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kids on lifts and what is a surface tow?
Hi,
Never been skiing and as for living in South Texas, we don't get much (any) snow down here. We are planning a trip to New Mexico early next year and are thinking of Red River. We have a 5 year old and a almost 3 year old at that time that are going with us. I am worried about the lifts and wondering if they are safe for the kids. I have heard that ther are no type of belts or harness. Is it safe for the kids? Is there any other way to get to the top of the mountain? Any suggestions of another resort in the NM or S Colorado that has a gondola? Thanks for any help or suggestions you can offer. Sparky |
On Fri, 20 May 2005 01:02:09 -0500, "Sparky"
wrote: Never been skiing and as for living in South Texas, we don't get much (any) snow down here. We are planning a trip to New Mexico early next year and are thinking of Red River. We have a 5 year old and a almost 3 year old at that time that are going with us. I am worried about the lifts and wondering if they are safe for the kids. I have heard that ther are no type of belts or harness. Is it safe for the kids? Is there any other way to get to the top of the mountain? Any suggestions of another resort in the NM or S Colorado that has a gondola? Thanks for any help or suggestions you can offer. Every above ground lift I have ever seen has some type of metal bar that you lower in front of your waist after getting on, and rasie just before getting off. When there is a small child (although 3 is definitely too young for this, and probably 5 would be) the lift attendant makes certain they are riding up with someone older enought to handle the bar. The kiddie ski classes/day care tend to work around using the lift. The surface tows are much older technology, are rarely seen any more. Almost all of the ones I recall at the smaller areas in New England are now gone. No need for safety belts, as the safest thing to do is to let go if there is a problem. As they require more attention from the user, much less popular with liability underwriters. Various types. The oldest is the rope tow, where you grab on and get pulled up in preset ski tracks. There are also the J-bar, where a J-shaped bar, often spring-loaded, gets wrapped around your butt to pull you along. Also the T-bar, where there is a bar at the end of the rope, and you place this between your legs, and sort of partially sit on the bar. A few other types existed as well. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) -- At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
Gary S. wrote:
On Fri, 20 May 2005 01:02:09 -0500, "Sparky" wrote: Never been skiing and as for living in South Texas, we don't get much (any) snow down here. We are planning a trip to New Mexico early next year and are thinking of Red River. We have a 5 year old and a almost 3 year old at that time that are going with us. I am worried about the lifts and wondering if they are safe for the kids. I have heard that ther are no type of belts or harness. Is it safe for the kids? Is there any other way to get to the top of the mountain? Any suggestions of another resort in the NM or S Colorado that has a gondola? Thanks for any help or suggestions you can offer. Every above ground lift I have ever seen has some type of metal bar that you lower in front of your waist after getting on, and rasie just before getting off. When there is a small child (although 3 is definitely too young for this, and probably 5 would be) the lift attendant makes certain they are riding up with someone older enought to handle the bar. The kiddie ski classes/day care tend to work around using the lift. The surface tows are much older technology, are rarely seen any more. Almost all of the ones I recall at the smaller areas in New England are now gone. No need for safety belts, as the safest thing to do is to let go if there is a problem. As they require more attention from the user, much less popular with liability underwriters. Various types. The oldest is the rope tow, where you grab on and get pulled up in preset ski tracks. There are also the J-bar, where a J-shaped bar, often spring-loaded, gets wrapped around your butt to pull you along. Also the T-bar, where there is a bar at the end of the rope, and you place this between your legs, and sort of partially sit on the bar. A few other types existed as well. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) For very small children, look for an area that has a good kids program. The kids will be happier and the grown-ups will be too. Often there is a limited amount of space for the kids and reservations should be made when you make your reservations for lodging. What to look for: A more or less separate area for kids (adults whizzing by tend to scare beginning kids) Staff strictly for kids programs (no overlap w/adults prog) Lifts: a "Magic Carpet" type of lift is best(easy/slow/low) And for you, especially the 3yo, if the kids show little or no interest in skiing, put them in day-care and call it good. Actually skiing programs for ones that young are really just day care with maybe an hour or so of "skiing" each day. If the 5yo has an interest, he/she will pick it up incredibly quickly so don't worry, but don't push either. If you are going skiing for the first time with kids, I'd suggest looking for the best kids' program. The adult program for adults will probably be adequate for your purposes. I'll be kind and not offer a Texas skier joke. But. People from Texas tend to not know what it's like to slide while on your feet. This is a new experience and you might like to practice some sock-sliding on a waxed floor, maybe even some roller-blading, while it's not sliding because it's more directional, it's a start. Wear pads. Don't worry about the kids, this is for you. Oh, yes, let the pros deal with the kids as far as skiing goes. VtSkier |
Gary S. wrote:
On Fri, 20 May 2005 01:02:09 -0500, "Sparky" wrote: Never been skiing and as for living in South Texas, we don't get much (any) snow down here. We are planning a trip to New Mexico early next year and are thinking of Red River. We have a 5 year old and a almost 3 year old at that time that are going with us. I am worried about the lifts and wondering if they are safe for the kids. I have heard that ther are no type of belts or harness. Is it safe for the kids? Is there any other way to get to the top of the mountain? Any suggestions of another resort in the NM or S Colorado that has a gondola? Thanks for any help or suggestions you can offer. First, you're not on your own - ski resorts have a huge investment in teaching kids to ski - they are the future income. So just check/ask the mountain. You won't be stuck trying to haul kids up a steep mountain while trying to learn yourself. (BTW, you didn't ask, but I'll tell you anyway: take a beginner lesson yourself. Check with the resort - around here many resorts offer beginner packages - rentals, lessons, and lift tickets for one low price.) Every above ground lift I have ever seen has some type of metal bar that you lower in front of your waist after getting on, and rasie just before getting off. Not around here. "Safety" bars are common on high speed detachable lifts but there are plenty of older lifts left around, often on the more desirable terrain for kids. Safety bars seem more common in the east and Colorado tourist towns than farther west - I don't know about the SW. Even when we do have bars lots of folks decline to lower them. When there is a small child (although 3 is definitely too young for this, and probably 5 would be) the lift attendant makes certain they are riding up with someone older enought to handle the bar. The kiddie ski classes/day care tend to work around using the lift. IF the kids are using the lifts (see below) the operators can/will slow the lift to help the kid get settled and secure next to an adult. Not a problem. Although my two year old tried to jump off a lift in mid-flight before I caught him on the way out. BTW 3&5 is not too young; 3s should ride with an adult each. But instead of riding lifts, kids 3 and 5 (or 4 and 6) should be in "snow school" AKA a day care with ski instruction. Look for a resort with a quality kid's care facility. They should provide skis and boots, should get the kid dressed warmly and ready to ski, should teach them on isolated easy terrain with a moving carpet to get up the whole three feet of vertical, and should provide lunch and snack. A good such program is wonderful. Avoid one where the principle is baby sitting; insist on one that does focus on ski instruction. Hope you find out why we all love skiing. |
Sparky wrote:
Hi, Never been skiing and as for living in South Texas, we don't get much (any) snow down here. We are planning a trip to New Mexico early next year and are thinking of Red River. We have a 5 year old and a almost 3 year old at that time that are going with us. I am worried about the lifts and wondering if they are safe for the kids. I have heard that ther are no type of belts or harness. Is it safe for the kids? Is there any other way to get to the top of the mountain? Any suggestions of another resort in the NM or S Colorado that has a gondola? Thanks for any help or suggestions you can offer. Surface lifts are no big deal. A lot of the beginner lifts in Australia are pomas and t-bars, and many hills even in the US use rope-tows or handle tows for beginners (especially kids). Harnesses would be bloody dangerous. In the old days we used them, called "nutcrackers", but you'd never see one in America nowadays. I have a notion there is a NM resort with a gondola... Apache something? Ski Apache. Near some place called I think "ruidoso". but the beginner terrain isn't always at the top of gondolas, and double that for little kids. -- ant Don't forget to watch Eurovison! 7.30 friday night and the main event Sunday night! |
Vail has - I think - a gondola-accessible beginners area.
But, having said that, a gondola is not the solution. The kids need to learn to ride the lifts. Teaching this is something ski schools do when the kids are ready - often during the afternoon of the first day. Most lifts have some sort of bar or other, and I have ridden lifts with very little kids without any problems at all. Please don't come to Colorado. Sparky wrote: Hi, Never been skiing and as for living in South Texas, we don't get much (any) snow down here. We are planning a trip to New Mexico early next year and are thinking of Red River. We have a 5 year old and a almost 3 year old at that time that are going with us. I am worried about the lifts and wondering if they are safe for the kids. I have heard that ther are no type of belts or harness. Is it safe for the kids? Is there any other way to get to the top of the mountain? Any suggestions of another resort in the NM or S Colorado that has a gondola? Thanks for any help or suggestions you can offer. Sparky |
rumpius wrote:
Please don't come to Colorado. ROTFL. sympathise. -- ant Don't forget to watch Eurovison! Sunday night. |
Please don't come to Colorado.
I won't come back to Colorado if you NEVER come to Texas. What an Ass.... |
" Surface lifts are no big deal. A lot of the beginner lifts in Australia
are pomas and t-bars, and many hills even in the US use rope-tows or handle tows for beginners (especially kids). Harnesses would be bloody dangerous. In the old days we used them, called "nutcrackers", but you'd never see one in America nowadays. I have a notion there is a NM resort with a gondola... Apache something? Ski Apache. Near some place called I think "ruidoso". but the beginner terrain isn't always at the top of gondolas, and double that for little kids. Yes Riudoso does have a gondola.....the only gondola in the state of NM as a matter of fact. The problem with Riudoso is that the ski are Ski Apache is a 40 minute drive one way up the mountain and there is no lodging in the ski area. We considered this but want to sta in a resort area so the kids have access to the snow and tubing and snow mobiles w/o having to ride the lifts up to the top of the mountain. Red River says they have a surface tow but I can't find any info on it and how far it goes up the mountain. We should have more than enough people going on the trip with us so the little one will always have someone to stay with down below. Thanks for all the help........ |
Sparky wrote:
Yes Riudoso does have a gondola.....the only gondola in the state of NM as a matter of fact. The problem with Riudoso is that the ski are Ski Apache is a 40 minute drive one way up the mountain and there is no lodging in the ski area. We considered this but want to sta in a resort area so the kids have access to the snow and tubing and snow mobiles w/o having to ride the lifts up to the top of the mountain. Red River says they have a surface tow but I can't find any info on it and how far it goes up the mountain. We should have more than enough people going on the trip with us so the little one will always have someone to stay with down below. Thanks for all the help........ If it's the same surface lift (rope tow) as when I was there, it starts at the day lodge on climbers right and goes up maybe 75 vertical feet. -klaus |
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