Yeh, that is a really good one.  Expect to fall a LOT, especially during your first season.  Well, it is more like 'plopping over' than actaully wiping out, although people DO get hurt ALL THE TIME getting off the chair.  A lot depends on the type of chair lift you are on.  Actually the newer style 'high speed' lifts are easier than the old-fashioned 'double chairs'; however I can tell you a few tips that will help you along.

Advice on dismounting the chairlift for snowboarders:

- Check that you have your lift pass and that it is secure.

- Check that you have your leash on your front binding/boot.

- You should be in 'skating mode' = front foot strapped in and back foot free.

- Prepare ahead for the dismount.  As you approach the next to last lift tower, check that you have all your stuff secured (goggles, gloves, MP3 player, etc..)  Also check that you have no loose clothing hanging down (scarves, jacket zippers, bungees, etc..) that could get caught up on the chair.

- Turn your snowboard so that it is aiming nose forward.  You may have to sit slightly sideways, it's cool.

- Have your back foot ready so that you can stand up securely with the foot between the bindings, flush up against the back binding is preferable).

- When the board touches down, keep it aimed straight ahead.  Run flat and do not tip up on edge right away.

- Stand up TALL.  Don't slouch.

- Ride straight ahead.  Look straight ahead to a target in the distance to help.

- If you can, fade a turn eventually to the side.

- If you wipe out, move to the side right away to prevent traffic pile-ups.


I hope these tips help you out.  Reply with anything else you can think of that might help others and let us know how it goes


Ride on,
Frosty Rider

Yeh, use your back hand to push yourself away from the chair, but don't hang on to the chair!

this is going to be my 1st season an i have heard that it is really hard to get off the chair lift and i was wondering how you do that

That's one reason I go backcountry boarding, no lifts.  We ride snowmobiles up the hill, and ride down........don't hafta worry about lifts that way................no warming hut either, or hot cocoa.....

the only other thing i'd say is lean back on the way up.
NOT FORWARD

As far as leaning goes, you really do not want to think about it as leaning, rather staying CENTERED.  For example, of the exit ramp is pretty flat, then stay cantered by standing straight up and keeping your weight equal on both feet.   If the ramp is steep, stay centered by moving your weight sown the slope with the grade of the embankment.  Standing straight up on a significant downhill incline allows the board to slide out from under you to the front essentially shifting your weight too far back.

Stay centered Daniel-San.

is there a specific reason your back foot is unstrapped? i dont see how this would make it easier, or harder if it was strapped.. keep in mind though i have never done it too.. im just thinking out the concept

Ya you need that unstrapped foot to push your self around right before and after the ride up.