The Ski Lift From Hell!

[ski diva]

Sounds ominus, doesn't it?

Actually, I'm just wondering if we could list the lifts we hate the most. You know the ones: they're either too high, too windy, too out of the way, too crowded, you get the drift.

Anyone have a lift they'd like to throw bricks at?

 

[Greeley]

For me it is the A lift on Peak 9 at Brekenridge. It serves some very challenging beginner terrain... Actually that is where I broke my ankle 2 years ago. If I'm on a snowboard every lift is scary.
On skis the lifts that bother me are the ones that go down hill. There is a lift at the Canyons that goes down into a gully before it come back up on the next ridge. I think there is also a lift like this at Sundance.

 

[Jilly]

Over the years there have been many lifts that "are from hell", but most have been replaced. A couple I remember well. There was/is a lift at Val D'isere that moved you over the mountain top. So just like riding the ferris wheel. Hubby hated it. Also the peak chair at Whistler - you ride right along the avalache control bomb wires. Not exactly a pleasant ride and then the chair disappears into the rocks. Also the gondola at Courcheval. You step off onto a grid, so the snow will fall through, but you look way down. That may have changed as that was some time ago we were there. And then there is any chair that is stopped for more than 5 minutes!!!

 

[first lift last call]

Any drag lift. Especially when it stops. Or when your mate falls off just too far from the top and loses a ski and you have to ski down and sort them out. And then do the whole thing again.

That and the Borsat chair in Val d'Isere which is always mind numbingly cold.

 

[lisaski]

One lift that comes to mind is the "Little Cloud" double chair at Snowbird. For one thing, I think we're spoiled by new high-speed detachable lifts. I love fast chair lifts. The Little Cloud at Snowbird is slow and has metal slats that are freezing cold to sit on. Plus, if one of them waks you on the back of your thighs, like it did me one day, you end up with a nice ugly bruise.

 

[Quiver Queen]

Downloading @ Okemo--The platform is wet & treacherous with your snowy ski boots, the chair is so high you have to hop to get a cheek on it, all the while trying to juggle skis and poles in one hand, the lifties make no attempt to steady the chair as it comes flinging around the pulley, and the hop-on point is only six inches from the edge of the platform hanging high over rocks. You'd think the fun would be over at that point, but nooo! On the way down you're swinging in the wind, looking down the mountain that's somehow twice as steep as when you rode the lift up, you're gripping the side with all your might, you're worrying your favorite skis might end up ricocheting off the top of a pine tree, and you're swallowing furiously to prevent your stomach from expressing its displeasure. Then, just when you think you're almost to safety you realize you have to jump down off the flinging chair onto the icy lower platform on your tractionless ski boots, all the while maintaining control of all your gear with one hand. Such a hoot--I'm getting sweaty and nauseated just writing about it!

 

[Bumblebee]

The poma up to the Summit at Lake Louise. 1100m and a serious incline in places. Man do you hang on to that one !

On the plus side because it's either the poma or a LONG walk it does keep those who can't do the terrain away.

 

[ski diva]

Downloading @ Okemo--The platform is wet & treacherous with your snowy ski boots, the chair is so high you have to hop to get a cheek on it, all the while trying to juggle skis and poles in one hand, the lifties make no attempt to steady the chair as it comes flinging around the pulley, and the hop-on point is only six inches from the edge of the platform hanging high over rocks. You'd think the fun would be over at that point, but nooo! On the way down you're swinging in the wind, looking down the mountain that's somehow twice as steep as when you rode the lift up, you're gripping the side with all your might, you're worrying your favorite skis might end up ricocheting off the top of a pine tree, and you're swallowing furiously to prevent your stomach from expressing its displeasure. Then, just when you think you're almost to safety you realize you have to jump down off the flinging chair onto the icy lower platform on your tractionless ski boots, all the while maintaining control of all your gear with one hand. Such a hoot--I'm getting sweaty and nauseated just writing about it!

ROTFLMAO!!! What a great description! I agree completely! Thank God they only do that in the early early season, when and if the lower mountain isn't open. It's terrifying!

 

[abc]

In the US, it seems downloading is mostly an afterthought. Truth be told, the first time I was exposed to the CONCEPT was in Europe!

Ask 10 casual skiers, probaly 8 or 9 don't even know what the heck is "downloading" means! When the lower half of Vail was just an icy swimming pool, I was the ONLY one on that freaking chair going down. Looking below me at the sea of skiers "floating" down the the base!

 

[abc]

While I hate drag lifts, that's mostly a technique thing. Granted, drags really sucks, and long drag lift is just, well, a drag! But I don't feel so strongly about any particular one though. I do avoid resorts that has LOTS of drags...