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Out and about in the ski area. Keyword: Communication

26.06.2023

Communication is omnipresent. Whether freeriding on the mountain, teaching at school or in a private context with friends. The following article takes a brief look at the basics of the topic and outlines suggestions for good communication on the mountain.

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This article is about:

01

Basics of communication

Who hasn’t experienced this situation: you’re out and about in a ski resort, possibly with a group of students or trainees, in a family context or with friends, in a management role or simply in private. And then you’re faced with the problem of having to reconcile different opinions. Should you take the black run on the right or the red run on the left? Should we meet at the lift exit or at the lift entrance? Simple questions that can be decided smoothly, but can also cause misunderstandings or upset in the group.

A basic understanding of the concept of communication is helpful in understanding such seemingly banal situations.

Generally speaking, communication is the exchange and transfer of information. This actually happens all the time – or, as Paul Watzlawick says: “You can’t not communicate.” The information is in the form of language, gestures, facial expressions or other signs. Ideally, both parties should be able to correctly decipher the “signs” used, otherwise misunderstandings or a breakdown in communication may occur. This happens when one person uses a language or sign that the other person does not understand. To be reasonably sure that the information has been understood correctly, it is worth asking what was received by whom and how.

The illustrated sign “STOP Avalanche DANGER” is not really of much use if the viewer is not familiar with the actual content of the picture. Anyone who does not know what avalanches are or what danger means in this context will not be able to decipher this message. The sign can only be interpreted correctly if basic knowledge in this area is available.

Another example is agreeing a common meeting point when a group splits up. For the reunion to work, everyone involved must know the name and location of the agreed meeting point. The best way to ensure that everyone is actually in the right place at the right time is to check that everyone is talking about the same thing.

02

From the transmitter and receiver

The last situation described also indicates that at least two people are needed for communication to take place. One person is the sender – the other is the receiver. In a conversation, these roles are constantly changing.

What is said is not always received by the other person the way it was intended. To prevent such a communication misunderstanding, it helps to clarify the information precisely. For example, the recipient could respond to the statement in the picture with: "Okay, everyone goes at their own pace, and we’ll meet again at the mountain station of the Zirbenbahn." © snow institute
What is said is not always received by the other person the way it was intended. To prevent such a communication misunderstanding, it helps to clarify the information precisely. For example, the recipient could respond to the statement in the picture with: "Okay, everyone goes at their own pace, and we’ll meet again at the mountain station of the Zirbenbahn." © snow institute

The key phrase for understanding many communicative misunderstandings is the simple sentence: “The receiver determines the message (Paul Watzlawick)”. This means that what is said is not always received in the way it was meant because the translation is different for the person receiving it than the person sending it assumes.

The statement “Please keep your distance when driving into the slope” does not imply how large this distance must be.

“The next driver will only set off when the previous driver has passed the red sign at the bottom”, on the other hand, contains more information and a clear instruction to take action.

03

Being in relationship

The Austrian communication scientist Paul Watzlawick also recognized that every message that is transmitted contains a relationship aspect in addition to the content aspect. This means that in addition to the information actually intended, every message transmitted also expresses the relationship between the two parties involved – sender and receiver. It is also this relational aspect that significantly influences the way in which communication takes place. A teacher with a group of pupils will use a different language and setting than parents with their children or young people when they are out on the mountain with their friends.

04

What does that mean for a day on the mountain?

For example, each individual can ask themselves the following questions again and again: HOW do I communicate with my counterpart? HOW does my counterpart communicate with me? Respectfully? Understandingly? Annoyed? Do we listen to each other? Is the communication at eye level? Can questions be asked if anything is unclear? These simple questions often help to significantly influence the quality of a day. In addition, practicing a few simple “standard measures” with children and young people can be seen as a good guide for every ski day.

Tips for practice on the mountain

  • In a school context: Use language that is understood by everyone.
  • Compare information. Do they all mean the same thing?
  • Identify meeting points that are understood and known by everyone.
  • Clarify roles in the group. Who rides first, who brings up the rear? Does everyone know the size of the group and is it always checked whether the crew is complete?
  • Determine downhill sequences – whether in the fun park, on the piste or off-piste.
  • Always pause and check whether the motivation is right and whether everyone has the same understanding of a situation.
  • If someone no longer wants to ride, they inform everyone else.
05

Conclusion

Good communication is essential. The clearer and more transparent it is, the smoother a day on the mountain will be, the more misunderstandings can be avoided and the greater the fun factor for everyone involved.

Cover picture: © snow institute | LWD Tirol

Teaching materials on the topic:

Teaching material

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