Definition: A surface lift is a type of mechanized transport used to bring skiers and snowboarders uphill at ski and snowboard resorts. Unlike chairlifts, surface lifts operate with the rider remaining on the ground. Because they cost much less than a chairlift, they are popular with smaller resorts, as well as in beginner areas at major resorts.
Types of surface lifts include rope tows, J-bars, T-bars, pomas (also called a platter lift), and magic carpets (similar to a moving walkway in an airport).
Pronunciation: [sur-fis lift]
Examples:
Okemo has a surface lift dedicated solely to serving their superpipe, which makes it very easy to get multiple pipe runs in within a short period of time.