Ski & Fitness Glossary

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Garlands
A combination of side-slipping and traversing, used as a practice exercise, often used by Alpine ski instructors.

Geländesprung
A German word meaning terrain-jump generally performed with a push off both poles.

Glide waxes
A paraffin wax applied to the running surface of the skis to enhance glide. See also skating wax.

Glacier Skiing
Glacier skiing is downhill skiing or cross-country skiing in glaciers. Most glacier skiing is done in the summer, when mountains in the northern hemisphere are closed.

Glade Skiing
Glade skiing is skiing back and forth through trees.

Glucose
A sugar, the usual form in which carbohydrates are assimilated by the body.

Gluteus maximus, medius and minimus or "glutes"
The 3 muscles of the buttocks and hips that extend your thighs forward and to the side (abduction) and rotate your legs at the hips. Walking, running and climbing all work the gluteus maximus. Side movements such as skating or dance work the abductors.

Glycogen
The form carbohydrates take when stored in the muscles.

Goggles
Goggles are tight–fitting glasses that are used to protect the eyes from snow, wind, and glare.

Gondola
A gondola is an enclosed structure suspended from a cable that transports skiers up the mountain.

Grip waxes
A tacky, petroleum-based wax, normally sold in small aluminum tubs, used for grip on fresh snow. Also known as hard waxes.