The average cost of a ski lift in North America is $2.07 million and around $1.75 million in Europe, according to Ski-Lift.com, which compiles information on ski lifts and prices through sources like web searches and local newspapers. You might be thinking, "This sounds expensive!" Well don't worry because this is the average cost — there are many more affordable options out there! And remember that these prices are only for the individual lift, not including skis or rental gear. The average cost of a ski lift can vary quite a bit depending on the lift, the estimated number of skiers per day, location, and size. Plus you'll need to take into account other expenses such as maintenance and upkeep once the lift is up and running. For example, Some ski lifts have relatively low rates while others are extremely expensive. Take Okemo's Gondola for example at $350,000 per year. This is a good example of an expensive lift. Other ski lifts can be much less expensive, such as the Old Cascade Ski Lift at $5,000 per year. Alternatively, Ski-Lift.com lists another ski lift as affordable at $400 for the ski lift and $764 for maintenance and upkeep. One of the biggest factors affecting price is the size and how many people can fit on a chairlift. For example, The Magic Carpet at Breckenridge is one of the biggest attractions in Colorado. The lift is costing $1.25 million and handles 5,000 skiers during its peak season. Another factor that can affect the price is how far the chairlift travels and if it goes up a mountain or across the valley. Depending on how far it has to go to get from point A to point B, construction costs will vary accordingly. And finally, you need to take into account the insurance costs. These costs can vary because they determine how much of a discount the ski resort gets on their insurance rates. For example, The riskier the area is, the more coverage you'll have to avoid paying large deductibles if an accident occurs.