Skip to content
  • Shop
    • Snowboards
      • Men's Snowboards
      • Women's Snowboards
      • Youth Snowboards
      • Splitboards
    • Bindings
      • Men's Bindings
      • Women's Bindings
    • Apparel
      • Jackets & Sweatshirts
      • Shirts
      • Headwear
      • Outerwear
    • Accessories
      • Die-cut Stickers
      • Eyewear
      • Gift Cards
  • Company
    • History
      • Interviews
      • Timeline
    • Rewards
      • Fresh Tracks Rewards
      • See Your Rewards
    • Events
      • Demos & Events
      • Factory Tours
    • About Us
      • Contact us
      • Snowboard Team
  • Resources
    • Find A Dealer
      • US Dealers
      • International Distributors
    • Services
      • Warranty/Repair
      • Returns
      • Register Your Board
    • Learn
      • Snowboard Blog
      • How to Choose a Snowboard
      • Snowboard FAQ
      • Our Snowboard Technology
  • Log in
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
NEW!! Fresh Tracks Rewards Program. Earn Turns and Save.Learn more
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
Never Summer Snowboards Never Summer Snowboards Never Summer Snowboards Never Summer Snowboards
  • Shop
    Snowboards
    Men's Snowboards
    Women's Snowboards
    Youth Snowboards
    Splitboards
    Bindings
    Men's Bindings
    Women's Bindings
    Apparel
    Jackets & Sweatshirts
    Shirts
    Headwear
    Outerwear
    Accessories
    Die-cut Stickers
    Eyewear
    Gift Cards
  • Company
    History
    Interviews
    Timeline
    Rewards
    Fresh Tracks Rewards
    See Your Rewards
    Events
    Demos & Events
    Factory Tours
    About Us
    Contact us
    Snowboard Team
  • Resources
    Find A Dealer
    US Dealers
    International Distributors
    Services
    Warranty/Repair
    Returns
    Register Your Board
    Learn
    Snowboard Blog
    How to Choose a Snowboard
    Snowboard FAQ
    Our Snowboard Technology
Log in Search Cart
Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts
Snowboard vs Ski Lift: How to Get On and Off Safely
Oct 01, 2022

Snowboard vs Ski Lift: How to Get On and Off Safely

No matter how experienced a snowboarder you are, there is no doubt you’ve had problems with chairlifts at some point. Whether it be you had run-ins with other skiers and riders when unloading or simply falling on your own, chairlifts can be a little stressful. 

Since we can think of nothing worse than getting injured on a chairlift, Never Summer wanted to review this fundamental part of snowboarding. By practicing movements and visualizing processes, you will learn to safely get your snowboard on a ski lift. 

Why is it Hard to Get on a Ski Lift with a Snowboard? 

If you have ever ridden with skiers, you’ve probably noticed that they have a much easier time with chairlifts than snowboarders. This isn’t because skiers are better athletes, it's because chairlifts were designed specifically for skiers! 

Since skiers face straight down the mountain when skiing, have poles, are connected to skis with both feet and can snow plow, they have a much easier time with chairlifts. When you add the side-facing posture of a snowboard to a chairlift built for forward-facing skiers and you only have one foot connected to your snowboard, things can get a bit tricky. Especially on some of the steep, icy off ramps you will encounter getting off the chairlift at certain resorts.

Challenges with chairs grow even more difficult on large 6-pack lifts that are packed full on busy weekends and holidays. While many riders have certain places they like to sit on chairs for an easy exit, it doesn’t always work out that way. 

Work on Your Skating  

Since snowboarders face sideways and don’t use poles, getting around on the flat ground in a lift line can be tough. To keep moving with the crowd, you have to release your rear foot and use it to skate forward. The skating motion can be a bit awkward if you aren’t used to it. 

Because skating is also a valuable tool to keep moving in long traverses and catwalks, it's a good idea to practice before hitting the slopes. It’s also good to practice riding with only your front foot connected on a gentle slope to get used to doing this while getting off the chairlift or traveling across flat areas. Since you only have a bit of flat ground to practice skating, you can do it anywhere with snow - even in your backyard! Skateboarding or longboarding can also help with this.

Rehearse Snowboard Lift Loading  

It’s also possible to practice loading a chairlift in a snowy backyard. This time, draw a line in the snow to mimic the place where you would line up to load a chairlift. 

Remember, you must always have your front foot fastened into your bindings when loading a chair. If you attempt to load with your back foot strapped to your board, it could cause serious injury – and even pull you off the chair altogether. 

Skate forward and center your board over the line you drew in the snow. At this point, you will still be in the snowboarding stance, so you need to turn your hips and upper body to anticipate the incoming chair. After you turn, looking back to see where the chair is, be ready for the chairlift that will hit the back of your legs and while you sit down. 

Visualize Unloading from a Chairlift

While the process of unloading a chairlift is tough to recreate off the mountain, you can visualize the movements to make it easier when the time finally comes. 

When approaching the unloading area, turn your front foot so the nose of your snowboard faces forward. At this point, it's also a good idea to ask the other people on the chair which direction they will be turning. With this info, you can avoid running into someone. Take a quick look down and make sure your board or bindings aren't tangled or against other people’s equipment. Look forward to anticipate any hazards like fallen people or people standing in the way and calculate an escape route.

As the chairlift slows down for you to unload, keep your nose pointed forward and stand up with your back foot placed between the bindings or wedged against a  binding. Never Summer’s Co-Extruded polymer textured top-sheets, like our Carbonium, Hex-Tech and Tru Grit provide some grip for your back foot. Working as a or in conjunction with a stomp pad.to help control your board getting off the lift.Riding away from the chair, look directly ahead, standing flat footed and try to move in a straight line. If someone is in your way, put slight pressure on the side you want to turn away from them.  Before stopping, wait until you are far enough away from the lift to not get in anyone’s way. When you come to a stop, quickly move out of the way of other people exiting the chairlift and find a flat area that is out of the way to strap or Step On to your back binding.

Practice Riding with One Foot Strapped-In  

Since you need to unload the chairlift with only a single foot strapped in, it's a good idea to practice a little bit of riding with one foot. Again, this motion can be practiced on a slope or small hill in your backyard or neighborhood. 

With your front foot strapped in, ride down a gentle hill with your other foot resting between the two bindings. Stomp pads are especially helpful for keeping your foot on the board in these situations. 

When headed downhill, you can gently slide your toe or heel off the board to slow yourself down when your toeside or heelside turns. 

Contact Never Summer   

Additional questions about getting off a snowboard lift safely? Contact Never Summer today.

Share Share on Facebook Tweet Tweet on Twitter Pin it Pin on Pinterest

Back to Snowboarding

You may also like

View all
Winter Tailgating Tips
Dec 27, 2022
Winter Tailgating Tips
How the Never Summer Triple Camber Profile Revolutionizes Snowboarding
Dec 14, 2022
How the Never Summer Triple Camber Profile Revolutionizes Snowboarding
How to Setup Binding Angles for All-Mountain Snowboarding
Dec 02, 2022
How to Setup Binding Angles for All-Mountain Snowboarding
Invalid password
Enter

Sign up and save

Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Men's Snowboards
  • Women's Snowboards
  • Youth Snowboards
  • Splitboards
  • Apparel
  • All-Mountain
  • Freestyle
  • Powder
  • Dealer Locator
  • How to Choose a Snowboard
  • Terms of Service
  • Refund policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

CONTACT US

3838 Eudora Way
Denver, CO 80207

303.320.1813

info@neversummer.com

Never Summer Snowboards
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Meta Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Mastercard
  • Shop Pay
  • Visa

Copyright Never Summer Industries 2022 All Rights Reserved | Return Policy | Our Commitment to Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Jobs |