The detachable chairlift is one of the greatest additions to the ski and snowboard industry. By allowing the chairs or cabins to detach from the main lift cable upon entrance to the top and bottom terminals, the actual ride can be a lot faster while boarding and exiting remains comfortable. But how does a detachable lift or gondola actually work?
It’s rather quite brilliant. While the chairs of a fixed-grip lift are directly attached to the cable, a detachable lift feature a spring-compressed lever. When the lever is compressed the cabin can release from the cable, allowing it to move at a different pace around the top and bottom terminal. Once the lever is released, the cabin is reattached to the cable. 3D Living Studio took a look at the function of these amazing lifts.
