Earlier-than-usual snow led Sandia Peak Ski Area in New Mexico to have its earliest opening day of the year. Now, it will be closed until further notice due to warm temperatures.
The ski area located 16 miles northeast of downtown Albuquerque broke the news on its Instagram page on February 4, 2025. Guest services will reach out to riders and skiers who already pre-purchased lift tickets.
Those who wish to use their credits at partner resorts Sipapu and Pajarito will be able to do so immediately. Otherwise, guests are encouraged to hold onto their credits and use them when the ski area reopens.
“Our team is actively monitoring the weather and will take every opportunity to resume snowmaking when conditions allow,” the post said. “Our commitment to providing you with the Freedom to Ski remains unchanged. Stay tuned for updates as we work to get you back on the mountain soon this season.
There has been 44” of snowfall so far this season. Just 1” of that came in the last week, and 6” fell nearly two weeks ago. Lift 3 has been closed due to a lack of significant snowfall on the upper mountain.
The closure is a complete 180 from November, when 36 inches of snowfall helped the humble ski area open 48 days ahead of its projected opening day. January is typically the best month for storms, according to OnTheSnow. That wasn’t the case this year.
“Let’s make it into a down hill bike park,” Saul Zorrilla commented on the Instagram post. “The writing is on the wall.”
Being so close to Albuquerque, the ski area is family focused. Children ages 12 and under get to ride and ski for free, with no purchase or blackout dates. Advanced lift ticket purchases get you a $10 resort credit to use while you’re there, so essentially, you can eat your chicken tenders during lunch for free. Some lift tickets cost as low as $19.
There are 35 trails serviced by four lifts. Eleven of those trails are black diamonds. The Sandia Peak summit sits at 10,378 feet, and has a vertical drop of 1,700 feet.
The ski area is owned and managed by The Abruzzo family and Mountain Capital Partners. MCP owns and operates three other ski areas that have already had an opening day: Purgatory Resort in Colorado, Brian Head Resort in southern Utah, and Arizona Snowbowl.
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