Sandia Peak Ski Area. Courtesy/Sandia

SKI News:

ALBUQUERQUE — Sandia Peak Ski Area is opening 100% of its terrain starting this morning, Feb. 10. This marks the first time the ski area has been open since 2022.

Beginning at 9 a.m. today, Lift 3 will provide access to top-to-bottom skiing across 300 skiable acres on all 35 trails. Resort officials say they’re expanding the ski area’s operating hours to be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays through Sundays and Presidents’ Day Monday, Feb. 19.

“The reopening of Sandia Peak was never an ‘if’ but a ‘when’ for this team, and we are tremendously proud to give skiers and snowboarders in Albuquerque and throughout the region the freedom to ski,” said Scott Leigh, Sandia Peak and Mountain Capital Partners project manager.

Weather and snow forecasting service OpenSnow is projecting up to 7” of snow at Sandia Peak through the weekend. The latest snowfall totals will be updated regularly on the new ski area website, www.sandia.ski.

Leigh added that while 100% of terrain will be available, beginner-friendly access will be limited. Opening weekend will feature a “first chair” event at the bottom of Lift 3 at 9 a.m. All skier services including ski school, food and beverage and rentals will be available, although food and beverage options and rental equipment quantities will be limited.

Lift tickets for Saturday and Sunday are as low as $79, and select dates throughout the season will be available starting at $19. All tickets, ski school lessons and rentals must be pre-purchased online at www.sandia.ski. Beginning today, guests ages 12 and younger can sign up for Power Kids, the no-strings-attached-FREE season pass that provides unlimited access to Sandia Peak plus MCP’s additional 11 ski areas and bike parks.

Sandia Peak Ski Area is also introducing a new season pass lineup that’s headlined by MCP’s flagship product, the Power Pass. Power Pass Core guests will enjoy unlimited access to Sandia Peak, Sipapu and Pajarito, with limited access at Purgatory Resort and more.

All season passes will be available to use for the remainder of the 2023/2024 season and the entire 2024/2025 season, too.

Last fall, Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) and Sandia Peak Ski Company announced a joint venture agreement for the operation of Sandia Peak Ski Area, located near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today, company officials announced that MCP will assume both ownership and management of Sandia Peak Ski Area. This is the company’s third New Mexico ski area, bringing the total portfolio to 14 ski, bike and golf resorts across the Southwest, Oregon and Chile.

Located in the Sandia Mountains just 35 miles northeast of Albuquerque and operating on Cibola National Forest, Sandia Peak is known for its close proximity to the Duke City – the ski area and city are connected by the Sandia Peak Tramway, an aerial tramway with the world’s third longest single span. The Tramway and adjoining TEN 3 Restaurant are not included in the Sandia Peak Ski Area special permit and will continue to be operated by Sandia Companies under the direction of the Abruzzo family.

For more than two decades, MCP, the Southwest’s largest ski resort management company, has strengthened its position in the region, acquiring, building, developing and successfully growing resorts in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Texas and, most recently, Lee Canyon Resort, located outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Over one year ago, MCP introduced a new geographical region to the company with the addition of Willamette Pass Resort in Oregon, and added its first international resort in March 2023 when MCP became the majority owner of Valle Nevado near Santiago Chile, the largest ski resort in the Americas.

For more information, visit mcp.ski.