Get Off a Ski Lift with a Snowboard

To go snowboarding, you'll have to get on and off a lift. To do this, you will need to rent or buy a snowboard package, which consists of a snowboard, bindings, boots, stomp pad, leash, and a helmet. Also, you will need a lift ticket if you plan on going on a lift, which is the only way you can get up the mountain. As a beginner you will likely have no idea how to get on and off a lift. In this you will learn how to successfully get off a lift, not how to get on or how to snowboard.

Steps

  1. Check large poles that hold up the lift for notices about unloading, such as "Prepare to Unload" Lift the safety bar up when you see that sign. Check to see if you have everything with you.
  2. Lift the front end of your snowboard up a little when you see the sign that says "Ski tips up". Sit sideways so that your board is straight out in front of you to clear ramp. Stand up slowly when your snowboard can touch the ground.
  3. Place your foot that is not strapped in on the stomp pad, located between bindings. Allow the chair to push you from behind to give you a boost. While being pushed, lean your entire body slightly forward (the front tip of the board), about 3-5 degrees, just enough to actually put some of your weight forward. This will keep you from falling backwards while moving down ramp of the lift. Look UP and straight ahead. Do not look down at the floor, look where you are going. Don’t try to move on your own. Go straight to clear the ramp.
  4. Move quickly so the people behind you don’t hit you. Don't hit your head on the chair. Duck a bit and move away from it. If you do fall try to move out of the way as fast you can.



Tips

  • Some terms to be familiar with:

    • Regular- Right foot is in back when you are snowboarding (if you are right handed that doesn’t mean you will be right when you snowboard).
    • Goofy- Left foot is in back when you are snowboarding.
    • Stomp pad- Grip located in-between the two bindings so you don’t slip while getting off the lift.
    • Bindings- attachments that you strap your feet into, to secure yourself onto the snowboard.
  • If you are goofy (left foot in back), it is easier to sit on the right side of the chair. This is because you want to have your controlling foot in back of you not in front. (If you are regular, sit on the left side, for the same reason as if you were goofy.)
  • You cannot stay on the chairlift!
  • Ski lifts can sometimes cause the foot you don't unstrap to get really sore really fast. Putting your free foot under the board can help a surprising amount.
  • If you fall, the ski attendant will usually stop the lift, but still try to move out of the area quickly. Keep your head down until you are sure the chair is not going to hit you in the head.
  • When getting off the lift, keep more weight on your front foot - it gives you much more control and allows you to turn easier, though it may seem 'wrong' at first.
  • 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.
  • If you are nervous, wave your hand downward to let the ski attendant running the lift know to slow it down.

Warnings

  • If riding the lift with someone you don't know, mention to them that you're still in the process of learning. It's perfectly all right to do so, and will alert the other person to give you space.
  • No matter how long, slow, boring, or annoying the lift ride might be CONSTANTLY PAY ATTENTION!!! Suddenly looking up and finding that you have to get off the lift in the next 10 seconds will almost certainly result in some type of falling or injury.

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Get_Off_a_Ski_Lift_with_a_Snowboard&oldid=355455"