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What are Some Common Ways to get up a Ski Slope?

Jeff Petersen
Jeff Petersen
Jeff Petersen
Jeff Petersen

As any downhill skier knows, in order to go down a ski slope, you have to first get to the top, or at least part of the way there. Fortunately for skiers and snowboarders, there are many different ways to go up the slope. Conventional methods of ascension include surface lifts such as the rope tow or t-bar, and aerial lifts like gondolas and various kinds of chair lifts. For those who prefer a personal lift, vehicles are also used to get to the top of the slope, particularly when speed is of the essence, or to reach remote locations.

Many beginning skiers and snowboarders took their first runs down the ski slope with the help of a rope tow or t-bar lift. These surface lifts are easy for beginners to use, and can be much safer than areal lifts. A system of motorized pulleys runs up the slope, and a rope or cable is pulled between them. As the rope loop of cable is wound between the lower and upper wheels of the lift, skiers and snowboarders are pulled along.

Skiing can be done on a hill or flat ground.
Skiing can be done on a hill or flat ground.

In the rope tow version of the lift, skiers ascend the ski slope by holding on to the rope itself, or to handles attached at even intervals. This is often used by novice skiers, since there is no hardware to injure a skier who falls on the way up the slope. A t-bar lift is a slightly more complex version of the rope tow, with the addition of a metal bar in the shape of a T attached to the cable. Two skiers or snowboarders can rest the cross bar against their backside and allow the t-bar to push them right up the slope.

Heliskiers are airlifted to remote locations by helicopter.
Heliskiers are airlifted to remote locations by helicopter.

For longer slopes, aerial lifts are generally used. One popular areal lift is the gondola. A gondola is an enclosed cabin attached to an overhead cable. Gondolas are sometimes called cable cars for this reason. The cable is strung between two or more towers, and huge motors pull the gondola cars along. Passengers board and disembark the gondola cars at stations at the bottom and top of the ski slope, and enjoy a smooth, scenic ride between stations.

Skiers must find a way transport their gear as well as themselves to the top of the ski slope.
Skiers must find a way transport their gear as well as themselves to the top of the ski slope.

For smaller groups of skiers, a chair lift is another quick method of ascension. Skiers and snowboarders wait in a line at the bottom of the ski slope for an open chair. These chairs, like small, open-air gondolas, run up the hill attached to cables. Skiers and boarders line up as the chair swings in behind them, and all sit down on the chair to ride it up the slope. Chair lifts generally hold two to four passengers, and sometimes have a movable safety bar which can be lowered during the trip up the ski slope for added safety.

A ski slope is primarily used for downhill skiing.
A ski slope is primarily used for downhill skiing.

When the ski patrol needs to get up the mountain in a hurry, or when skiers and snowboarders want to reach a remote ski slope, motor vehicles provide a good solution. Snowmobiles allow the ski patrol to quickly reach trapped or injured skiers anywhere on the slope. Helicopters can carry a number of skiers and snowboarders to remote ski slopes where they can often find undisturbed powder and breathtaking views as they descend.

Jeff Petersen
Jeff Petersen

Jeff is a freelance writer, short story author, and novelist who earned his B.A. in English/Creative Writing from Creighton University. Based in Berkeley, California, Jeff loves putting his esoteric knowledge to good use as a Sports&Hobbies contributor.

Learn more...
Jeff Petersen
Jeff Petersen

Jeff is a freelance writer, short story author, and novelist who earned his B.A. in English/Creative Writing from Creighton University. Based in Berkeley, California, Jeff loves putting his esoteric knowledge to good use as a Sports&Hobbies contributor.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Melonlity

Don't ever let someone who is afraid of heights go up in an aerial lift. The process is terrifying for both the acrophobiac (there's your 50 cent word of the day -- write it down!) and the unfortunate soul or souls trapped in a lift with them.

Oddly, the same people who are terribly afraid of heights might be fine going to the top of a ski slope and sailing down it. The solution is a good old surface lift that doesn't leave them dangling in the sky.

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    • Skiing can be done on a hill or flat ground.
      By: Silvano Rebai
      Skiing can be done on a hill or flat ground.
    • Heliskiers are airlifted to remote locations by helicopter.
      By: BSANI
      Heliskiers are airlifted to remote locations by helicopter.
    • Skiers must find a way transport their gear as well as themselves to the top of the ski slope.
      By: Andrey Kiselev
      Skiers must find a way transport their gear as well as themselves to the top of the ski slope.
    • A ski slope is primarily used for downhill skiing.
      By: yanlev
      A ski slope is primarily used for downhill skiing.
    • At resort environments, skiers typically ride up a mountain on a chairlift or gondola.
      By: rcaucino
      At resort environments, skiers typically ride up a mountain on a chairlift or gondola.