Hello hello!
So we’re back for our regular instalment and this week we thought we’d change things up a bit… so without further ado we bring you, 6 of the WORST - ski lifts and ski lift fails.
The Nutcracker Lifts – Craigieburn Valley, NZ
I don’t know about you but the name “Nutcracker” certainly doesn’t make me jump for joy at the prospect of strapping myself onto one of these! Essentially the Nutcracker is a rope tow that you attach yourself to with a nutcracker shaped carabiner clip and harness around your hips. No actual nut-cracking takes place… PHEW! It does take a while to get used to these and it is due to their primitive nature that they’ve made it into this list… what’s wrong with a POMA eh?!
“Lift of Death” – Bansko, Bulgaria
This lift known only as the “the lift of death” (well to the folks of YouTube at least) isn’t actually that bad a lift… it’s relatively modern and fairly quick, it’s just that getting off it seems to be a bit more of a challenge than any other lift… probably due to the fact that it doesn’t slow down… at all! Check out the “lift of death” series below if you fancy a chuckle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbCj2eHJ4lQ&feature=related
Single Chair - Mad Glen River Ski Resort
The clue is in the name here… a single chairlift. No friends to chat too, no random punters to make fun of, just you and a 20-minute chairlift ride. Some might say they’d enjoy the peaceful ride, others would say that this chair is a piece of history… personally I’d say you wouldn’t want to ride it more than once. Ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E58Y7UKZCs
Leissières Express - Val D’Isère, France
Ok so technically speaking this isn’t one of the worst lifts in the world, it’s actually really good in terms of comfort and speed… however… if you’re scared of heights it is absolutely terrifying! All seems well as you ascend to the summit when all of a sudden you realise, there’s no stop, only for the ground to drop away very suddenly as you descend down the other side of the valley!
If you’re not scared of heights though you’ll probably love this lift, as it affords fantastic views over the whole of Espace Killy and the Iseran Valley.
This Guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-6pQwo_9r4
One word… Ouch.
And this Guy:
Bit nippy…?
Let us know your pick of the worst lifts, the worst queues, and of course the funniest fails you’ve seen… always good for a laugh!