Lift Lines?

[fLyHiGh]

I'm used to having poles to push me along (being an ex-skier), and I was just wondering if there was a technique for moving with skiboards in the lift line. I don't know if its just one of those experiment and see what works things or if there is a certain way to do it. If you guys have any tips for me I'd appreciate it because I really don't want to get stuck doing the shuffle.

[tyberesk]

hmmm the method i use is you have one foot facing forward toward the lift...and the other perpandicular to the lift like this _____ it will keep you from moving and you can push off. Of it is relatively flat, then you can push one ski out and then the other...kind of like a speedskater if you can understand it (im having trouble describing it) But the first method is the best and gives you the best push off. Trying to just slide forward with skiboards like your walking...is like doing the moonwalk. You look like your going forward but your actually sliding back lol. Hope that helps?

[fLyHiGh]

Thanks, thats what I was looking for. I'll try it out this weekend if Bear Creek is open. It'll be my first time out on boards and I'm pretty pumped. They've got all their blowers going so they should be ready to go in the next couple days.

[Manlenium]

Originally posted by tyberesk
hmmm the method i use is you have one foot facing forward toward the lift...and the other perpandicular to the lift like this _____ it will keep you from moving and you can push off. Of it is relatively flat, then you can push one ski out and then the other...kind of like a speedskater if you can understand it (im having trouble describing it) But the first method is the best and gives you the best push off. Trying to just slide forward with skiboards like your walking...is like doing the moonwalk. You look like your going forward but your actually sliding back lol. Hope that helps?

I use the same side step technique. Or a quick shuffle depending on the slope and icyness level.

The best is what Ty says though. Submissive foot forward "pointing where you want to go". Pushing with the back "dominant" foot. You should be making a "T". This prevents sliding and you can go or slow down.

Dominant foot is determined by how you slide on ice (Or kick a soccer ball). Whatever foot you use as an anchor (the foot behind). Your submissive is your leading foot. Run at an ice patch and slide. You will instinctively use whatever foot is natural.

[taimos]

i just skate skate skate on anything and everything flat.

pushing to the side and back with one skiboard, and then with the other, just like in inline skating.

however if the lift queue is really bad, ill just shuffle my way forward, and sometimes grab ropes/machines to pull myself.

[existentialblu]

If it's really icy I tend to turn as sideways as the packed lift line will allow with my (heh) submissive foot out front. And then I stick my edges as far in as I can get them. Like the ol' frenchfries thing. Only sideways. Yes, not that much fun.

I'll have to mess around with the T thing that some of you guys described. Sounds very similar to a stopping technique on figure skates. It's the pretty looking stop.

Random poll: as far as foot dominance and all, I'd be curious to know how many people share hand and foot dominance. In my case I'm both left handed and footed. Spinning works better clockwise, and if skidding to a stop, my right foot is downhill.

[fLyHiGh]

Random poll: as far as foot dominance and all, I'd be curious to know how many people share hand and foot dominance. In my case I'm both left handed and footed. Spinning works better clockwise, and if skidding to a stop, my right foot is downhill.

I do the exact opposite of what you do. I spin counterclockwise, and stop with my left foot forward, but this is probably because I'm right handed.

[tyberesk]

i honestly feel more comfortable spinning off rails unnaturally but i feel more comfortable 270ing on the other way as well as 360 spinning the opposite way.

[kage]

I HATE shuffling along in tight lift lines. I also hate having to suddenly speed up to keep up with everyone and spinning my feet in place and not getting anywhere.
I think this year I'll just wave my arms around over my head and talk really loud drunk gibbersh and see ... maybe they'll just all move out of my way.
:)

[Manlenium]

Nothing scares me more then an inexperienced skiers poles. I am waiting to lose an eye.

[winterparkrider]

I like to let my skiboards hit the person in front of me so they have to look at them. It will either start a conversation or an argument. Both can be stimulating.

[Manlenium]

You might get those condors broken over your head.....:p
That only can equal more hurt...:D

[winterparkrider]

Just a little nudge not a smash. And besides, with 7 years of aikijitsu and mua-tia I dont think that there are too many people that I could'nt handle. I have never been in a real fight on the slopes and now that I represent a company I have to act in the best interest of revel8. It says so in my contract

[izzonnap]

wow, this thread it pretty old..
It just came up as a hit from my google search.

Anyway, I also had some trouble trying to get around on even ground. It's awkward enough trying to "skate" around on even ground, but getting through the lift lines really sucked. My friend (on a snowboarder) even had to pull me forward one time lol.

And trying to go up even the slightest incline... :mad:

[MitchK]

all it really takes is a bit of practice for that. Once you get used to it, you won't be having too much trouble with it. It really is a lot like inline skating, but with a (very) wide stance when you're out in the open, the key is to try make sure you're pushing from your edges. Lift lines can be a bit of a pain, because you don't have the room to get that wide stance, but I find for the most part you can just do a shuffle forward in there, and once you're actually moving to get on the lift, there is (usually) enough room to skate forward.

[Gromit]

I usually aim to be on one of the outside edges of the lift line. You'll often find ropes or rails there that are of help in staying upright or pulling yourself along! :)

[SkaFreak]

I usually aim to be on one of the outside edges of the lift line. You'll often find ropes or rails there that are of help in staying upright or pulling yourself along! :)

Most areas frown on pulling on those ropes. They're really just there as dividers and aren't driven far enough into the snow to survive people pulling on them too much. Just a heads up.

[Dave Bloom]

Most areas frown on pulling on those ropes. They're really just there as dividers and aren't driven far enough into the snow to survive people pulling on them too much. Just a heads up.

Grabbing onto the back of the lift chair in front of you is frowned upon, too. Oh well, I do it anyway. For everyone who rides poleless, do what you have to do. Rules are meant to be broken.

If there is nothing to grab onto just put your foot forward, point up, and dig the back of your board in a little to pull yourself forward with. Just like you would pull yourself forward if you dug your heel down in front of you.

[jjue]

yes . tricky at times but the pay off in not having to carry those damn poles all over the ski area is super cool !

[ysb33r]

At Mt Hood Timerline a number of the lift lines run uphill. I had to duck walk them. It was a bit of a pain, but surmountanle withou having to pull on the ropes. Once a lift attendant actually gave me a pull up the incline - decent of him :D.

I have always foudn more than enough space to turn one or both boards sideways to move up the line. It might be a problem with long boards though

What I have found that was far more irritating is people on skis which cannot control their own space and keep on kicking their tips into the tails of my boards.

[Fast]

If it's really icy I tend to turn as sideways as the packed lift line will allow with my (heh) submissive foot out front. And then I stick my edges as far in as I can get them. Like the ol' frenchfries thing. Only sideways. Yes, not that much fun.

I'll have to mess around with the T thing that some of you guys described. Sounds very similar to a stopping technique on figure skates. It's the pretty looking stop.

Random poll: as far as foot dominance and all, I'd be curious to know how many people share hand and foot dominance. In my case I'm both left handed and footed. Spinning works better clockwise, and if skidding to a stop, my right foot is downhill.
Interesting... I'm right handed, shoot a football with my left foot, which is my dominant foot, but at the same time I hockey stop with my right foot in front, spin counterclockwise, and in the lift lines when doing the T thing my left foot is in front... How messed up am I.
As for skating, I can do it on slight declines, but when it gets flat or uphill, I end up duckwalking.

[Urban_freestyle]

I've found the skating techneque works quite well here in Italy :) i have to admit though i've never tried the T pusing myself along...maybe i will on my next day off. :)