T-bars and button lifts (also called Poma or drag lifts) pull you up the hill with your board on the snow. They are common on beginner slopes and glaciers, and they scare new snowboarders more than they should. The whole thing comes down to two ideas: take your time at the start, and stand with your weight on both feet.
Getting ready. Unstrap your back foot, like on the chairlift. Point the board straight up the lift track and rest your back foot on the board, right next to the binding. Stand tall in your basic position and look up the hill, not at your feet.
The start. Grab the bar or button with your back hand and tuck it between your legs, against your front thigh. Hold the pole with your front hand as high up as you can. The cable unwinds for a second before it pulls, so there is no rush. When it catches, the jerk is the roughest part of the ride. Pull yourself up the pole a little to soften it and keep your weight even on both feet.
The ride. Once you are moving it gets easy. Stand relaxed, let the board run flat in the track and let the lift do the work. Don't sit on the button or lean on the T-bar, it is not a seat and it will drop you.
Getting off. At the top, pull the button out from between your legs with your back hand, let go, and glide off to the side straight away so the next rider has room.
Watch the full walkthrough here:
Video by NOBO
Key tips
- Take your time grabbing the bar. Rushing it is the number one reason people fall at the start
- Weight on both feet. Leaning back drops you on your butt when the lift starts, leaning forward drops you on your face
- Front hand high on the pole gives you more leverage for the pull
- Never sit on it. Stand and let it drag you
- If you fall, get up and step out of the track as fast as you can, then walk back and try again
- Look ahead up the track, not down at the board