Skiing

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Alpine Skiing, Downhill Skiing, Skiing Area, Skiing Center, Ski Piste, Piste, Ski Slope, Slope

Category

Sports, Winter Sports, Sporting Activities, Activities, Recreation, Tourism

Message / Function

For notice in general and to indicate the location of facilities for skiing

	Source	Description
	BTA 1989	Side view of slope with skier in schuss position
	CNFC	Side view of skier in schuss position at extreme angle
*	Erco	Side view of skier in schuss position
	ÖSV	Side view of skier in schuss position
	U.S. National Park Service	Side view of skier in schuss position
	Parks Canada	Side view of skier in schuss position
	Chamonix	Side view of skier in schuss position
	WO'72	Side view of skier in schuss position
	Extremadura	Side view of skier in schuss position
	BS 8501:2002	Side view of skier in schuss position
	CNIS	Side view of skier in schuss position
	ÖNORM A 3011	Side view of skier in moderate schuss position
	Aragón	Side view of skier in moderate schuss position
	Eco-Mo Foundation	Side view of skier in moderate schuss position
	SIS	Side view of skier in moderate schuss position
	Catalunya	Side view of skier
*	SSRS	Front view of skier
	NPS	Side view of skier
	TAC	View of skier
	WO'18	Side view of skier
	WO'10	Skier making a turn at higher speed
	WO'72	Side view of skier
	Erco	Side view of skier, both arms and poles visible
	Québec	Side view of skier, both arms and poles visible
	NZS 8603	Side view of skier
*	Picto'grafics	Side view of skier
	Nova Scotia	Side view of skier
	CNFC	Side view of skier
	Wien BfS	Side view of skier in moderate schuss position
	Kapitzki	Side view of skier
	Fiori	Side view of skier
*	Unknown	View of skier carrying skis

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

Discussion

Even though skiing is quite a business, the selection of pictograms available seems suboptimal: many show a skier in schuss position or some other extreme positions not typical for most of the time people are skiing.

Surprisingly also research data on comprehensibility of symbols concerning Skiing or Downhill Skiing is rather limited in our database:

Gehringer (1976) conducted a Ranking Test with the four pictogram variants from the table above marked with a *. In this study the ERCO pictogram with a skier in schuss position was ranked first and the view of a skier carrying skis showed up at the last rank.

In a Japanese study to propose domestically unified graphical symbols based on scientific methods, the pictogram variant labeled as Eco-Mo Foundation reached a comprehension score of 98.6 regarding Ski Ground, an almost perfect value (Eco-Mo Foundation, 2001). Considering these test results, many of the pictograms available probably are well comprehensible.

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 6-4-302: Downhill 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.

Fiori (2008) examined a map symbol showing a rendering of a human figure with skis and ski poles which could also be used for the message Cross-country Skiing as both skis were displayed in horizontal position. Results of a Comprehension Test illustrate that such a symbol - maybe originally intended for the message Winter Sports - elicits answers related to Skiing as well as to Cross-country Skiing. To ensure a clear differentiation between these two messages pictograms therefore also have to present more specific renderings.

Recommendations

We suggest to develop additional variants avoiding extreme positions, but still indicating mastery of skiing. Following this stage further studies should be made to identify the pictogram mostly approved by skiing experts and marketing people as well, to reach good acceptance.

ÖNORM A 3011 Public Information Symbol No 68: Skiing

Until then we recommend the use of a pictogram similar to Public Information Symbol No 68 from ÖNORM A 3011 part 3.

Tests of pictograms of referent Skiing

Eco-Mo Foundation (2001): Test data of public information symbols in Japan - Procedure for the testing of public information symbols by the Study Committee. ISO: ISO/TC 145/SC 1 N 329.

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.