Keep Your Tips Up: The Viral Chairlift Mishap That Launched a Ski Missile
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The moment you reach the bottom of the lift, it’s a time to relax and scope your line, but for two riders, that chill moment turned into a shocking near miss. In a viral video that's making the rounds, a skier getting on the lift didn't heed the common warning to keep their ski tips up. Consequently, as the chair began to move and their tips dropped, the binding caught the ground just right. This leverage ejected the ski, transforming it into a fast-moving projectile. It was an unbelievable, yet totally avoidable, incident.
Why Keeping Your Tips Up is Non-Negotiable
You see the signs everywhere: "Keep Your Tips Up." This advice is primarily for the skier's own safety. If you hook your tips while ascending, you could be pulled into an ungraceful nosedive off the chair. However, this viral clip adds a new, dramatic layer to the importance of the rule. When a ski is caught and ejected at speed, it becomes a literal hazard for the riders following close behind.
The simple takeaway is clear: avoid the potential drama entirely. You never want to be responsible for someone else's dental bills or a trip to the emergency room just because you missed a basic safety step.
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Chairlift Safety Beyond the Tip
The mountains require focus, whether you're dropping into a steep, exposed line or just loading the lift. It's a reminder that awareness is key in the action sports world.
Beyond keeping your tips up, remember these chairlift pointers:
- Secure your gear: If you're carrying a backpack, take it off and place it in your lap before you sit down. Dealing with a pack while loading an aerial chair can be cumbersome and unsafe.
- Be courteous with the bar: If you choose to lower the safety bar, make sure you alert your fellow riders first. Dropping it fast without warning can lead to a bumped head.
- Hands off: No matter how expensive the gear, if you drop something, let it fall. Chasing after a new camera is absolutely not worth the risk of a major injury.
TGR athletes have had their own harrowing moments, like pulling off an unbelievable last-second save. The action sports life is full of unexpected thrills and challenges, but a chairlift ride shouldn't be one of them. Take the few seconds to prepare, be mindful, and keep the focus on the ripping lines ahead.
