The cable is made up of bundles of round wire, each bundle comprised of bundles of smaller wire. The only way you might get sharp is that as the cable gets worn you can get what amounts to splinters if you try to slide down it. They are pretty vicious.

While the primary "body" of a ski lift cable (a high-strength wire rope) is not designed to be "razor-sharp," the steel strands can become extremely dangerous if they are worn, damaged, or "birdcaged." Over years of continuous use and friction against bullwheels and sheaves, individual outer wires can snap due to fatigue or corrosion, creating jagged, needle-like "whiskers" or "frayed" edges. These broken strands can easily slice through clothing or skin if touched with significant force. For this reason, lift maintenance teams use electromagnetic sensors and visual inspections to detect these defects before they become a safety hazard. Generally, as a passenger, you should never attempt to touch or grab the moving cable while the lift is in operation, not only due to the risk of these sharp "fish hooks" but also because of the risk of being caught in a pulley or crushing point. Furthermore, many cables are coated in a layer of thick, industrial grease and "cable dressing" that helps with lubrication and corrosion resistance, which is difficult to wash off if it gets on your skin or high-end ski gear.