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10 hilarious (and painful, and frightening) ski lift videos
Unless you want to cling to the glove-shredding, arm-yanking tow rope of the bunny hill, if you're going downhill skiing, you'll be riding a ski lift. While ski lifts serve a functional purpose -- getting you to the top of the mountain -- they can also be a great source of entertainment. From improper dismounts, to technical malfunctions, to a chairlift that masquerades as a thrill ride, here are ten of the funniest, most painful, most frightening, and most novel ski lift videos.
Unlucky Ski Lift Operator
Since skiers aren't always alert, ski lift operators must always be on their toes. This poor ski lift operator can't seem to get a break -- as soon as he's ushered one fallen skier out of harm's way, another tumbling skier dismounts from the chairlift. Either that slope is really icy -- or happy hour just ended.
Ski Lift Face Plant
There's a reason chairlifts have official dismount locations. Don't try jumping off the lift just because you feel like it, or you might end up like this poor snowboarder. Ouch!
Dangling Dismount
This ski lift thinks it's a bird of prey! Like an osprey swooping down on its next meal, this ski lift grabs its victim by the neck, carrying him off into the nether. Gives new meaning to the words "ski lift," right?
France's Scary Up and Over Lift
Most ski lift rides up the mountain are uneventful -- a time to reflect on the run you just completed or plan your next descent. Some chair lift rides are, however, an adventure in themselves. France's Val d'Isere resort, for example, features one of the scariest ski lift rides in the world. Affectionately known as the "Up and Over" lift, this lift takes you up to the mountain peak and over to the other side of the mountain. It's better than a ride at Six Flags!
Ski Lift in High Winds
Although ski lifts have been around for decades, Mother Nature occasionally takes her frustration out on the this technology, in the form of high-speed winds. Severe weather makes chairlifts inoperable -- and potentially deadly -- as seen in this horrifying video.
The Single Chair Lift
The world's first ski lift opened in 1936 at Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho. This single-chair lift brought skiers up the mountain one at a time -- a far cry from today's high-speed, multiple occupancy lifts. Operating costs made these single-chair ski lifts obsolete years ago, but at Vermont's Mad River Glen, the single chair lift lives on!
Evacuate the ski lift!
Newbie or not, no matter how long you've been skiing, when you're riding a lift, getting stuck is always at the back of your mind. If you've ever wondered what happens when a chairlift stops functioning and needs to be evacuated, check out this video.
Controlled Chair Lift Destruction
A ski lift evacuation is scary, but this hypothetical situation is even worse! Loaded with simulated passengers (concrete blocks), this ski lift set for destruction in Winter Park, Colorado, demonstrates what would happen should all mechanics fail and launches the lift into a high speed rollback.
Devil's Lake Ski Lift Rollback
But what happens if a ski lift rollback occurs WITH passengers aboard? It happened at Devil's Lake Resort in Wisconsin. Skiers in this news report video describe what happened when the ski lift they were riding started rolling back.
Chairlift Tips for Skiing
Scared of getting into a chairlift accident? If you're a beginner, check out this helpful ski lift video for newbies.
Want more? Don't miss 10 Things You Probably Shouldn't Do in a Kayak.
Unlucky Ski Lift Operator
Since skiers aren't always alert, ski lift operators must always be on their toes. This poor ski lift operator can't seem to get a break -- as soon as he's ushered one fallen skier out of harm's way, another tumbling skier dismounts from the chairlift. Either that slope is really icy -- or happy hour just ended.
Ski Lift Face Plant
There's a reason chairlifts have official dismount locations. Don't try jumping off the lift just because you feel like it, or you might end up like this poor snowboarder. Ouch!
Dangling Dismount
France's Scary Up and Over Lift
Most ski lift rides up the mountain are uneventful -- a time to reflect on the run you just completed or plan your next descent. Some chair lift rides are, however, an adventure in themselves. France's Val d'Isere resort, for example, features one of the scariest ski lift rides in the world. Affectionately known as the "Up and Over" lift, this lift takes you up to the mountain peak and over to the other side of the mountain. It's better than a ride at Six Flags!
Ski Lift in High Winds
Although ski lifts have been around for decades, Mother Nature occasionally takes her frustration out on the this technology, in the form of high-speed winds. Severe weather makes chairlifts inoperable -- and potentially deadly -- as seen in this horrifying video.
The Single Chair Lift
The world's first ski lift opened in 1936 at Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho. This single-chair lift brought skiers up the mountain one at a time -- a far cry from today's high-speed, multiple occupancy lifts. Operating costs made these single-chair ski lifts obsolete years ago, but at Vermont's Mad River Glen, the single chair lift lives on!
Evacuate the ski lift!
Newbie or not, no matter how long you've been skiing, when you're riding a lift, getting stuck is always at the back of your mind. If you've ever wondered what happens when a chairlift stops functioning and needs to be evacuated, check out this video.
Controlled Chair Lift Destruction
A ski lift evacuation is scary, but this hypothetical situation is even worse! Loaded with simulated passengers (concrete blocks), this ski lift set for destruction in Winter Park, Colorado, demonstrates what would happen should all mechanics fail and launches the lift into a high speed rollback.
Devil's Lake Ski Lift Rollback
But what happens if a ski lift rollback occurs WITH passengers aboard? It happened at Devil's Lake Resort in Wisconsin. Skiers in this news report video describe what happened when the ski lift they were riding started rolling back.
Chairlift Tips for Skiing
Scared of getting into a chairlift accident? If you're a beginner, check out this helpful ski lift video for newbies.
Want more? Don't miss 10 Things You Probably Shouldn't Do in a Kayak.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris Jan 14th 2010 3:40AM
Yeah like I wasn't scared of ski lifts already
Liisa Jan 17th 2010 2:53PM
do not EVER jump from a ski lift! It might derail the lift, unless its rolling back...then JUMP!
FOURDOGSLAUGHING Jan 17th 2010 3:20PM
now thats what i call funny as hell , video #2
Ron Jan 17th 2010 5:26PM
Would have been interesting if they had put a couple of "G" meters on some of the chairs in Winter Park when they did the deliberate roll back to see how many G's were applied to the chairs as they went around the terminals
R Mitchell Jan 17th 2010 8:27PM
I remember literally hanging on the lift by the seat of my pants. Was on a 6th grade ski trip when I dropped my ski pole and leaned forward to grab it. I slid forward and had to lean back fast and grab the side rails. All but about 2 inches of my butt was off the chair and I was about halfway up the Ptarmigan lift at Eaglecrest in Juneau, Ak. Not sure just how far the drop is...but I am sure that it wouldn't have ended very well had I dropped. Scared me a bit..but what can you do except get back on?
sandi Jan 22nd 2010 1:41AM
What else can you do except get back on?...LOL...How about stay the he** off! My step daughter broke her leg so bad snowboarding that she was in the hospital for a month and could not fly home for almost two months. 5 years later her leg still has the rod in it , swells to twice it's size, causes constant pain and you got it, she has your same attitude, she is back on the snowboard as is her 2 and 4 year olds! I am far from a coward and have done some exciting things in my life but my first trip up a ski lift was my last!!!
mitch Jan 21st 2010 8:57PM
m,y ski poles got caught between the ground and chair and was pulled out of my hands so i figured i better jump, lowest spot was about 10 ft and i landed in about 3 ft of fresh snow, had a heck of a time getting out. the operator gave me my poles laughing his ass off.
froggythegremlin Jan 21st 2010 10:25PM
I worked as a lift operator( top and bottom) at Stratton Mt. and I'll tell ya, a lot of these skiers don't have any idea how to use a chair lift. Funny and scary! They should have put dummies on that lift instead of cinder blocks. Now THAT would have been funny!!!
Jimbo Jan 21st 2010 11:25PM
Lift operator (video 1) would be a great way to meet chicks.
Mark Framness Jan 21st 2010 11:53PM
The resort in Wisconsin is Devilshead not Devils Lake.
My usual ski haunt has a back hill T-Bar and it is hilarious to watch the young kids usually horsing around fall down and just look out and out dorky. Due to long lift lines last weekend my brother and I rode it up a couple of times and had no problems with it.
Another state resort has a an old 2x chair that spans peaks and while I've never been on it, my brother and father tell me that is a harrowing ride with you well above the pines.
awill Jan 22nd 2010 12:08AM
Does anyone know the location of the first video? Or the year filmed.
MaryJo Jan 22nd 2010 11:04AM
It is from a Warren Miller film from the 1970's. Warren Miller produced around 20 ski films through out the years. They are all great!
dena Jan 24th 2010 10:29PM
The first one is a great clip from a Warren Miller film that we watched back in the late 70's.
006JaneBlond Jan 22nd 2010 4:09AM
These videos are pretty funny. And some of them look a bit "vintage".
I myself love skiing in Austria. Ischgl to be exact. There you can ski to Switerland....then take this HUGE lift that's a double decker lift holding around 200 ppl. It's insane! There are also "bun-warmers" in some of the lifts. Can't complain when ya gots warm cheeks coming down the slopes.
www.ischgl.at
ycav4424 Jan 24th 2010 6:28AM
That first operator needed some help, and a raise.
Kathy Handyside Jan 24th 2010 1:59PM
I think I'll stick to cross-country skiing!
Tom Matson Dec 30th 2011 12:19AM
Does anyone know the name of the Warren Miller film that the clip of the "unlucky Skilift operator" came from?