Riding the Chairlift

The chairlift is the scariest ten seconds of your first day. It's fine. Millions of beginners do it every weekend. Here is how it works.

Loading. Skate up to the line and wait behind the "WAIT HERE" board. When the attendant waves you forward, skate to the loading line and stop — your front foot is strapped in, your back foot is on the snow next to it. Look back over your shoulder to watch the chair come around. As it reaches the back of your legs, sit down into it. Don't jump or reach for it — just sit. Once you're on, lower the safety bar.

Riding up. Let your board dangle. Don't swing it or drag it. Point the nose straight ahead so it doesn't catch on the arriving ramp. About ten seconds before the top, raise the safety bar.

Unloading. This is where most beginners fall, and that's fine — you just stand up and get off to the side. As the chair crests the top, point the nose of your board forward, stand up with your weight over the front foot, and put the back foot on the stomp pad. Let the chair push you gently off the ramp. Ride straight down the gentle unloading slope, then turn or stop to clear the area — fast, so the next chair doesn't run into you.

Key tips

• Tell the attendant it's your first time — they'll slow the lift for you
• Never try to load with both feet strapped in
• Point the nose of your board forward during the entire ride
• Stand up as the chair starts descending the ramp, not before or after
• If you fall unloading, scoot out of the way immediately — don't sit there
• Follow the person in front of you and just copy what they do