Lift Safety
Getting On
Prep:
- If you’re new to riding chairlifts, watch how others around you load the chair—then mirror what works for them!
- Remove your pole straps from your wrists, gathering them in one hand. Secure any loose items like scarves and mittens, and remove backpacks. Put your cell phone back in your pocket!
- Line up with other passengers along the “Wait Here” board embedded into the snow.
- Communicate with the lift operator. If you are nervous, tell them. If you think you need assistance, tell them. If you just don't know exactly what to do, ask.
- After a chair passes, follow it and make your way to the “Load Here” board.
Look:
- Look over your shoulder as the chair approaches.
Sit:
- Sit down when the chair touches the back of your legs, grasping the chair as needed.
- Lower the bar—first double checking that your chairmates are ready.
Relax:
- Sit all the way back in the chair, scooting towards the backrest.
Riding the Chairlift
Pay Attention
- Stay in tune with your surroundings to make for a more enjoyable ride.
- Don’t use this time to adjust clothing or equipment, instead sit back and relax.
Look for Signs. Read Them.
- Our signage has lots of tips, information about the terrain the lift serves, and warnings about the skill level for the terrain served by the lift.
Keep Calm and Ride On
- Do not lean forward while riding the lift. If the lift stops, don’t worry, it happens! Instead, enjoy the extra time to plan out your next run.
- Lower and use the chair bar, but ask your chairmates before you do so.
Unloading
Tips Up: Keep the tips (or nose) of your skis/snowboard up as you approach the unloading zone.
Bar Up: When your chair arrives at the “Raise Here” sign in the upper terminal, raise the chairlift bar.
Stand Up: Stand up when your sliding device (or your feet) hit the snow (or the unload deck, if it’s summer).
Keep Up (the Pace):
- Do not try to slow down or stop as you push away from the chair.
- Keep your skis/snowboard pointed downhill to help you glide away from the chair. If you ride a snowboard, keep your back foot on the board (but don't try to skate away from the chair).
- Clear the unloading zone quickly. Do not strap into your snowboard in the unloading zone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The avalanche rescue dogs that Ski Patrol uses are rigorously trained search-and-rescue dogs and avalanche dogs. Outside of their rescue training, they undergo specific instruction for chairlift riding, socialization, and obedience. “Chairlift socialization,” or the training that rescue dogs undergo to be able to ride chairlifts, even begins as early as 8 weeks old!
Moreover, they are certified after training by credentialing organizations. As such, our rescue dogs aren’t just highly qualified work partners—they’re also highly qualified to ride chairlifts!
First, a note: all the information we’ve shared on this page pertains to riding chairlifts in the winter, since they are the primary means of guest transportation to skiable/rideable terrain within resort boundaries.
That said, we’ve listed a few more distinctions below:
Transportation Type: Gondolas are cabin lifts that can transport between 4 and 15 people, while chairlifts provide open-air transportation seating for up to 6 people.
Terrain Served: Our gondolas primarily provide guest access to key base, mid-mountain, and summit areas, while chairlifts tend to serve skiable/rideable terrain in a wider range of areas within resort boundaries. Gondola-served terrain may include areas accessible to foot traffic.
Activities Supported: Chairlifts enable many winter activities (i.e. skiing and snowboarding) as well as summer fun (i.e. mountain biking and hiking). Gondolas also support winter and summer activities, while also enabling guests to sightsee around our mountain without additional gear or equipment. Certain strollers, wheelchairs, or other mobility devices may also be used on gondolas.
Loading and Unloading Skills: Both chairlifts and gondolas require passengers to heed posted signage and instructions from the lift operator. Chairlifts tend to require more loading and unloading knowledge and skill than gondolas, regardless of the season.
If you’d like to explore on-mountain areas accessible to foot traffic you’ll need to take a gondola to visit these zones.
Please consult your trail map to find more options you can visit via gondola.
Lift closure varies on a case-by-case basis. Generally, chairlifts may close temporarily due to safety precautions related to maintenance or weather (which may not always be visible or obvious). The decision to shut down a lift is determined by Ski Area Management, which may include the managers of Lift Operations and Lift Maintenance departments, as well as the Director of Mountain Operations.
In the morning, lift open times may be delayed if snow safety and lift safety operations are underway.
using their own individual ability and knowledge.
That means 3 things:
- Your may not ski or snowboard with your baby in a backpack.
- You may not load chairlifts with a baby in a backpack (even in the summer).
- If you want to carry your baby in a backpack, use the gondola.