If skiing is an experience, I would say first time on different ski lifts are nothing less. There are several types of them which could surprise in many different ways sometimes pleasant and sometimes not so. However, they are wonderful experiences which could be cherished and brings back a smile when reflected upon.
You will experience a wide range of physical and mental phenomenon ranging from being relaxed, panting heavily, high pulse rates, stiff and painful arms and feet, blissful viewing the snow clad pine trees, entertained by a adventurous skier, etc. If you think that tumbling down the slope is more embarrassing than to ski down in a ugly and clumsy way. I would say there is nothing to be embarrassed about tumbling down the lift as its equally difficult for the first few times. :)
My experiences with ski lifts mentioned here don’t necessary order the lifts in the order of difficulty, as it is very relative and differ from person to person.
T-lifts: These are very tricky ones, as a first timer its quiet tempting to sit on the T-bar, soon to realize that you are tangled and immobilized and the lift is stopped for a while to clear the debris :) (Skiis, Poles, Hat etc). One positive thing about sitting on them is, you do it right at the beginning and the lift man is there is to help you. Now that you learnt your first lesson, you manage to go up holding the bar so tight as if it decides life and death. The stress is even more if there is another person on the same T bar (Its designed for 2 people), as you have to have more control on those veering skis, not to come in line of the person next to you.
Button-lifts with rope: These are definitely in view are the friendliest lifts. There is a sort of equilibrium and you are the master of things, well most of the times. As long as the button is exerting a force on your bums you are happy, suddenly there could be flat surface, and when you feel that the button is off your body, while actually it is not and you panic and the inevitable will happen. After a few times on these lifts they are your best friends. These are the best ones when the lift stops (probably some one tried sitting on the button and tripped off) half way at a steep point on the slope, as you can hang at an angle to the slope and stare at blue skies happily.
Button-lifts with spring: By now you might have concluded that button lifts are cool and don’t have to expect the unexpected. But there is another variant of this; they look pretty much the same and even friendlier as the bars are waiting patiently for you, unlike the button-lift with a rope which is always on the move. So you tend to be little casual in getting them between you legs, and there comes Spanking on the bums!!! It starts off with a sudden force and shoots up. Yes, for the first timer that’s a shock, but if you survive, the rest of the ride is smooth.
Chair-lifts: These lifts are all about getting on and off, leave the closing and opening of the safety bar to the others. You have to wait for your turn patiently and if you don’t and miscalculate the radius of curvature of the oncoming lift or mistimed, you will get run over by it. While sitting on lift occupy only one seat if you land up in between two seats, pray that handle of the safety bar does not hit the thighs. Though there is an advantage that you get a longer rod to rest your skis its not worth it. Once you are up in the lift sit back and enjoy the view of the hills and the skiers criss-crossing the slope. Getting off is same technique, right timing and moving quickly out from the chair. This is no place for an elevator pitch.
Conveyer-lift: These are found on the bunny-slopes and have to just stand them and rest is taken care-off. Very rarely if there is a lot of snow on the belt you slide a bit backwards, but no damage done just make you little nervous.
Bunny-Slope lift: Don’t know the official name of this lift, but they are for tiny-tots, which means its low lying and a plastic stick to hold on to, pretty much safe, but very tiring to hold on to the plastic stick.
In all these lifts, there is one common problem which is your poles. Half the problem is resolved if you are not clumsy with them. Happy Skiing !!!!!!!! J
