PaoloSmythe

a single chair lift solution:

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sedition

There are a few problems with lifts and snowboarders. It is actually best illustrated by a single snowboarder on a lift by themself. If you add other people, the problems just get exacerbated.

Snowboards are designed to be ridden sideways, and standing up. Thus, when you sit on a lift your body ends up is in a very unnatural position; your foot is off at a weird angle (with weight attached to it), while your upper body facing forward. It forces your knee to twist in a very odd angle. The best way to deal with this is place your trailing foot under your board to use it support. This does two things. First, it reduces the weight/stress on your front foot. Second, it places body in a more natural position with both feet facing forward, like a skier would be. Putting your board on a footrest only eliminates one of these problems; the weight issue. Despite this, your knee is still twisted unnatrually, but the stress isn't as bad because of the weight has been reduced.

The real problem comes in when you have other people on the lift. Using your trailing foot as a support puts your board at a 90 degree angle. You can't do this when the lift is full because you will hit other people's boards or skis. If you have two or more snowboards with opposite stances, things get even more kooky.

How to solve these problems? No idea.

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Snowjoe

Honestly I never have a problem on the lifts and ride with 4 boarders on the lift most of the time. The best way to go about it is to simply arrange it so all the goofy riders are on the left and the regs are on the right, keeps the boards pointing in the right direction.

PaoloSmythe

same here. for sure they aren't perfect.... but metal up people!

having said that.... the modern 6 man chairs which i have ridden in france and austria over the last 2 or 3 years have been fekking awesome!

with 3 to 4 people there is plenty of width space, the seats are proper plush puffa type padded AND HEATED, and all have a tinted wind shield which can be pulled down.

many with the magic carpet loading section means no hassle getting on, or thwack to the back of the legs...

and dismounting is fine if the lifty works to keep a good off loading ramp and makes sure people move off quickly....

the worst thing is sitting on one arse cheek for a few moments before pushing off.

but even with that said, i have fallen asleep on the old creaky chairs before and so.... meh. i answered your Qs tho OP.

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phrakis

Here's my solution. Phrakis - A snowboard boot support. I hated the problem so I patented a $6snowboarding accessory that helps support the weight of a board on a chairlift. It is called the Phrakis and it is a small shelf that gets mounted to the heel of your boot. While riding on the lift, you can easily rest the board on your heel and avoid the hastle of flipping the board up to your toe. I would greatly appreciate any feedback and if anyone is interested in trying it out, email me at djsmith@phrakis.com and I'll send you a coupon for 50% off.

legallyillegal

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falconis

you always have to turn , and sit on 1 cheek of your ass on a chairlift,
hate it...
the most comy is a gondola , and als the t-bars hate like hell
is you put them between your legs (also like the little stoollift)
carpets are good but they go way to slow

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alasdairm

yep. chairlifts are perfect and nobody should even think about how the experience might be improved as it's a waste of time...

:\

alasdair

thenightmare

i would hate for someone to try to fix something that we've already been dealing with for years and make it worse. i dont think i would mess with it

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alasdairm

^ i would hate that too.

i would love for somebody to do some outside the box thinking and make something i'm already familair with even better...

alasdair