UPDATE: Skier Dies after "Chairlift Incident" at Red Lodge (Second Lift Incident of the Day)

[Killingtime]

that is about the dumbest shit I've ever heard

Yeah, I didnt believe it either. And this came from a patroller. When I occasionally break out my board for a few laps I've never had a problem with the foot rests.

 

[abc]

When I occasionally break out my board for a few laps I've never had a problem with the foot rests.

I’m not a boarder. But I still dislike foot rests.

Not so bad to be a “problem” per se. just not a fan. So if no one else pulling the bar down, I wouldn’t be the one pulling it down. (Unless I found myself stuck in the middle of a full triple/quad)

 

[thetrailboss]

I was at Copper in February and I made sure the bar came down every time. No one complained. I rode with some patrollers who admitted it was a problem with people not using safety bars. They thought it had more to do with snowboarders not wanting the bars because the foot rest get in the way. I still think its an out west culture thing.

The irony is that I have ridden up multiple lifts where folks complain about the safety bar not having foot rests.

 

[BenedictGomez]

that is about the dumbest shit I've ever heard

Is it? While it is a cultural west/east thing, I've also noticed snowboarders act more annoyed & resistant on average to pulling the foot rest / bar down than skiers. I've always assumed it had something to do with the physics/morphology of riding a chair with a dangling snowboard. I'd be interested to see if others think the same or not.

 

[BenedictGomez]

The irony is that I have ridden up multiple lifts where folks complain about the safety bar not having foot rests.

I'm definitely a foot rest lover. Relax the feet for a spell. I'm also a trail map on bar lover, it should be a standard feature.

 

[thetrailboss]

I'm definitely a foot rest lover. Relax the feet for a spell. I'm also a trail map on bar lover, it should be a standard feature.

Yeah speaking of trail maps it appears that Snowbird is not publishing any this year.

 

[Smellytele]

Too be honest I do not use footrests for the most part. For some reason it is the one thing that really bothers my knees. Saying that having the bar down in no way makes me have to use the footrest.

 

[jimmywilson69]

My legs feel better dangling than with foot rests

 

[Vter]

I take chairs alone, no problems. I don’t look to ride up with anybody, if someone asks I say, “I smoke”, they go away…this is unless it’s a pretty girl.
If there is a line-up, Im not there, powder or not, there is always powder to be found if it’s a powder day or 2 days later.
I rather not deal with “Dr” telling me when he’s bringing the Bar Down. F that shit !
Yes, I ski with a Hat not helmet a lot.
I ride with my friends or posse or alone….never have had an issue @ 50 + years on the hill & about the bar, it comes down when it needs to be Down.

 

[kbroderick]

Are there any chairlifts in New Hampshire or Maine that don’t have a safety bar ?

I'm not aware of any. I'm fairly confident that Maine has required them to be installed on all lifts for some time, but I don't actually know that.

 

[abc]

If there is a line-up, Im not there, powder or not, there is always powder to be found if it’s a powder day or 2 days later.

I’m sure everyone is grateful that there’s one less person in the queue

 

[JimG.]

My legs feel better dangling than with foot rests

Same here...I have long legs that rarely fit under the safety bar if I try to use the footrest.

 

[AdironRider]

As a boarder, I can definitely say that some foot rests make riding a chair very uncomfortable for snowboarders, notably if they are taller. Waterville's newish six pack is a great example of this. That thing is cramped for me at 6'3" and results in me needing to bend my ankles and knees in ways they really don't want to. I think they designed that lift for people that are like 5'4". I do like how Jay Peak has their foot rests bent forward ever so slightly so a boarder can dangle comfortably while skiers can use the footrests fine. Perfect solution to the problem.

I've spent the majority of my adult life out West and tend to prefer the bar up for comfort, and up until about five years ago regularly rode lifts (Blackfoot double at Targhee pre-replacement) without a bar, so it doesn't bother me at all, but its good piece of mind (notably now as a parent) and certainly doesn't hurt in terms of pure safety.

 

[jimmywilson69]

Same here...I have long legs that rarely fit under the safety bar if I try to use the footrest.

Different problem for me, as I'm short! I just like to let my legs dangle.

 

[abc]

Same here...I have long legs that rarely fit under the safety bar if I try to use the footrest.

Different problem for me, as I'm short! I just like to let my legs dangle.

I’m not particularly tall or short. My legs should fit on the footrest. But it’s just not at a comfortable position!

I too, much prefer to let my legs dangle

 

[kingslug]

I dont like the bars that have a million down poles on them..you better be in the right position when that thing comes down.
When they put them in at Alta..oh boy....
No one likes them.

 

[thetrailboss]

I dont like the bars that have a million down poles on them..you better be in the right position when that thing comes down.
When they put them in at Alta..oh boy....
No one likes them.

They’re for keeping little kids from sliding off the chair.

 

[ThatGuy]

I don’t really care about the bar if im alone on the chair or with one other person. But if its windy or you’re in the middle it’s preferable to have it down. The footrest ones are annoying to me though, my legs are too long for it to be comfortable. Don’t know why people get angry about putting it down though thats ridiculous.

 

[kingslug]

They’re for keeping little kids from sliding off the chair.

Yet a lot of lifts dont have them.

 

[BenedictGomez]

They’re for keeping little kids from sliding off the chair.

Yeah, only time I've seen that is on beginner lifts, bunny lifts, areas where kids are likely to frequent.

That new Alta lift is a great example, and as a parent of a 5 year old (last year 4 years old when we were there) I appreciate it.