J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by pavelski

Amazing .

Is this a ski lift ?

Wonder what happens in snow storm ?

As far as Poma speed,,,,they can go much faster but then falls increase.

In one ski area near my house they have a fast fast small T bar with a wire which is like a rocket.
Grab T bar,,,count to 5 as wire unravels and take-off !

Never go on with a child since T bar goes to your thighs and chances you will bail out! Too fast for children. Too steep for most skiers!

The fastest lift I ever took was on a portable gas driven motor based T bar for racers. This lift would be moved about every two three days on steep steep terrain for racers that were practicing ( for next season.) A ski company had flown in this unit since the local lift was too slow and terrain not steep enough for SL gates.
Amazing sensation going up so fast!

SwingBeep was kind enough to send me a site which shows a Poma in France. After viewing the great pictures, I discovered a technique which I had long forgotten .

http://www.remontees-mecaniques.net/bdd/reportage-2669.html

On one of the pictures of skiers going up a steep slope on a Poma, you have a skier ( expert ) who has placed his poles across plastic disc in order to create a greater pressure surface ! It makes it so much easier to get to top.

Trouble with this technique is you must be really good since any shift of weigh and poles fall down.

Look at pictures and you will appreciate competence level of skier.

Thanks SwingBeep.

SwingBeep,
Have tried the pictured lift in Slovakia Tatras ! Side mount. Standing alone. Worst,,no rope, chain, bar across "entrance" so if by chance you lean out,,,,,

Well as long as you are wearing helmet,,,,,,,

Would love to know how many falls out of lift in a season,,,,seems it is a state secret.

Keep up the search for strange unique lifts.

My most unique lift was on a Lama. Has any one tried camels or Yaks?

There seems to be more and more variety of lifts around the world.

I have noticed also that some countries now have a "rolling plastic yellow carpet" before chair lift and under lift.

New skiers are fascinated by this carpet and often fall down.

I am sure you are wondering what the function of this carpet is?

There are a series of "gates" which open and close in accordance to chair lift position. ( often not timed correctly).

When the gates open,,skiers are supposed to move forward unto moving carpet which is supposed to bring skiers to correct "take off" position. The carpet aligns skier with attendant, chairlift and take off point.

I hope you noticed the term, "supposed".

You all know the KISS principle. ( KEEP IT SIMPLE Silly )
You all know that if you introduce anything mechanical it will break down.

Well such is the case of the rolling plastic carpet on ski lift.

Seen more serious accidents there than on ski runs. Will try to get videos next year for your summer entertainment.

Just be careful of the rolling yellow plastic carpet.

Want to survival a ski lift ?

Then learn to observe.

If ever you are at a new ski resort or different ski lift take the time to observe the flow of the skier traffic. Which line is best. Which line is fastest. Which line offers safety options.

Watch how attendant hands chair to skiers. Watch how skiers line up.

Watch the better skiers and how they align themselves and get ready for "take off"

Let me illustrate by a small point that most skiers never notice, yet this element is important in your safe journey up.

Watch what skiers do with poles just before getting on. You will see a varied of moves and techniques to store poles away from chair, away from other skiers.

Which is best or more effective?

Remember now,, you do not want to "spear" other skiers. You do not want to let poles fall down as you ride up.

Name me one instructor that teaches skiers what to do with poles! Yet this "technique " is crucial to a safe day skiing.


Hummmmm. I can see all the posts now.

The dual poles approach is better than,,,,,
The inside pole tuck is more effective than....
What do I do with the flying pole tip....
Can I place my pole between the attendants legs before or after sitting down?
How to avoid the pole handle push on the lift?


At the end of all this,,,,,please remind me to give you the most "original" pole position on chairlift. It is called the Sasha special.

Go ahead give us your pole technique on the chair. Then on the Poma.

OldAndy,
As I am sure, you know that I love to skiing, not only for the downhill experience, but also the "social" aspect. I learn so much.

We can learn so much about others as we watch them skiing. No need for MMPIs or inkblot personality tests to determine personality traits. Just watch skiers.
If I was an employer and wanted to select the very best 10 candidates in 100 applicants, I would take them to a ski hill and watch them learn.

In the business world this is called the "in-basket test". Survival under pressure.
The lift experience clearly projects "ones" personality.

Take a few seconds off and watch a child going down a run. That run is like his life will be soon with many challenges, struggles and rewards.

Great sport.

Identified another problem more severe than "friend ski flapping" in the summer.

You know the ones that talk about skiing while you are trying to survive the summer.

The new problem I identified,,,,(since it just happened to me) is the "casual visit" or visits from friends/clients who want you to talk about planned ski trips to,,,,.

They want to be first on list.

How do you stop this?

A "NO SKI " sign?

A change of address?

Mention that you had an operation so can not speak?

Plead momentary,,,amnesia.

Please help me everyone.

Another cause for lift dangers is the skier maze issue.

Allow me to set scene.

Great sunny day. All is going well. the as you get to top,,,,skiers all herding at very dismount zone,,chatting, taking pictures, bending over buckling boots, boards etc,,,.

Not aware that up coming skiers have no room to get off and ski away.

I blame more the ski support staff who stay in hut or who just look down rather than at crowd.


Solution to this?

As you get off chair, wave arms about, lean back and forth as a rank beginner. cross skis twice and looked terrified as you barrel into crowd. Mysteriously they will all scatter like a flock of bird in a pond.

A path is created.

Disaster is avoided.