Viewers Stunned by Ski Mishap That Turned a Chairlift Into "Final Destination"
Another beautiful day starts on the mountain. You’re cresting the top of the chairlift, chatting with your buddies about where you think the snow is best. Then, in a flash, you see it. A cruise missile. A javelin. A crossbow bolt.
It’s none of those things, actually, but if you don’t act fast, you’ll still get a mouthful of p-tex and aluminum.
In a now-viral video, Jovvany Villalobos documented what can happen if the skier on the chairlift in front of you doesn’t keep their tips up. This is Final Destination material in real life.
Tap or click the video below to watch the moment unfold.
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What a save, right? As impressive as it was, though, it would’ve been ideal to avoid this situation altogether. Luckily, there’s a straightforward solution.
At just about every chairlift on the continent, there are signs at the top that read, “Keep your tips up.” This advice is mostly for your safety. If you hook both your tips, odds are good you’ll take an ungraceful nosedive.
What no one—including us—knew was possible was that keeping your tips down could create something resembling a medieval ballista. This was likely a one-in-a-million event, but unless you’re comfortable with being responsible for someone else’s dental bills, the takeaway is clear: keep those tips up.
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How To Stay Safe on the Chairlift
Aside from keeping your tips up, there are a few more things to keep yourself and others safe on the chairlift.
For one, put the bar down if you’re worried about the wind or heights. What you shouldn’t do, however, is put the bar down quickly without informing anyone else. That’s an easy way to bonk a noggin and upset your fellow chairlift riders.
Another pointer: if you’re wearing a backpack, take it off and put it in your lap before you sit down. Trying to sit in a little chair hanging in the air with a pack isn’t easy, let alone safe.
Finally, if you drop something, let it fall, no matter how expensive it is. Chasing after a new camera isn’t worth a trip to the emergency room.