Ski Chairlift Safety Bar: Up or Down? The Great Debate
The ski community is no stranger to passionate debates, and one question that always stirs the pot is: Should the ski chairlift safety bar be up or down? This debate naturally leads to discussions about ski lift safety bars. We recently posed this question to the followers of Unofficial Networks, and the responses were as varied Ran a lively discussion that highlighted personal preferences, safety concerns, and even a bit of humor.
The Results: A Divided Community
After tallying the responses, we found that opinions on the safety bar are split, with a slight lean toward putting it down. Mothra. Here’s how the preferences broke down:
- Safety Bar Down: 54% (65 respondents)
- Safety Bar Up: 23% (28 respondents)
- No Preference/Conditional: 23% (28 respondents)
Here’s a visual representation of the results:
Voices from the Slopes
The responses revealed a spectrum of perspectives, ranging from staunch safety advocates to those who see the bar as optional or even a nuisance. Here are some standout quotes:
- Chandler Henderson (Bar Up): “Up unless it has a foot rest… People who are scared of chairlifts should choose a different hobby like chess or bird watching.” Henderson’s playful jab and emphasis on communication highlight a common theme: courtesy matters. He adds, “I don’t care if you put the bar down as long as you say something about it. I’ve been smacked in the back of the head so many times.”
- John Bock (Bar Down): “Be responsible for yourself and lower the bar… I saw a young girl tip out of a six pack chair last winter. Luckily at only 10 feet or so. Bad, but could have been worse.” Bock’s firsthand account underscores the potential risks of not using the bar.
- Rob Ticho (Bar Down): “Always down. I’ve seen enough mechanical failures, wind issues, and general stupidity that I keep it down.” Ticho’s reasoning points to the unpredictability of chairlift incidents.
- Diana Hanks (Bar Down): “Down, I hate heights. Riding the lift is by far the scariest thing about skiing.” For some, like Hanks, the bar provides psychological comfort, especially for those with a fear of heights.
- Christian Friberg (Bar Up): “Very few of you have ever ridden a riblet double 150 feet off the ground with no bar or side rests, and it shows.” Friberg’s comment reflects a seasoned skier’s perspective, suggesting that modern safety bars are a luxury compared to older lift designs.
- Michael Finnegan (Bar Down): “In 1986, the Teller lift at Keystone Colorado experienced a catastrophic failure… 50 people being thrown from the chair, resulting in 2 deaths. Safety bars would have prevented this.” Finnegan’s sobering historical reference emphasizes the bar’s life-saving potential.
- Jasmine Rose (Bar Down): “It used to be up but now it’s always down. I go with my 3 year old son now precious wiggly cargo on board.” Rose’s shift in preference due to parenting highlights how circumstances influence decisions.
Chairlift Safety: Facts and Insights
Chairlift safety is a critical topic, and the safety bar plays a significant role. According to the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA), chairlift accidents are rare but can be serious. Between 2000 and 2020, the NSAA reported an average of 0.14 fatalities per year due to chairlift falls in the U.S., with most incidents involving human error or mechanical failure. Safety bars, while not foolproof, significantly reduce the risk of falls, especially during sudden stops or high winds.
Key safety tips for chairlift riders include:
- Always use the safety bar: As evidenced by the tragic 1986 Teller lift incident and the 2024 Keystone Ruby Express accident mentioned by Woody Speer, where a snowboarder fell 43 feet to his death, safety bars can prevent falls during unexpected events.
- Communicate with chair mates: Many respondents, like Angela Kwiatkowski (“A lady did it without warning and jammed the bar down on my knee”) and Hank Haggerty (“Just tell me if you’re pulling it down”), stressed the importance of announcing when lowering the bar to avoid injury.
- Be aware of conditions: High winds, as noted by Sean Blucher (“Winds below 50mph – up… winds above 50mph – down”), can make the bar essential for stability.
- Follow resort rules: In some states, like Vermont, as mentioned by Marty Blank and Scott Devaney, lowering the safety bar is legally required. Resorts may also have specific policies, as Daisy Mae noted: “If I don’t put it down, I lose my job.”
The NSAA also emphasizes proper loading and unloading procedures, such as sitting back fully in the chair and keeping skis or snowboards pointed forward, to minimize risks. Mechanical failures, though rare, can occur, as Pw Tw pointed out: “If you’ve never seen a mechanical failure cause a chairlift to whip, you don’t understand the risk.” Regular maintenance and inspections by resorts help mitigate these dangers.
The Cultural Divide
The debate over the safety bar isn’t just about safety—it’s also about culture and personal philosophy. Some skiers, like Wayne Phillips (“I’m super cool and the best skier on the mountain so you know what I would say”), view keeping the bar up as a badge of confidence or “gnar points,” as Alex Wanko put it. Others, like Simon Donald, who referenced strict bar-down policies in Europe and Australia, see it as a non-negotiable safety measure: “It should be a no brainer.”
Interestingly, the bar’s purpose is sometimes debated. Adrian Choate shared, “While working in Vail, risk management said to always refer to them as foot rests never a ‘safety bar.’” This suggests resorts may downplay the safety aspect to avoid implying risk, yet the bar’s protective function is undeniable.
Final Thoughts
While 54% of Unofficial Networks’ followers prefer the bar down, the 23% who favor it up and the 23% who are flexible show that there’s no universal answer. What’s clear, however, is the importance of communication and respect on the chairlift. Whether you’re a bar-up guy or a bar-down guy, announcing your intentions and considering your chair mates’ needs can make the ride smoother for everyone.
As Jennifer Matznick Gottlieb wisely noted, “Despite being too cool for the bar down, you could have a health emergency and involuntarily fall… It’s not a big deal.” So, next time you hop on a chairlift, take a moment to ask, “Bar up or down?” It might just spark a great conversation—or prevent a headache, literally and figuratively.
