'How rude': The entitled snow habit that is infuriating Aussie skiers

"It's selfish. Having said that, I am also the person on the slopes who can't control myself!"

3 min read

July 25, 2024 - 1:48PM

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The ski season has really hit its stride. As the number of skiers grows, so do the annoying habits, like a snowball getting bigger.

Whether you're a black-slope skier or snow bunny, slope etiquette should remain at the top of everyone's mind to ensure the safety and enjoyment of everyone on the mountain.

Here to make the season more enjoyable for all, the team at Snow Season Central wanted to identify the behaviours Australians find most annoying on the slopes. They surveyed over 2,000 Australians who have skied at least twice on Australian slopes in the past five years, asking if they had observed any carelessness or antisocial behaviour.

Yes, ski slopes are (for most) a recreational activity. However, a set of unwritten rules still ensures everyone can enjoy their time in the snow.

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Snow etiquette is a thing. Source: supplied

What is ski etiquette?

According to Snow Season Central, "Ski etiquette is all about consideration and respect for fellow skiers, ensuring a safe and pleasant experience for all."

Now that you know what is expected while swooping down the mountains. What is ticking people off when they are spending a great deal of money and time enjoying skiing?

According to the Australians they surveyed, skipping lines or pushing in lift queues are the most common violations of ski etiquette, at 72%.

It's clear that "waiting our turn" should be a reminder well beyond the toddler years.

But that wasn't all. The following most common violation was not keeping a safe distance from skiers.

Come on, people, this isn't a video simulation; it's the same as driving on the road with no tailgating.

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What are the most common ski etiquette that were annoying skiers?

Skipping lines or pushing in lift queues – 72%
Not keeping a safe distance from other skiers – 50%
Not respecting the environment – 32%
Not obeying signs and markings – 24%
Not looking before merging – 20%
Going too fast – 18%
Not staying in control – 17%
Stopping in the middle of a slope inappropriately – 16%
Smoking/vaping on the chairlift – 16%
Not utilising available seats on chairlifts efficiently – 14%

Skier be aware next time you're on the slopes. Source: supplied

"We can all get to the top of the mountain quicker"

There are a few keen skiers on the Kidspot team, so they wanted to share their pet peeves from the slopes.

"I hate people skipping the line anywhere I go, but when it's so long and cold as it is in the snow, this annoys me," Leah writes. "It's entitled, rude and selfish. Having said that, I am also the person on the slopes who can't control myself and bump into people accidentally, so leave me alone on that stat!"

"There's a pretty obvious etiquette, especially with chairlifts with multiple lanes. If you don't move forward in the line quickly enough, people in other lanes are free to go ahead of you; otherwise, wait your turn," according to Carly.

"T-bars especially are a patience game; people fall off constantly, and sometimes you're waiting for over an hour, so you can't push in, and crowds will riot. It happened to us when some impatient a**shole tried to push through the bar ahead of a beginner, and people threw snowballs at him," she continues.

"And NOTHING annoys me more than skiers lining up in the singles queue and then forming a group at the chairlift because they don't want to get paired with kids in lessons... be a nice person, and we can all get to the top of the mountain quicker."

Ski goggles or not, you know there are people in the queue around you, so don't push in line. When you're coming down the mountain, much like your side mirrors, objects may appear closer than they seem.

And if they do, back off.