A step beyond a rope tow, the J-Bar

The next step beyond a rope tow is the J-Bar lift. The J-Bar is what it sounds like, a large J shaped hook that comes behind you and pulls you up the hill. This type of lift is a huge step up from a rope tow since it can move more people at a higher rate of speed over a longer distance than a rope tow can.

A J-Bar is very different from a rope tow since you are being pulled from behind and you are sort of sitting while being pulled up the hill. For this reason a greater sense of balance and a little experience snowboarding is a good idea.

Depending upon the design of the J-Bar lift, it doesn't matter what side of the lift that you approach from. Some J-Bar lifts have alternating bars on either side while others only have bars on particular side. The J-Bar works by coming up behind you and catching your bum as you squat on the handle of the lift. This can be a little challenging since the bar moves up and down to accommodate riders of various heights but it will become easy with time.

The first step is being prepared for the lift. You will glide into the loading area with your back foot out of the binding on your snowboard. This is common for almost all types of lifts so it is a good skill to get used to. An easy way to keep your balance is to rest your rear foot on the anti-slip pad.

When it is your turn, very shortly after the previous rider has gotten on to the J-Bar, you will glide into the lift area. While standing in the lift track reach out with your hand and grab the handle of the J-Bar as it approaches you. Once you have a grip on the handle squat down a little onto the J-Bar and prepare to be pulled up the hill. You will quickly find a stance that feels comfortable for you.

The last hurdle to over come is the release at the top of the hill. In order to free yourself of the J-Bar you will need to stand up and slightly spring yourself forward in order to gently launch yourself out of the lift track. It can be difficult to do this at first so take it slow. The lift operator will slow or even stop the J-Bar in order to get you out of the track safely.

Many of the same tricks for riding a rope tow also apply to riding the J-Bar. Resist the urge to lean back or you may find yourself rolling backwards off the J-Bar and into the lap of the person behind you. Do not squat down too low as this will cause you to roll forward and out of the lift if the operator stops the lift or if you catch your snowboard on the snow. If you are new to snowboarding it always pays to take a little time to watch other people ride the lift and learn from them.

As with anything else you do, practice makes perfect. Everyone at some point had to learn how to ride the J-Bar on that hill and most people had problems the first time they tried too. When you got your first snowboarding instructions your instructor undoubtedly told you how to ride the lifts on that particular hill which may not have included the J-Bar if there wasn't one on that particular hill. If this is true for you feel free to ask for advice from either an instructor on the hill or the lift operator. Either person will be happy to tell you what you need to know to safely ride the lift and enjoy your snowboarding experience that much more.

Latest snowboarding articles

» 360 airs a killer move with vast possibilities
Because of the vast number of possible variations of 360 airs it is reasonable to call a 360 air the most important and noticeable trick for snowboarding.

» Bonking - The snowboarders "high five"
Bonking is on of those strange little things that people do for the fun of it or to make a person jump.

» Variations to add to aerial movements
Two common last minute movements to add to your routine are Late Spins and Reverts.

» How to wheelie like a pro on a snowboard
Wheelies are an old trick that goes back at least as far as roller skating does and most likely much further.

» Layback slides and slashes
Layback slides and slashes are an extreme maneuver that originated with surfing. When surfing, a surfer would literally lay back on a wave and ride it before rising to stand again.

» Nose & tail rolls
How do you switch from riding Fakie to riding regular? Many times when landing we end up riding Fakie and you may wish to revert back to riding regular.

» Snowboarding at night
Nighttime snowboarding is another aspect of snowboarding that is unlike any other that you may have tried so far.

» Skidded turns and beyond
For many beginners, learning to turn on a snowboard can be rather challenging and unnerving.

» The key to stopping is sideslipping
Sideslipping is one of the most important skills that you can learn while on the slopes.

» Lift lines: The bane of snowboarding and all other activities
As is true with almost everything else that we do on a daily basis, a line must be entered and waited out. Of course the lifts on a hill are no different.

» Snowboarding helmets
We all know that not everyone uses their head as much as they should but this is no reason to not protect it.

» Snowboarding jackets
Winter jackets have changed a lot over the years as technology has improved. The best solution used to be those big, puffy, down filled jackets.

» Snowboarding boots
The boots that you wear when snowboarding will make a huge difference with your ability to control your snowboard and your comfort on the hill.

» The base trick for all other tricks, snowboards flex
The flex of a snowboard is a non-quantifiable factor that determines the performance of your snowboard.

» The sexy shape of a snowboard
Everyone knows that an hourglass figure turns heads. Not as many people know that the same figure is also behind the design of modern snowboards.

» The costs of snowboarding
As with any other recreational activity there is always a startup cost and it is the startup cost that is the killer.

» Alpine snowboarding
Alpine snowboarding is for those of you who are a little more extreme about speed than most.

» Freeriding
If you are a skier, enjoy the peace of the outdoors, enjoy powder snow, enjoy a little trick riding or just like to enjoy the slopes then this is the style for you.