Shred the ___ (conquer a mountain, in skiing slang)

GNAR

["Here’s a helpful hint for your crossword clue:\n\n*\"Slang term for extreme terrain that skiers might 'shred'—think 'gnarly' but shorter.\"*\n\nThis hint:\n- References skiing slang (\"shred\") to stay on theme.\n- Connects to the idea of extreme terrain (\"gnarly\") without directly giving away the answer.\n- Hints at the shortened form (\"but shorter\") to guide the solver toward \"GNAR.\""]

The clue "Shred the ___ (conquer a mountain, in skiing slang)" leads to the answer **"GNAR"** through a combination of skiing slang and wordplay. 1. **"Shred the..."** – In skiing and snowboarding slang, "shredding" refers to aggressively and skillfully riding down a slope, often through challenging terrain. 2. **"Conquer a mountain"** – This hints at tackling difficult or extreme conditions, which in skiing culture is often described as "gnarly" (meaning tough, intense, or impressive). 3. **"Gnar"** – This is a shortened, slang version of "gnarly," commonly used in extreme sports to describe something wild or impressive. The phrase "shred the gnar" is a well-known expression in skiing and snowboarding circles, meaning to dominate or conquer difficult terrain. Thus, the answer **"GNAR"** fits perfectly as it captures the slangy, high-energy spirit of the clue.