A J-bar is a type of surface lift

Surface lift

A surface lift is a type of cable transportation system used to transport skiers and snowboarders where riders remain on the ground as they are pulled uphill.Types of surface lifts include the Poma lift, J-bar, T-bar, rope tow, and magic carpet....

 invented in the 1940s
for ski area passenger transport. They are now rarely in operation having been superseded by T-bars

T-bar lift

A T-bar lift, also called T-bar, is a mechanised system for transporting skiers and snowboarders uphill, along the surface of the slope...

, which have twice the capacity at basically the same price, and chairlift

Chairlift

An elevated passenger ropeway, or chairlift, is a type of aerial lift, which consists of a continuously circulating steel cable loop strung between two end terminals and usually over intermediate towers, carrying a series of chairs...

s which have many advantages. They are named for the shape of the carrier which has a long vertical bar curving to a short horizontal bar.

A J-bar closely resembles a T-bar, except each carrier holds only one passenger. The operation is similar: the passenger stands in position and waits for the next carrier. They guide the carrier to hook them around the upper thighs or buttocks while they remain standing on the snow. The lift slides them uphill on the surface.