Cross-country Skiing

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Cross-country Skiing Classic, Ski Touring, Ski Track, Ski Trail, Cross-country Skiing Trail, Crosscountry Ski Trail, Classic Skiing, Skate Skiing, Cross-country Trail for Free Technique / Skating

Category

Activities, Sporting activities, Sports, Winter Sports, Tourism

Message / Function

For notice in general, to signify cross-country ski trails and the activity of cross-country skiing

	Source	Description
	ÖNORM A 3011	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	Andermatt	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	NZS 8603	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	Erco	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	Argentina SSTN	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	U.S. National Park Service	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	Crans Montana 2024	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	Pierce	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique, ski in snow not visible
	Verbier 2024	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	WO'76	Side view of human figure with poles making large step, ski below
	PNF 2014	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	Québec	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	TrailLink	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	SSRS	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	France IISR	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	WO'72	Human figure with skis and ski poles, leaning forward
A)	Parks Canada	Human figure with skis and ski poles, leaning forward
	SIS	Human figure with skis and ski poles
	Fiori	Human figure with skis and ski poles
	Unknown	Human figure with skis and ski poles
	NPS	Human figure with skis and ski poles
	Unknown	Human figure with skis

Cross-country Skiing: Free or Skating Technique

	Wilder Kaiser	Cross-country skier skiing with free / skating technique
	WO'18	Cross-country skier skiing with free / skating technique
	ICONS8	Cross-country skier skiing with free / skating technique
	Crans Montana	Cross-country skier skating
	Andermatt	Cross-country skier skiing with free / skating technique
	WO'06	Cross-country skier skiing with free / skating technique
	WO'10	Cross-country skier skiing with free / skating technique
B)	Parks Canada	Frontal view of cross-country skier skiing with free / skating technique

Cross-country Skiing: Other Aspects

Parks Canada

Human figure with skis and ski poles, leaning forward, on decending terrain indicated by triangle

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

Many variants in the selection above display a cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique. Such symbols are also predominating in current signage. Pictograms regarding free or skating technique are less common and several examples in the table above are from Olympic Winter Games.

A few studies present research covering several pictogram variants for this referent. These papers offer some useful information:

Results from an Appropriateness Ranking Tests conducted by Gehringer (1976) indicate that for a clear differentiation of cross-country skiing from other skiing activities, symbols like the last few of the table above are insufficient.

When Fiori (2008) examined the map symbol labeled Fiori in the table above on basis of a Comprehension Test, 68.2 % of the responses were classified as correct concerning the referent Esqui na neve, which does not clearly differentiate between Skiing and Cross-country Skiing. Wrong responses were among others 'Visual impairment', an answer not to be expected for variants showing a dynamic cross-country skier using classic diagonal-stride technique as for example in the symbol of ÖNORM A 3011.

Evaluating the Parks Canada’s National Park and National Historic Sites symbols, also a set of symbols for winter sports was examined using a Comprehension Test according to ISO 9186. For pictogram No 6-4-310: Classic Skiing, labeled Parks Canada and marked A) in the table above, showing a human figure with skis and ski poles, leaning forward, 75 % of the responses were classified as acceptable, indicating acceptable comprehensibility. The authors state (Ipsos-Reid Corporation, 2003, page 47): Classic skiing is fairly successful, ... however still requires reassessment. Respondents are not confused by this symbol but are too vague in their responses as several say “skiing area” (9%) or “skiing trail” (8%) but do not specify the type of skiing they are referencing. Regarding pictogram No 6-4-311: Skate Skiing, labeled Parks Canada and marked B) in the table above, the authors state: The Skate-skiing symbol is probably one of the most misunderstood symbols as 100% of respondents provide an unacceptable response. Respondents mostly perceive this symbol to indicate “cross-country skiing” (74%) or “skiing trails” (19%) (Ipsos-Reid Corporation, 2003, page 48). Responses concerning pictogram No 6-4-312: Steep Hill (Crosscountry Skiing), marked c) above, indicate that this variant does not convey its message well enough, as only 19 % could be classified as acceptable. Answers classified as unacceptable were: Cross-country Skiing Area (21 %), Cross-country Ski Trail (16 %), and Skiing Area (19 %) (Ipsos-Reid Corporation, 2003, page 48).

Recommendations

Based on the test results known and regarding further considerations, we recommend the use of a pictogram similar to No 70 of the Austrian Standard ÖNORM A 3011 to signify the activity of cross-country skiing and to identify cross-country skiing trails in general as it should not be mixed up with Skiing.

For identifying trails for free / skating technique specific symbols are scarce. Therefore we recommend to develop additional specific versions and study how far they work using a Comprehension Test.

Tests of pictograms of referent Cross-country Skiing

Fiori, S.R. (2008): Mapas para o turismo e a interatividade - proposta teórica e prática. Tese de Doutorado - Depto. de Geografia, FFLCH-USP.

Gehringer, J. (1976): Reihungstest über 18 Begriffe aus dem Sportwesen - Priorität I. Report to the Austrian Standards Institute (ON) dated January 1976, Vienna.

Ipsos-Reid Corporation (2003): Evaluation of Parks Canada’s National Park and National Historic Sites Symbols – Phase I.