Ski resorts often tout their family-friendliness and multigenerational appeal—and the summer scenic lift ride would seem to be the perfect attraction to capture that market. But what does that look like when one of those generations is still in diapers?
The question of whether a baby can ride a chairlift might seem niche at first, but it taps into a broader issue: the summer audience is more varied, less experienced, and often less familiar with resort operations than their winter counterparts (although, full disclosure: this winter-lover has no idea what her home hill’s babies-on-lifts policy is). For parents trying to explore the mountains with little ones in tow, answers need to be clear, consistent, and above all, reassuring.
So, we posed the question about bringing an infant on the lift. The answers ranged from warm and informative to … let’s just say, nap-inducing. As always, tone matters just as much as content, especially when the person on the line is already nervous about their baby’s safety on an open aerial chair.
Has a guest asked you an interesting question lately? Send it to jordyn@saminfo.com for the Spy to pose to other mountains! We won’t tell anyone the question came from you. Plus, if we use it, your resort will be immune for that issue.
MOUNTAIN 1, VT
First Contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Unfortunately, no. (sincere) For safety reasons and for legal purposes, everybody, including children, need to be able to sit independently for the full lift ride.
SAM: That makes sense. If my family does choose to go on the lift without us, are there things for me and her to do?
Staff: Yeah, if you still want to get to the top of the mountain, you are more than welcome to hike up, if that’s something that interests you. If you have a carrier or something, you could definitely do that, and you could see all of the views and everything still.
SAM: OK, great.
Staff: So that’s a good option. And then depending on when you are coming, on certain evenings we have live music and stuff like that going on. So, it really just would depend on when you are here and what it is specifically that you are looking to do. Do you want something indoors or outdoors? For instance, we have a rec center with a pool (chuckles). So, while your family is out, if you want to go for a swim, that is an option as well.
SAM: Oh great, my kids would love that.
Staff: Yes! (kind) Our website does have a lot of details and the schedule for live music and events, but please feel free to call us back if you have any additional questions.
SAM: Great, thank you for your help.
Staff: You’re welcome. Goodbye.
Score: 8
Comment: If you’ve been reading Spy, you know I basically have a punch card for being told to “check the website.” This rep broke the streak and actually explained things. A rare win. She even anticipated follow up questions. Warm, helpful, and human.
MOUNTAIN 2, MI
First Contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Absolutely.
SAM: Great, should I bring her in her car seat? Or how would she stay secured on the lift?
Staff: You’d be able to hold on to her in your lap, or if she’s big enough, she could sit next to you.
SAM: She’s only six months, so she wouldn’t be able to sit next to me. I get worried holding her on my lap.
Staff: (nice, but over it) So yes, you would need a carrier in that case. Otherwise, a car seat is too big to fit on the chairlift so that is not an option, unfortunately.
SAM: OK. I think I could just put her in a carrier attached to myself and we would be fine.
Staff: Yeah, exactly. (yawns) Anything else?
SAM: No, that is all. Thank you.
Staff: Yep, goodbye.
Score: 4
Comment: She started strong, then slowly drifted off into apathy. While I appreciate her explaining the car seat limitation, I left the call feeling like I’d interrupted a nap. Her yawn was kind of the closing statement.
MOUNTAIN 3, UT
First Contact: Male.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Absolutely!
SAM: Oh, great.
Staff: You’ll just have to hold them close to you.
SAM: OK. So, I can’t bring a car seat or anything like that?
Staff: (sincere) No, unfortunately not.
SAM: Is it fine if she’s in a carrier strapped to me? Or do I need to hold her in my hands?
Staff: Yeah, that is totally fine if she’s strapped. Yeah, that is alright.
SAM: Great, thanks for the help.
Staff: And she would be free to ride.
SAM: Awesome, thank you.
Staff: Yeah, (chipper) is there anything else I can help you with?
SAM: No, that should be all. Thank you.
Staff: Great, you take care.
Score: 7
Comment: Quick, friendly, and to the point—with a bonus mention that the baby would ride for free. Not a bad experience at all. Would’ve been nice to get a little more guidance up front rather than having to ask the follow-ups, but hey, he didn’t sigh or suggest I just “check the website,” so points for that.
MOUNTAIN 4, NY
First Contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: So, per our rules, children need to be at least 3 years old and meet a minimum height requirement of 36 inches.
SAM: Dang it, OK.
Staff: (short) Yeah.
SAM: If my family wants to ride the lift, is there anything her and I could do?
Staff: Yeah, I am sure there is. Best bet would be to check our website to see if anything interests you.
SAM: Um, OK. Is there anything you recommend?
Staff: There are some good hiking trails. And the events are fun.
SAM: OK, thanks. I will check out the website then.
Staff: (snarky) Good idea.
SAM: Yeah, I was just looking for recommendations from somebody, as we haven’t visited your resort before.
Staff: Yeah, the website should have some good recs.
SAM: Alright. Thanks.
Staff: Yep, bye.
Score: 2
Comment: Look, I don’t expect every call to be a verbal hug—but I also don’t expect, or appreciate, the cold shoulder. And for the record, reading information on a website is not the same as getting a recommendation from a human being. Not exactly rolling out the red carpet for first-time visitors here.
MOUNTAIN 5, OR
First Contact: Male.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: (monotoned) Yes, you can.
SAM: OK. Can I bring her in the car seat?
Staff: No.
SAM: OK, how do I keep her strapped in?
Staff: (cranky) Um, you can keep her in your arms on your lap.
SAM: OK, I just get worried about that.
Staff: Yeah.
SAM: Could I put her into a carrier that is strapped to myself?
Staff: Yeah, that’s fine.
SAM: Alright, thanks.
Staff: Yep, goodbye.
Score: 0.5
Comment: Half-point for picking up the phone, and that’s generous. I hope this half-wit isn’t the one running the lift when we visit because he clearly doesn’t care about being helpful, or attentive, or polite. I was just asking about bringing my unsecured baby onto a chairlift, so why should he be empathetic or give anything other than curt answers? (insert eye roll)
MOUNTAIN 6, ME
First Contact: Female.
SAM: Stated question.
Staff: Yes, it would be free for her. You would probably want to do the cabin where it’s all enclosed.
SAM: OK. So, we would take the gondola instead?
Staff: Yes, exactly. So the chairs and gondola cabins alternate. So, one would be an enclosed cabin and one is an open chair. You would just want to go in one that includes the cabin.
SAM: Great, that makes sense.
Staff: Yep.
SAM: And if I did the enclosed cabin, do I need to secure her or anything? Or should I just keep her in my arms?
Staff: (sincere) Nope, in your lap or arms is totally fine. I have a five-month-old grandson, and when he went on, they just held him.
SAM: Oh, OK, perfect. I have a six month old, so I wasn’t quite sure if I could tag along with my family and still bring her.
Staff: (cheerful) Yep, you shouldn’t have any problems!
SAM: Great, thank you for your help.
Staff: Of course, can I help with anything else?
SAM: No, that is all. Thank you again.
Staff: You’re welcome. Have a great day.
Score: 9
Comment: She knew the policy, provided useful guidance, and even threw in a personal story about her own grandson. Big points for clarity, kindness, and that rarest of things in a Spy call: human connection.
Identity Revealed: Sunday River
