Sicktionary: Your Guide to Snowboarding Terms

Sicktionary is a monthly column in SNOWBOARDER Magazine in which we define snowboarding terms, lingo, and slang. In Snowboarder's September 2007 Issue we highlight video and jib terms from Quebec. Keep reading to learn some shredtacular vernacular.

Twenty-year-old Brighton, Utah loc Jake Welch was first seen by the snowboard masses in DC’s acclaimed Mountain Lab video. Jake moved up a few notches on the marquee last season by dropping pillows and hammers alongside JP Walker, Devun Walsh, and Joni Malmi in That. Until Forum completes its two-year follow-up, check out Jake in the new Foursquare offering North, South, East, West, where the whole team treks the globe from the United Arab Emirates to Svalbard, Norway for riding that is off the hook and off the grid.

Québec City (Kuh-beck Sit-ee) noun
The capital of the Canadian province of Québec, it holds a metric population of 528,595. As Canada’s answer to Salt Lake City, Québec’s rails and ledges are shaping some of today’s most notorious jibbers, including LNP, Nic Sauvé, Ben Bilocq, Max Baillargeon, Marie-France Roy, Frank April, Charles Gagnon, Will Lavigne, etc., etc.

Québexican (Kuh-becks-ih-Kan) noun
Québécois. Known for traveling in large, fast-talking packs and making quick work of urban features. Their French-spitting faces confuse even the most eloquent Parisians, and with their frugal ways and diverse exteriors, Québexicans make for an interesting study. They are swiftly becoming the poster boys for new-age progression in urban riding. Tabernac!

Wallride (Wahl-ryde) noun
When the base of a snowboard is firmly planted against a wall made of cement, wood, brick, flesh, plastic, or silicone. The implementation of jumps is optional, as well as dragging one hand behind you when on the wall (properly called a “layback.”) The “Y” axis is totally the new “X”.

To Flat (Tuh-Flat) noun
Any feature that offers zero transition in the landing area. Commonly found in stair-set ollies, drop-offs after rails or ledges, or parking lot transfers. Properly executed by Mr. Mikey LeBlanc on a regular basis.

Yellow Snow (Yel-loh Snoh) noun
A patch of snow that has been urinated on, often to mark territory, practice cursive, or (for those less well-endowed) shorthand. The size and/or depth of the patch determines how much liquid the pisser has ingested. Known to slow down run-ins but speed up the regurgitation process if consumed. Yellow snow, yellow faces, yellow beer, yellow passenger seats…they’re all good revenge tactics.

Flat Base (Flat Base) noun
When one’s snowboard is completely flush with the desired surface of the obstacle one is riding, whether it be a wallride, rail, ledge, Giant Slalom course, or jump. The most solid wallrides are ridden flat-based. Not to be confused with “freebase”… Some tricks are only dope when done flat-based.

Gel (Jell) noun
(A) A colored filter placed over a flash or other external light source in order to manipulate a photo’s hue. Can be made of tissue, cellophane, foreskin, or spray paint. (B) Crap that girls and dude-faces smear on their heads in order to manipulate their dead follicles.

Film Crew (Philm Cru) noun
The group of snowboarders that one films with. The average film crew consists of one filmer, a photographer, lights, sounds, shovels, generators, drop-in ramps, and drop-out kids.

Tight (Tyyyy-yyyy-tuh)
Literally and figuratively, this adjective serves to compliment one’s steeze, from pants to underwear, tricks to headgear, and acne to form and flair on the stick. A tight ass is bad, but having tight-ass style is good. Get it? Tight!

Related Links:
SICKTIONARY: Your guide to Snowboarding Terms