The Lift…..

It can be a daunting challenge to the first-timer, but by following a few easy steps, and sticking to them each and every time you are on the chair, you may find that the lift is one of the best spots on the entire mountain.

Begin by deciding that you want to get on the lift.   If you have an experienced friend with you, it’s not a bad idea to go with them the first time or two.  If you don’t do not worry, you still have options.  Even in 2009, friendly people can be found on the mountain.  Look for another snowboarder and ask for their advice.  One thing I should mention here is that there is an unspoken etiquette to snowboarding.  I am not sure if kids today follow these old standards as strictly as we used too, but it’s a shame if they don’t.  One of them is to always stay humble and helpful regardless of your level of experience.  Snowboarding has its roots deeply entrenched in the belief that this is a fun sport, above all and that one not need be an asshole to be considered a true rider.  Everyone started out as a noob and remembers how hard and discouraging it can be.  If you are too shy or proud to ask a more experienced rider for assistance, you can always ask a liftie.  He or she is a rider or skier and will slow the lift down and coach you through your first ride.  Essentially, you’ll get a 30 second rundown on the following steps.

After getting in line, determine who your lift mates will be and progress through the line until you are “on deck”.  If you are riding solo, this is the time to tell the liftie that you are new. Watch the people in front of you jump onboard and depart, then step up to the plate; this area is designated by a yellow or red strip of plastic or something to show a border of sorts.  If you ride goofy, try sitting on the outside left of the lift, when facing up hill.  That way, when you dismount, you can naturally follow the line off the lift and to the left.  If you are regular, try sitting on the outside right of the lift-the same principal applies.  As the chair moves toward you, plant your butt as far back on the seat of the chair as you can and sit upright, like a soldier.  Pretend that your back is covered in glue and you are stuck to that bench.  Many of today’s lifts feature a thin bar that can be pulled down in front of the riders or skiers and can be comforting if you are new.  Personally, I find them unnerving and do not use them, but to each their own.  You may get some good natured ribbing for this, but it’s all meant in good fun.

Once you have settled in, relax, and enjoy the view. Be prepared to be lifted up 60-80 feet; you’ll really get a bird’s eye view of the area.  If you suffer from fear of heights, do not look down, just focus on the cables in front of you.  Some folks enjoy using their time on the lift to talk to their neighbors, some sit quietly listening to headphones and catching a quick bite to eat.  I have bumped into more than one individual praying or meditating on the lift; one fellow surprised me once by telling me as we disembarked from the lift from a theretofore silent ride that one day I would go to Tibet.  Another time I met a man in the late 1990’s who said that a new concept called “reality television” was threatening to kill his livelihood as a writer for NBC.  Another sat silently for a minute before busting out a joint and firing it up.  My point being, everyone just kind of goes with the flow on the lift and sometimes you even learn something or someone new.

So at this point you should be approaching the top of the hill.  As soon as you see the lifties, you’ll want to prepare for your exit.  Sit absolutely still until you are almost on top of the plate.  If you told the liftie at the bottom of the hill that you are a noob, they will communicate the number of the lift you are on to the team at the top of the hill, who will keep an eye out for you.  To dismount, shift your weight so that your predominate foot sticks out over the crest of the hill.  In one quick and fluid motion, push up from the chair, plant your back foot on your stomp pad and allow yourself to coast to the bottom of the lift area.  There are usually benches and places to tool on your equipment if need be, but we will cover that next time… 

Skate over to your drop in point, strap in and then…….  Read onto lesson five!