Ski or Esquí: What It Is, How It's Spelled and How to Start

Ski (in Spanish, esquí) is the sport of gliding over snow on two long, narrow boards attached to your boots. In Spain it is almost always written «esquí»; in Chile and Argentina people very often say «ski»: «centro de ski», «ir a ski», «arriendo de ski». It is the same thing. In this guide we explain what skiing is, how the word is spelled correctly, which disciplines exist, what gear you need and how to prepare for your first day on the snow, whether you are in the Pyrenees, in Sierra Nevada, in the Chilean Andes or in Bariloche.

What is skiing?

A ski is both a sport and an object. As a sport, it means moving over the snow with a ski on each foot, controlling direction and speed with your body, the edges of the skis and, in most disciplines, two poles. As an object, a ski is each of those boards: you say «one ski» and, in the plural, «skis».

The word comes from the Norwegian ski, which derives from the Old Norse skíð, a split piece of wood. In Scandinavia skis were used for centuries as a means of winter transport before becoming a sport. Today the term is used in almost every language: ski in English, French or German, sci in Italian and esquí in Spanish.

Two clarifications to avoid confusion: Ski is also the name of a municipality in Norway, and the gym «ski machine» is an ergometer (of the SkiErg type) that imitates the pole push of cross-country skiing. It is great for getting fit, but it is not skiing.

Ski, esquí or sky? How to spell it

Esquí: the Spanish form recommended by the RAE (the Royal Spanish Academy), adapted from Norwegian. The plural is «esquís» or «esquíes» (both are correct, the first is the most common). From it come «esquiar» (to ski), «esquiador» (skier) and «esquiable» (skiable).
Ski: the original, international spelling. In Spanish it is considered a foreign word: in formal writing «esquí» is preferred, and if you use «ski», it should be written in italics. In everyday speech in Chile and Argentina it is completely normal.
Sky: a mistake. In English sky means «cielo» and has nothing to do with snow.

Other words you will hear on the snow: après-ski (French, «after skiing»: the atmosphere at the end of the day), forfait (the lift pass; in Chile and Argentina people usually say «pase» or «ticket») and remonte (the lift: chairlift, gondola, T-bar or magic carpet).

Ski disciplines

Alpine or piste skiing

This is what you do at ski resorts with lifts: you go up on a chairlift and come down groomed slopes. The boot is attached to the ski at the toe and the heel. It is the skiing almost everyone starts with and the kind you rent at the resorts. In competition it includes disciplines such as slalom, giant slalom, super-G and downhill.

Cross-country or Nordic skiing

It is practised on nearly flat trails or gentle climbs, with long, very narrow skis and a binding that only holds the toe. It is highly aerobic and has two techniques, classic and skating. We cover it in our cross-country skiing guide.

Ski touring or ski mountaineering (skimo)

It combines climbing and descending off-piste or along the edge of the slopes: the heel is free for climbing with skins stuck to the base and locks for the descent. In competition it is called skimo, and it debuted as an Olympic sport at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Games.

Freestyle, freeride and more

Freestyle takes place in the snowpark (jumps, rails, features); freeride, in untracked snow off-piste, with safety gear and knowledge of the terrain. There are also telemark, ski jumping and speed skiing, which are more niche.

What you need to go skiing

Skis with bindings adjusted to your weight, height and level.
Ski boots, which should hold your heel firmly without hurting.
Poles of the right length (elbow at a right angle when you hold them upside down, below the basket).
Helmet: today it is the standard for all ages. See our ski helmet guide.
Goggles, plus sunglasses for breaks.
Snow clothing: a waterproof jacket (or parka) and trousers, a base layer, a fleece, gloves and a single pair of ski socks.
High-factor sunscreen and lip balm: at altitude and with the glare off the snow, the sun burns much more.
Lift pass for the lifts.

Should you buy or rent your ski equipment?

To start with, rent. Your level will change within a few days, beginner boots will no longer suit you as you progress, and rental gear comes waxed, sharpened and with the bindings checked. Buying makes sense when you ski many days per season and already know what kind of ski you like. If you want to understand the differences between types and lengths, see our ski guide: types and how to choose them. Skis, boots, poles, helmet and snow clothing can all be rented in the same booking.

Your first day skiing, step by step

Choose your resort and dates. For a first day, look for a resort with a good beginner area (green or beginner slopes and magic carpets). Ask whether there is a specific lift pass for that area.
Book your equipment and, if you can, a lesson. Two or three hours with an instructor save days of frustration. There are lessons, for example, in Sierra Nevada and at Cerro Catedral.
Pick up your equipment in good time. At the shop they will ask your height, weight and level: tell the truth, because the binding settings depend on it. Try the boots on properly and ask for another pair if they pinch.
Dress in layers. Base layer, fleece and waterproof jacket. Better to take off a layer than to be cold.
Learn to walk, fall and get up. Place your skis perpendicular to the slope before getting up, so you do not slide.
Learn the snowplough. By bringing the ski tips together in a «V» shape you brake and control your speed. It is the basis of your first turns.
Take the lifts calmly. Start with the magic carpet and the drag lift in the beginner area, and ask the staff for help if you are unsure.
Follow the rules. The skier ahead of and below you has priority, do not stop where you cannot be seen, and adapt your speed to your level. These are part of the FIS rules of conduct.
Stop before you are exhausted. Most falls happen at the end of the day, on tired legs. Drink water and rest.

Ski levels: from beginner to expert

Beginner: you come down in a snowplough on beginner and green slopes and learn to brake and turn.
Intermediate: you link turns with your skis parallel and come down blue and easy red slopes in control.
Advanced: you ski confidently on reds and blacks, on hard and soft snow, and control your speed on any gradient.
Expert: you master any slope and condition and, with training and safety gear, off-piste terrain.

These are the same levels rental shops use to assign you a ski range. The colour code for slopes varies between countries, so always check the resort's piste map.

Which is better, skiing or snowboarding?

Neither is better overall; it depends on what you are after. Skiing is usually easier in the first few days, because with a ski on each foot you have more balance and it is simpler to brake and move around flat areas. Snowboarding is harder at first, with more falls, but many people feel they progress quickly once past that stage, and it is very appealing in powder and in the snowpark. We compare them in detail in skiing vs. snowboarding: which is the best option for you. If you are unsure, rent both on different days, for example snowboard in Sierra Nevada or in Baqueira.

Where to ski: Spain, Andorra, Chile and Argentina

In the northern hemisphere the season runs roughly from December to April; in the south, from June to September. That means you can ski almost all year round by crossing the Atlantic.

Spain and Andorra

Sierra Nevada (Granada): one of the southernmost ski resorts in Europe, with lots of sunny days and a short distance from the coast. Sierra Nevada · ski rental in Sierra Nevada.
Baqueira Beret (Val d'Aran, Lleida): a large ski area in the Pyrenees. Baqueira · ski rental in Baqueira.
Formigal-Panticosa (Huesca): the big ski area of the Aragonese Pyrenees. Formigal-Panticosa · ski rental in Formigal.
La Molina (Cerdanya, Girona): well connected from Barcelona and good for families. La Molina · ski rental in La Molina.
Andorra: Grandvalira, with sectors such as El Tarter. Ski rental in El Tarter.

Chile

The ski resorts closest to Santiago (Valle Nevado, La Parva and El Colorado) are reached by the winding mountain road that climbs towards Farellones. Many skiers prefer to rent their equipment in the city and go up by transfer.

Ski rental in Santiago and snow clothing in Santiago.
Ski rental in Valle Nevado and Santiago - Valle Nevado transfer.
Everything in Santiago de Chile.

Argentina

Cerro Catedral, next to Bariloche, is one of the best-known ski resorts in South America, with views over Lake Nahuel Huapi.

Ski rental at Cerro Catedral and snow clothing at Cerro Catedral.
Lessons, transfers and more in Bariloche.

Rent your ski equipment before you arrive

Booking online lets you choose your resort, dates and level in advance and pick up your gear without queuing: the shop fits the skis, bindings and boots to you when you arrive. You can add a helmet and snow clothing in the same booking. Start with your destination: Sierra Nevada, Baqueira, Formigal, La Molina, El Tarter, Santiago de Chile, Valle Nevado or Cerro Catedral.

Frequently asked questions about skiing

What is skiing?

It is the winter sport of gliding over snow on two boards, the skis, attached to your boots, usually with the help of poles. Its Spanish name is esquí, and it has several disciplines: alpine or piste, cross-country, touring, freestyle and freeride.

Is it «ski» or «esquí»?

In Spanish the form recommended by the RAE is «esquí» (plural «esquís» or «esquíes»). «Ski» is the original Norwegian word and the international form; it is understood worldwide and is very common in Chile and Argentina, but in formal Spanish writing it is best to write «esquí». «Sky» is incorrect: in English it means «cielo».

What is a ski?

A ski (esquí in Spanish) is each of the long, narrow boards that are attached to the boot to glide over snow. It has steel edges to grip on hard snow, a base that glides and a shape that is narrower in the middle to help it turn.

Which is better, skiing or snowboarding?

It depends on you. Skiing is usually easier to learn in the first few days and more comfortable on flat areas; snowboarding is harder at first, but many people progress quickly afterwards and especially enjoy it in powder and in the snowpark. The best thing is to rent and try both.