Ski Lift Riding Guide: Essential Safety Tips & Skills for Beginners

At alpine ski resorts, ski lifts connect different ski runs and are essential for alpine skiing. Mastering proper riding skills guarantees safety and improves your skiing experience. This guide covers lift types, operation steps and key safety tips.

1. Two Main Categories of Ski Lifts

• Closed-type lifts (cable cars): Separate skis from ski boots. Secure gear with straps and carry them to avoid loss.

• Open-type lifts: Widely used in Chinese ski resorts, including chairlifts and tow-lifts. They keep running; passengers must get on and off while moving.

2. Operating Steps for Chairlifts

Pre-boarding Preparation

Check ski bindings. Fasten ski-pole wrist loops around wrists. Stand facing lift movement with skis parallel to the platform.

Correct Riding Posture

Lower the safety bar as the chair arrives. Rest skis on the footrest. Do not hang skis under the chair; do not hold poles loosely to prevent falling. Beginners should avoid these mistakes.

Alighting Techniques

10 meters before unloading station: lift skis off footrest, open safety bar, lean forward, keep skis horizontal and hold poles up. After skis touch snow, push off with poles and slide away. Move forward right away to avoid collisions with other passengers.

3. Key Tips for Tow-lifts

Tow-lifts serve short gentle slopes. Two common types: waist-clamp and leg-held disc type. Stand with parallel skis, fasten the tow device to your waist or between legs and move uphill. At the end point, release the device and slide off the platform quickly to prevent crowding.

Conclusion

Good boarding and alighting skills help you use ski lifts confidently. Safety is always the top priority for skiing.