Ski lifts are a pretty unavoidable part of skiing, unless you stick to the backcountry or touring up the slopes. But even when they’ve ridden the lifts thousands of times in their lives, some people just don’t seem to understand the basic unwritten rules that come with the chairs. Form lowering the safety bar to keeping your equipment under control, there are plenty of things you can do to make the ride more enjoyable for everyone.
We recently asked Unofficial Networks Facebook followers to share the biggest unwritten rules of riding a chairlift. The hundreds of responses highlighted some pretty familiar frustrations, and we’ve compiled a list of the most important unwritten rules based on the comments. These are five of the biggest unwritten rules of ski lifts, according to skiers and snowboarders.
1. Give Everyone a Warning Before Lowering the Safety Bar
The number one rule that popped up in the comments was to communicate before lowering the safety bar. This can be a bit of a cultural thing, with many Europeans throwing the bar down practically as soon as they’re seated. But here in North America most people want some sort of a warning before the bar is pulled down.
A sudden bar drop can catch passengers off guard, especially taller riders who need to make sure their head is out of the way (most of my helmets have been retired because of hits from the bar, not falls).
No reasonable adult will be upset if you want to put the bar down, but they might be upset if you slam them in the head without a warning (if you warn them and they still don’t move, maybe because they’re listening to music, that’s on them).
2. Keep Your Music to Yourself
Bluetooth speakers were, pretty unsurprisingly, another major source of frustration. Chairlift rides should not include someone else’s music playing at full volume. If you want to listen to music while on the llift, use headphones.
The same applies to phone calls. One commenter specifically called out the people who use speakerphone while riding with strangers. The chairlift is a great opportunity to enjoy mountain views and fresh air, and not everyone wants a soundtrack accompanying the ride.
3. Fill Every Available Seat
When lift lines begin building, empty seats can slow things down for everyone waiting below. Skiers and snowboarders should always try to fill available seats rather than leaving open spots on a chair.
Groups should also be prepared before reaching the loading area. If everyone in your party is not ready, step aside when appropriate rather than holding up other riders.
4. Keep Your Skis, Snowboard, and Poles Under Control
Sharing a chairlift means sharing limited space, and careless equipment handling can quickly become irritating. Keep ski poles away from fellow passengers, avoid kicking or knocking other people’s skis, and don’t swing your legs or bounce the chair.
Some people didn’t appreciate having snow dropped on them from above, too, but others joked about intentionally knocking snow onto unsuspecting skiers. Whatever the case, keeping your equipment under control is a pretty basic courtesy that makes the experience better for everyone.
5. Be Considerate of the People Riding With You
The final rule is just to follow common courtesy. Say hi to fellow skiers on the lift, make conversation when appropriate, and avoid making other people uncomfortable.
Be mindful of children and families sharing the chair. Smoking, vaping, drinking, or playing music around other passengers isn’t a great idea in general, but it’s especially bad when you’re riding with a young child.
Not every chairlift needs to be a full conversation, but it’s important to be respectful of the people sitting beside you.