Beginners and surface lifts.

[rustypouch]

I'd like some thoughts on taking beginners on T-bars and pomas. I think that it might be a great thing for them. It seems to them learn quicker, as it gets them used to the sliding sensation without the risk of going too fast and losing control.

I ask because I instruct in the winter, and like most places, the beginner area at my home hill has a magic carpet. There are no surface lifts.

I've been introducing an out of town friend to the sport. I've been out with them three times, twice to my home area, and once to the small hill near them. The days at my home hill they did decently, going from the carpet to the beginner chair, and an easier blue.

But the third day seemed like the had a breakthrough. The one big difference I noticed was that the beginner/intermediate area at the hill we went to was accessed by a T-bar. I think the ground speed of the T-bar was faster than they were skiing before. Going up the track was a great time to discuss with them absorption and joint mobility, with instant examples and feedback.

Has anyone else noticed that beginners improve much more quickly when using surface lifts, rather than carpets or chairs?

 

[Mike King]

There are a few of us who really like platters and T-bars for beginners as they get to both ski up the hill and down. Twice as much mileage.

Mike

 

[Josh Matta]

for the right person sure....but honestly most surface lifts will wear newbs out.

 

[slowrider]

Snowboards & surface lifts are no buneo

 

[Talisman]

for the right person sure....but honestly most surface lifts will wear newbs out.

Nothing beats the palm ripping of an ice crusted rope tow for wearing out beginner skiers and also make them appreciate the luxury of a J-bar, T-bar or Poma.

 

[slowrider]

Nothing beats the palm ripping of an ice crusted rope tow for wearing out beginner skiers and also make them appreciate the luxury of a J-bar, T-bar or Poma.

Let go of the rop....to late.

 

[Mendieta]

for the right person sure....but honestly most surface lifts will wear newbs out.

THIS ^^^^^

Not just for the right person, I would add, the right surface lift. I am sure there are better and worse surface lifts. But for me, as a never ever, four years ago, it was tough. And I was physically active at the time, it was just way too much. Out of four, two of us survived the experience, meaning, we managed to spend half a day going up a crowded run and coming down the icy bunny hill, somehow stopping before crashing. The other two couldn't take it and went somewhere else with the private instructor. The magic carpet that had been a _great_ pleasure to use in the morning, was now used by a group and not available.

Anyway, as a never ever, it was the most horrible torture. The magic-carpet lift was much better. Next ski day, group lesson, we used a chair lift. The first couple times i crashed on exit because I would freak out and fall back in 2 seconds. But the instructor told me to lean forward while exiting and that was it. That afternoon I was coming down that same run on my own. I was in Heaven.

 

[Johnny V.]

for the right person sure....but honestly most surface lifts will wear newbs out.

Old people too.....................they're tough on the knees (and marriages-my wife and I CANNOT ride one together without wanting to kill each other by the end of the ride).

 

[slowrider]

Old people too.....................they're tough on the knees (and marriages-my wife and I CANNOT ride one together without wanting to kill each other by the end of the ride).

Married.....computing.....30 plus years? Ask me how I know. Congratulations

 

[KingGrump]

my wife and I CANNOT ride one together without wanting to kill each other by the end of the ride

Does that happen on chair lifts too?

 

[cantunamunch]

Does that happen on chair lifts too?

She probably just clocks him with the bar first thing -> quiet for the rest of the ride.

 

[Ken_R]

T-Bars are usually a disaster for newbies, ditto with pomas. Their first instinct is to sit instead of standing and just letting the lift pull them. The T-Bar adds the difficulty of having someone right next to them (or riding solo on one side). I have seen quite a few people eat it on surface lifts. Oh, and the T-Bar in Breck has claimed many a victim.

 

[slowrider]

And there I was....Riding up a T bar with a 6 yr old kid. Bar was on my calves.

 

[skibum4ever]

T-Bars are usually a disaster for newbies, ditto with pomas. Their first instinct is to sit instead of standing and just letting the lift pull them. The T-Bar adds the difficulty of having someone right next to them (or riding solo on one side). I have seen quite a few people eat it on surface lifts. Oh, and the T-Bar in Breck has claimed many a victim.

T-bar in Breckenridge is vicious! It seems to be very difficult to dismount.

 

[tball]

I'll just add that little kids love magic carpets. Going up is half the fun. A surface lift is kinda scary and a lot of work.

You can turn a kiddo at the right level loose on a magic carpet and they will lap it forever. I've never tried, but I don't think they would go a third as long on a surface lift.

 

[RuleMiHa]

I'm pretty sure I still have scars on my palms from where my mittens ripped through on a rope tow. Those things are vicious.

 

[Nancy Hummel]

At Breck, there is a POMA on the beginner hill at Peak 9. Yes, you do have to emphasize standing up but most people get it quickly.

It gives people the feel of sliding -keeping their skis parallel without the fear of going fast. I think it is great.

 

[Josh Matta]

relevant

 

[Ken_R]

relevant

Exhibit A

 

[Laurel Hill Crazie]

I remember my very first day on a rope tow. I kept trying to keep my balance on the haul up. It took most of the day but when I finally made it to the top, coming down seemed easy. I was a kid and had no choice but to stay. Hanging in the lodge was boring so I tried until I got it. The same happened on a platter pull, I sat back and was dragged a bit until I could release the platter but once I got the hang of it I had fun "skiing" uphill. The tracks weren't so deep that I could edge a little and make tiny turns until the lift attendant yelled at me to stay in the tracks. The thing is, I was determined to learn this sport and the lifts were a part of that process. I think surface lifts can speed the learning process for those absolutely determined but for those that are just curious but not committed it could be a deterrent.