Here in the mountains, we have our own language. Some of it’s been passed down from different communities, like the skater bros, surfers, and climbers. Some phrases are our own quirky inventions. And all of them add character and color to our little mountain town.
The next time you’re in Mammoth Lakes, see if you can’t pick out a few of these phrases that are popular with tourists and locals alike. And, if you haven’t booked your stay yet, head on over to our list of available condos to organize your next trip!
Mammoth Lakes Lingo
Full send
“Full send” or “send it” is a term that means “to go all out” or “to give it everything you’ve got.” It can be used to describe your snowboarding buddy who never hesitates at the top of a black diamond run or that one friend who keeps the party going by buying the next round of shots at Austriahof.
There are a few theories as to where this term comes from. Some believe that it originated in climbing culture in the 1990s; “sending it” meant completing a climb without resting or falling. Apparently, the term went viral in 2017 when a Canadian stuntman, Larry Enticer, used the phrase before embarking on a particularly risky snowmobiling run. He ended up not “sending it” successfully, but we can all thank him for catapulting the phrase into popular vernacular.
Pow pow
Pow pow is short for powder, or that kind of fluffy, fresh snow that we all absolutely love. Like “full send,” this term has been around for decades, although you’re more likely to hear the shortened version “pow” with today’s snowboarding youth.
In a sentence, it might sound like, “Have you booked the condo for this weekend, yet? There’s a foot of fresh pow on the forecast!!”
Bluebird day
A bluebird day is the kind of weather that Mammoth Lakes is known for: bright, crisp blue skies without a cloud in sight, just after a storm. It’s the perfect day for any winter activity. Just make sure you dress in layers and wear UV protection!
Contrary to popular belief that “bluebird day” is a ski resort term, the phrase has actually been around for a long time. According to Werriam-Webster, the first known use dates back to 1860.
Mashed potatoes
If fresh pow and bluebird days are ideal skiing and boarding conditions, mashed potatoes are the opposite. The term refers to snow that is dense, lumpy and wet. In other words, not a good time.
Now, we would be on board for rebranding this term to something different. After all, we love mashed potatoes and tend to enjoy them fluffy, creamy and delicious. But, so far, the negative connotation is here to stay.
Jerry
This is another term that we’re not particularly happy with, but we’ve gotta let you know just in case someone calls you a “Jerry” while you’re enjoying a lovely day on the mountain.
A Jerry is a newbie skier, someone who is a bit of a goof (and no, we don’t mean goofy-footed) and doesn’t know proper slope etiquette. This person might cut in line getting on a chair lift or ski or snowboard on surface streets around town. Or, they might walk blindly in front of a snow removal machine.
Now, why don’t we like this term? Well, for one thing, it’s offensive to people named Jerry! Those guys haven’t done anything wrong. But mostly, we don’t like the term because we were all newbies once! No one learns the in’s and out’s of ski and snowboard culture after one trip to Mammoth. And experiencing snow for the first time can be overwhelming and even disorienting. We can have a little bit of grace for folks who are learning the ropes. In fact, if someone in your friend group is acting Jerry-ish, consider telling them gently that what they’re doing isn’t very rad. And help them be better.
It’s nuking
Don’t worry. This one may sound concerning, but it’s actually a good thing. “Nuking” or “dumping” is a term for snowing heavily. You’re most likely to hear it here in Mammoth sometime between December and March, although we’ve been known to use the term well into April and May!
Steeze
Ever see someone cruising around town looking totally chill and at ease? Or, maybe you’ve noticed someone on the slopes who makes a boardslide look absolutely effortless. Here in the mountains, we would say that person as Steeze. In fact, it’s a portmanteau of “style” and “ease.”
Like many such terms, the origins of Steeze are debated. Some say it comes from the early street hiphop culture of the 1980s while others claim it originated in BMX groups before catching on in snowboarding circles. Either way, it refers to someone with undeniable swag.
Ducking rope
It may sound whimsical and fun, but ducking the rope (or just “ducking rope”) is something that can get your season pass revoked!
It’s a term to describe skiing or snowboarding in areas outside of the designated areas. There are a few different reasons why people might be tempted to do it, because it can seem like a short-cut or the snow looks nice and fresh on the other side of the rope.
But, skiing and boarding in off-limits areas of the mountain can be dangerous. You put yourself and ski patrol at risk, and if you get caught, you can have your pass revoked or even face criminal charges.
You may have thought it had something to do with duck-duck-goose on skis, but no. It’s a serious offense.
Shred the gnar
It sounds like something straight out of a snowboard movie from the early 00’s, but we can assure you, this phrase is still alive and well at Mammoth Mountain and other ski areas!
“Shredding the gnar” means to go full speed down the toughest parts of the mountain. It’s how you feel when you’re finally getting to the peak of your game and you’re totally tapped into this whole snowboarding thing.
Sure, the first few times you use this phrase, it might feel a little bit awkward, but beware: it becomes a habit fast. Say it a couple of times ironically and before you know it, you’ll be telling your friends that you’re off to “shred the gnar” and using it in your Instagram captions.
What’s your favorite mountain town phrase?
You don’t have to be a local to partake in our unique lingo. So, which one of these phrases will you introduce to your daily lexicon? Or, which quintessential snowboard terms do you think we should have included?