How to Unload a Little One

Strategies for snowboarding kids and lifts

Remember when snowboarding was new? Culture shock aside, we learned to adapt the resort experience to better serve our guests who use one board instead of two. Everything from lift-loading procedures to equipment racks was revisited.

While snowboarding isn't unusual now, the emergence of miniature shredders is a growing phenomenon. The ranks of very young snowboarders, kids age six and younger, are increasing. Is your resort prepared for the day when children on snowboards are as common as those in your kiddie ski program?

While many resort operations must be reviewed with an eye to these small children, lift operations is of particular interest. Many procedures applied to skiers and/or adult snowboarders don't necessarily work best for tiny riders.

The following two observations regard child snowboarders who require full-time assistance and/or supervision from an adult. In other words, the child needs help boarding the lift, they don't ride the chair alone, and assistance may be required to get off the lift.

1. If the adult helper is a snowboarder, load the child to the parent's toeside.

It is extremely difficult for an adult to turn to their heelside to help a child. While the bottom lift operator might give a boost to a child while loading, only the accompanying adult is going to be at the top to help the kid off. unloading ramp mishaps can be reduced if the assisting adult has the child to their toeside.

If the child must have assistance from the bottom lift operator, it's best if the operator shifts to the outside of the chair if such a move is necessary to keep the child to the parent's toeside. It may be desirable to slow the chair in such instances.

Not only is the toeside method of loading better for the child, it's safer for the adult rider. The contortion of twisting to the heel-side to help a child puts a lot of strain on the adult's knees and back.

2. Allow small children to load and unload with both feet strapped in.

An adult can assist a small child to the loading area more efficiently if the adult is able to push (or pull) the child to the load spot while both the child's feet are strapped into their bindings, because small children who try to "scooter kick" their way to the load spot can be slow and awkward.

A child should be on the adult's toeside

Once the child is in the proper loading position, a quick boost from the adult gets them onto the chair. Because small children don't have legs long enough to reach the ground from a sitting position on the chair their snowboard is unlikely to touch or drag on the load ramp at this point.

Unloading is also easier if the child is stabilized by having both feet in bindings. Often times, small children don't have the strength and coordination to unload with only their front foot strapped in. It's a move difficult for adults to master.

Complicating the unloading challenge for a small child is the size of their equipment. Children's snowboards aren't much larger than a skateboard. The bindings are so close together that there is no place to put a loose foot during unloading.

With both the child's feet strapped into bindings, it's easier for the adult to help the little one onto the unload-ramp slopes. Beginners may need a helping hand all the way down, but it won't be long before the adult can let the child simply ride away from the unload area (at this point the major concern is having them wait for you!).

These simple ideas are more convenient for your guests, and lift managers who try them out may find that lift slowdowns due to kiddie snowboarders and their families will be reduced.

©: 1999 TransWorld Publications, Inc.

Where Would You Like to Go?
Dave's Snowboard Patrol Home Page