6 replies to this topic

[jobrien.f]

This is an operations issue. This is an issue I have seen many resorts conquer but my ski area seems to need a certain amount of evidence in order to change.

We require every skier/rider have a valid ticket on their person to ride our lifts. As this is usually a challenge to enforce, it becomes even more of a challenge than usual when we host race events. I'm sure a lot of us here have noticed and experienced the race demographic strips down to a speed suit that can not reasonbly hold a ticket. I know many areas require racers to sign a general participant agreement and their bib acts as the lift credential. Just throwing this out there to see if there are common theories and gain some new perspectives.

Do your resorts allow racers to use bibs as lift credentials?

[zeedotcom]

Nope. Must have a ticket to ride the lift. Leniency is generally granted to racers in that we would only require the ticket to be on a goggle or a glove, rather than attached to a coat or pant is often required.

[liftmech]

Our access lift is on the upper mountain, so usually speed suits aren't an issue as the tickets have been checked at the bottom before the racers lose their outer jackets. When there is training down the entire hill, I believe we require tickets on the glove or boot.

[Andoman]

In michigan a lot of the resorts specify one lift for the races and only let participants ride the lift. I've seen Mt. Holly, and Crystal both do this.

[Kelly]

As someone with past experience (please no jokes about wooden skis) the boot is slightly a better but tougher to check, gloves can be exchanged easier. One of my past GM’s (the hands on type) liked to make the kids (and yes sometimes the coaches and gate checkers) hike out (lift was below parking lot…waaay below) this of course solved the symptom (and endeared the ticket checkers forever to the GM) but not the problem. Quick meeting with coaches or a notice posted with group info. Also helps to have an extra checker for the AM rush.

[jobrien.f]

Thanks for the information folks. I'll update with any changes.

[Crystal Coach]

The electronic tickets change things slightly. The racers often slip them into their suits and hope that they will interface with the reader ok. And sometimes they forget they have them in their suits, then they peel the top down the the card goes flying.

Crystal is talking about having lifties check cards AND having the machines checking cards. That might be twice as hard for the racers. We always try to educate/inform racers at registration, but that tends to be quite a stressful time so they don't listen too well.

On Quicksilver, the lifties will often let racers onto the lift with just a bib. The crowd on Quicksilver is often predominately race-related, so it isn't such a problem.