Getting on and off chairlifts - Snowboard

Tips for Getting Off The Chairlift From a Pro Snowboarder
TORAH BRIGHT is Australia’s most successful female Winter Olympian, former Olympic gold and silver medalist, two time X Games gold medalist and recipient of the Best Female Action Sports Athlete at the ESPY awards among many high level achievements. A commentator at the 2024 Aspen X- Games, Torah also spearheaded Australia’s favourite annual snowboarding event at Thredbo Resort, The Torah Bright mini-shred.
If you’re new to snowboarding, crossing over from skiing or feel unsure about getting on a chairlift on your snowboard, check out these tips below as Torah shares the methodology of perfecting the chairlift entry and exit!
- In the chairlift queue, shuffle yourself right up to the line where you get on the chair.
- When you’re standing and waiting for the chair, look over your shoulder to visually see it coming.
- Actively anticipate it coming and be ready to bend the knees softly as it comes behind you.
- Sit on the chair, shuffle back and get yourself comfy.
- As you near the top station, reposition your bum, because sometimes you’re sitting ‘square on’ so turn to the side a little.
- Lift up the bar and actively anticipate the top station.
- As your snowboard makes contact with the snow, make sure you’ve got a flat base.
- Use your hands and push yourself upwards as you bring your upper body weight over the centre of your feet.
- Get that back foot (that isn’t buckled in) positioned up firmly against your back binding.
- Knees slightly bent.
- Look where you want to go.
- Flatten the snowboard base and just ride it out!
