Should ski areas be required to have safety bars on lifts?

[Greg]

Originally Posted by ta&idaho

Agreed. I read the same article and laughed when the author mentioned getting whacked in the head when riding chairs with Europeans. Another reason to wear a helmet, I've learned...

Ironically, I've never been whacked in the head when I didn't wear a helmet (I'm 6'1"), but have been several times since I started wearing one. That little bit of extra "height" makes me vulnerable now, I guess.

Anyway, I prefer the bar down as I often lean on it, plus I feel more comfortable with it down.

[JasonE]

I think that ski areas should definitely be required by law to have safety bars on their chair lifts, BUT that skiers not be required to use them. In other words, they have to be there for those that want them.

[MadPadraic]

Originally Posted by JasonE

I think that ski areas should definitely be required by law to have safety bars on their chair lifts, BUT that skiers not be required to use them. In other words, they have to be there for those that want them.

I don't like that solution for wide lifts 4 and 6 packs--but I hate 6 packs anyway. The problem with safety bars on lifts on the east coast is that the public is trained to put them down, which they do--like lemmings--and puts us all at risk of being blinded by a bump in the back of the head or decapitated (at least the kids) if thrown into the safety bar.

Oh, have I mentioned that the ones with footrests are really uncomfortable?

[Zand]

Originally Posted by hammer

The problem with high speed lifts and safety bars that I've seen is that the riskiest time can be when the lift suddenly slows down at the top...just when/after you've raised the bar so that you can unload.

And then you go splat into the concrete footers just before the unloading area.

Sorry if I just pained a bad mental picture.

[JasonE]

Originally Posted by MadPadraic

Oh, have I mentioned that the ones with footrests are really uncomfortable?

Some of them are, some aren't. I like the footrests on a double chair when I'm the only rider and can sit in the middle. I hate them on triple chairs. I've never been on a quad that had a footrest so I don't know about that.

It's nice to be able to put your legs up and relax for a bit, but I agree that when you're sharing a chair with other people (especially those you don't know) it can be very uncomfortable to deal with the foot rest.

[darent]

I am surprised that they aren't required for liability reasons, I don't think a law is required.Please, a little consideration if you are the one pulling the bar down, "coming down" is a easy heads up for fellow riders.

[MadPadraic]

Originally Posted by darent

I am surprised that they aren't required for liability reasons, I don't think a law is required.Please, a little consideration if you are the one pulling the bar down, "coming down" is a easy heads up for fellow riders.

Even better, those sharing a lift could check for consensus.

I know I've been a wee bit sarcastic in this thread, but in all seriousness, we should start a trend of east coast politeness in lift sharing. Majority rule? The all-veto rule? No safety bar if their are small kids? Automatic safety bar if their are medium sized kids. No smoking, No farting in Gondolas, etc.

[deadheadskier]

Originally Posted by JasonE

I think that ski areas should definitely be required by law to have safety bars on their chair lifts, BUT that skiers not be required to use them. In other words, they have to be there for those that want them.

I can go with this and that's the point of the thread. If you don't want to use one, that's fine by me, but they should be available on ALL lifts for ALL riders like myself who wish to have the bar down.

I really feel that whole uncomfortable arguement, safety bars are dangerous because they might hit your head etc arguements to be about as valid as, I shouldn't have to wear a seat belt because it's uncomfortable. Yes, I've had a bar hit me in the head, but only when I'm leaning forward to put my polls under my leg just after getting on. A simple 'coming down' solves that. There however is NO WAY a chair lift bar is going to hit you in the head if you are sitting upright unless you are seven feet tall or you are on a lift that has a SERIOUS design flaw.

I actually used to be highly against safety bars when I was in my early teens. I thought they limited my ability to jump from a chair if it was to ever fall off the cable. pretty stupid I know

I guess I've just had a few experiences in the past couple of years with a lift stopping abruptly and feeling myself slide forward too much for my liking. I saw the picture of the detachable at Alta and felt like commenting on it that I don't think it's fair for those of us who wish to have a bar down. and please, spare me the 'you don't like it, don't go there speach'

[MadPadraic]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

I guess I've just had a few experiences in the past couple of years with a lift stopping abruptly and feeling myself slide forward too much for my liking. I saw the picture of the detachable at Alta and felt like commenting on it that I don't think it's fair for those of us who wish to have a bar down. and please, spare me the 'you don't like it, don't go there speach'

I often drape an arm over the back of the lift. It makes me feel very secure. (Note I said "feel", not that I was actually safe)

[deadheadskier]

Originally Posted by MadPadraic

I often drape an arm over the back of the lift. It makes me feel very secure. (Note I said "feel", not that I was actually safe)

I've done the same on lifts where there is no safety bar.....I still feel I should be allotted the option of a bar though.