Chair Lifts

The Chairlift comes in two basic forms: Fix Chair (Slower) and Detachable (Faster).

 

The Fixed Chair is slower because it can only go so fast as it is comfortable for the guest to be loaded into the chair. Fixed meaning that the chair is always attached to the cable. They will vary from 1 to 4 persons wide.

 

The Detachable Chair is at the faster because its speed in the loading area is slower than the speed of the cable. The chair mechanical detaches and reattaches to the cable in the load and unload areas. They will usually be a quad (4 seats) but may come in as wide as 8 seats.

 

The designs of all types will vary with differences in the direction of cable through the station wheels causing differences in loading and landing zone, hence why it is wise to watch its operation from a safe distance (i.e. not when you are the next group up). 

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There are variation on all of these these such as Stand-up Single (rare) to Heated Chairs with full pulldown sun visor wind shields.

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Key points:

• Before attempting the first time on any lift, watch others get on the lift (ones, twos & full packs),

• On your first time up a chair, ask to go with an experienced rider, avoid riding a full chair if possible,

• Try riding the first couple of times without poles,

• Do not become complacent.

 

Loading:

• Remove Pole straps,  securing long dangly things,

• Move to the Wait Line marker (not in arc of chairs),

• Once chair passes, quickly move to the Load Line,

• If skiing with a child, lift can be slowed down, just ask. Be ready to help children up and onto the seat,

• Ensure all riders are aligned with the seats available,

• Sit in middle of chair when not full,

• As chair bumps into the back of legs, sit down.

• Do not let back of your boot tops get under seat, the chair will pinch your calf (very unpleasant),

• Keep poles under control with points down,

• Wait to get out of the station to pull the bar down.

 

While Riding:

• Confirm all riders are ready to pull down the safety bar, tall guys get hit every day by the eager-beavers,​

• Make sure you are sitting where the bar does not touch the chair, become a pinching hazard once feet are up.

• If chair has foot rests, raise feet to side of foot rest, then move them over and put them down on the bar,

• Poles can be tucked under armpit and held by a hand,

• Pay attention small children, they do not have as much bum on the seat, a simple turn to wave can result in a fall (it happens every year),

• Hold onto your gear if its not attached.

 

Dismounting

• Confirm which way other are going after dismount,

• Raise bar when signs say to, all feet need to slide to the side off the foot rest before lifting,

• Ensure nothing is caught on the chair (i.e. pole strap),

• Lift your tips up as you enter the landing zone,

• Once in landing, stand up, helping others if needed,

• Let chair push you behind your legs along the landing until you can slide down the exit ramp provided,

• Do not turn until clear of chair swing area, 

• Exit area quickly, avoiding those that have not,

• Move well away from lift while waiting for others,

• Do not re-enter ramp area, go around, give it a wide berth if you are on the wrong side of the lift.