Ski lift dangers or how to survival ski lifts around the world.

OldAndy,
As I am sure, you know that I love to skiing, not only for the downhill experience, but also the "social" aspect. I learn so much.

We can learn so much about others as we watch them skiing. No need for MMPIs or inkblot personality tests to determine personality traits. Just watch skiers.
If I was an employer and wanted to select the very best 10 candidates in 100 applicants, I would take them to a ski hill and watch them learn.

In the business world this is called the "in-basket test". Survival under pressure.
The lift experience clearly projects "ones" personality.

Take a few seconds off and watch a child going down a run. That run is like his life will be soon with many challenges, struggles and rewards.

Great sport.

Were you god in a previous life Pav?

Some of the stuff you come out with is legendary! Keep it up

Want to survival a ski lift ?

Then learn to observe.

If ever you are at a new ski resort or different ski lift take the time to observe the flow of the skier traffic. Which line is best. Which line is fastest. Which line offers safety options.

Watch how attendant hands chair to skiers. Watch how skiers line up.

Watch the better skiers and how they align themselves and get ready for "take off"

Let me illustrate by a small point that most skiers never notice, yet this element is important in your safe journey up.

Watch what skiers do with poles just before getting on. You will see a varied of moves and techniques to store poles away from chair, away from other skiers.

Which is best or more effective?

Remember now,, you do not want to "spear" other skiers. You do not want to let poles fall down as you ride up.

Name me one instructor that teaches skiers what to do with poles! Yet this "technique " is crucial to a safe day skiing.


Hummmmm. I can see all the posts now.

The dual poles approach is better than,,,,,
The inside pole tuck is more effective than....
What do I do with the flying pole tip....
Can I place my pole between the attendants legs before or after sitting down?
How to avoid the pole handle push on the lift?


At the end of all this,,,,,please remind me to give you the most "original" pole position on chairlift. It is called the Sasha special.

Go ahead give us your pole technique on the chair. Then on the Poma.

(number 101 reason to wear a H, stop a brain injury following being smacked on the head with a pole!)

Iceman wrote:(number 101 reason to wear a H, stop a brain injury following being smacked on the head with a pole!)

My son (ski instructor) sits on his!

My bum is too bony for that

felthrope,


Like you my son Sasha uses this "between the legs sitting on poles " technique. I hate it since like you I do not like hard tubular surfaces on my,,,,,,.

Worst is he hangs his pack on poles. One day they will,,,,, A father must keep quiet about such things or else son will not ski with him.


One great trick I discovered skiing with Sasha is that he has a special self locked metal clamp which he has on his pack. Hangs pack on above horizontal bar as he gets dome drinks or food from pack . That is a smart move. Great for long long chair lift rides where you can take out 4 course meal and drinks.

Speaking of "surviving the lift journey" there is another skill you rarely see.

Most skiers are like sheep while waiting in line to get up. They just follow the others.

Try this to survive on a chair lift on a long cold windy snow day.

Watch where dominate wind is from. If it blows across lift line, make sure you sit downwind on chairlift so that the other skiers are in effect protecting you from wind.
Watch how Antarctic Penguins protect each other from -50 winds. They rotated and change position relative to group.

You do the same. Let the other 3 skiers get cold wind. You sit behind them. If possible pick a huge man to be beside you and hug him ( if possible).