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#1
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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 |
#2
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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 |
#3
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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 |
#4
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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. |
#5
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lal_truckee wrote:
[snip] 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. [snip] lal is right about a significant number of lifts in CO, i.e. they are without safety bars. The bars are reassuring but don't really hold one on the chair. BTW, when sharing a chair, it is common etiquette to inquire whether the other person minds having the bar down or, at least to mention that one is putting the bar down, before yanking it onto the other person's head or leg. |
#6
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rumpius wrote:
lal_truckee wrote: [snip] 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. [snip] lal is right about a significant number of lifts in CO, i.e. they are without safety bars. The bars are reassuring but don't really hold one on the chair. BTW, when sharing a chair, it is common etiquette to inquire whether the other person minds having the bar down or, at least to mention that one is putting the bar down, before yanking it onto the other person's head or leg. In the East, all chair lifts are required by law to have saftey bars, and the skiers are required by state law to use the saftey bars (and yes, I've seen people get warnings, and even have their lift tickets revoked by ski patrol). For the OP: As for the kids, put them in the age appropreate ski school program. They will learn with other beginners their age from instructors that know how to teach kids. And DO NOT project YOUR fears of children on chair lifts onto the kids. The ski instructors will teach them the proper way to ride the lifts, and the "lifties" do slow down the chairs so kids can get on and off - besides, chairs in beginner areas go slower than in other parts of the mountain. The only surface lift useful for little kids are the magic carpets. Forget about the old fashioned surface lifts - there's a reason they are not really used anymore - they are NOT better than chairs just because they are on the surface. It's much more difficult for a beginner to learn to ride a T-bar, poma, or rope tow than it is to use a chair lift. Janet p.s while your at it - take a lesson - it's really the best way for any beginner (adult or child) to learn. And look for beginner lift, rental, lesson packages. Saves money vs getting each thing separately. |
#7
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Gary S. wrote:
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. I would suggest that the next time you go skiing, that you inquire to the lift attendant the correct way to ride a T-bar. It's made for 2 people, you don't place it between your legs and you don't partially sit on it. snoig |
#8
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#9
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lal_truckee wrote:
wrote: Gary S. wrote: 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. I would suggest that the next time you go skiing, that you inquire to the lift attendant the correct way to ride a T-bar. It's made for 2 people, you don't place it between your legs and you don't partially sit on it. Don't discourage him - it's a rare treat for observers when someone places a t-bar between their legs or partially sits on it. Très amusant. A t-bar, unlike a platter-pull/poma-lift has a great "hook" and WILL drag you up the hill in whatever situation you were in after you had tried to sit. My first ride in a Poma type lift was in 1957. I tried to sit. Fell. Was dragged up the hill because I was hanging on tenaciously. Some one yelled "let go". So I did. By this time my head was facing uphill and the platter was below me. When the platter let go, it caught me just above the eye. Black eye, beautiful, for a week or so. Coulda been worse. I stood up forever after. |
#10
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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! |
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