The Storm Skiing Journal has published a statistic, considered 99% reliable, on ski lifts (serving skiing only) in North America, totaling 3,193 lifts.
Below we present the chart and the attendance data broken down by lift category. To help with understanding technical and linguistic terms, here is a translation of the main lift types listed:
Tram = Aerial tramway
Gondola = Gondola lift
Pulse Gondola = Pulsed gondola
Cabriolet = Mixed lift with chairs and cabins
8-pack / 6-pack = High-speed detachable chairlift with 8 / 6 seats
Chondola = Mixed lift with open cabins
Detach Quad / Triple = Detachable quad / triple chairlift
Fixed Quad = Fixed-grip quad chairlift
Triple / Double / Single = Fixed-grip triple / double / single chairlift
T-Bar / J-Bar = Surface lift with high cable, double / single
Poma / Platter = Detachable surface lift with disc
Ropetow = Low-rope tow
Carpet = Conveyor belt lift
