Button lift
A button lift, often called a Poma or platter lift, is a surface lift that pulls one rider at a time. You put a small disc on the end of a pole between your legs and it tows you uphill on your skis. You lean on it lightly; you do not sit.
- 1Drive station and pole rail
- 2Haul rope
- 3Pole and disc
- 4Return station
At a glance
Typical range- Per carrier
- 1 person
- Line speed
- 2.5–4 m/s
- People per hour
- 500–900 people/hour
- Grip
- FixedOpen · Skis on: Yes
- Wind tolerance
- No published figure
- Beginner-friendly
- Manageable
How it works
On a detachable button lift the poles wait on a rail at the bottom, so no empty poles travel on the line. A release launches one pole as you step forward; its sleeve wedges onto the moving rope, and a telescopic pole with a braked spring softens the start.
Fixed-pole versions keep the poles clamped to the rope all the time and run more slowly. France counts both kinds separately.
How to ride it
Take the pole
Disc between the legs
Ride standing
Let go
- Step to the line and take the pole as it comes.
- Put the disc between your legs, pole in front of you.
- Stand upright and let it pull you, skis parallel.
- At the top, pull the disc out, let go and ski aside.
Where you’ll find it
Scandinavia
Common at smaller areas and on short practice slopes.
The Alps
Widespread, especially in France, where Pomagalski developed the system.
On PisteWindow
No resort on PisteWindow has a sourced record of this lift type yet. A missing record doesn’t mean a resort has none.
Lift types are recorded for 74 of 247 destinations so far.
History and notable examples
Jean Pomagalski patented his detachable surface lift in March 1936 and built the first one at Alpe d’Huez.
Compare with
T-bar
Two riders share one bar.
1–2 people · 2–3.5 m/s
Rope tow
You hold the rope yourself, at walking pace.
1 person
| Attribute | Button lift | T-bar | Rope tow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per carrier | 1 person | 1–2 people | 1 person |
| Line speed | 2.5–4 m/s | 2–3.5 m/s | No published figure |
| People per hour | 500–900 people/hour | 700–1,400 people/hour | No published figure |
| Grip | Fixed | Fixed | No rope grip |
| Enclosure | Open | Open | Open |
| Skis on | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Wind tolerance | No published figure | No published figure | No published figure |
| Beginner-friendly | Manageable | Manageable | Easy |
Questions
Is a button lift harder than a T-bar?
Many beginners find it easier, because you ride alone and set your own position. The start can feel quick.
Can children ride a button lift?
Usually yes, once they can stand and glide in a straight line. Rules vary by area.
Why is it called a Poma?
After Pomagalski, the French company that patented and built the first ones.
Can snowboarders use it?
Yes, with the disc behind the front thigh. Many find T-bars easier on a board.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Button lift (platter) |
| Deutsch | Tellerlift |
| Svenska | Knapplift |
| Français | Téléski à perches |
| Italiano | Skilift a piattello |
| Nederlands | Schotellift (pannenkoeklift) |
| Español | Telesquí de percha |
| Dansk | Tallerkenlift |
| Norsk bokmål | Tallerkentrekk |
Sources
- POMA · The history of POMA · Checked
- POMA · Detachable surface lift (product page) · Checked
- remontees-mecaniques.net · Le téléski à perches découplables (fonctionnement) (French) · Checked