This is a basic tutorial to riding the lift. Ideally you would learn this by taking a lesson; going with a friend or family member can be disastrous! However we recognize that sometimes taking a lesson isn’t an option, and one of the biggest challenges that completely turns people off to snowboarding can be lift riding.

Remember, everyone has embarrassing stories about loading or unloading lifts, so don’t feel like you have to get it on your first try. And if someone you’re with can’t remember ever having had a lift issue, ask them to ride the lift switch; they’ll be falling just like you.

STEP 1 - Strap In: Take time outside of the lift line to stand at a place where you can see people loading to watch the process. Lay your board down in a flat area and strap your front foot into your binding. If you’re on a hill, make sure not to let go of your board while you’re getting your foot in. Most toe-straps go over the top of your boot, but some newer bindings use “cap straps,” which are C shaped straps that go around the toe of your boot.

STEP 2 - Skate: Give yourself some time to warm up to the idea of having one foot in and one foot out. You can push with your back foot on either side your board, so use whichever feels more comfortable. When you’re ready, skate through the lift line, keeping the board’s nose (front) pointing forward. Your ankle may feel tweaked, but with time you’ll get used to it.

STEP 3 - Load Here: When the group in front of you moves to board the lift, get ready, and follow behind the chair they will be sitting on. You want to skate quickly, but carefully, as falling down here will slow down the lift. When you get to the “Load Here” line, stop skating, position your back foot along the toe edge of the board, and look back for the chair.

STEP 4 - Sit in the Chair: As the chair swings around, sit on it as you would a regular seat and keep the nose of your board pointing forward until your feet are off the ground. You do not want to catch an edge while still taking off! Once you’re board is in the air, you can let the board turn sideways, and sit all the way back in the chair.

STEP 5 - Relax and enjoy the ride: Now that you’ve made it on the lift, you get to relax for the next several minutes. Listen to some music, or chat with the other people on the lift. If there is a bar you can pull it down once you’re settled. You can catch the heel edge of your board with you back foot to take some of the pressure off your front foot and knee. Watch out for chairs with footrests built in, most were designed for skis and take a bit of finesse to comfortably hold a board.

STEP 6 - Prepare to Unload: Lift the bar if there is one and prepare to unload by sitting on the edge of the seat with your board’s nose pointed forward.

STEP 7 - Stand Up and Ride it Out: When your board is touching the snow, stand up and immediately put your back foot on your snowboard against the inside of your back binding, all while keeping the board’s nose pointed forward. This will mimic your regular snowboard stance, and even though your back foot will not be strapped in, you will still have control by actively pushing it against the inner part of the back binding. Keep most of your weight on your front foot, use your back hand to give a little push off the lift, and ride straight off and out of the lift’s unloading zone

NOTE: If you fall in the unloading zone and are not hurt, do your best to get out of the way quickly. Chances are, if you are on a beginner lift, the person behind you may be about to do what you just did, and it is unsafe for you both for you to be there. Often the lift operator will slow or stop the lift, but in case they aren’t looking, it is best you know how to look out for yourself.

STEP 8 - Glide Away: Continue to slide away from the unloading area and then glide and/or skate to a safe area to sit down and strap in.

*Bonus SBG Style Pointer: When you strap in, pull your snowpant cuffs up and away from the straps. Once your straps are tight, pull the cuffs down and over the highback. This keeps the bindings from tearing up your pants and looks better as well.