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Main » 2009 » November » 2 » Ski Lifts
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Ski Lifts are the means of transport in Ski Resorts. Ride a Ski Lift to reach the top of the slope, then ski your way down.
Aerial Lifts and Surface Lifts are the basic forms of Ski Lifts. Get familiar with these lifts in this section:
Aerial Lifts
Aerial Lifts transport the skiers up the
hill while sitting on an open chair or gondola which is attached to a
cable. Chairlifts and aerial trams are examples of Aerial Lifts.
Technically speaking, gondolas and chairlifts are trams. Aerial trams
refer to those lifts which look like hanging buses. They are usually
built in ski parks. One of the popular trams in the US is the New York
Trams. It spans the East River and connects Manhattan and Roosevelt
Island.
While trams are designed to be closed lifts, chairlifts are designed in
which passengers sit in a chair while being transported. Chairlifts
often have fiberglass shells which can be pulled down to protect riders
from wind and snow.
Surface Lifts
Surface Lifts are lifts in which the Skis or Snowboards remain in contact with the snow. Rope tows, magic carpet, J-bars, T-bars, and poma lifts are examples of Surface Lifts.
The rope tow is the first true uphill conveyance designed
specifically for Skiing. It is powered by an engine or motor which
pulls the rope uphill. Before, rope tows used natural fiber ropes, but
now, ropes are made of synthetic fibers. Ski slopes in some small
communities are still using natural fiber ropes.
Designed for children, the magic carpet is a Surface Lift that
is also used by adults who are beginners. It is more of a conveyor belt
which moves continuously. Skiers and snowboarders would simply step on
the surface of the belt.
Created in 1940s, J-bars hang from wire ropes which are
attached to towers. Skiers use the horizontal appendage to get towed up
the hill. J-bars are rarely seen nowadays.
A T-bar comes with a T-shaped fitting at the bottom to allow two skiers
be towed side by side. More often than not, skiers riding the T-bars
would always get their boots entangled, which just adds up to the fun
of Skiing.
A poma lift is just like a T-bar or J-bar which has overhead
cables connected to towers. However, if the T-bar or J-bar pulls
passengers up by using a bar, a poma lift has a plastic disc at the
bottom which is placed between the skier’s legs. Poma lifts are known
as the first widely used detachable lifts.
There are other Ski Lifts available in different ski
resorts. Whatever type of Ski Lift there is in the ski area, make sure
to learn how to get on and off the lift. Have fun!
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