Basic Chairlift Safety
Chairlifts must meet national safety regulations at least annually and must also be subject to random unannounced state inspections. The resort personnel inspect the chairs every day, weekly, monthly and annual. During snowstorms and high winds resorts can open if safety grounds are not being considered. Other times the chair lift slows or stops for children and people who need time to get up and stay off the lift safely. Almost always lifting stops aren’t a big deal, and the car may restart after a couple of minutes but it will be restored within a few minutes of closing.
Chairlifts must meet national safety regulations at least annually and must also be subject to random unannounced state inspections. The resort personnel inspect the chairs every day, weekly, monthly and annual. During snowstorms and high winds resorts can open if safety grounds are not being considered. Other times the chair lift slows or stops for children and people who need time to get up and stay off the lift safely. Almost always lift stops aren’t a big deal, and the lift may restart after a couple of minutes but it will be restored within a few minutes of closing.
The issue is a heated one at ski resorts across North America, with frequent debates over the risks of chairlifts. On one side of the debate is The National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), the trade group for commercial ski mountains in the U.S., which says that chairlift safety is a top priority and cites statistics suggesting that chairlifts are more safe than cars. NSAA data shows that there are fewer fatalities on chairlifts than in a car or truck, and one-tenth of the annual average number of ski injuries occurs on lift chairs. The group also says that if you ride an escalator at work, more people die every year than in ski lift accidents, leading to the conclusion that riding lifts is safer than walking down stairs.
On the other side of this debate are those who do not agree with these statistics and belief systems; it’s been quoted by industry experts in USA Today as saying “Statistics don’t back up claims about safety,” said JJ Thomas, vice president of risk management services for International Risk Management Advisors Inc., which conducts safety audits for ski areas. “There are no good statistics.”
The first definitive study into the danger of chairlifts was published in May 1999, when researchers from New York’s Stony Brook University analyzed 19 years (1977 to 1995) of chair lift-related injuries at three Vermont ski areas. The results were alarming: 47 deaths, and 476 people injured on a total of 799 incidents – about 53 percent of the accidents resulted in serious injuries or death. Using data obtained from state records, the study’s authors found that the risk of injury was slightly higher than one might expect while riding an escalator at work.
“The rate of injury per passenger mile is higher for lifts than for automobiles,” Carole E. Barrington wrote in the study, published in the Journal of Trauma. “Nevertheless, it is important to note that riding lifts presents a very low risk of injury when compared with other forms of transportation.”
Overall, you are 40 times more likely to die in an auto accident than while riding a chairlift. The likelihood of being injured on a chair lift seems higher yet because most accidents take place at the start or stop of chair rides – when skiers and boarders are loading and unloading their equipment. These involve high-speed impacts where people often fall between moving chairs and end up under the chairs’ large, spinning wheels. At least one-third of injuries result from collisions between chairlifts and snowboarders or skiers who fall when their equipment malfunctions.
Some resorts have taken steps to reduce these injuries due to high impact on chairlifts: most ski lifts are now equipped with plastic bumpers that minimize contact with skis and boards—a device called “ski guards.” These barriers are designed to reduce the risk of injury as a skier falls or while boarding the lift. In some cases, ski bindings may also restrict the backswing of boot heels, which can catch on the edge of a chair during takeoff. Also, many resorts require all riders to wear helmets when riding a lift. This is especially important for beginner or novice skiers, since they are most at risk.
The fact is that skiing and snowboarding are risky sports. According to NSAA, in 2000-2001 there were about 70 fatalities on the slopes nationwide: 39 skiers, 28 snowboarders, two tobogganists (sledders), two terrain park users and one snowmobile rider. Most of the deaths occurred while using lifts; 34 happened on a lift chairlift, 14 resulted from collisions between riders or with trees and five were due to improper loading into or out of chairs. Despite these facts, it is important remember that even after taking all necessary precautions you can still have an accident while riding on a chairlift or any other form of winter transportation.
Whatever precaution you take, there is always a risk of injury. The best way to avoid problems may be to simply get off the chairlift before it stops at the top of every run—it’s estimated that more than 50 percent of injuries occur while riding up or down hills. It might seem like extra work, but walking an extra 200 feet on each mountain won’t kill you. If you can’t bring yourself to do this then just remember that your life is worth more than 30 seconds (and really not worth much without your head).
You need to do everything in your power to avoid injury and death while on ski lifts. As with most things in life, prevention is simple: don’t let people push in front of you while boarding. Make sure you are strapped into your chair and wearing a helmet before the chair starts to move up the hill. This is even more important if you are in a group with people who don’t always wear helmets or obey lift rules.
One of the most common causes of death while on ski lifts, however, is not from lack of safety precautions, but rather by an inherent weakness in human nature: impatience. Skiers jump into empty chairs when there are other riders already seated and about to depart—leaving those waiting at intermediate stations dangerously close to speeding chairlifts; another common cause of death is collisions between occupants who get caught-up trying to board while their chair has started moving off. As mentioned previously, ski resorts have taken measures to reduce injuries due to high impact on chairlifts: most ski lifts are now equipped with plastic bumpers that minimize contact with skis and boards. In some cases, ski bindings may also restrict the backswing of boot heels which can catch on the edge of a chair during takeoff. Also, many resorts require all riders to wear helmets when riding a lift. This is especially important for beginner or novice skiers, since they are most at risk.
Chairlift 101
Fixed grip lifts move slower than detachable chair lifts. Chairs were common in the 1930 and 1940s. Bubble chairs have heated seats which warm up when in the lift station base. Gondolas are removable and accommodate about six people but larger cabins 8-10 have become increasingly popular. Trams are big boxes that can hold dozens of skiers and riders. Single chair are a nod to its history and a must-ride if you ski at Mad River Glen in Vermont is a must-riding event at the resort.
Are chairlifts all the same speed?
Some lifts run harder because most riders are first time users. The slower lift makes it simpler get in and out whilst skiers and snowboarders are still learning the process. The Age of the chairlift and the Trail Rating vary depending upon the kind of chairlift.
How safe are other types of ski lifts?
Other types of lifts can be a little bit harder to handle for a beginner. They are very safe because they’re above your knees so a fall is likely not serious. Some of the people who used to ride a ski lift for fun have had no joy and have trouble.
Do chairlifts have safety bars?
In most modern chairlift systems they have bar brakes for grabbing hands and feet. Some ski lifts don’t have them so you should sit down. The bars serve as one of them for stopping the drops belo.
How do I use a chairlift?
Always start with the slowest chairlift during a resort located on the green slopes. This gives you a lot of time to do what a job involves and it helps you to learn the ropes. The first time you use a Chairlift will feel intimidating and you will learn to sit down on your skis.
What’s new in chairlifts
There are various companies manufacture and install chairlifts, gondolas and trams in North America. Detachable chair lifts are probably the best example because they significantly reduce the time skiers and riders spend in transit. Other add ons such as headrests and a safety device attached to a rearrest bar that drops downward between passengers can enhance safety. Direct drive motors eliminate the need of a gearbox thereby saving electricity and maintenance resources. Look for eight-passenger chairlifts and direct drive motors that minimize this problem. ‘needing eight seats to lift without gearbox.
Look for these lifts too
Most ski areas have a surface lift. Surface lifts date to chairlifts and are sometimes called “tows” (similar to rope tows) A circular cable loop tows skiers and snowboarders to its summit on a ski slope. A common surface lift is the Poma lifts using a disc held between the two legs to raise or down the mountain. Magic Carpet: A rubber conveyor belt, Magic Carpets are usually found on beginner slopes. Surface lifts: Surface lifts are used more frequently in higher terrains. Another lift includes a T Bar & J Bar. Other lifts also exist.
What happens if you drop a ski pole, gloves etc?
Never try to get out of an elevator when it’s small or low. Wait until you get off the top and if the item dropped immediately after it fell speak to the operator and he can broadcast from the bottom. It’s likely that they will pick it up and gave it back to somebody else as the elevator was coming into view. If that item’s out of place and you don’t ski or jump on this snow then it’s okay to go in it and ask somebody to get in it. Get away from rocks and rocky sites. Nothing beats breaking bone. Keep out of cliffs.
Can chairlifts cause vertigo?
Some people may experience panic or anxiety while lifting up a chairlift. The best thing to do is ski with someone who understands your condition use drag lifts to avoid looking at the back or under you. Do ice sports affect vertigiosis? Is vertigo serious? Please visit [link].
