The chairlift phenomenon

This article is one of three that I’ve written about ski lifts and various notes I think you should know to make the most of them. Also because chairlifts are just awesome. Some people in life love cars, others love motorbikes for boats or bicycles, and there are a special small few who just love ski lifts. They're magnificent objects of modern engineering. I’ve had the pleasure of helping to splice a chairlift too which was fascinating. It’s not just how they operate that fascinates me though, it’s the effect they have on us while we are riding them. It's unlike any other form of shared transport.

Have you ever sat on a chairlift and felt at total ease with the world? Like suddenly you have the headspace to express and discuss anything and everything that’s on your mind, no matter who is sitting next to you? In my experience it is absolutely incredible what sitting on a chairlift can do for your mental health.

What is it about a ski resort chairlift that is so special? How come people feel so at ease to share their worries with the total stranger sat next to them?

Well when I started to think about it, I reckoned it’s all about the environment. When sat on a chairlift, you’re most likely on holiday or working the winter season enjoying yourself, meaning you’re already detached from the woes of “regular life”.

It is also a time to breathe deeply, let the pure alpine air reach your lungs while basking in the glittery sunshine reflecting off the snowy mountain tops. It’s hard not to feel peacefully happy.

Chairlifts are a small set amount of time, at the end of which you can return to your solo ski bubble and forget who you met and what you said in a matter of seconds. This could play a huge role in our ability to feel comfortable chatting to strangers in this way.

It's not just the strangers that have the deep therapy-like conversations on the chairlift. I've often found myself discussing difficult matters with family and close friends on chairlifts, and for me, the ability to absorb what was discussed while doing my favorite activity skiing down the mountain helps me to see the topics in a positive light.

If you’re the type of person who doesn’t make friends very easily, or you sometimes feel anxious to say hello to others in front of a big crowd, the chairlift may just give you a social opportunity and experience quite unlike any other. One where there is no pressure, no expectation and total freedom of expression.

Chairlifts are not always buzzing with people. On the rare occasion you may find yourself being able to take the lift alone. Depending on the location of said chairlift, it could be a chance for you to let out any aggravations whether ski related or not, shouting at the top of your lungs to release emotion, or laughing out loud at the thought of a remarkable memory, perhaps even allowing yourself to cry, release, heal and align your thoughts. The chairlift in the open air suspended in the mountains where sound doesn't travel and the lift going to end in a matter of minutes can give you that controlled time of release that can really benefit your mental clarity.

Comparisons have been made between chairlifts and rollercoasters, perhaps because of the thrill of the ride and the bar keeping you in your seat. It can also be why some children are scared of riding the chairlift, but once they’ve experienced the peaceful serenity that it can provide and the realization of slower speeds of travel their fear can transform into joy.

So whether you are a tried and tested chairlift lover or you’re excited to experience it for the first time, I implore you to take a minute to reflect while on your next ride and truly reep the benefits the magnificent mountain seats can offer you. .

The Ski Nomad