English

Noun

powder monkey ‎(plural powder monkeys)

Scetch of a powder boy from the War of 1812

1. (informal) An explosives expert. A person who sets explosives.
2. (nautical) The persons employed to carry gun powder from the ship's magazine to the gun deck during a battle; in the 18th century Royal British and U. S. Navies, this task (also carrying water) during battles became a permanent nickname for the ship's cabin boys and apprentice seamen.
3. (skiing, snowboarding, informal) A skier or snowboarder who avidly seeks out the “powder” (light, dry, fluffy snow).
   • 2000, Charles Leocha et al., Ski America and Canada, World Leisure Corporation, ISBN 9780915009725, page 218:

     Snowbird has been amending its reputation as a destination primarily for the steep-and-deep skiers and powder monkeys. Off the Baby Thunder lift in 1995, the resort has a largely protected area that has gentle slopes great for less experienced skiers.

   • 2002 September 9, "denise&bryn" (username), "www Snowboard 25/12", in uk.rec.competitions, Usenet:

     How's about this then me little powder monkeys... A chance to WIN A SNOWBOARD OF YOUR CHOICE up to the value of £350.

   • 2003, Tam Leach et al., The Rough Guide to Skiing & Snowboarding in North America, Rough Guides, ISBN 978-1-84353-079-4, page 146:

     On the opposite, western boundary, the blue fingers under the Timberline Express are training grounds for powder monkeys, flanked by mellow glades and blessed with small natural hits and stashes of deep snow.

   • 2006 November 19, Sean Newsom, "Europe's poshest ski chalets", in The Sunday Times:

     Yes, getting up the mountain is more of a hassle — powder monkeys will probably yelp in frustration because of the extra minutes involved each morning. But if you want a more laid-back holiday, […] you’ll love it.

   • 2008, Charles Leocha, Charlie Leocha's Ski Snowboard Europe, 16th Edition, World Leisure Corporation, ISBN 0915009862, 978-0-915009-86-2, page 86:

     There are lots of fine cutovers into untouched sugar for powder monkeys (snow permitting, of course).

Synonyms

• (skier preferring powdery snow): powder hound

References

• http://www.corpun.com/kiss1.htm