Be a smooth operator with the kids on chairlifts

Marty Basch

Skiing with your kids is one of the joys of the lifestyle. Seeing those smiles as they make those first turns and stops will have parents brimming with pride.

But often there is a fundamental of skiing that can cause some discomfort for many skiing families with beginner level kids: getting on and off the chairlift.

Being prepared will make the experience easier. William Triebal, a ski instructor at Attitash who oversees the Junior Seasonal program, the Eastern Slope Ski Club program at the resort and T.G.I.F. (Thank Goodness I’m Fifty) program, said in an email that skiing and snowboarding with kids can be intimidating.

Instructors are there to help, and the best way for kids to learn in with a lesson, he said.

He advises that adults should familiarize themselves with the lift before getting on, and if they need help, ask the lift operator.

“Have the child(ren) seated between adults; if there is one adult, have the child placed in the position closest to the lift operator,” he suggests. “That will allow the lift operator and adults to help the child(ren) if needed. Once everyone is safely seated, the adults should always pull the safety bar down. Stay safe and have fun!”

King Pine Ski School Director Chris Setchell advises parents to determine whether the child is ready to ride the lift using two criteria: First, does the terrain off the lift match the child’s skill level? Second, can the child offload successfully?

“If the child can straight run on skis down a slope — equivalent to the offload ramp — without creating a wedge, then they are ready,” he emailed. “For snowboarders, they should be able to straight run and do a J-turn one-footed.”

He suggests families, positioned outside the lift line, first watch people getting on the lift with parents

explaining the process.

When the child is ready, join the line.

“For skiers, it is best if the child does not have poles with them and, depending on the skill level of the parent and age and capability of the child, it is advisable that the parents also do not have poles with them,” he said.

“If the parents insist on poles, make sure to keep them under control. The lift attendants will appreciate it!” When you are next in line, stop at the spot indicated. When it is your turn, move forward quickly and stop at the line indicated on the ramp.

Then load accordingly. “For snowboarders, the child should be positioned on the toe side of the parent,” he said.

“We do not recommend that snowboarders take more than one child at a time. For snowboarders, the child should have their back foot out of the binding. Stomp pads help for board control while out of the binding. Snowboarders should keep their boards pointed uphill until they have cleared the loading ramp.”

If the lift is a fixed grip, parents can ask the attendant to slow it down.

Setchell says parents should lift the child onto the chair only if necessary. Then parents should put the bar down and as soon as possible.

“The child should move their back so it is right against the back of the chair,” he said. “For smaller kids, this will mean that their legs are going to be straight as their knees will not be able to flex. Avoid letting them sit on the edge of the chair. They are so small, it is easy for them to slip between the bar.”

Explain the offloading process during the ride, and wait until the last minute to raise the bar.

“I often see people raising the bar long before it is necessary,” he said.

The child should move forward to prepare to unload. Don’t lift or pull the child off the lift. Assist them to stand up and then let go of them. Don’t hold onto them down the ramp.

“The child should be able to run straight down the ramp,” he said. “In the case of skiers, they should do this without forming a wedge. If they form a wedge, it is likely that they will trip the parent or other riders on the lift and possibly cause injury to themselves or the other skiers. Skiers and snowboarders should only turn or slow down once they are clear of the ramp and other skiers/riders.”

If in doubt about the process, Setchell has one more piece of advice: “Take a lesson.”