How to Get On a Ski Lift with a Snowboard

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Last Updated: June 26, 2017

Getting on the lift with a snowboard is not that hard, but when things go wrong, the whole world will seem to despise you for shutting down the lift. Fortunately, many modern lifts have "detachable" chairs that slow down for load and unload making them a great deal easier to learn how to get on and off.

Steps

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Unfasten or step out of your rear binding before you get on the chairlift. It must be your rear! Again, make sure your front binding is fastened tightly as well as making sure the leash is attached. Also, be sure to fold down the back part of the rear binding. This is to prevent it being broken by the weight of the chair when you sit down.
Put the released foot to either side of the snowboard and push. This is called skating. It's like being on a skateboard. You push your rear foot to move and balance on your lead foot.

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Then move up to the gate and stop. There will be a red line indicating to you where to stop.
Make sure the nose of your board is pointed "uphill". Then place your "free foot (back foot)" on the snow on the heel side of the board and stand in the most natural position you can.
Bend your knees slightly, so that when the chair comes around it won’t knock you over. When it is right behind you, sit down on it and have the nose of your board still pointed "uphill".
Make sure you don't hit anyone in the head when you do this. If the safety bar has footrests, you can rest your board on them.
Lift up the safety bar. Point the nose of the board up so it doesn't accidentally get planted on the ground.
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Get off gracefully. At the exit point put your back foot on the stomp pad on your board which is right in front of your rear binding. Stand up and go straight. After you slow down skate out of the way of the lift and strap your rear foot back onto the board.
- Don't attempt to turn while you are coming off the chairlift as it will risk the odds you fall down. Just go straight till you slow down naturally.

Community Q&A

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Question

Why do I have to release my rear foot from its binding?

Community Answer

If you try to to get off the lift with both feet in bindings, you will fall down. I think it's easier to push with my rear foot than pull with my front foot.

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Question

When you get off the lift, do you put your rear foot back into the binding?

lucas

Community Answer

No, you don't. Instead, you use a stomp pad, which is a pad with spikes. If you put your foot in the binding, you will trip.

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Question

How do I not fall?

Ruah

Community Answer

Use the safety bar above you so that you do not fall during the ride up. If you are having trouble falling while getting on, ask the operator to slow the lift down for you.

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Tips

After successfully seating yourself on the lift, you can rest the board on top of your free, unbound foot. This takes some of the strain off your lead foot and is especially comfortable for longer lift rides.

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Ask the person running the chairlift at the bottom if he or she can show you how to get on and off. The person will probably slow it down for you, too. You can also stand near the loading area and watch other snowboarders to see how it's done.

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If the chair lift suddenly stops, this is probably because someone has fallen while getting on or off. Don't worry, most likely someone has just had a minor fall so they need to stop the chairlift so no one runs into the person. If the chairlift still hasn't moved after five minutes or so, don't panic. If you're afraid of heights, don't look down!

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Warnings

Beware of older chairs that do not have "detachable" chairs. These chairs generally move more quickly at the loading area and can sink up to a foot or more and can catch your leg under the chair. Keep your free leg out in front of you and off the ground as the chair sinks to avoid catching your leg.

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