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 one also will find almost no research or test data on that referent:
Gehringer (1976) conducted a Ranking Test with the four variants from the table above marked with a *. In this study the ERCO variant with a skier in schuss position was ranked first and the view of 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.
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.
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.
See also
Ski School, Cross-country Skiing, Snowboarding, Skibobbing
Surface Lift, Chairlift, Cable Car / Gondola Lift
Ski Depot, Ski Storage Room, Ski Rack
Updated 2024-10-07 by Ch.Brugger