Mastering the Slopes: Essential Ski Etiquette for a Harmonious New Zealand Ski Season

As the New Zealand ski season kicks into high gear, it’s important to remember the unwritten rules that keep the slopes enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re carving down the mountain like a pro or just learning the ropes, practising good ski etiquette ensures a positive experience for all.

Snow Season Central set out to understand the behaviours most likely to cause frustration on New Zealand’s ski slopes. To get a clearer picture, we surveyed more than 2,000 New Zealanders who have skied on local slopes at least twice in the past five years. We wanted to find out which actions they found most disruptive and how they dealt with such situations.
The survey results provided valuable insights into common ski etiquette breaches and suggested strategies for handling them effectively.

Key Findings

• The New Zealanders we surveyed pointed to a few key ski etiquette issues, with the top offenders being: jumping the queue at ski lifts (64%), skiing too close to others (52%), and not taking care of the environment (38%).
• When it comes to dealing with these issues, our respondents suggested a range of responses, including choosing to ignore the behaviour (46%), kindly informing the person of the proper rules (32%), and documenting the incident for social media (11%).

The Importance of Ski Etiquette

Skiing might feel like a laid-back activity, but it’s essential to follow certain guidelines to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. Ski etiquette is all about showing respect for others on the slopes, from beginners to experts, and maintaining an environment where everyone can have fun.

The most common ski etiquette violations in Australia:

1. Skipping lines or pushing in lift queues – 64%
2. Not keeping a safe distance from other skiers – 52%
3. Not respecting the environment – 38%
4. Not obeying signs and markings – 25%
5. Not looking before merging – 22%
6. Going too fast – 20%
7. Not staying in control – 19%
8. Stopping in the middle of a slope inappropriately – 18%
9. Smoking / vaping on the chairlift – 15%
10. Not utilising available seats on chairlifts efficiently – 14%

Addressing Ski Etiquette Issues

When encountering poor ski etiquette, the best approach is often a blend of patience and polite communication.

Our survey revealed that most New Zealanders prefer non-confrontational methods when dealing with etiquette breaches:

1. Ignore the behaviour and focus on enjoying your time (46%)
2. Approach the person and politely inform them of the rules (32%)
3. Record the behaviour and share it on social media (11%)
4. Report the incident to ski patrol and/or resort staff (5%)
5. Unsure (5%)
6. Other (1%)

To enhance awareness of ski etiquette, 45% of those surveyed suggested that ski resorts should implement clear signage to remind skiers of the rules. Another 28% felt that social media campaigns could help spread the word, while 5% believed that on-site educational initiatives could make a difference.

Conclusion

Skiing is a sport that thrives on the shared enjoyment of its participants, and following good ski etiquette is essential for maintaining this spirit. By being aware of common etiquette violations and knowing how to respond to them, we can all contribute to a safer and more pleasant experience on the slopes. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned skier, let’s work together to ensure that everyone can enjoy New Zealand’s beautiful ski resorts to the fullest.

Have a great season, and ski responsibly!

Methodology

SnowSeasonCentral surveyed 2,011 NZ residents about their views on ski etiquette. This study was finalised in July 2024. Participants needed to have visited a New Zealand ski resort at least twice in the last 5 years. Of all respondents, 49% identified as male, and 51% identified as female.