The ski season is upon us, and those lucky enough to go will be hitting the slopes, crashing through knee-deep pow-pow, zipping down a groomer, or stomping sick new tricks with your rat bros.

Now, if you understood any of that, congrats! You're on your way to becoming a certified ski bum. If you didn't (no shame), you're probably wondering what. does. that. even. MEAN?! Fear not, because you've got us! Below is an extensive list of the terms and slang you may hear out there this season. So grab your brain buckets, and let's smash this, gapers!

Ultimate Guide to Skier Lingo:

All-Mountain Ski

Also known as the One-ski Quiver, these skis are made to perform in all types of snow conditions.

Alpenglow

Used to describe the light at the end of the day that shines off the glistening mountains and is the picture-perfect time for you to snap a few photos for your Instagram.

Après-ski

This literally means "after ski" in French. This could refer to any celebratory post-ski day activities like a slopeside beer at the bar or even just shooting pool. It's whatever YOU want it to be!

Backcountry

Includes any skiing that is not at a resort. This means that you're away from the floods of people and traffic. But, be warned, this is skiing/snowboarding at your own risk, so tread lightly.

Bail

Used when you fall and take a tumble, albeit in a majestic fashion. "He just bailed on that rail, brah!"

Balaclava

A facemask that's used to cover exposed skin. Particularly helpful in the wind or heavy snowfall.

Bombing

Skiing downhill at an alarmingly stupid rate without any regard for yourself or those around you.

Bony

Refers to spring or early ski season when rocks stick out from beneath the (minimal) snow cover, which is highly dangerous for skiers and boarders. Not to mention the damage it does to your skis.

Brah

An expression between males that is used in place of "bro."

Brain Bucket

This is your helmet. It keeps your brain safe.

Bulletproof

Compacted snow that's so rock-solid it could actually deflect bullets.

Carving

Clean turns are completed by using the edges of the skis or snowboard. Typically done in either tight turns or giant S-shaped swoops.

Champagne Powder

THE BEST. It's a type of snow that is light, dry, and extremely smooth. Steamboat Ski Resort, right here in Colorado, trademarked the term. Pretty sick, right?

Chatter

The vibrations of skis or snowboards that are caused by traveling at high speeds.

Chowder

Chopped up snow + powder = chowder. It's honestly not the best.

Corduroy

You know those corduroy pants, the ones with the lines running down them? It's basically the same thing but with snow. They're the fresh lines on the slopes in the morning, courtesy of the snowcats that go through.

Crust

A frozen layer that's covering softer snow or completely buried underneath fresh snow.

Dump

It's used outside of the ski resorts, too, but this is referring to a massive snowfall of fresh powder. "It's dumping outside."

Eat Wood

When a skier or boarder gets up close and personal with a tree, if you know what I mean ...

Edge

Exactly what it sounds like. It's the metal strips on the sides of skis and snowboards.

Face Shot

You hit the snow; the snow hits back. It doesn't happen all that often, but when it does, it's friggin' COLD.

Freshies

Another way to say powder.

Gaper

A newcomer or tourist. More often than not, they're easily identified by their unstylish wardrobe selections.

Gnar

The shortened version of Gnarly. Synonyms include sick, rad, sweet, etc.

Grooming

Trail maintenance when new snow is added, and bumps are smoothed over. Tractors (aka snowcats) rake the snow and form the corduroy lines.

Jibber

A skier or boarder who rides on rails, boxes, and other features. They are also referred to as park rats.

Knuckle Dragger

What a snowboarder does when they lean over on a hard carve or turn and touch the snow with their hand.

Knuckle Huck

When snowboarders "huck" themselves off the "knuckle" of the big air landing before touching down.

Lines

The path a skier or boarder takes down the mountain.

Lunch Tray (or Launch Tray)

Your snowboard.

No-Fall-Zone

A run that's so super steep or even dangerous that you can't afford to take a spill.

Park Rat

Another way to say jibber. They're ski junkies, of sorts. So good luck trying to get a park rat to do or say anything else other than skiing.

Planker (or Two-Planker)

A Skier.

Pow

Known as pow-pow in Colorado, this is the light, dry fluffy snow (aka powder).

Rail

A metal bar built for skiers and snowboarders to slide up.

Ripper

A skilled skier who tends to bomb their lines. Usually, a sight to behold!

Scorpion

When a boarder falls face down, and their legs, along with their board, flip up in the air. These are brutal to witness, and even more so to experience.

Shredder

An accomplished snowboarder who knows exactly what they're doing. They're the pros here, folks.

Sick

See Gnar.

Six Pack

A lift that holds six people.

Ski Bum

One who lives and breathes skiing. Most of the time, they avoid anything that isn't skiing, and this means work, too.

Slush

Melted snow that is so heavy and wet it can make it difficult to really do anything.

Smash

Used in place of "shred" or "killing it." Only to be said by Rippers.

Stomp

To execute a trick without tripping up or any flaws. Basically, when everything goes as planned.

Switch

To ski or ride backward.

Tree Well

Danger zone. It's an area of loose snow that sits at the base of a tree that's surrounded by deep snow. It can be dangerous and sometimes fatal to skiers and boarders who fall into them.

Waist Deep

Measurement taken when the powder is overflowing like crazy. But honestly, is there really a thing as too much powder? We think not.

White-Out

Caused by heavy snowfall, this happens when visibility drops to essentially nothing. 

Yard Sale

If a skier or boarder has a major fall that causes them to lose their skis, gloves, hat, or poles, it's referred to as a yard sale.