BASICS: Lift Line Etiquette, How To Not Be "That" Person

Long lift lines are a part of skiing, make it a party and spread the shred and stoke not bad vibes.

Ahh the lift line, the one place where everyone intertwines before venturing off. Whether you are a ski bum or a rookie the lift line is a universal experience. A source of stoke, excitement, frustration, and where patience can be tested. Unless you are earning your turns lift lines are a part of ski life.

Something about lift lines can make an intelligent adult revert to a clueless fish out of water. It may be the complex chairlift math: (four-seater plus six people equals confusion and a hold-up?) or how the mind-bending merging of two lines right next to each other leads into a singular line or perhaps it's as simple as just loading and getting on the chair. Whatever it is, anyone who has ever skied knows the agony of being behind "that" person in the lift line.

How does one avoid being the Jerry (or Jane in this case) in the lift line? Let's go over a few Do's and Don'ts so you can avoid being the Jerry of the Day.

No one likes "that" person in the lift line. Be sure to keep your decorum while waiting in line.

DO's:

• Do, be mindful of others around you. Standing like a lost doe and at a standstill five feet before a chair is a sure way not to make new friends.

• Do gather your crew and have everyone staged on preferences for unloading (i.e.: some boarders prefer the left/right, etc.) before entering the line. Unbuckle your boots, undo your ski poles, and prepare to load before approaching the chair.

• Do verify and count how many seats are on the specific chair and stage properly for the correct number of riders. If you have five in your crew and it's a three-seater do the math and staging prior to merging in the line.

• Do listen to resort employees who are navigating crowds and lift line control. Better line mitigation equals more riding.

• Do make sure the lift you are loading is appropriate for your riding level. Lifts often have the level of terrain listed as: Black Diamond (advanced/expert), Blue/Red Squares (intermediate), and Green Circles (beginner).

• Do have your pass/ lift ticket on your lift side away from other passes.

• Do spread the stoke and the shred! Lift lines can be a great place to make new friends and exchange intel!

Lift lines often will have the terrain rating shown to help skiers and riders navigate terrain.

DON'TS

• Don't stand or go over others' skis and boards while in line. This is a huge no-no. Not only is it incredibly rude it's also a good way to scratch up someone's gear.

• Don't try to shove your way into a grouping. If a chair seats three and you think you can move your way into a three-person grouping making it a foursome... you won't.

• Don't mindlessly wander into a chairlift line. Ensure you have a general awareness of the terrain.

• Don't fall/ski into the lift line. We've all seen Jerry of the Day (or Jane of the Day) ski out of control into a lift line, knocking signs and ropes and falling into people. While we can't say this will help you make new friends in the lift line it can possibly end with a few comments and stares...

• Don't cut the lift line. Just don't be that person. If you are waiting for the first chair on a powder day and pull up two minutes before the chairs start to load, be prepared to have a less-than-stellar welcome. You want first chair? Be prepared to wake up at zero dark thirty.

  
  

Did we miss any lift line etiquette? Tell us in the comments below.