Let me start by saying that in all my years skiing with my children (and we’re coming up on 15 years of snowy fun and togetherness), my kids never fell off a chairlift.
Yes, there were plenty of times when I was scared:
- The first lift ride with an instructor (silly me, there’s no one better to ride with kids than experienced instructors),
- The first ride with me (silly me again, lift operators will totally help a nervous mom), and
- The first time my kids rode alone with other kids (okay, for that one I was legitimately nervous).
Still, while most kids are stoked for their first chairlift ride, many parents are, like me, a little worried.
But we don’t have to be.
Talk to the Pros
No one gets on and off chairlifts with children more than ski and snowboard instructors. They do it all day long, all season long and they teach their tips to kids.
As a parent, you can reinforce these same basic tips.
Back to Back, Seat to Seat.
Little kids have short legs, so they naturally want to sit on the edge of the seat and bend their knees. Not a good idea.
Instead, make sure your child has their back to the chair back and their seat firmly in the chair seat.
When you get on the lift pull your child all the way back into the seat, or ask a lift operator to help you by pulling them into the seat from behind.
To make it really easy, get a vest with a loop you (or a liftie) can grab. Kinderlift makes a handy vest used by lots of ski schools and available to all.
Relax and Speak Up.
Even if a lift line is long, if you or your child are not ready to get on, let the chair go by.
If you’re concerned about a fast fixed-grip lift, ask the lift operator to slow it down. In the end, boarding the lift safely saves everyone time.
Be on Your Best Behavior.
Most kids love chairlifts. They are fun and exciting, perfect for telling stories, laughing at jokes, eating snacks and singing songs.
But chairlifts are not a good place to wiggle, bounce or turn around to wave at the children in the next chair.
We can’t control what our kids do when they’re riding without us. So it’s extra important to model good behavior and explain to kids why leaning way out to try and touch a lift pole (for example) is a bad idea.
Easy With The Bar.
Nothing, in my opinion, causes more confusion than trying to get a child safely on a lift at the same time as someone else is trying to lower the comfort bar.
There’s no rush. The bar is there for your comfort, not to add stress or to wallop people in the head. So take your time. Before you bring down the bar, make sure your child is safe and safe and then ask everyone else if they’re ready for the bar.
Teach your older kids to do the same. It’s always nicest to make sure everyone is ready for the bar before you bring it down.
It’s Time to Ski!
Once you’re on the lift, getting off is easy: Raise the bar when prompted by signs. Grab your ski poles in one hand and your child in the other. Stand up together by the Unload Here sign and ski away.
If someone falls (and at some time, they probably will), get the lift operator’s attention. They’ll help you get quickly, and safely, out of the way.
Enjoy!
More On Skiing Safety:
- Talk to Your Kids: Skiing Safety and Skiing Safely, January 12, 2015.
- Tips from a Pro: Ski and Snowboard Safety for Families, April 7, 2014.
- Risks, Rewards and Responsibility: The Three “R’s” of Skiing Safety, December 11, 2013.
- Ski Safety: What’s a Wide Berth, August 6, 2012.
- Ski Safety: Know the Code from A to Z, November 21, 2011.
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Cassy Campbell says
Great article, I have a short, wriggly 5 year old who is way to excited to go skiing. I would love to add a quick tip I use for really little ones. I just casually put my ski poles (grip end) over their laps and tell the little ones they are helping me hold them. Helps me feel abit better too! Thanks
braveskimom says
Fantastic real-life mom idea! Thanks Cassy!
Jodi Baglien Sparkes says
In the midwest, most of our lifts don’t have the safety bar. If the kids are not wearing a harness I can hang on to (with a white-knuckled grip); I always lay my poles over their lap and “lock” the poles in behind the side pole.
Now when we’re at the one resort with a center pole chair, I basically hug them through the pole the whole ride!
braveskimom says
Another great, “make-your-own” bar tip, PLUS, a lovely excuse for cuddles!
Scott K says
My wife and I will be taking our five-year-old boy skiing for his second time this weekend. Our home resort doesn’t have any safety bars, but we have the KinderLift vest. Thanks for another informative post!
braveskimom says
Thank you Scott for commenting! Hope you and your family have a great ski day. Those vests are pretty nifty! Saw a lifty grab the back of one today and help a ski school kid get his “back to the back!” Enjoy!