of modern skiing classified their trails according to their difficulty. Slalåm was a trail used in Telemark by boys and girls not yet able to try themselves on ...

What are the two types of slalom skiing?

Generally, there are two types of slalom skiing: slalom and the giant slalom.

What is slalom skiing?

Basically, Slalom Skiing is a variant of the classic alpine skiing. However, what makes it unique is that the sport involves skiing through several poles called gates.

Why do skiers use shorter skis?

To date, as courses became more challenging and narrower, especially in slalom, skiers are advised to use shorter skis to ensure optimal control at high speed and avoid the possibility of getting caught on the gates . In professional events, slalom skiers are now allowed to use skis that are about 20 centimeters shorter.

How long should a ski be for slalom?

In reaction to this, the Fédération Internationale de Ski (FSI) decided to set a minimum length for skis for international slalom competitions; 155 cm for men and 150 cm for women. Years later, these measurements increased and became 165 cm for men and 155 cm for women.

When was slalom invented?

Since its inception in 1922 , the types of equipment used for slalom and giant slalom skiing has evolved tremendously.

What happens if you miss a gate in the ski game?

When a skier misses a gate, he or she will immediately be disqualified from the game. Whoever finishes the course the fastest will be declared the winner.

How many gates are there in slalom skiing?

Typically, for Olympic and world championship events, slalom skiing for men involves 55 to 75 gates, while slalom skiing for women consists of 40 to 60 gates. As part of the general rules, the men’s course must also have a vertical descent of 590 to 722 feet, while the women’s course must have a descent of 426 to 590 feet.

Who Sets The Rules

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The Length of FIS Alpine Skiing Courses

Number of Runs

Gates

Who Sets The Course?

Summary

Ski Area Terminology

Snow Terminology

Skiing Terminology

Skier Terminology

Ski Racing Terminology

• Slalom
  1. A race where the skiers have to make relatively small turns, to go through a course. The gates are marked by pairs of flex poles, which are between 4 and 6 metres apart. The distance between the turning poles in each set of gates is between 6 and 13 metres (combination gates between 0…
• Giant Slalom
  1. A race where skiers have to make turns about twice as big as in a slalom race. The gates are marked by pairs of two gate poles with a gate panel between them. The gates are between 4 and 8 metres wide, and each set of gates is at least 10 metres apart. Courses typically cover a 250 t…

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Ski Equipment Terminology

Physics / Mechanics Terminology