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NORDIC GLOSSARY

The following glossary includes terms and sayings commonly used in the sport of cross-country and telemark skiing. Due to the nature of Nordic Ski Centers, visitors and locals are urged to study these simple terms and ingrain them into their everyday vocabulary. Failure in the use of proper grammar can result in serious humility.

ALPENIS
Male cross-country skier.

BENCH RACING
a form of racing talk usually found within the walls of a local touring center.

BE-MO
Beyond Macho.

BIRKIE
What a skier will say in a crowded room to get attention. The name comes from Birkebeiner, a marathon race in Wisconsin that attracts 5,000 skiers annually.

BODY PACKING
A skier flings their body to the snow with such force that snow finds a way into all clothes openings. Danger of suffocation exists (see MOUTH PACKING).

groomed classic ski tracks
Groomed classic ski tracks
after a fresh snow storm

CLASSIC
A term to classify the technique of the Diagonal Stride. (see FREESTYLE)

DIAGONAL STRIDE
See DIE IN AGONY

DIE IN AGONY SKIING
A synonym of diagonal skiing: a classic technique where skis are waxed or have scales and move forward in a parallel manner. This term originated when skaters were forced to race diagonal skiing without having a chance to practice the technique.

DIVE CALL
An uncontrollable urge to fly head first into deep powder.

DIET STICKS
(1.) A term given to cross country skis due to their narrow profile. (2.) Skating skis.

GRAZING
The process to describe how hard core cross-country skiers fulfill their energy and nutritional requirements.

FREESTYLE
A term to classify ski skating technique.

FOREST FAIRY
Originated by helicopter ski guides to explain the telemark tracks that skied out their slope before the paying customers could.

K'S
A frequent term used by racers to explain or question how many kilometers they skied on a certain day. Use caution when you meet a K person. The K's invariably expand during the length of the conversation.

KICK AND STICK
The diagonal stride.

MISERY STICKS
(1.) Another term used by skaters to explain diagonal skis. (2.) Can be used in derogatory terms by the skier if their skis are not working properly.

NODIC
Female cross-country skier.

NICE TROUSE
A compliment given for unusual lycra tights.

NORD
A nickname for anyone who cross-country or telemark skis.

NORDIC
A classification that includes cross-cross country skiing, telemark skiing and ski jumping.

NORDIC BULKERY
Originated in Telluride. A pot luck dinner where massive quantities of food are consumed and tall tales are spun.

NORDIC NORM
A bartender from Milwaukee

N.S.P.
Abbreviation for Nordic Social Progression. Contrary to what most skiers think, nords can party down with the best of them. The key to the true NSP is to start with the free appetizers at local apre ski establishments, proceed to happy hour, then to a local Mexican restaurant, dancing, all before 9 p.m. curfew.

POKE AND STROKE
Skate ski technique.

PROFIL
(pro-fill) A new binding system by Salomon. The cool skier will be familiar with the pronunciation and the product.

PUT THE HAMMER DOWN
Racing term meaning to go fast.

SPACIAL DENDRITE
(1.) Snow crystals. (2.) What you call a skier that is not too bright.

TELE WACKING
To telemark ski.

THICK FOR KICK, THIN TO WIN
A definition on how cross country grip wax relates to performance.

THREE PINNER
Telemark skier. Relates to the three pins that protrude from each binding.

YARD SALE
A cartwheeling type of fall that leaves pocket items, bits of clothing and equipment in its wake.

 

 

CLASSIC TECHNIQUE: Diagonal Stride; Adjusting Pole Straps; Arm Swing; Double Pole; Kick-Double Pole. CLASSIC UPHILL TECHNIQUE: Classic Uphill Diagonal; Edging; Side Step; Herringbone. DOWNHILLS AND TURNING: Getting up from a fall; Kick Turn; Track Snowplow; Five Tips for the Diagonal Stride; Kick Double Pole. SKATE SKIING: Ten Tips for the V-1; V-2 skate technique; Marathon Skate. ALL AROUND: Stationary Turns; Step Turns. RESOURCES: Nordic Glossary; 20 Q and A; History of Cross Country Skiing

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