When exploring how ski lifts function, understanding the basic components and how they connect is key. Based on the provided information, the primary attachment described relates to how passengers are linked to the lift's moving system.
According to the reference, in its most simple form, a ski lift is two pulleys connected by a steel cable. One pulley provides power at the bottom of the hill, while the other acts as a guide or idler at the top. This steel cable serves as the moving element that transports people uphill.
Attaching Passengers to the Cable
The means by which people are transported are connected directly to this steel cable. The reference states:
- Attachment Point: Attached to the steel cable are some means for a person to either sit down or grab a handle and be hoisted to the top of the hill.
These "means for a person" are the familiar components skiers and snowboarders use:
- Ski Chairs: Found on chairlifts, these carriers are securely attached to the cable, often using specialized clamps.
- Handles or Bars: Used on surface lifts like T-bars or Poma lifts, these are also attached to the cable, typically with a mechanism that allows them to tow a person while they remain on their skis or board.
These attachments ensure passengers are safely connected to the moving cable system, allowing them to be pulled or carried from the base to the summit. While the intricate engineering of tower foundations or pulley mounts isn't detailed here, this fundamental principle of attaching passenger carriers to the steel cable is central to how a ski lift operates.
