Platter Lift

A platter lift (US), platter pull (US - also j-bar) or button lift (Europe) is a surface lift, a mechanized system for pulling skiers and snowboarders uphill, along the surface of the slope. In North America they are also known as Poma lifts (after the Poma corporation which first made them). In French, it is téléski (although colloquially known as a tire-fesses or bum-pull). In Italy it is skilift (or sciovia). It was invented in 1908 by Robert Winterhalder in the Black Forest (Germany).

The lift consists of an aerial steel rope loop running over a series of wheels, powered by an engine at one end. Hanging from the rope overhead are equally-spaced vertical poles or cables attached to a plastic button or platter that is placed between the skiers legs and pulls the skier uphill. Snowboarders place the platter behind the top of their front leg or in front of their chest under their rear arm and hold it in position with their hands. Attempting to be pulled up just holding on with the arms is tiring and makes balancing more difficult. Also, a common mistake for first-time riders is attempting to sit on the platter, which immediately sends both platter and rider to the ground.