In practicing for when the lifts got stuck, we used to rap out of chair lifts with a tube webbing diaper sling,
locking carabiner, and 6mm perlon.

http://www.mountaingear.com/pages/produc...+Accessory+Cord

Note the breaking strength of 6mm is 11 kN. And it was considered marginal for a repshnur.

Real 550 cord is about 2 kN.

We used a munter hitch---

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munter_hitch
and wore our ski gloves. Also passed the rope
between our legs and around our hip for a bit of increased friction.

Comrades would give a bottom belay by tugging on the rope from
below if we got out of control.

Those with search dogs lowered the dogs first.

http://www.owareusa.com/images/brookhangdog.jpg