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Ski Lift Operations Guide
Your Introduction to Ski Lifts
and to Ski Lift Operations 18 Edition Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434
Have a Terrific Season, and Enjoy Working with the Lifts and with our Customers - who are here to have a Great Time (with your friendly help)!
Call Mountain Management Services, LLC at 651-484-6434 to order copies of this text, edition 18.1, for your own training. If you want to email us, we're at [email protected] ... and thanks! Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434
CHAPTER 1 – WORKING WITH ACTIVE PEOPLE USING LIFTS
THE MOUNTAIN MANAGEMENT SKI LIFT OPERATIONS GUIDE
AT YOUR LIFT—YOU etting on or getting off of a piece of moving machinery can have its REPRESENT G difficult moments, and it has risks as well. US ALL People who use the lifts actually load, ride and unload themselves. - BE A Lift attendants, like us, monitor this process and advise and help when we can. Of course, there are other things that we also do. FRIENDLY This job is going to be full of new people and new activities. There is new HOST AND equipment, and lots to learn. We hope you find this job exciting and fun. HELPFUL You’ll learn that it’s the people -- both your lift users, and your lift’s team, that make this job special. TO OUR Your friendly attitude and smiles can help people enjoy each lift ride GUESTS and today’s adventures. Be a friendly host. Be Aware, Be Careful!
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Q: Who Will You Be Working With? 1) assisting people using the lift; A: Our LIFT OPERATIONS TEAM 2) slowing the lift; 3) stopping the lift; … including: 4) continuing operation and observation. The Lift Supervisor — who oversees one or more lifts, and our operating practices and people, when the to deny access to the aerial lift to any person, lifts are used by the public. using the procedures we provide you; Each lift has a Lift Operator — An operator to advise the operator or supervisor of abnormal or unusual conditions that you note and that may is in charge of each lift’s operation. The operator is trained in operational, and emergency procedures. adversely affect the safety of the lift’s operation; A person may serve both as an operator and as an to advise and assist passengers with adaptive attendant at the same time, if authorized. equipment; to reasonably maintain the lift’s loading and Lift Attendants Like You — who are assigned to unloading areas; to know how to report incidents, to get first aid various duties, as directed. help, and to assist in evacuation of the lift, as You’ll be a busy lift attendant— Here are some of needed. the things you’ll need to know how to do: And perhaps more—things like ticket checking; to know about our operational, emergency and loss assisting the maintenance people; snow work; and of equipment control procedures; and the related whatever your lift may need. equipment needed to perform your duties; As you read through this text you will find more specific to monitor the passengers’ use of the lift; including information about lift operations and your duties. observing, advising and assisting them while they Lift people may routinely exchange assignments, as are in your work area as they get on or off the lift. directed by the supervisor; provided they are trained for to respond to unusual happenings or conditions — each assignment undertaken. by choosing an appropriate action, which may include any of the following:
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CHAPTER 2 – LEARNING ABOUT LIFTS MOVING PEOPLE
THE MOUNTAIN MANAGEMENT SKI LIFT OPERATIONS GUIDE
This text mostly covers chairlifts used for skiing and snowboarding — because they are a very common type of lift at ski areas in North America. No matter what kinds of lifts or tows you work on, the principles are similar - just the specifics of the lift type and its use and installation differ … so ask your supervisor for instructions for the lifts you will operate.
On aerial lifts, like chairlifts the people board at a loading area, sit down on the chair seat. On others they go into a cabin. They all travel up in the air above the ground to the unloading area. Attendants may advise and assist as needs are observed.
Tows move people on a track or path in the snow - while they stand on skis or snowboards and hold onto the rope or a handle. Handle tows are also used at some areas to bring snow tubers up the hill while riding on their snow tubes. Attendants may advise and assist as needs are noted.
The BASE TERMINAL of a chairlift includes the Conveyor lifts are used by people steel structure that supports the big BULLWHEEL and (most often beginning skiers and the GUIDE SHEAVE WHEELS and the Wire Haul Rope snowboarders, and by snowtubers) as it moves to and from the Bullwheel. Together the as they stand on the lift’s moving Sheave Wheels hold, support and move the HAUL beltway, which takes them up the hill. ROPE AND CHAIRS using the motor driven machinery Attendants may advise and assist in the motor room. (The motor room can be at either as needs are observed. end of the lift).
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 The CHAIRS attach to the HAULROPE with GRIPS. As the The lift users first come to the CORRAL or gathering motor and gearbox turn the BULLWHEEL, it moves the area, where they wait for their turns to board the lift. haulrope and chairs around the lift system from end to end in a continuous loop. We want people to read the signs as they prepare to load. Then at the end of the corral, there is a The loading terminal areas includes the places where designated ‘WAIT HERE’ sign, and a spot to people wait—the CORRAL; and where they load—the stop and look for chairs coming around the LOADING PLATFORM; and where attendants work. bullwheel; and for other problems—before Loading platforms are designed to be generally crossing onto the loading platform … following flat, and about as far below the chairseats as the floor is right after a chair passes—to have time to get from many kitchen chairs. Your supervisor can into position. show you how to find and maintain an appropriate People move ahead from the ‘WAIT height between the chairseat and the snow HERE’ sign, onto the LOADING surface at your lifts. PLATFORM, to the ‘LOAD HERE‘ marker and sign as they wait for their chair to approach from the rear. (see page 12) At the LOAD HERE spot, lift users should try to line up evenly with their boots in-line with the marker. Generally, it works well when they turn back to watch the chair approach behind them. Ski poles and other articles should have been transferred to a free hand, and the people on the outsides of the waiting group can grasp the outside of the chair, and people in the middle can grasp the chair. Wearing backpacks is often discouraged. When a chair comes along behind the waiting people, they sit down on it, sit back, and sit still on the chairseat as they go up the liftline until they reach the unload platform and ramp.
Monitoring, Advising, and Responding to guests needs as they load onto the lift And the chairs keep coming — another chair involves more than you might think … comes about every 6 or 7 seconds
Although we watch, advise, and may assist or respond to problems, lift users are responsible to load The lift loading area surfaces need to be themselves on to the chairseats: generally smooth and flat. Create this by smoothing or by shoveling or by adding snow if needed—before They move onto the LOAD HERE position on the people arrive, if you can. Smooth the snow with your loading platform, shovel, a rake, or a broom. Throughout the day people On some chairlifts we may be able to hesitate the might add more snow from their skis or snowboards; chair arm or bail just long enough to slightly slow its or they may wear it away as the snow melts from friction forward momentum … for a smoother load. and warming temperatures. It’s hard to do very much platform and ramp snow work when it is busy, but try to As the chair comes up behind them, people sit back do a little shovel work when you get a break in the flow on the chair until they reach the unloading spot and of people using the lift. then get off. While riding, people should sit back as far as possible to help stay in place.
Before opening for guests, the lift gets a pre-operational If the chair has a restraining bar, users can lower it inspection, snow is shoveled, and the areas are set-up. until the chair approaches the unloading area.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Watch for problems in your work area and As the powered bullwheel at the drive terminal turns, respond when you see them: it moves the HAULROPE and chairs around the lift system. by assisting people; When a lift attendant stops the lift with the Normal or by slowing, or stopping the lift; Stop control, the motor is turned off and the lift glides or by continuing operation and observation. to a quick controlled stop, as the service brake applies to hold the lift and its load.
When you STOP the lift, USE THE NORMAL STOP control. Between the terminals there are Lift Towers with When stopped, the lift will decelerate to a groups of Sheave Wheels supporting the haul rope and quick stop over a distance. It doesn’t stop instantly. guiding it along its path up and down the hill. Each Then help people if they need it, and have the tower sheave assembly Operator restart the lift as soon as it is reasonable – has a ‘deropement switch’ but always communicate with other station(s) first to designed to stop the lift be sure that they are clear. This standard procedure, if the haul rope leaves its is done BEFORE EACH CHAIRLIFT START. normal grooved path in the sheave wheels’ rubber Only use the Emergency Shutdown control when the liners. Normal Stop doesn’t work and you “Lose Control” of the lift—a rollback of the haulrope and chairs. The As you ride the lift, look up and watch for sheave sooner you use the Emergency Shutdown, the more wheels where the haul rope may not be riding in the effective it can be! center of the groove … and listen for unusual sounds. Report any unusual situations to your supervisor or lift maintenance. As the haul rope Power to move the lift’s haul rope and chairs and the moves along the lift people on them comes from the lift’s drive system in line—over and under the motor room. It generally houses the electric groups of sheave MOTOR, an AUXILIARY gas or diesel backup ENGINE, wheels at the towers, it brings the chairs along with it. BRAKES and a GEARBOX to transfer the turning movement to the Bullwheel. There should also be a fire extinguisher—because fires are always a possibility. The motor room can be at either end of the lift, partly depending on the power supply.
At the lift’s normal operating speed, the grips and chairs are spaced far enough apart so most people can load and unload easily about every 6 to 7 seconds.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 On a Fixed Grip chairlift the grips stay attached to the haul rope all along the chairlift path. Loading onto, riding and unloading from a chairlift seat can each have issues— and this Guide discusses some of them in Chapter 3. Once loaded, people should usually simply sit still and On Detachable Grip chairlifts the grips sit back against the chairseat back until they reach the come off the haul rope in the terminals unloading area—where they scoot forward off the seat where they slowly go through it on rails at the ‘Unload Here’ sign, located at the spot where the before speeding up and reattaching to UNLOAD PLATFORM meets the UNLOAD RAMP. the haul rope and heading around the lift system. Detachable grip chairs or cabins generally travel through terminals more slowly than the haul rope— giving lift riders extra time to load and unload.
Each chairlift chair can hold from two to eight or more people. A chair has a framework suspending it from the grip. The chair has either an outside frame (called a bail) that attaches to the outsides of the chair; or on some older chairs, a centerpole that suspends the chair from the grip. Many chairs are equipped with restraining bars … and some even have footrests, which the lift riders can pull down after they are in the chairseat, and raise as the chair approaches the unloading area. Swinging the chair, or very uneven loading, can be an invitation for a problem. If the chair swings outside its normal range, it may not be lined up to approach and pass through the tower sheave assemblies or the terminal. Then it may get caught, separate from the haul rope, and fall off the rope.
Besides the structures that hold up the bullwheel and other lift components, the Unloading Terminal Station Area has four main sections: the Approach, the Unload Platform, the Unloading Ramp and the Runout Area
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 is the snow covered area beyond the Unload Ramp. When people have gotten off the Chairlift unloading terminals have a number of chairlift they should go far enough away from the elements in common: unload areas to keep it clear for then next users. is the first part of the unload The chairs follow the haul rope path around terminal area that a chairlift rider encounters. It may the bullwheel. Part of the way around this help guide the person’s feet, skis or snowboard tip up bullwheel is a Stop Gate, often a wand or cord, onto the unload platform as the chair moves ahead that a person remaining on the chair can push along its path. If their chair has a restraining bar, it with his legs to stop the lift. should already be raised as it reaches this area. It has to be reset it by hand before the lift will operate. The sign at the Stop Gate reads: is a relatively flat “Hit To Stop”. area where the lift riders’ skis or snowboard stabilize as they prepare to stand up and glide away from the chairseat. The ‘UNLOAD HERE’ sign is generally positioned at the BREAKOVER, or the spot where the unload As a chair comes to the APPROACH, people sitting in platform meets the unload ramp. the seat need to raise their chair’s restraining bar (if This is where the skiing and snowboarding there is one that is down), and see that their skis or chairlift riders should stand up to glide down snowboard tips are up so they clear the APPROACH the unload ramp. and can set them down on the UNLOAD PLATFORM. Continuing ahead over the UNLOAD PLATFORM, people stand-up at the ‘UNLOAD HERE’ sign, which is placed at is angled down to help people the BREAKOVER transition where the UNLOAD ski away from the chair. Like the unload platform, it is PLATFORM meets the UNLOAD RAMP. Once people are snow covered. Foot passengers have another design. standing, their forward momentum helps them to glide ahead and down the UNLOAD RAMP, across the RUNOUT, and away from the lift. Drive Terminal Motor Room
DETACHABLE EXPRESS
Unload Ramp Area
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CHAPTER 3 – MORE CHAIRLIFT OPERATIONS: LOTS GOING ON
THE MOUNTAIN MANAGEMENT SKI LIFT OPERATIONS GUIDE
Some of the typical things that an attendant might do before loading people at the start of the shift include: Only the designated Lift Operator starts a lift when all stations are ready. Check first for an “all clear”. A visual inspection of the lift, Chairs and structures, Wait to load guests onto the lift until it has been towers, sheaves and switches, whatever you can see checked and staff is in attendance at all stations. from your work station (and when you ride the lift) to determine whether they are in operable condition. Never leave an operating lift unattended. Report any problems to your supervisor. Be Aware! The moving equipment can cause injury. When you spot a situation, decide whether to offer Set-up the lift entrance corral area, shovel and advise and assistance, OR slow, OR stop, smooth the snow, tighten fencing, open the lanes OR continue lift operation and observation. needed for the expected crowd and the separate ski school/staff lane, too.
Prepare the loading and unloading areas, if needed, shovel and smooth the snow surface so it is ready for people to use. When the opportunity allows, sweep snow from the chairseats and overhead in the terminals if there is a fresh snowfall. Make sure that the lift is not operating if you need to climb onto a lift structure—and make sure that it won’t be run while you’re there. Don’t put yourself in harms way. Ask for instructions on how to safely care for the equipment—and yourself. Operate the switches in your loading and unloading areas to know they are working properly. Check your controls, and other designated switches.
Check that required/normal signs are in place. And the specific start-up activities for your particular lift, as directed by your supervisor. Each day before a chairlift is operated for the public, it receives a pre-operational inspection. This may be something you do, or it may be done by WITH SNOW WORK: Our goal is to other staff. If you do it, you will receive special training and instructions. Only the Operator starts the lift. create a relatively smooth, snow Do not start a lift with a lock out/tag out indicator, covered skiable surface, which is at because someone may be working on machinery in a the desired height and grade place you can not see. Check with your supervisor for For ski lifts, good snow maintenance makes easier specific details or instructions. access to the lift and makes it easier to ski away Whoever does this inspection will need to keep good because there are fewer ruts, the chair height is daily lift inspection and operations records, using the adequate and there is less heavy snow to ski through. forms provided by your lift supervisor.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 When needed, shut off the lift using several manual Communicate with the other stations before the stop switches to protect yourself. Leave them in the Operator re-starts—so everyone can be prepared. stopped position until you’re clear—then re-set them, If someone falls in the chair path or is hurt at or lock-out and tag-out the lift to know it won’t run. the lift, you may decide to STOP the lift, using the Major snow shoveling begins after the last lift users get normal stop control. This may reduce the risk that this off, but like always, watch out for those moving chairs - person, or others, will be injured by the moving lift. they can hurt. When the lift is stopped, you can assist the guest During the night the snow will ‘firm-up’ and be ready for without having to watch the lift and people loading and the next day. This helps keep the unloading platform unloading at the same time. and ramp from becoming “dished out”. Remember that when you press the stop button it will often take many feet for the lift to come to stop. (If a chairlift stopped too quickly, the people on the chairs might have problems, and the haul rope might come off the sheaves). After an incident, most people will feel ‘OK’ and get up and onto the next chair. However, if someone is badly injured do not move them, and call the ski patrol or other medical aid (typically with a head, neck or back injury). Ask how we call the ski patrol from our lifts. Tell the patrol the nature of the problem and ask for immediate help. Comfort the person, call your supervisor, and complete a lift incident report, ASAP.
Incident reports are important records of what you saw happen. They are often the only immediate written record available. They gather information about who was eople and ski lift machines coming involved. (See page 26) together or parting ways may not be easy. They may become P Accidents Happen. Monitor their Loading important legal and Unloading Activities. Use your judgement documents in the to decide how to help them—if needed. future, so complete the Sometimes people go too slowly, or hesitate, or fall record clearly and record the FACTS. Try to spot where while loading or unloading; other times they aren’t the chair came to rest after you stopped the lift. paying close attention, or their timing is off. Whatever the causes, we try to monitor the loading and unloading process and to spot the problems that onitoring, assisting, and advising people as people create. Then we decide how to reduce their they load onto the lift is interesting — and risks of problems. M it may be a hard part of the attendant’s job. Because accidents happen so unexpectedly, we can’t prevent most problems that lift users create for themselves and others. If your choose is to stop the lift and assist, remember that when a stop button is BY them; pushed the chair will slow to a stop—but will typically travel many more feet before coming to rest. So, stop OR by or the lift; the lift when you understand that this is the best thing OR by operation and you can do to reduce the risk of injury to the people observation. involved. Use the Normal Stop control.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 As they wait on the loading platform, the people should line up evenly and look for the approaching chairseat, back over their shoulders— at their upcoming chair. Before loading, lift riders transfer articles they are carrying to their free hands. Lift staff may suggest carrying backpacks. People prepare to grasp the chair bail, the chair side, the center pole, or the chairseat itself. When the chair arrives, the lift riders sit down, and sit back on the chairseat. At the same time, the attendant may make the load a bit smoother by momentarily hesitating a fixed grip chair’s forward momentum—by grasping its side to slow it as it reaches the loading people— thus reducing the force against the backs of their It can be hectic as people load onto a legs as the chair moves into them. chairlift—the process can flow like this: As the loaded chair leaves the work area, the attendant may glance again to try to see that these The lift attendant can glance at the corral waiting people are situated for the ride up the lift. area, looking to spot people that may need special assistance, a slowed lift, or a word of instruction. The lift attendant may repeat trying to Most people will proceed just fine on their own, glance back again to the corral waiting but a friendly greeting is always welcome. area, looking to spot the next people preparing to load, as the process Are people stopped at the corral’s ‘WAIT HERE’ repeats again and again, often every 6 marker and not ahead of it? We hope they are not seconds or so. in the chair path as it comes around the bullwheel, they’ll get hit. People are responsible for their own Although instructions for the use actions and for getting onto the chairlift themselves of the lift are posted for all to - but our watchful assistance is generally see, the attendant can be ready appreciated; and a friendly greeting is welcome. to give information or even to assist people if they are having As a chair approaches the loading platform, the trouble getting to the loading next chair load of people should leave the ‘WAIT marker. HERE’ marker and glide onto the Loading Platform, Monitor the lift loading activities and be prepared to right behind that chair. They go to the ‘LOAD HERE’ assist people, to slow or STOP THE LIFT, or to continue marker and wait for their chairseat to come behind operation and observation. One set of the controls is them a few seconds later. Skis, snowboards, and right at the loading platform for you. Use the Normal their feet are pointed ahead up the lift line. Stop control, but there is also an Emergency Shutdown switch at the station, if the Normal Stop doesn’t work.
About Every Six or so Seconds - Another Chair Passes By … Can You Help People Focus On Loading Successfully? You are a busy person. As you look back at the people in the corral, check if someone needs your help. Is someone having a hard time getting through the corral to the ’WAIT HERE’ marker? You might try: Talking to the people at the ’WAIT HERE’ marker may focus their attention. You can offer information, or just say ‘hello’, or a friendly greeting. You can ask them if they need help or information.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Hand signals help direct people to the loading So … Reassure the guest who dropped the spot. You can have people hold up and wait for article that you will send it up the lift or will hold it another chair, or you can motion them to hurry along. there for them when they come back. You can also ask people waiting to board the lift to Talking to people as they approach the ‘LOAD HERE’ stay where they are, if you need to go to get the marker helps focus their attention on the loading spot article. See if an adult is willing to bring it up the lift and on the chair that is coming. and will give it to the person who lost it. You can give it or hold it. Call the unloading station and tell that Some of the Loading Difficulties That attendant what was lost or what you are doing with it, You May See as a Lift Attendant Include: and who has it now. The unloading station attendant can tell the people who dropped the article where to wait for it, or On the loading marker, people line up to get it at the bottom. unevenly —the person furthest back will probably push the chairseat back while sitting down. It then is harder for the others ahead to sit on the More people may try to load onto the chair tilted chairseat … and they sometimes fall. than it can hold. So ...Try to help people line up evenly as they When several groups of people try to get on a wait for the chair. Talk to them. You can SLOW or chair at the same time, it is usually because the STOP the lift —to reduce the risk of further injury, if it people in the second group were not paying attention. looks like an accident is happening. Call out to them to wait, if you can. Stop the lift if they are already in the chair’s path on the Ski, hat, pole, glove or other article is dropped loading platform. Help sort people out and ask the during or just after loading. Operator to restart the lift after an “all clear” from all stations. Some Tips for Lift Users are shown below:
Some Tips for Lift Users are show above
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Instruc ons and warnings come in many varie es suited for various situa ons, li s, and needs, here is one example.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Some People May Have Special Needs If they don’t quite get on the chairseat, invite them to just let go and ski away before the chair rises so high as They Load or Unload the Lift that stopping the lift would just add to their problems. Attendants May Need to Help These People, and Others: 3. Foot Passengers
When chairlifts are used primarily for foot 1. Small Children passengers we rarely see a snow covered loading or Some children may be too small to get on to the unloading platform. The chair lift load and unload chairseat alone. Usually they learn to “hop like a platforms are generally flat and the chair may be bunny” up on to the seat, but until they can do this slowed for loading and unloading. Chairs used for foot comfortably, lift staffers can try to help them on. passengers are equipped with restraining bars for them to use. Look for little children who may be too small to board the lift on their own. Try to get a small child on to your Try to spot footwear that may make it more difficult to side of the loading platform so you can boost the child load and unload from the moving chair. Alert the onto the chairseat. Slow the lift if needed. person to the potential problem and let him/her decide what to do—unless your area has a policy on this. Try to help them to sit back as far as possible – to reduce their risk of falling off the chairseat. 4. Persons with Limited Mobility These people are more often found on lifts used for sightseeing than on ski lifts. They include elderly persons, persons with the wrong footwear, and anyone who has a harder time using a lift than usual. When lift attendants spot someone who is having a hard time getting to the lift they often try to slow the lift (if possible) or even stop the lift, if necessary. Calling the unloading station and saying what chair number these people are on is a favor to them and to your partner. And … You may need to boost or pull a small child onto the chairseat. 5. People With Special Needs There are several methods for doing this, some attendants boost the child with a forearm; others may This is another group that needs your attention. It’s follow the chair, reach over its back and pull the child easy to help these people, since they will usually tell towards the seat back. Ask how we do it. you what they need, if anything. Sometimes an accompanying adult will want to boost Often differently able people will be with a guide or the child; watch and help if needed. Restraining device friend who knows how to help them at the lift. should be lowered. As with other people, just ask! Stop the lift anytime you are unsure whether these 2. Beginners … of all ages people can get onto or off of the lift as it is moving. Perhaps ask what they want, then decide what to do. Beginners may hesitate and have a hard time getting Your supervisor can show you how your lift serves to the loading platform because they can’t glide well. people with varying disabilities. (see photo on page 11) They may not have done this before, and may not have seen the instructions for the use of the lift. If you spot beginners, talk to them. Sometimes lift Adaptive Skiing Has Many Forms — attendants ask beginners to wait for one or more Among the equipment you are likely to see are the chairs to pass, so they have more time to get ready to following: board the lift and so the attendant can coach them to the ‘LOAD HERE‘ marker. - Three Track Skiers Three-track skiers use one ski and two outriggers (adapted forearm crutches with ski SLOWING the lift may reduce the risks of a spill and tips attached to the bottoms). Many are good skiers help keep people moving more successfully. and need little or no special assistance using the lifts.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 - Four Track Skiers Four-track skiers use two skis and Sit Skiers often use outriggers instead of ski poles. two outriggers. - Bi-Skiers The bi-ski is a fiberglass shell mounted - Mono Skiers above two unique skis that give improved stability over On a mono-ski the the mono-ski. It looks like a chair mounted over two skier is seated in a skis. fiberglass shell - Visually Impaired People Visually impaired persons attached to a are taught the standard ski techniques. A guide skis standard ski. with the A mono-skier may student giving ride a chairlift and verbal ski independently. directions. Like other special Both the skier needs people, ask and guide how you can help. wear bright - Sit Skiers The bibs to be sit-ski looks like a noticeable to short toboggan you and to that’s right on top other skiers. of the snow.
LIFT STAFF—Another Note About Kids On Lifts: GET ON – As a chair passes you at the “Wait Here” sign, move ahead quickly to the “Load Here” marker See if you can find more ways to help kids to use the and line up evenly. When the next chair comes lifts without incidents! Help them have a great time behind you, sit on the seat, and slide back as far as using the lifts and having fun with their friends— you can – to keep from falling off the chair. while sitting back on the chair and holding on to it.
Both parents and kids are being given these SIT BACK, SIT STILL, HOLD ON – No horseplay on messages, so be of as much help as you can! the chair. Enjoy the ride to the top. Horseplay is dangerous when you are riding up in the air. Sit way back to keep from falling from the chair!
Tips For Kids: AT THE TOP, PLAN AHEAD TO UNLOAD – At the 1. Need assistance? Ask the li “Unload Here” sign it is me to get off. Stand up, a endant for help. Smallest kids and ski down the ramp. Watch for others ahead and should load closest to the ski around them. Move out of the way quickly, so a endant. others can unload too.
2. Remove & carry packs. Do not THIS IS A PARTIAL LIST. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY use phones, music or games while TO ALWAYS BE SAFETY CONSCIOUS. loading or unloading. Be Aware, Moving Machinery can be dangerous! 3. It is OK to miss a chair and wait for the next one. 4. When loading, watch for the approaching chair and then sit to the back once seated! 5. Drop something? Let it FALL. Any item dropped can be picked up later.
6. Absolutely NO horseplay on the li s!! See page 29 for more Tips for Kids on Li s
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 From A Top Attendant’s Point of View ... Don’t stray too far from one of the stop buttons— The Chairlift UNLOADING Process and listen for your phone when you work outside. Goes Something Like This: As the people on the chairlift near the unloading area And try to do all this, all at once! they should raise the restraining bar (if there is one). They also raise their ski or snowboard tips so they do not catch them on the front edge of the approach to the unload platform. The UNLOAD PLATFORM is often short, and relatively flat—and it feels as though it comes quickly. At the sign indicating “UNLOAD HERE” the skiers and snowboarders stand-up and quickly glide down the UNLOADING RAMP to avoid the chair as it turns around the bullwheel. Foot passengers just get off on a platform and walk away from the moving chairseat.
Some UNLOADING Situations that You Can Monitor and Respond to: If a person falls on the unloading platform or ramp - So … in a moment, try to determine whether the person is hurt, or in danger of being hit by other chairs, or in danger of Lift attendants at the unloading station monitor the being hit by other persons. unloading activities and try to respond to problems. When you do spot a situation, react as quickly as you STOP or SLOW the lift if, in can—to STOP (or slow) the lift; to assist the person in your judgment, doing so will some other way; or to continuing monitoring the reduce the risk of injury. Give situation. It seems that the unloading area attendant assistance and call for help as has to try to watch 180 degrees at once. Use your own needed. judgment, do what you can, but you might try these A person is hit by the chair while gliding away from it ideas: too slowly: Looking down the lift line to see how people are as they are coming up, helps you prepare for unexpected. So … If he/she remains in the chair path, STOP the lift to keep more chairs from hitting him/her and give Watch for situations like dropped skis, inattentive assistance, if the person is injured. Call ski patrol or people, people looking uneasy or waving … and such. medical aid and your supervisor, if the person needs Watching the actual more help. unloading helps you prepare A person doesn’t get off the chairlift and to respond as needed. rides beyond the unload area - striking the STOP GATE, thus stopping the lift: Watching the runout area beyond the unloading So … Call the other stations and let ramp helps spot situations them know that you have a “Bullwheel that you can deal with. Rider” and will be helping this person off the lift. Talk to the person and explain what to do.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Assist the person off the chair and away from the lift. Reset the STOP GATE switch into the ‘run’ position. Tell the other terminals that you want the Operator to re-start the lift.
A person coming up the lift appears to have a problem, or a dropped ski, or something else: To keep anyone from being stranded on a chair at So … Here’s one idea: STOP, or SLOW the end of the operating day, observe good procedures: the lift to a very slow speed, and let the Usually, the attendant or ticket checker at the bottom of person stand-up on the unload platform. the lift closes the corral or the lift entrance. When the He or she can move away and the lift can last person boards the chairlift, the bottom attendant be restarted by the Operator. Help as calls the top attendant with a report of the number of needed. Stop the lift if you have doubts. the last loaded chairseat. On some lifts, the chairseats Someone is on the Runout area and may be on the flip up and this is done to keep snow from building up. unloading path for the next lift riders - At the top lift terminal, the attendant watches for the last loaded chair’s number and sees the lift riders unload. So … respond to the situation as needed, or ask A call to the bottom reassures everyone that no one them to clear the area, if they are just waiting. boarded after the designated last chair. Now, the chairlift is empty. Snow maintenance and other work are finished and the lift is stopped; or the top attendant boards the lift for the ride down—depending on the lift department procedures. We want to do as much snow work as possible after closing, so the snow firms-up overnight. It usually only takes a few minutes to shovel, smooth and rake the unload platform and ramp areas. Turn down the heat in the lift shacks and follow your procedures for shutting down the lift’s motor room area. Empty the trash, if needed. Have a good rest of the day.
WHERE ARE YOUR LIFT’S CONTROLS?
Whether you operate a fixed grip chairlift, a detachable chairlift, a conveyor or a tow your lift will have the manual controls to help you START, STOP, and on many chairlifts to SLOW the lift. Manual STOP controls are found in your lift shack, outside at your work area, and even your STOP GATE can be used as a manual STOP device when you are near-by. There is also a STOP control device in your lift’s motor room area. SLOW control devices are generally found in these locations as well. EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN devices are found in several spots, including a chairlift’s lift shack and motor room. START control devices are only used by the Operator or at the Operator’s direction after the lift is cleared. They are found at the Operator’s station and the motor room area. In addition, there are a number of automatic stop devices on towers and elsewhere.
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CHAPTER 4 – MANAGING LIFT, TOW, & CONVEYOR ISSUES
THE MOUNTAIN MANAGEMENT SKI LIFT OPERATIONS GUIDE
Ski lifts are designed, built, maintained, and operated under the requirements of American National Standard B77.1 for Passenger Ropeways. Sheave Wheels on the lift It is like a building code for lifts. It describes staff towers need care. You can duties, required signs, watch and listen for passenger responsibilities, abnormal wear which may and much more in almost be caused by the haul rope 200 pages, and each kind not running straight along of lift has its own section. the sheave’s plastic liner. Perhaps because it has This Standard is adopted become improperly aligned. as a regulation in many You’ll see the haul rope states. States can add their touching the inside wall of own requirements as well. the sheave, causing the it to be shined from wear. Maintenance can realign the sheave wheels to keep this from happening. Ice As you may imagine, chairlifts on sheaves, the haul rope and carriers can cause and ski lifts of all kinds are problems for both machines and people. Don’t even complicated machines. They start the lift if you spot a big buildup of ice on any are used outdoors in all kinds of weather—and like most equipment, mechanical and electrical problems can operating component of surface. Call for assistance. occur. Part of the reason for this guide is to help you Sheave Wheel Bearings - some are sealed, others understand the equipment we use ... and the ways we need grease which is usually applied when the lift is can help reduce the risks of injuries and problems with not in operation. If you see a sheave wheel that is equipment . not turning when the lift is moving, you may have As lift staffers, our efforts are part of this system to help “frozen “ sheave bearing. Stop the lift and call reduce the risks of injury to us all. Monitor your lift maintenance. A haul rope that moves across the users’ actions. Respond as well as you can. Look and plastic liner of the frozen sheave wears a flat spot— listen as you ride your lift. When you hear or see which will make the liner out of round and cause it something unusual—report what you find to the lift to “bump” as it goes around and supervisor or maintenance people. Stop the lift or around. respond to lift equipment issues as needed. Chair Grip ‘Migration’ — the fixed
grips on chairlifts are actually Lift and People Issues … Report are designed to move back Problems—and Get Help, If Needed! along the haul rope a tiny bit each time the chair circles a Be Aware and Be Careful! bullwheel. If one grip goes more than others, note Lifts, like other mechanical equipment, can have the chair number and report it. It can be re-spaced. equipment problems and failures. Usually these aren’t too serious, but they do shut it down and inconvenience Communications Issues - people—sometimes stranding them for a while. Don’t operate your lift for people without communications to all stations. Stop the lift if you think this will help keep small Always get an “All Clear” before the lift problems from becoming bigger problems. operator re-starts a lift.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Electrical Problems - Lifts have complex 2. Rope evacuations. circuitry, and many lifts use computers This type of evacuation usually occurs when a to control the lift. Do not try to fix an mechanical or electrical problem keeps the lift from electrical problem yourself, call for being operable. experienced assistance. Rope evacuations may be conducted with the ski patrol A Mystery Stop. Sometime it seems that and with help from others a lift just doesn’t want to operate. (maybe you!). There is a lift Remember that there are many evacuation plan, and the switches—check them all. All manual director of the evacuation switches, including those along the will work with you to know bullwheel and the carriage and counterweight, need your role. to be reset by hand. Call for help, if nothing else The rope evacuation needs seems to work. to be accomplished as quickly as possible so that people on the lift are not discomforted or Rollback emergencies are a real and constant danger. endangered. Although they occur very seldom, they have happened. When a rope evacuation is in progress the lift must not A rollback is a LOSS OF CONTROL, since the lift’s brakes be started With lines over the haul rope, or ladders do not hold the lift’s haul rope in the stopped position— lowering passengers to the ground, people could be and it begins moving backwards. Since most of the badly hurt if the lift chairs were to move. weight is unevenly placed on the upside where people are sitting, the loaded chairs try to even out the lift’s Typically your role may be to assist and/or: load by moving backwards. 1. Tell people waiting in line that the lift has been If a rollback occurs, lift attendants should use closed, offer them other lifts they can use. the emergency shutdown device as soon as 2. Keep the lift STOPPED, so that it cannot restart. possible - because the lift may gather speed as it 3. Assist around the terminal area - and stay near a continues to roll backward. Serious injuries may happen, telephone. Try to keep the telephone line free so you and people may be thrown from the chairs. can be contacted by ski patrol or lift maintenance.
There are two types of lift evacuations. Both are overseen by ski area management: FIRE is a danger anytime mechanical 1. An Auxiliary Gas or Diesel Engine in the and electrical equipment, and fuels are motor room can be used to run the chairlift when there used. Because we want to reduce the has been a power failure, or a problem with the electric risk of injury to people on the lift: motor. If this happens, you will usually be asked to close the corral and stop loading people (because we 1. Stop loading more people, want to get everyone off the lift). but keep the lift moving. The auxiliary engine is warmed-up, and the system is 2. Keep the lift operating as long as possible…to switched to try to get as many people off the lift as possible, auxiliary mode by before the fire causes the lift to stop because it a maintenance burns a control wire or something person. As else. directed by a supervisor or 3. Send, or call for help. operator, the lift is 4. Try to fight the fire, but don’t operated to unload endanger yourself. the people already on it. Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434
Wind, snow, ice, and cold are the most frequent weather problems. Here are some of the issues:
Wind Wind can cause chairs to swing into towers or not enter tower machinery or terminals correctly because they are out of alignment. Wind direction is as important as its speed. A wind that blows across the lift line is often more dangerous than one that blows up the line—because the chairs are swung from side-to- side. If you sense a strong wind and see the chairs reacting, call your supervisor. SLOW or STOP the lift until strong gusts are reduced. Check with your supervisor. Snow Snow is both wonderful to ski on, and a potential problem for lift staffers, because it may need to be cleared from the lift terminals, and excess snow removed from platforms and ramps. Try to keep the loading marker as visible as possible, and the chair seats cleared when the opportunity permits. Try to maintain the chair seat height noted for your lift - but this is not always possible in some weather conditions (snowing). Just try, because it makes loading and unloading better. Ice Ice storms are rare, but the lift machinery must often be cleared of ice before it is operated. Frozen sheave wheels that aren’t turning will get a ‘flat spot’ in the rubber liner caused by the haul rope wearing one part of the liner as it passes over that area instead of turning as the rope moves. It will ‘bump’. Take care before operating the iced lift. Check before starting the lift. Follow your supervisor’s instructions for At modern ski and snow tubing areas we generally see a clearing ice from your lift, and for starting the lift. variety of surface lifts like:
Cold Conveyor Lifts Cold temps are a problem for us and for the Wire Rope Handle Tows people we work with —as well as for our Fiber Rope Tows equipment. Most importantly, we should All these lifts can successfully bring skiers, dress for the cold and be prepared for it, but lift staffers snowboarders and even snow tubers - with their tubes, should try to watch for signs of frostbite in each other to the top of the designated area. Each surface lift can and the people using our lifts. make going uphill part of the fun.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 If you are the attendant or operator at a surface lift you need to be aware that you are a key to its successful operation. The guests are responsible for their actions and safety, but you are there to help and to oversee the Today these kinds of tows are often used in terrain lift and the loading/riding/unloading process. Help parks and learning areas. guests when you can, especially when you see an issue. Skiers and snowboarders approach the ski tow’s loading area and should read the instructions for the use of the tow along the way. At the loading area people grasp the tow rope or the tow handle, depending on the kind of tow. Keeping their knees bent to absorb the forward momentum as they start out; the tow rider holds on as he/she goes up the track toward the top of the tow. Easier to use than tows, conveyor lifts When the top is reached, the tow rider points his/her still need watchful attendants. skis or snowboard away from the tow path and lets go A conveyor lift attendant watches, directs and may of the tow rope or the tow handle. Gliding away from assist users as they approach, load onto the moving the tow, the skiers or snowboarders can prepare to beltway or unload. Stopping the lift is always an option. head back down the slopes. If used for snow tubing, some people will carry their Do not to leave the area of your station when the tubes; others will drag their tubes onto the beltway. tow is operating—if you need to leave, stop the tow. The belt is moving slowly enough that stepping onto it From the attendant’s point of view – Loading generally doesn’t pose a problem for most people – and unloading ski tows might go something like but attendants should still watch for problems. this: Users should remain standing and not get their bodies, There may be a single attendant who observes the feet, hair, clothing, skis, snowboards, or snowtubes whole towline. He or she has the tow’s controls caught in the edges or ends of the moving beltway. available to stop the rope as needed. The tow can be There is a stop switch at the ends of the conveyor to restarted when the situation that caused the stop clears stop it if something is caught, or triggers an automatic up. stop. The attendant will have to restart the conveyor after the situation is corrected. Like all manual stop People grasp the fiber tow rope or the tow handle and switches, it needs to be reset when you are ready to ride along the towpath toward the top. Some may fall operate the conveyor again. along the way and, if they are still in the towpath, the tow may need to be stopped to avoid problems for all At the unloading area, people step or ski off the users. When tow riders reach the top they let go and conveyor belt onto the snow/platform surface with their glide away before they reach the ‘Stop Gate’. If a snowtubes and walk or ski to the staging areas. person is entangled the ‘Stop Gate’ it should stop the If you are a single attendant at a conveyor lift, try to tow when it is reached, but if you see this problem, watch the whole lift area to see that people are not respond—perhaps stop the tow to reduce the chances having problems for themselves, for others or for the that the tow rider will be drawn into the top sheaves. lift. Stop the lift if you think it is needed. See the illustrated instructions on the next page -
If you spot a problem, take an appropriate action like simply stopping the lift, conveyor, or tow or by helping the person with advice or assistance.
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Do not to leave the area of your station when the tow is operating—if you need to leave, stop the tow.
From an attendant’s point of view - loading a tubing handle tow might go something like this … The loading area attendant tries to glance occasionally at the corral waiting area, looking to spot people that may need special assistance. A greeting or suggestion is often welcome—and gets people’s attention. As the user comes onto the loading area, take the snowtube leash and ask him/her to sit down in the tube – facing away from the hill and the tow path (although smaller riders may just get into the snowtube and face either direction). Dragging their snowtubes, people first approach the When the tow handle arrives, attach the ring to the tow’s waiting corral until it is their turn to go up. It is handle and keep the leash taught – so there is no slack best if they read the instructions for using the tow. to allow the ring to drop from the handle. The tow will As a person reaches the loading area, he or she hands pull snowtubes and riders up the hill, with the tubers the snowtube leash to the loading attendant and sits or riding on it. lays on the snowtube, holding both snowtube handles. Occasionally, an attendant may As the user sits in the tube, the attendant attaches the also try to glance along the tow tube’s leash to the moving tow handle. Tension keeps path to try to see that users the leash on the handle as the tow rope pulls the along the tow path are well handle, snowtube and guest up the hill. The leash can situated for the ride up the hill. accidentally unhook from a tow handle so be aware of If a problem is spotted, take an this possibility. People should sit quietly in the appropriate action. snowtube until they reach the top.
Although instructions for the use of the lift are posted for all to see, the attendant can be If you spot a problem, take an appropriate action prepared to give verbal information or even to help like simply stopping the tow or helping the person. guests if they are in trouble getting to the loading area. At the unload area the snowtube leash detaches from Be prepared to STOP the tow. A stop button is right at the handle and users generally roll off the tube onto the your station. We can’t protect guests from themselves, snow and away from the tow. Once off, the people or from problems that others cause, but we can respond gather up their snowtubes and go to the approach area with help, or stop the lift when we spot their problems. where they wait for a turn to go down a lane.
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Talking to the people at the loading area gets their From the attendant’s point of view - unloading a attention. You can just say ‘hello’ or give them a friendly tubing tow goes like this … greeting. You might ask them if they have used this tow before. Most any words gather their attention and help As people coming up the tow path on their snow tubes them to focus on loading the lift. approach the unload area it is time for them to prepare to roll off the tube and away from the tow. Try to watch Hand signals can also help direct guests to the loading them during this process to help you prepare for spot. You can have situations like inattentive or guests needing assistance. guests hold up and wait for a bit, or you Some unloading areas have a little hill or mound – so can motion them to that as the tube slides over it, the leash slackens and hurry along. the ring falls off the tow handle. Attendants assist as needed. Guests can then gather up their own snow If an article of clothing tubes and head for the staging area. such as a hat or glove is dropped during or Fortunately most people unload with ease. If a just after loading, snowtuber has a problem unloading, assist as needed. reassure the guest Stop the tow if needed. who dropped the article that you will hold it there or send it up the tow with another guest. Get the article – no one should load while you are getting it. Hold it there, or ask if someone is willing to bring it up the lift and will give it to the person who lost it. Call the unloading station and tell that attendant what was lost and where it is.
REMEMBER TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF —
Lifts are heavy moving machines with a lot of momentum and power
You and your team are working around heavy moving machinery that doesn’t know that you exist. Stay out of the path of the moving chairs and other operating equipment. When you want to do snow work or other operational work, don’t just use one stop device— use TWO! Push, or flip, or engage TWO stop devices—just to be sure! And dress warmly, dress in layers so you can be comfortable working outside. Be Aware, Take Care!
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The next pages are here to give you ideas and tools, so you can be a GREAT LIFT ATTENDANT!
Pages 24 and 25 have the required signs information and pictures from the latest edition of the American National Standard B77.1 for Passenger Ropeways. Check your signs to know that all are in place. Pages 26, 27, and 28 are sample lift incident report records. Become familiar with your resort’s lift incident reporting forms and procedures so you can help preserve a record of what happened. Page 29 offers tips for kids and their parents on using chairlifts. Share these ideas whenever you think it would be helpful to them. Page 30 lists B77.1’s basic topics that you need to know about. Ask if you need more information. Page 31 is a Training Checklist to help you think about topics that you need more information about. Ask your supervisor for more information whenever you have questions.
Page 32 has some basic safety tips for you, your team, and lift users.
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The table below tells you many of the signs required by the ANSI B77.1 Standard for Passenger Ropeways. The signs are shown on the next page. Some signs may be grouped together. Check them regularly. Your lifts may have additional signs—for exam- ple, a chairlift with restraining bars on the chairs may have signs to lower and raise the bar. There can be other messages as well—check your lift’s signage, they are there to help the lift users. (Codes like D-1 refer to specific signs on the next page)
Signs (see examples on next page) Location/Notes Chairlifts for Skiers Foot pass. Chairlifts Surface Lifts Tows Conveyor Lifts
D-1 Instructions for use of lift Vicinity of loading area
D-9 Loading Seat Height ± 2” With instructions
D-3 "Remove Pole Straps from Wrists - Vicinity of loading area, Until Unloaded" when used by skiers
D-4 "Check for Loose Clothing and Twice—Near “Wait Here” sign, Equipment" & again at "Prepare to Unload" sign
D-2 "No Loose Scarves", "No Loose Clothing" At the loading area "No Long hair Exposed"
D-6 "Wait Here" At wait here point
D-7 "Load Here" At loading point
D-5 "Remain Standing" At the loading area
D-10 "Stay in Tow Path" Adjacent to the track
D-12 "Keep Tips Up" Ahead of surface contact points
D-13 "Prepare to Unload” Ahead of unloading area
If applicable, immediately before the D-14 “Raise Restraint Device” unload area, or at approach ramp area
For ski lifts, at breakover of unload D-8 "Unload Here" platform
D17, or 18, or 19 “Stop Gate Hit to Stop Lift" (If applicable, at stop gate)
D-23 Downhill capacity or Downhill load areas D-22 No Downhill Loading
Entrances to equipment D-25 Do Not Enter / Authorized Personnel Only and staff areas
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Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Li Incidents: Your li department will have its own ways of gathering informa on about what happened if an incident occurs at the li . These are samples that might be useful to review. (Courtesy of NSAA) The form on this page would be used to gather basic informa on about what happened and who was there. The forms on the next two pages would be used to gather more details, witness informa on and to diagram the scene. Do not guess, only facts are wanted.
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Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Know The Code - Be responsible when you are on the slopes!
Your Responsibility Code kiing can be enjoyed in many ways. At ski areas you may see people using alpine, snowboard, S telemark, cross country or other specialized ski equipment, such as that used by disabled or other skiers. Regardless of how you decide to enjoy the slopes, always show courtesy to others and be aware that there are elements of risk in skiing that common sense and personal awareness can help reduce. Observe the code listed here and share with other skiers the responsibility for a great skiing experience. Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects. People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them. You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above. Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others. Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment. Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas. Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
KNOW THE CODE. IT’S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. This is a partial list - Be safety conscious.
Our Lift Passengers Need To Be Aware of Their Responsibilities
Like these from the American National Standard B77.1 for Passenger Ropeways
You can help!
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See www.kidsonlifts.org for more information
Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434 Duties and Documentation for Attendants and Operators of Passenger Ropeways, as listed in the American National Standard B77.1-2017 These are some of the requirements for staff working at a fixed grip chairlift, but they are virtually the same for other lift types. Your Supervisor may have additional requirements.
The following personnel are the minimum that shall be required for public operations: a) An operator shall be in charge of the aerial lift operation. The individual may serve concurrently as an attendant if the additional role doesn’t interfere with the duties of the operator and approved by the supervisor; b) An attendant shall be on duty at each loading/unloading platform or station. Persons performing the duties of lift personnel may exchange assignments as directed by the supervisor, provided they are trained for each assignment undertaken.
Attendants: Attendants shall be assigned to particular duties under direction of the operator. For public operation, attendants shall be trained in operations and emergency procedures pertaining to their assignments; and such training shall be documented.
The duties of an attendant include: a) to be knowledgeable of operational, emergency, and loss of control procedures (see 1.4 – loss of control) and the related equipment needed to perform the assigned duties; b) to monitor the passengers’ use of the aerial lift; including observing, advising and assisting them while they are in the attendant’s work area as they embark on or disembark from the aerial lift; and to respond to unusual occurrences or conditions, as noted. The attendant should respond by choosing an appropriate action, which may include any of the following: 1) assisting the passenger; 2) slowing the aerial lift (if applicable); 3) stopping the aerial lift; 4) continuing operation and observation. c) to deny access to an aerial lift to individuals, using provided practices. d) to advise the operator of observed abnormal or unusual conditions that may adversely affect the safety of the operation; e) to reasonably maintain loading and unloading areas; f) to assist in evacuation of the lift, as assigned; g) to advise and assist passengers with adaptive equipment, as assigned; h) to be knowledgeable of the procedures for reporting incidents and obtaining appropriate first aid personnel.
The Operator: One individual shall be designated as the operator of the aerial lift for the purpose of public use. This operator shall be trained in operational, and emergency procedures; and such training shall be documented.
The duties of the individual designated as the operator include: a) to be knowledgeable of operational, emergency, and loss of control procedures and the related equipment needed to perform the assigned duties; b) to assume responsible charge of the aerial lift; c) to be knowledgeable of the attendant duties and to direct the attendants at their aerial lift; d) to verify that the preoperational inspection has been completed and documented before public operation; e) to start the aerial lift while operating for the public; f) to maintain an operational log; g) to deny access to an aerial lift to individuals, using provided practices; h) to advise the supervisor of observed abnormal or unusual conditions that may adversely affect the safety of the operation; i) to terminate passenger operations; to assist in evacuation of the lift, as assigned; j) to be knowledgeable of the procedures for reporting incidents and obtaining appropriate first aid personnel.
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Please Print Your Name Clearly: 12. My role reporting problems and with chairlift evacuation by rope, for the use of the auxiliary engine to ______evacuate the chairlift, and other emergency and loss of control procedures and equipment. I have received training and I understand my ski 13. Procedures to attend the loading and unloading area's procedures and my role with these lift topics. Not everything is covered in the text. areas, and to monitor and assist guests as they load and I’ll ask about anything I don’t understand. I crossed unload themselves. out any topics not covered or discussed. 14. Ways to monitor and/or assist small kids, and others with special needs that may need help at my lift station. 1. I have been trained in and understand my 15. Ways to monitor and help people who use the lift — company’s employee regulations and/or manuals. including: assisting the person; slowing or stopping; and 2. Read and understand the Ski Lift Operations Guide continuing operations and observation, as noted. Book 18, and the training provided. 16. Procedures for helping people who have incidents at 3. I attended the training program; and I understand a lift and for documenting and reporting their incidents. the instructions and procedures for my work and for 17. Procedures and interactions with Snowsports School reporting to my work station, schedules, breaks, etc. classes and how they are to be assisted. 4. Appropriate and authorized clothing, food, and 18. Interactions with race officials and Ski Patrol; personal items that I bring to work. transporting toboggans and other equipment; and for 5. Basic mechanical and electrical functions of lifts reporting incidents and accidents; that I may be assigned to attend. 19. How to advise and assist people with adaptive 6. Location, resetting and function of manual and equipment. automatic control switches and devices, including: 20. Handling and reporting problems and abnormal inside and outside controls—including the normal conditions like swinging chairs, wind, dropped stop, speed controls, emergency shutdown stop equipment, and problem guests, etc. stop gates 21. Procedures to close the lift and determine that no bullwheel switches, tower switches, carriage passengers remain on the lift. and/or counterweight switches 22. Snow maintenance procedures throughout the shift, And others, including reset switches and at lift closing. 7. Use of lift communications systems. 23. How and when to contact Ski Patrol and to complete 8. Use of fire extinguishers and procedures for fires. and file reports, such as lift logs, lift incident reports, etc. 9. Pre-operations checks and preparations for lift 24. Interactions with other departments including the operations, including starting the lift, checking switches snowmaking department. and items on the daily lift log, inspecting carriers and Additions, Notes & Comments: equipment, and loading the first and last passengers. 10. Preparation and maintenance of loading station areas like waiting corrals and approach areas, platforms, ramps and pits; and unloading station areas like unloading platforms, ramps, and outrun areas. ______Date: ______Your Signature 11. Ticket checking procedures. Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF: Be Aware and Be Careful! We work with moving equipment outside in all kinds of weather. You should learn how to keep out of harm’s way while keeping yourself warmer and drier— making your shift more enjoyable, and reducing your risk of illness. These things may seem obvious; but remember:
Wear a warm hat. We lose a great deal of our body heat through our heads, so a hat can help keep you warmer. Gloves or mittens that keep hands warm and dry are a good idea. Cold hands are not fun. Wear warm boots that are good in snow. Use sunscreen. Even in winter the sun’s rays can burn, and eventually may cause skin cancer. Most people enjoy cold weather more—when they wear layers of clothing that they can add to, or take off as conditions change. Use other protective gear as needed; and Be Aware, Be Careful. Take good care of yourself!
This Ski Lift Operations Guide will help you learn some of the basics that will help you to do your job well. With further on-site training, you’ll know more, and be more comfortable and capable in your lift operations job. Have a Great Season Working With Wonderful People! YOUR NOTES
Order your own copies from Mountain Management Services, LLC. Call 651-484-6434. Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434
SKI LIFT OPERATIONS GUIDE EDITION 18
By P. Chris Stoddard, M.Ed.
© Mountain Management Services, LLC
[email protected] All rights reserved – duplication prohibited
Do not operate or attend any lift You will need additional on-site training and guided experience before you know what your company until you are trained by your lift management expects of you and the lift operations team. and have permission from your supervisor. This introduction to ski lifts and to ski lift operations is This publication is designed to provide introductory not your complete training – it is a beginning to help information in regard to the subjects presented. youCommodo get started with your Frigilla new lift adventures. & AdipiscingIt is sold with the understanding that the author and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal or professional services herein. The author and FRIGILLA publisher assume no liability for interpertation or COMMODO LOREM VESTIBULUM FRIGILLA use of this information. Order copies of this text for your staff training. Call Mountain Management services, LLC at 651-484-6434. Review Copy - thanks for taking a look Not for training Call for copies for your staff 651-484-6434
Order copies of this text for your own lift staff training. Call Mountain Management Services, LLC at 651-484-6434 - and thanks!
Ski Lift Operations Guide Your Introduction to Ski Lifts – and to Ski Lift Operations