Ski lifts

How to ride a T-bar

Stand, don’t sit. Let the bar pull you, keep your skis in the track and let go cleanly at the top.

Steps

Riding a T-bar in four stepsFour frames: wait at the line, bar behind the thighs, ride upright, let go and move aside.

  1. Line up with your partner

    Move to the loading line side by side, skis pointing uphill. Hold both poles in your outside hand.

  2. Look back for the bar

    Turn your head towards the inside. The attendant or the lift brings the bar down between you.

  3. Let it settle behind your thighs

    Hold the centre pole with your inside hand and let the crossbar rest just below your bottom. Don’t sit down on it.

  4. Let the cord take up the pull

    The cord pulls out and the spring softens the start. Keep your legs straight but relaxed and let it move you.

  5. Ride upright in the track

    Keep your skis parallel in the track and your weight over your feet. Don’t try to steer or push.

  6. Let go at the top

    At the unloading point, one rider takes the bar from behind, both let go and the bar retracts. Ski clear of the track straight away.

Common mistakes

  • Sitting on the bar: the cord extends and you drop.
  • Leaning on your partner or crossing skis.
  • Holding on after falling: let go and get out of the track.
  • Letting the bar fly back at the top: release it smoothly.