Ski Lifts - Information on how to ride, load and unload safely

Snowboard and Ski Lifts

In order to slide down a ski hill we need to get up. So in the early 1930's the rope tow was introduced, which made it more accessible for the general public to enjoy skiing. Sense then they have introduced and utilized other means of getting up the hill easier and faster.

Surface Lifts
Are ski lifts where your skies or snowboard stays in contact with the snow or surface of the hill. Surface lifts are mostly found on beginner or bunny ski hills.

Magic Carpet-
is basically a conveyor belt that you stand on and it takes you up to the top of the hill. Carpet lifts may be the easiest lift to use for skiers and snowboarders.

To ride a Carpet Lift you

• move up slowly and scoot onto it making sure to leave space for the person in front of you.
• Once you are on just stand there, its a good idea topractice your stance here.
• To get off the carpet you should stay tall and balanced, lean forward down the ramp, keeping your back foot on the board until you come to a stop.

Paddle Tow-
some times called a handle tow lift derived from a rope tow with added handles and is also supported off the ground so riders don't have to support the weight of a rope.

To ride a paddle tow lift you

• move up to the lift with your snowboard or skies pointing up the hill.
• Watch the paddles over your shoulder so they don't catch your legs and drag you up the hill.
• Once in position reach back and grab the paddle and stand up tall.
• Snowboarders might want to use a skate and glide move to get started.
• To get off of a handle tow just let go and step off to the side until you snowboard or skies are pointing across the hill, and move away from the lift.

Rope Tow-
is basically a long loop of rope that is stretched from top to bottom of the hill with pulleys and and engine running it.

To ride a rope tow you

• should move up and position your snowboard or skies up the hill and stand next to the rope.
• Reach down and grab the rope loosely in your hands and slowly grip the rope tighter until you start to move having a firm grip on the rope pulling you up the hill.
• Some times we can grip the rope with one hand behind our back to help support and make it easier to ride.
• To get off of a rope tow you should let go and step to the side at the same time, making sure to position your snowboard or skies across the hill so you don't continue to slide, and move away from the lift.

J-Bar-
takes on the shape of its name. A J-bar is a spring loaded long metal bar hanging from a suspended cable with a carrier at the bottom that is in the shape of a J. It can only carry one skier or snowboarder at a time.

To ride a J-bar you

• Need to move up pointing your skies or snowboard up the hill and look over your shoulder.
• When the J-bar comes along you should hook the J shaped carrier behind your upper legs or rear end and stay standing.
• The J-bar will carry you along the surface to the top.
• There is usually a ramp at the top of the hill where you can slide away from the lift.

T-Bar-
Is similar to a J-bar, but a T-bar can carry two passengers at a time side by side.

You ride a T-bar the same as a J-bar

• by moving up next to the person you will be riding with.
• Pointing your snowboard or skies up the hill and looking over your shoulder.
• When the T-bar comes along you hook it behind your upper legs or rear end.
• The T-bar will carry both of you to the top of the hill.
• There should be a ramp at the top so you can ride away from the lift.

Aerial Lifts
Are ski lifts that carry the skier or snowboarder up in the air and set them down at the top of the hill. Much faster and easier than standard surface lifts, most every ski resort now has aerial lifts to take skiers and snowboarders up to the top.