Summer Lift Safety
Bike Lift Tips – The Targhee Way
TIPS FOR RIDING LIFTS SAFELY
- Be familiar with the type of lift you are riding and what type of terrain it will bring you to. Ask for help if you need it.
- Avoid distractions around the lift: Do not use your smartphone or headphones.
- Before loading, remove backpacks and secure loose items.
- Before moving out to load the chair, make sure everyone in your group is ready.
- Look over your shoulder to watch the chair approach.
- Sit all the way in the chair, flush with the seat back.
- Wait until everyone is seated and slowly reach up to lower the restraint bar. Small children should not attempt to lower the bar. Adults and older kids should always help little kids lower the restraint bar.
- Be aware of your surroundings while riding the lift. If you drop something, let it fall. You can always ask Patrol or the Lift Operator at the top for help retrieving the lost item.
- As you approach the top terminal, prepare to raise the bar – but do not raise it too soon. Signs will help you know when to raise the bar.
- Unload the lift and exit the area quickly. Follow the signs and markings.
Loading the Chair Lifts
Get Ready to Load
- Organize your group – 3 bikes maximum per carrier. You may need to divide your group until you reach the top.
- Walk your bike through the maze area to the WAIT HERE line – no riding in the maze area.
- Always stay alert for moving chairs.
- If you are unfamiliar with the lift, watch other riders and ask the Lift Operator for help.
Load your bike
- Lifts at GTR use a horizontal bike tray carrier that allows riders to load their own bike.
- WAIT for a bike carrier to pass.
- Follow the bike carrier and line your bike up with the tray – single bikes use middle tray.
- Lift your front wheel into the tray, then roll your bike forward with one hand on the bars, one on the seat.
- Roll forward until the bike is secured in the tray.
Load yourself on the lift
- Once your bike is loaded, follow the bike carrier to the LOAD HERE line and load the next chair. Always ride in the next chair behind your bike – you may need to split up your group for the lift ride.
- Lower the bar and enjoy the ride
Unload
- As you approach the top, prepare to unload. Check for loose clothing or gear that could get caught on the chair.
- The Lift Operators will unload your bike for you.
- Unload the lift at the UNLOAD HERE signs and follow markings to clear away from the chair.
- Collect your bike and clear the lift area promptly.
Grand Targhee Resort is committed to educating families on the importance of chairlift safety.
The Grand Targhee Ski & Snowboard School is an excellent resource for families to learn more about safe riding techniques. Be advised that you cannot board a lift unless you have sufficient physical dexterity, ability, and knowledge to use such a lift safely, or until you have asked for and received the necessary information to load, ride, and unload the lift safely. You may not use a lift or any ski trail when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Knowing how to use a chairlift properly is a part of Your Responsibility Code.
Sliding Device and Lift Access Policy
purpose
Grand Targhee Resort permits and welcomes guests using a variety of snow sliding devices to
access lifts and lift-served terrain during the winter operating season. The parameters in this
policy define permitted types of equipment, prohibited equipment and equipment subject to
restricted use.
Minimum Requirements of all Equipment
All types of sliding equipment in use on lift-served terrain must:
- Have a method of attachment to the user to at least one foot or the lower torso.
- Be intended for the purpose of sliding on a slope.
- Be capable of being maneuvered, controlled, and used safely at all times by the user.
- Have metal edges.
- Employ the use of a retention system such as a leash, properly working brakes, or non-releasable snowboard bindings.
- Be able to safely load, ride and unload from a passenger lift and/or tramway.
Permitted devices
The following sliding devices are permitted on lift-served terrain and on lifts, provided the
minimum requirements listed above are met:
- Alpine Skis
- Snowboards
- Telemark Skis
- Sit skis and other specialized or adaptive ski equipment utilized in order to provide access to alpine recreation for individuals with disabilities (i.e. “Mono skis”, “bi skis”), subject to the provisions for safe operation set forth below.
- Snowblades
Prohibited Devices
The following sliding devices are prohibited on lift-served terrain and on lifts:
- Ski bikes and ski trikes in use by the general public (See Restricted Use section for adaptive use.)
- Snowdecks (i.e. Hovland Snowskates)
- Child carriers or carried children without permitted sliding devices.
- Nordic or cross-country skis (During early season conditions, Nordic/cross country users may be permitted to access the Nordic area via designated routes through lift-served terrain)
- Sleds, tubes, saucers, toboggans, body sleds or inflatable toys.
- Snow scooters
- Plastic snowboards
- Powder surfing snowboards without bindings
- Boot skis (i.e. Sled Dogs)
- Other devices not listed as “permitted” without permission of the Lift OperationsManager, Lift Maintenance Manager or Director of Mountain Operations.
Prohibited Devices may not be used within GTR ski area boundaries. GTR may permit users
accessing backcountry terrain through designated access gates to transport “Prohibited
Devices” to areas outside of GTR’s boundary, at its sole and absolute discretion. During
transport, the Prohibited Device must be secured to prevent runaway equipment and the user
must be able to safely load, ride and unload the lift while transporting the equipment.
Devices listed in this section may be permitted during uphill travel hours, on designated uphill
travel routes and in accordance with GTR’s Uphill Travel Policy.
Restricted Devices
The following sliding devices are permitted on lift-served terrain and on lifts in restricted use
scenarios, provided the minimum requirements listed above are met:
- Any equipment used by a person with a disability that has been designed and manufactured primarily for use by individuals with disabilities to access ski terrain. (Examples include, but are not limited to, sit skis, mono skis, bi skis, outriggers, blind bibs, etc.)
- Ski bikes and ski trikes in use by a person with a disability.
- Sliding devices in use for the purpose of participating in or facilitating resort-sponsored special events, maintenance functions, or rescue operations with authorization from the Lift Operations Manager, Lift Maintenance Manager or Director of Mountain Operations. (Examples include utility pull-sleds for transporting tools/materials and rescue equipment)
Exceptions or accommodations regarding this policy may be approved on a case-by-case basis
by the Lift Operations Manager, Lift Maintenance Manager or Director of Mountain Operations.
Grand Targhee Resort reserves the right to change or update this policy at any time for any
reason and without notice.