How To Get On A Ski Lift

Even if you're a beginning skier, you can learn how to get on a ski lift as if you've been doing it for years. Getting on a ski lift is more daunting than it looks. The chair never stops moving, but everything is timed so you'll have plenty of opportunity to board safely and smoothly.

1. Ski into the lift line. Make sure your pole straps aren't looped around your wrists. If you've never gotten on this ski lift before, take time to read any signage at the lift entrance, This will tell you how many people each chair will carry and any special instructions, such as if the lift has a center pole.
2. If the lift line feeds from several lanes, take turns approaching the loading area. If a lift attendant is directing traffic in the lift line, wait for him to signal that it's your turn to get on the ski lift..
3. If you're riding by yourself, load with another person or persons on multiple-person lifts. This keeps the line moving faster and you might make a new friend on the ride up the lift. Say hello in the lift line and ask if you can ride up with them.
4. Stop at the entrance to the loading area and wait for your turn to get on the ski lift.
5. As soon as the people who are waiting in the loading area load their chair, ski out to the loading line. Always watch the lift attendant for any signal to stop and wait. Sometimes attendants purposely send an empty chair up the lift, perhaps because the chair is broken, or it's needed to allow people to load at a mid-point on the lift line. You might also be asked to wait to allow ski patrol to board the chair.
6. Ski to the loading line and stop. With your poles in one hand, look back over your outside shoulder at the approaching chair. If the lift has a center pole, look over your inside shoulder.
7. When you feel the chair hit the back of your thighs or knees, sit. Slide back in the chair and keep your ski tips up.
8. Lower the restraining bar/footrest and settle in for the ride to the top.