Cross-country Skiing

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Ski Touring, Ski Track, Ski Trail, Cross-country Skiing Trail, Crosscountry Ski Trail, Classic Skiing

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
	Wilder Kaiser	Cross-country skier skiing with free / skating technique
	WO'18	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
	Crans Montana	Cross-country skier skating
	WO'76	Side view of human figure with poles making large step, ski below
	ÖNORM A 3011	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
	U.S. National Park Service	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique
	Pierce	Cross-country skier skiing with classic, diagonal-stride technique, ski in snow not visible
	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
	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

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 rare and most examples in the table above are from Olympic Winter Games.

In our research we discovered that test data available for the referent Cross-country Skiing is very limited:

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.

Furthermore there is some information concerning comprehensibility available for the pictogram of the Parks Canada Identity Program (2007): since all pictograms that failed comprehension testing in Canada have been retired from use there, the Parks Canada pictogram No 6-4-310 Classic Skiing displayed above must have reached a comprehension rate of 80 % or higher, as this variant does not have the status Retired and does not have to be accompanied by a supportive text message.

Recommendations

CrossCountrySkiing

Based on the test results known and regarding further considerations, we recommend the use of pictogram No 70 of the Austrian Standard ÖNORM A 3011 part 3 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.

Parks Canada (2007): Parks Canada Identity Program: Exterior Signage; Standards and Guidelines - Version 1. March 2007.