Ski Slopes May Be Slippery, But What Does "Butter" Have to Do With Skiing? Here's the Scoop

In the world of skiing, there are a number of terms that define the sport. From the simple, such as "powder," to the more complex, such as, "jibbing," the sport is rife with different terms and phrases that only mean something if you're into snow-related sports.

Most of them are easy to deduce with a little context.

But there's one word that has people a little baffled. "Butter" is a phrase heard on occasion during skiing competitions, and it's a little confusing, if we're being honest. So, what exactly does butter have to do with skiing? Here's the answer, and it's probably not what you expect.

Surprisingly, "butter" has nothing to do with the slippery nature of the ski slopes or the softness of anything.

It is a very specific type of skiing move.

According to Flexi Ski, buttering is "playing around on snowboard or skis without jumping. Essentially smearing your skis/board across the snow in a fashion not dissimilar to buttering toast. Bending your board off the ground and/or spinning around without leaving the ground."

It can be used by skiers who are perfecting a move before trying it in the air, or beginners who need to learn the muscle movements before they try something.

Or it can just be used to play around and test the slope.

"Butter" of course, is far from the only ski-related term that might confuse outsiders.

Here's a short list of terms you'll want to know if you're watching Olympic skiing or looking to hit the slopes yourself, according to Flexi Ski.

• Après ski: After you finish skiing, it's time to warm up with an alcoholic beverage or a relaxing evening with friends.
• Bail: A term that means either you fell hard, or you decided to intentionally fall in order to avoid skiing into an obstacle or off the trail.
• Bombing: contrary to popular lexicon, this means skiing down the slope at rapid speeds, not messing up.
• Button lift: A type of lift that doesn't involve a bench, but rather you stick a pole with a small button seat between your legs to ride up to the top.
• Carving: digging the side of your ski into the surface to execute a tight turn.

• Dump: a slang word for a lot of snow in an area.
• Fall line: the quickest route down the mountain; the way gravity would pull an avalanche down.
• Hard pack: very firm snow, often mixed with ice.
• Jibbing: skiing across non-snow surfaces.
• Moguls: bumps in the slope carved by the actions of skiersO or boarders.

• On-piste: a prepared slope.
• Skijoring: Similar to wakeboarding, but you're pulled across snow by a horse, dogs, or snowmobile.
• Tree well: a hollowed-out area around a tree that can trap a skier who gets too close.

There are, of course, countless more terms and phrases to know if you plan to ski. Watching the Olympics can help with some of them, but the best way to learn is to get out on the slopes and try it out, with an instructor to guide you.