Lift Loading
Most lifts will have a system of ropes to keep the waiting line moving in an orderly fashion. At the end of the waiting line and prior to the loading area, each lift has a line to mark the position of the riders who will load next. As the people ahead of you are loading, it is important to pay attention and be at the line and ready to move to the loading area as soon as the previous chair is loaded. Once the previous chair has been loaded, the attendant will give a signal for the next group of riders to move forward and prepare to load.
Tip: Lifts normally run at a faster speed, but you can ask the attendant to slow the lift down to make loading easier and safer for beginning snowboarders.
Have the athlete skate forward to the line indicating where the chair will load. Make sure that his or her snowboard is pointing straight forward uphill. Have the athlete assume a relaxed stance with the knees slightly bent. Have the athlete look over his or her shoulder as the chair approaches, and sit as it reaches the loading line. Once aboard the chair, remind the athlete to keep his or her snowboard pointed forward until the chair is completely off the ground. Make sure that the athlete is seated completely on the chair with his or her back firmly against the backrest. Once the chair has left the loading area, lower the safety bar and enjoy the ride.
As the chair approaches the unloading area, raise the safety bar and prepare to unload. Remind the athlete to keep the tip of the board up and to point it straight forward. The unloading point will be marked so that you will know when to stand.
Tip: You can signal the attendant to slow the lift to make unloading safer and easier. As you approach the unloading point, have the athlete place the board onto the snow, with his or her free foot on the stomp pad, and slowly begin to stand. The momentum of the chair will push you forward and down a ramp into the unloading area. You can remind the athlete that the movement used to ride down the unloading ramp is the same movement used in skating with one foot in. Have the athlete remain in a relaxed stance and ride the board until it stops. Point out that the board can be steered, if necessary, just as it was during the skating drills. Once at the bottom of the ramp, skate to an area that is near the run that you will be using and out of the flow of traffic, and strap in.
