How to Get on and off a Ski Lift

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Last Updated: October 22, 2023

Getting on a ski lift as a beginner can be a frightening thing with a giant chair zooming by scooping people up. But with a little practice, skills and these easy steps you will be able to get on and off a ski lift like a pro. Although this article doesn’t teach you how to actually ski, it does help you get to the slopes.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Getting On

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Most lifts have signs indicating what levels (green/blue/black/red) of trails that lift services.
Grab your poles, but don't put your hands into the straps.

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Beginner or easy slopes may have chairlifts that move very slowly so it may take a long time to reach the top on those lifts.
This is where the chair will come and you will sit down.
If you'll be sitting on the right, do the opposite. If you'll be sitting in the middle, do it either way.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Off

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When you reach the unload area and your skis are touching the ground completely , lean forward slightly over your skis and stand up once you have balance on both skis, the lift will give you a little push.
Do not attempt to stop with a snow plough in the unload area - your skis will cross the person's next to you and you will probably both fall. Ski away from the other people, then stop if you want to. Try to prevent staying in the unload area for very long because it can become crowded making it difficult for others to get off the ski lift.

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What do I do if I fall off on a school ski trip?

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If you are skiing with a school, there will be instructors there. One instructor typically goes first and one instructor goes last. If you fall off, the instructor will see that you've fallen off and he will get off the lift and ski back down the mountain with you. There's no way to fall off of a chairlift, except when you are getting on/off, but if you're really worried about that, tell your ski instructor and he/she will help you. They might even tell the person operating the lift to slow it down for you. Don't worry, people understand that you might be nervous and they will help you.

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How do I get over the fear of falling off during unloading?

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Be confident. Take a couple minutes to prepare before getting onto a lift. Go with a trusted friend or family member who has skied before. Remember to read all the signs on the way up, and follow all directions stated above.

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What if I cannot reach the bar?

Alex

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Ask someone sitting next to you to bring down the restraining bar. If you are alone, ask the operator to stop your lift and ask them to put it down for you.

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Tips

Try to get out of the way of people getting off of the lifts behind you, especially if you fall. It's hard for skiers, especially snowboarders, and especially beginners to avoid someone directly in their path close to the chairlift, as the other people on their chair will be next to them.

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On the way up sometimes the lift stops for people to get on or off and may rock a little bit but don’t worry - it will start moving again soon.

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No beginner lifts? You could also try to find high-speed lifts which slow down a lot at loading/unloading areas making it easier to get on and off.

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Warnings

If you can only ski green trails, do not get on a lift that only goes to black trails.

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Every once in a while your pole will slip out of your hand. You usually have to ski down and get it yourself or go back to the lodge and talk to the manger. If you don't want to go down, someone may bring it back up for you if you ask them and wait at the top for them to come back

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Do not wear scarves that are outside of your clothing, these can get caught on the lift machinery or the chair at the top, this can be very dangerous.

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If there is horseplay occurring on your chair, you could fall off. Sit all the way back on the chair; it’s a long way down. If you are horsing around and you do fall - just wait for help.

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The chairs seem to come around a lot faster when you are standing there, than they look when you are standing in line.

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Make sure there are no loose articles: for example hats, gloves, goggles or scarves.

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Don't hop off too early. There should be a line indicating where to get off.

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Make sure you get off at the end and do not attempt to ride the lift back to the bottom. Most lifts have built in fail safes causing the lift to stop and you will need to get off.

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