When skiing at alpine ski resorts, riding a ski lift is an essential experience for every skiing enthusiast.

Ski resort lifts are mainly divided into two types: enclosed and open. When using an enclosed lift, you need to detach your skis from your boots and bundle the skis and poles together with an elastic strap to carry them, in order to avoid leaving any equipment on the lift when disembarking.

In most ski resorts in China, the lifts are of the open type, categorized as seated or towed. When using these lifts, they do not stop during boarding or disembarking, meaning skiers must get on and off while the lift is in motion.

When using a seated lift, first ensure all ski bindings are securely fastened. Then, loop the straps of your ski poles around your wrists, and move your skis parallel to the lift’s loading area, standing facing the direction of the lift’s movement.

Gently lower the safety bar of the lift chair, and place your skis on the footrests of the chair.

Note: Do not hang your skis directly under the seat, as they may fall off if the bindings are not properly locked. Also, never hold your ski poles in your hands without strapping them; they can easily slip out. Beginners often make these mistakes.

When the lift is about 10 meters from the unloading point, lift your skis off the chair’s footrests, open the safety bar, and slightly shift your body forward so that your skis are level with the ground. Grip your ski poles firmly with both hands and lift them upward. Note: Your ski poles must not touch the ground to avoid breaking them while the lift is moving.

Once your skis touch the snow surface, slightly lift your hips, plant your feet firmly on the snow, and push back with your poles to glide away safely. Note: After separating from the chair, you must push off with your poles to start moving forward. If you remain stationary, the moving chair may knock you down. After leaving the lift, glide forward quickly to clear the unloading area for others and avoid collisions.

Towed lifts are suitable for gentle slopes and shorter ski runs. When using this type of lift, you remain on the ground while being pulled uphill by a towing device. There are two types of towing devices: waist-harness and thigh-grip. The waist-harness type has a crossbar on the cable that secures around your waist and pulls you uphill. The thigh-grip type involves clipping a small disc between your legs, which connects via a sleeve to the towing cable and pulls you up. When using a towed lift, wear all your skiing gear, keep your skis parallel, and stand facing the direction of the lift’s movement. When the towing device arrives, secure it around your waist with your hands or clip it between your thighs, then allow it to pull you uphill along the cable. Upon reaching the unloading point, release the device, push off with your ski poles, and glide forward to exit the lift. Note: As long as your skis remain parallel during the ride, you will reach your destination safely. After releasing the device, glide forward promptly to avoid colliding with others behind you.