Sessellifte

Sessellifte, known in English as chairlifts, are a type of aerial lift designed to transport passengers seated on chairs suspended from a continuously circulating steel rope. The chairs are attached to the rope by grips and travel along a network of towers between terminal stations. Sessellifte are widely used in ski resorts, mountain tourist areas, and some urban or recreational settings.

Typical chairs vary from two-seat to six-seat models, with two- and four-seat configurations being most common. Modern installations may be fixed-grip or detachable. In detachable lifts, chairs detach from the haul rope at loading and unloading stations to allow higher speeds away from the terminals while keeping boarding speeds safe. Seats usually include a restraint bar and, in many designs, a footrest. Some models offer weather protection features or have partially enclosed cabins for added comfort.

Operation and safety: A drive station powers the haul rope, which is supported by towers and fed back through return stations. The system is designed to run at moderate speeds, with capacity depending on chair size and line length. Regular maintenance and inspections are required to ensure cable integrity, structural fastenings, and safety devices function correctly. Weather conditions, especially wind and ice, can affect performance and may lead to temporary shutdowns.

Safety and regulations: Sessellifte employ redundancy in critical components, emergency braking, and procedures for lift evacuation. Operators monitor weather, load, and passenger behavior to minimize risk. Standards and licensing vary by country, but common practices emphasize routine inspection, operator training, and clear boarding and disembarkation procedures.