A chairlift is the best option for snowboarders to get up the mountain. The legs are rested, the snowboard does not interfere, the main thing is to dress warmly and enjoy the views.
Landing
Go through the turnstile, determine whether you can carry a snowboard in your hands (usually yes) or whether you need to fasten one leg (usually in such places the staff will not let you in without wearing a snowboard), wait for your turn and stand in line with those who are going to board the lift with you (depending on the capacity of the lift). Typically one chair is designed for 2 to 6 people. Everyone needs to board the chairlift at the same time, so everyone needs to be on the same line. Don't run into this line if you don't have time to get to the chair. Wait for the next one and sit down like a human being.
When the chair approaches, carefully sit on it, immediately putting your legs forward and straightening them so that they do not fall under the chair and break. Place the board edge-on between your legs so that it does not interfere with the lowering of the safety frame and does not rest on your knee. Carefully, smoothly and slowly lower the safety frame, first informing others about this. Place your feet on the step (if you get one), check that the snowboard will not fall down, usually to ensure that in any case it engages with the fastening on the frame. It's better to hold it all the way.
Disembarkation
When the chair approaches the top station, you need to raise the safety frame in advance (usually this place is marked with the corresponding sign), take the snowboard in right hand and determine in which direction you will run. It is best to sit on the outside of the lift and run there. However, if you are sitting inside, then you should not rush through all the seats, you still won’t make it in time. Run back to the inner support and go right behind the chair to go outside. The main thing is not to get in the way of the chair, it will sweep away instantly.
If you have one leg fastened to the snowboard, then you will have to go straight ahead, as skiers do. Get ready, stand on your supporting leg, push off from the chair, place your other foot on the board and carefully steer away from the lift. It is important not to fall, because there may be other people behind you, for whom your fall will be a complete surprise.
Features of the chair lift
Dress warmly - the wind is much stronger on the ski lift than below. The lift may be stopped, so no one knows how long you will spend there.
Don't drop your snowboard, mittens, phones or other things - it will be almost impossible to find them. It’s better to wait until you arrive upstairs, and there devote a few extra minutes to all the necessary manipulations.
Be sure to lower the safety frame. All the fun of riding a chairlift without a safety frame eventually leads to tragedy. Falling onto rocks from a 5-meter height is no longer cool, so think with your head.
If you are riding a chair not in splendid isolation, but with someone else, no matter if they have skis or a board on their feet, be sure to coordinate your actions for everyone’s safety. This is especially true for lowering and raising the safety frame - you can seriously injure an unwary lover of mountain slopes.
How to use lifts
Ski lifts open the way to the mountains. Climbing uphill on foot is difficult and takes a long time, so the faster you learn to use the lifts, the more kilometers you can travel and the faster you will learn to ski. Using the lifts may seem difficult at first, but you will quickly learn.
Towing lifts
Most likely, the very first lift you encounter on the cultural slopes will be of the towing type. The most common type of tow lift is the T-type, called a "mop" for its appearance.
The towing hoist is a continuously moving cable to which poles are attached, at the ends of which plates are attached (the option shown in the photo above). In the case of a push-button lift, the plates are attached with a spring-loaded cord; in some versions, they are simply attached to the end of a pole. The poles can move continuously along with the cable, or they can accumulate at the bottom, waiting for the skier to grab onto them. In any case, your task is to put the plate between your legs and tow it to the top of the slope.
We take a tug
Take both sticks in one hand. Wait until you can take a tow. The operator will tell you about this, or the green light will turn on, or the barrier will rise. Grasp the pole with your free hand. If the lift has poles piling up at the bottom and you need to press a switch to start moving, find the switch. Place the pole between your legs and make sure your skis are parallel and wide enough apart. Be prepared to be pulled by a tug, just don't try to sit on the plate!
Take the pole and turn on the switch
rise
Stand freely, keep your skis parallel, and let the pole tow you.
Let's get off the ski lift
Watch for signs warning you about the end of the climb. As soon as you reach the exit warning signal, pull out the pole that is between your legs using your free hand. Make sure the pole won't hit anyone and let it go. Leave the lift immediately.
Take your time, assess the situation.
When you arrive, release the pole and quickly clear the road.
Peculiarities
Some lifts have a very abrupt start! If the skier in front of you goes into the air, prepare to take off with a jump. If the cable comes off the winch, stay calm and hold wider legs, relax and follow the pole. The poles will soon begin to slide down the slope. Hold the pole tightly and slow down with the plow. If you fall, quickly clear the way.
Children and very easy adults. On old lifts, children and very light adults could be lifted into the air and spin on a pole ten centimeters from the ground... It can happen in different ways - a turn of 360 degrees is quite safe, but a turn of 90 degrees is not. The only way is to try to reach the snow at least with the backs of your skis, and hope for a safe landing. This happens extremely rarely, and never happens on modern lifts.
T-type lifts
As the name suggests, a T-lift looks like a large upside-down "T" attached to a cable by a leg (mop). The victims line up in twos, when the T-bar arrives, the lifter lowers it down, passing the leg of the T between the skiers, and places the bar low on their backs. Then a pair of skiers begin their climb. T-type lifts were very common, although they are now being replaced by more comfortable lifts in most resorts. You won't find them in most resorts in Western Europe, much less the US, but they are still commonly used in other countries.
Try to find a partner around your weight.
Turn around to grab the base of the bar.
Let's sit down
Stand next to your partner, hold the poles on the outside, and grab the bar with your hand.
Movement
Keep your skis parallel to each other while towing. Do not push your partner's ski or boot, remember - this is your partner, not your opponent.
Let's go
Decide which of you will hold the crossbar while the other gets off the lift: it is more convenient for the one who is on the side farthest from the turning post to do this.
Be careful when you release the bar; it may spin and hit someone while its cable is being wound into the anchorage. Clear the lift area as quickly as possible.
Adviсe
Try to find a partner with a butt as wide as yours. If you're lifting alone, or if you have to strain every muscle to stay on the lift, move the end of the bar under your outer buttock. Lean towards your partner's shoulder and ask him to do the same.
Release the bar carefully
Chair lifts
Chairlifts provide a civilized way to get up the mountain, giving you the opportunity to relax for a few minutes and admire the scenery. The chairs are usually two, three, or four-seater, attached to a cable that moves non-stop up the slope. Very comfortable, high-speed, they move quickly on the climb and slow down proactively to board skiers.
Let's sit down
Take the sticks in your hand. Position yourself so that the approaching seat is directly behind you. Some slide forward a little so that the first impact of the seat is taken by the remaining companions. Sit down as soon as the seat touches you. If you managed to avoid hitting your neighbor in the face with sticks, you sat down perfectly. Lower the safety bar as soon as the seat is clear of the platform. Try not to drop anything, and if something does fall, remember the number of the next support so you can find your way later.
After planting, hold the poles carefully.
Let's go out
When you see you approaching, open the safety bar. If you have a fanny pack or backpack, make sure it doesn't get caught on anything. Raise the ends of your skis to avoid getting caught on the approaching platform. As soon as your skis touch the snow, stand up and use your free hand to push yourself away from the seat. Roll quickly to the side to avoid being hit in the head or back by the seat.
Lean forward and push off when your skis touch the snow.
Cable cars, cable cars, etc.
To use such lifts you do not need special skills.
A common type of lift in Russia is rope tow with a hook.
A yoke is a specially shaped piece of iron that is used to hook onto a lifting rope. To this piece of iron, which is sometimes a very bizarre design, is usually attached a strong belt, at the other end of which - to facilitate lifting - there is a small crossbar, which is quite convenient to hold on to with your hands or, with experience, which can be slipped between your legs and climbed onto in tow without putting any strain on your hands. There is only one piece of advice: let someone go ahead and ask the person next to you to tell you how to properly grab the rope. Usually, not everyone succeeds at this the first time, so don’t be discouraged and try again - it will work out, and quite quickly.
This is a quick guide to using rope tows for new snowboarders. Small slopes are equipped mainly with yokes (T-bar - the name abroad), which cause fear among beginners. There are techniques that, once mastered, will help you enjoy your skiing more and limit yourself from getting into trouble on the slopes.
A rope lift is a surface lift at ski resorts. This type of lift has a steel cable raised high on a series of steel supports. A pylon with a rubber disk or rod on the base descends from the cable (T-shaped, designed to tow two people at the same time). Lifting is carried out by towing along the highway.
To climb up the slope, snowboarders grab a pole, pull it slightly, and place a disc or barbell between their legs. At the top there is a shock absorber that smoothly pulls up and tows the “rider”. Such lifts are installed on short and medium length trails.
Training slides are sometimes equipped with ropes or poles. They simply grab them with their hands, maintain balance, and go up.
The second type of ground lift is the conveyor belt or “magic carpet”. It is installed on short slopes intended for beginners or children. It stands on the ground and literally carries standing passengers. Very convenient and not dangerous.
There is also an aerial type of lifts: closed gondola type and open chairlifts. Unlike rope tows, they are more comfortable. Installed on long routes.
Why is it harder for snowboarders to climb ropes than for alpine skiers?
Amateur and professional skiing has led to the need to create devices for transporting athletes and amateurs to the peaks. Lifts were created especially for them. Snowboard enthusiasts appeared much later, they had to adapt to the existing transport installations.
The skier makes the ascent with greater comfort because he stands on both legs, holds the pole, leans slightly back, and rides. But his colleague has a more difficult time, since the board cannot go across, which would be very convenient.
The snowboarder has to climb almost sideways, attaching the yoke bar to the inner thigh. Very high tension in the muscles when lifting incorrectly can result in injury.
Only after a beginner athlete stands confidently on the board, knows how to balance, make turns and glide freely along gentle slopes, can he conquer the T-bar. These skills are mastered at training sites.
It's important to remember that making your technique automatic will lead to more fun on more challenging hills.
Exercises to help you get up on a rope tow
There are three basic rules for a confident climb:
- cling correctly;
- be able to maintain balance;
- determine the position of the stand when towing, in which it will be comfortable to stand and the load will be distributed evenly across the muscles.
Simple exercises will help you gain the skills of proper skating and using the T-bar:
1. Walking.
Execution technique: fasten the leading leg, fix the second one on the board so that it does not dangle (this is important when performing any exercise with an unfastened leg). Walk calmly and evenly, trying to look ahead of you and not at the board. On slopes, the board should be turned across and placed on an edge. The task is to learn to walk with a board and look forward.
2. Flat sliding.
This exercise will be very simple for amateurs. You will need to push off with one foot. The area for performing the exercise should be as flat as possible. Execution technique: one leg is fastened, and the second is placed after pushing off closer to the fastened one. The weight is distributed over the board. You shouldn’t put weight on the fastened leg, but most of it goes on it. The task is to slide freely on a board along a flat slope.
To do this, select a place with a slight slope, which will not have a deep depression. It is needed for a natural stop. Technique: only one leg is fastened. The movement begins from the top point, pushing off. Confident stance on the board, knees slightly bent for better shock absorption. A natural stop in a hollow. The task is to learn to stand confidently while moving.
4. Flat turn technique.
The beginning is like in the third, but with a twist. You can turn forward and backward. When turning forward, if your leading leg is left, then you turn to the right, and if your leading leg is right, then to the left. The front edge is engaged and the toes are supported, the heels do not rise. Execution technique: after attaching your legs, turn your head and shoulders in the direction of the turn. The board will turn next. You need to bring it to automaticity and only then switch to the reverse turn. The technique is the same, only the back edge is involved, the emphasis is on the heels, and the toes are raised. It is very important to remain resilient.
Read also our article about - sharpening edges, applying paraffin, sanding
Before climbing the rope rope on your own, you should pay attention to how skiers climb, namely their interaction with T-bar:
- skis are directed along the movement of the lift;
- the bar goes under the buttocks, and if the disc, then between the legs;
- With his free hand he holds onto the pylon and begins to move.
Rules for climbing a snowboard:
- unfasten one leg, which is more convenient for pushing off;
- roll up to the beginning of the climb;
- catch the pylon and hook the barbell to inner part thighs of the leading leg or disc between the legs;
- push off and place your foot on the board behind the loose fastener;
- when the movement begins, the balance is not disturbed, it is worth straightening both legs a little to distribute the load and reduce muscle tension.
If you lose balance, help with your free leg. If you fall, be sure to step aside and start over. It is important not to cling, hoping to stay on the yoke, but to free up the movement for others, otherwise this will entail a number of troubles.
At the end point, lightly pull the pylon and, freeing it from your leg, release it. It's worth moving to the side a little to make room for others.
Safety precautions: what you should absolutely not do
Attention! Do not leave both legs fastened when using the yoke. There are craftsmen who manage to cling without unfastening, but for a beginner this is very dangerous
If you fall, be sure to roll away or crawl away from the lifting line so as not to provoke a collision.
You cannot transfer the center of gravity to the barbell or yoke disc, much less sit on it. This will lead to falls and injury.
This is only a small part of the important requirements for safe skiing. A complete list of prohibited actions is available on each descent, ski resort or training center. Be sure to study them - it's important!
This video lesson very clearly shows how a snowboarder can learn to climb a rope:
Interesting too
In the third lesson of the Slenergy online ski school, you and student Ilya Kosyachenko will learn how to use the lift and make turns in the “plow”.
How to get on the lift
Stand on the launch pad facing the rise;
- hang it up ski poles on the hand that is further from the yoke, using lanyards (loops at the top of the sticks);
- look behind you to be prepared for the approaching yoke, which will push you up the slope;
- as soon as the yoke approaches you, grab its vertical part with one hand, which is closer to the yoke;
- place the yoke under your buttocks, and it will pull you up the slope.
Attention! When using a T-bar lift, it is strictly forbidden to release the yoke in front of the lift support because the yoke may catch on it and break.
How to get off the ski lift
Remove the yoke from under the buttocks;
- holding the yoke by the vertical part, take a step towards the slope, placing the ski across it;
- release the yoke;
- Place your second leg behind the first.
To immediately drive away from the lift, you can use the element from the previous lesson - from (you move diagonally along the slope in a plow stance)
Learning to turn on a slope
Turns on the slope are made by transferring your body weight and leaning your torso towards the ski on which you directed all the weight (this lean is called angulation). The turn will always be made in the direction opposite to the ski on which the body weight is transferred.
Before turning, try shifting your weight and bending in place:
Stand on a flat surface in a plow stance (if you have forgotten what this is, refer to);
- transfer your body weight to one of the skis;
- tilt your torso in the same direction;
- in this case, one hip (with this leg you press on the ski) lowers, and the opposite one rises;
- at the same time, the pelvis becomes parallel to the slope, acquiring one plane with it.
Attention: on a slope (not on a flat surface), unless your pelvis is in line with the slope, you will not be able to turn your skis.
Making a turn in a plow stance
Stand diagonally to the slope in the initial “plow” stance (ski toes together, heels apart, knees bent, back rounded, arms in front of you - read more about the “plow” stance);
- start moving in this stance diagonally towards the slope;
- while in motion, slowly straighten your knees - stand straight;
- start transferring your weight to the ski that is higher in relation to the slope (pressing it harder and harder);
- at this time, tilt your torso towards the ski on which you directed all the weight (this technique is called angulation);
- such a stance will itself push the skis to turn in the direction opposite to the leg on which the entire body weight is transferred. With its help, a turn is made.
Important! When angulating in a turn outer ski It should not be blocked on the edge, it should slide sideways. If a blockage occurs, it means you did the angulation incorrectly. If you put your ski too much on the edge, you won't be able to control your speed as the ski slides across the motion and you risk turning sharply and losing your balance or gaining too much speed in the turn.
Perform a combination of several turns
Get into a plow stance, facing downhill;
- start moving in a plow stance, then slowly straighten your knees and ankles, standing on your tiptoes inside the boot ( calf muscle at the same time touches the heel of the boot), and make your legs straight;
- begin to transfer your weight to one of the skis, leaning your body in the same direction, i.e. taking the angulation position;
- completely transfer your weight to the ski outer to the turn and perform the turn by smoothly bending your knees and ankles, maintaining angulation, thereby increasing the pressure on the lower (outer) ski;
- immediately after the turn, begin to straighten your knees and ankles, removing the angulation position, thereby gradually equalizing the weight on the skis (transferring the weight to the top ski);
- then transfer your weight completely to the ski and perform the second turn;
- continue making turns until the very end of the slope, alternating between turning skis.
Important! Watch for angulation and parallelism of the ski toe-knees-hips-shoulders-arms axes; this is the most important thing in a turn.
So, today you have learned how to use the babylift on skis and have mastered the plow turns, which are not so easy to do!
Next time we will learn how to make an entry-level carving turn.
Step-by-step lesson instructions - take pictures and take them with you to the slope!
Get up the slope using a rope tow:
- hang the poles on your hand, when the yoke approaches, grab the rubber cable with your hands and start moving up, place the yoke behind your back;
- to get off the lift, pull yourself higher along the cable with your hands, releasing the yoke and take a wide step to the side, placing the ski across the slope, release the cable and place your second foot next to the first.
Make turns on a slope:
- Practice on the spot transferring your body weight to one leg and leaning in the same direction, while one hip lowers and the opposite one rises, and the pelvis becomes parallel to the slope (this is angulation);
Perform a turn: stand diagonally to the slope in a “plow” stance and start moving, straighten your knees, transfer your weight to the lower ski, tilt your torso in the same direction and turn;
- add a second twist to this: immediately after the first twist, transfer your body weight to the other leg and lean in the other direction. It turns out a bunch of turns.
Do you want to study with an instructor in person? Call to ski school Comets 2606-380
Don’t know how to brake and control speed on skis in the “plow”? All this in the second lesson of the online ski school.
Music used in the video:
Katy Perry - The one that got away;
Propellerheads - Spybreak
It's good when a ski resort has a chairlift. All you have to do is network, relax and hold your equipment tightly so that it doesn't accidentally fly down. In fact, this happens not so rarely. Take a close look and you will probably notice here and there ski poles lying alone right under the lift.
However, at many resorts and small bases they work more often rope tows, requiring certain skills from you. It is quite difficult for beginners to master them. But, as they say, if you are afraid of the rope, don’t ride on the slopes.
How does a rope tow work?
The installation is a ring system with a tensioned cable. It is supported by supports installed approximately 2 meters apart. Motors are installed at the lower and upper points. The task of the skier or snowboarder is to grab the tow bar at the start. In theory, everything is simple, but in practice everyone falls: some at the beginning of the climb, some halfway up.
Types of rope tows
Lifts vary in the shape of the bar. There are two main types:
- Anchor (in common parlance - “mop”).
- Disc-shaped (“plate”).
There are no significant differences in practical terms, but climbing on a “mop” is a little more convenient.
How to learn to climb a rope rope
Without certain riding skills, there is no need to rush. When climbing on a rope yoke, you still have to keep your balance and watch the road. It is important for skiers to keep their feet together with their toes pointing clearly forward. Snowboarders won't be able to relax completely either. You need to be careful not to get caught on the edge and, if necessary, go around small obstacles in the form of stones or bumps.
Often snowboarders ascend with one leg strapped in. This should be yours leading leg. The one for which it is more convenient to “steer”. That is, the one that will be in front. However, first it is better to master the yoke with two legs fastened to the board; this gives at least more confidence. How can you get to the starting point in this case? See how other riders do it. Most of them jump funny. To avoid this, you can simply ask the lift operator to roll you to the desired point.
You should not reach for the yoke, otherwise you may lose your balance. Wait a couple more seconds and only grab the barbell when it is slightly closer than arm's length. Get ready to rush. It is at this moment that many lose their balance and fall. If this happens, immediately release the yoke, crawl to the side, and then return to the start. Don't hold on to the “mop” or “plate” as if your life depended on it.
A common mistake is to try to sit on a rope yoke. You shouldn't do this because it's a tug, not a seat. There is no need to pull the cable either. Just look forward and keep your balance. There is no need to strain your hands. Hold the barbell without applying unnecessary force.
Snowboarders need to shift their center of gravity slightly to their lead foot. If you load the rear, the board will begin to turn, bringing the rider closer to the snow. There is also no need to try to stand on the edge. Ideally, the board should slide smoothly on its “belly.”
