Elevating Ski Etiquette: What Makes for a Respectful Slopeside Experience in Canada?

As the Canadian ski season approaches its peak, it’s essential to remember the importance of ski etiquette. Whether you’re an experienced skier or a beginner, understanding and following proper ski etiquette can significantly enhance everyone’s experience on the mountain.

At Snow Season Central, we wanted to understand which behaviours Canadians find most frustrating on the slopes. To gain insights, we surveyed over 2,000 individuals who have skied at least twice on Canadian slopes in the last five years. The results revealed valuable findings about disruptive behaviours on the mountain and the best ways to address them.

Key Findings

• The most common ski slope violations in Canada are skipping or pushing in lift queues (89%), not keeping a safe distance from other skiers (80%), and not obeying signs and markings (78%).
• Responses to ski etiquette violations include ignoring the behaviour (42%), politely reminding others of the rules (34%), and reporting the incident to ski patrol or resort staff (15%).

Understanding Ski Etiquette

While skiing may seem informal compared to other activities, it still requires a level of respect and consideration to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. Ski etiquette is about being aware of your surroundings and fellow skiers, maintaining safety, and preserving the environment.
The top 10 ski etiquette violations reported in Canada include:

1. Skipping lines or pushing in lift queues – 89%
2. Not keeping a safe distance from other skiers – 80%
3. Not obeying signs and markings – 78%
4. Going too fast – 74%
5. Not staying in control – 69%
6. Stopping in the middle of a slope inappropriately – 67%
7. Not looking before merging – 62%
8. Being rude to others – 57%
9. Smoking/vaping on the chairlift – 43%
10. Not respecting the environment – 37%

How to Handle Poor Ski Etiquette

When encountering poor behaviour on the slopes, handling the situation gracefully can go a long way. Asked specifically about what they’d do if they witnessed someone disrespecting ski etiquette, most of our respondents expressed a preference to avoid rather than confront.

1. Ignore the behaviour and continue enjoying your day (42%)
2. Politely remind the person of the rules (34%)
3. Report the behaviour to ski patrol or resort staff (15%)
4. Record the incident and post it on social media (6%)
5. Unsure (2%)
6. Other (1%)

To better educate skiers about etiquette, 41% of respondents suggested clear signage at ski resorts. Additionally, 30% felt social media campaigns could help raise awareness, while 18% supported on-site educational programs.

Conclusion

Skiing is a shared experience, and following proper etiquette helps make it enjoyable for everyone. By understanding common violations and knowing how to handle them, we can all contribute to a safer, more respectful skiing environment. Whether you’re new to skiing or a seasoned pro, let’s work together to keep Canadian slopes enjoyable for all.

Stay safe and happy skiing this season!

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Methodology

Snow Season Central surveyed 2,011 Canadian residents about their views on ski etiquette. The study was completed in September 2024 and participants were required to have skied at a Canadian resort at least twice in the last five years. Respondents were evenly split by gender (47% male, 53% female).