Boy saved from chairlift fall after circus style catch in Canada

An 11-year-old boy escaped unhurt after dramatically falling from a chairlift at Whistler ski resort in Canada this week.

Tristan Stead of Seattle somehow slipped from his seat after dropping his ski pole and attempting to grab it, Komo News reports.

His uncle managed to grab him, however the boy was left hanging several metres in the year as the lift was brought to a halt.

“It was scary because he was slipping through his clothes,” Christopher Sakai, who filmed the incident, told CTV Vancouver.

Fortunately a quick-thinking lift operator grabbed a tarpaulin and called upon some helpers.

After a count to three, Stead dropped into the centre of the spread tarp to cheers from onlookers.

“He just ran back and looked happy,” Mr Sakai said.