Lift Safety

Riding a ski lift or chairlift is very safe. By following a few safety tips, you can avoid most incidents. However, chairlifts are very large pieces of moving equipment, so riding them should be taken seriously. While rare, injuries have occurred while riding a chairlift.

Lifts fall into two categories, aerial and surface:

• Aerial lifts: As the name implies, you are suspended in the air as you are transported up the hill or mountain. Aerial lifts are typically chairlifts, and there are also trams and gondolas (enclosed cabins). The chair or cabin is suspended from a system of towers and a wire cable, called a haul rope.

• Surface lifts: With surface lifts, your feet stay on the ground. Ski areas have a few types of surface lifts. You may stand on a conveyor (like at the airport) or hold on to a rope or handle that pulls you up the hill. There are also surface lifts called a T or J bar, and like the rope tow, your feet stay on the ground as you are pulled along with a little rest (or T) for you to lean on.

If you have never ridden a chairlift before, learning on the fly is not a good idea. Instead, take a lesson and let the instructor know one of your goals is to learn how to ride a lift. If you are not taking a lesson, you can learn from a friend or family member. Learn-to areas are a good place to start and usually feature a surface lift, excellent for helping new skiers learn to get the feel of their skis and balance. When you are ready to graduate to an aerial lift, start with a lift that is suitable for your ability. For instance, if you are just starting out and want to ski or ride on green (easiest) rated trails, read the signs at the bottom of the lift, which will indicate what type of terrain the lift will service.

Watch other skiers and riders load the lift. You can learn a lot about the process through observation. If you’re in doubt, always ask an area employee for assistance. As you approach the loading area, it is OK to tell the operator that you are just learning and ask them to please slow the lift.

When you are about to approach the area where you will load the lift (think five groups back), give your full attention to the process. Most people who become unseated have a problem at the load area, often because they are distracted or trying to get organized at the last minute.

Lifts signs:

• WAIT HERE is the sign/line you will see as you approach the lift. This means you are next. But first, you must STOP and wait for the chair to pass by you before you proceed out to the LOAD HERE line.

• LOAD HERE is the line where you place your feet and stop to wait for the chair to come around and pick you up.

As the chair comes around, look over your shoulder and sit down once the chair comes in line with your back. Sit all the way back. When you and the others are organized, sitting all the way back, put down the restraint bar if the chairlift has one.

If you are riding solo or if there are fewer people than the chair can hold (think two people instead of four) distribute your weight evenly. That means, if you are riding solo, sit in the middle. Avoid putting all the weight on one side of the chair.

While you are on the chairlift:

• No fooling around or rocking the chair.

• Don’t try to wipe snow off your board or fix your boot or binding — stay in your seat.

• As you approach the top, make a plan. Let others in your group know where you are headed. For instance, “I am going to the right.”

• As you approach the top, wait until you see the sign telling you to raise the bar. Many people raise the bar way too early.

• Let others in your group know before you raise the bar so everyone is ready.

• Stand up once you get to the UNLOAD HERE sign.

• Once you have unloaded, move out of the way so the next group does not ski into you.

It is rare, but sometimes people fall off lifts. Following the tips on this page will help prevent a fall.

There are many ways to successfully ride a chairlift, and it starts before you even sit down. As mentioned previously, taking a lesson is a great place to learn how to ride chairlifts. It seems obvious, but please do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs. Prior to getting on the chairlift, you may go through what is called a maze, lift line or queue. This helps organize skiers and riders before they get to the lift. 

Remember to:

• Read signs

• Listen to instructions being shared by the lift attendants.

• Get organized — are your goggles, gloves, backpack, poles, etc. adjusted and ready?

• Put away your phone. One of the biggest distractions in the maze is phone interaction.

• If you are listening to music, you are reducing your ability to hear what is going on around you. Turn off or turn down the volume.

• Help your children or others in your party get organized, too.