Pajarito Mountain. Courtesy photo
PAJARITO MOUNTAIN News:
Pajarito Mountain officials tout a successful winter season and announce plans for a robust summer season filled with mountain biking and festivals. Pajarito Mountain and its sister resort Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, near Taos, experienced a combined 23 percent increase in skier visits over the previous year.
Pajarito opened for ski season Nov. 27, one of the earliest starts in recent history, operating a total of 87 days, also a first for the resort in recent years. Pajarito offered skiers and snowboarders a consistent operating schedule of five days-a-week, a schedule that will continue again next winter.
“Going into this winter, our team had several goals: to fill the pond, open Pajarito on ‘White Friday,’ expand our operating schedule, and most importantly, to provide the best skiing possible to every guest that visited this mountain,” said Pajarito Mountain General Manager Long. “I’m proud to announce we were able to accomplish all of those objectives. While we continue to make huge strides, we only see more opportunities to expand upon those accomplishments, and we’re eager to continue taking our operations to the next level at Pajarito.”
In 2015, Pajarito nearly filled its 10 million gallon holding pond with water for snowmaking and fully utilized its snowmaking system, a first for the Los Alamos ski area. This water enabled mountain crews to make more snow and open its slopes earlier than in recent history. Resort officials announced that to date, 7 million gallons of water have already been collected in its holding pond, which is more than what was collected this same time last year.
Coming to Pajarito this Summer!
Pajarito kicks off summer activities Jun. 4 with Summerfest, which includes a mountain bike race, a disc golf tournament, live music and a New Mexico Brewfest. Other signature events include Endurofest, Aug. 7 and Ullr Fest, Oct. 1. Lift-served biking and hiking will be available on select Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Pajarito is home to 13 mountain bike trails, which have been developed and maintained primarily by volunteers. The trail system features a variety of dirt and North Shore style mountain biking.
New this summer! Pajarito Mountain is offering a new Summer Uplift Pass for just $149, which gives access to unlimited mountain bike/hike uplifts. Those who purchase a 2016/2017 Power Pass also receive free lift-served biking and hiking at Pajarito, as well as free summer activities at Purgatory and Arizona Snowbowl. Those who buy a New Mexico Pass Plus receive 50 percent off mountain bike uplifts. Visit skiPajarito.com for details.
Save Now and Ski Later!
While Pajarito is gearing up for a fun-filled summer season, the mountain is offering its 2016/2017 Power Pass at the guaranteed lowest price of the year through this Fri., Apr. 29. The Power Pass offers unlimited skiing and snowboarding at four mountains in New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona, including Pajarito Mountain, Sipapu, Purgatory Resort, and Arizona Snowbowl. New this year, the Power Pass may be purchased with a no interest payment plan. The Power Pass offers free or discounted skiing at partner resorts including Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Loveland Ski Area, Monarch and new this year, Panorama Mountain Resort in Canada, and more.
In addition to the Power Pass, Pajarito and Sipapu offer a variety of passes to fit the lifestyles of its skiers and snowboarders! The New Mexico Pass gives unlimited access to Pajarito and Sipapu and free days at a variety of resorts including Arizona Snowbowl. Upgrade to the New Mexico Plus Pass and receive all these benefits, plus three free lift tickets to Purgatory.
Pricing and more details on season passes can be found online at skiPajarito.com.
Mountain Improvements Coming Soon!
Working in partnership with the Los Alamos Ski Club, Pajarito Mountain is managing the ski area’s 700 acres of trees, targeting those damaged by recent fires. These efforts will create new trails, improve the mountain experience and help with future fire mitigation.
Resort officials recently unveiled a multi-mountain improvement plan outlining new lifts, new trails, and snowmaking at the four resorts in the southwest, Pajarito Mountain, Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort, Purgatory Resort, and Arizona Snowbowl. This is the second consecutive season for an aggressive multi-mountain capital campaign, totaling $20 million since 2015. For details on the capital improvements, visit Pajarito’s website.
About Pajarito Mountain Ski Area
Located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and 30 minutes northwest of Santa Fe, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area offers 40 trails, six lifts and one terrain park, all located on 751 acres on the eastern edge of the Jemez Mountains. Known for its spectacular views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Valles Caldera National Preserve, the ski area was founded and developed in the late 1950s by the Los Alamos Ski Club. The fall line and bump runs are heralded as some of the best in the state, and the mountain offers a ski school, restaurant, and ski rental facility. During the summer season, Pajarito Mountain is home to an extensive mountain biking trail system with lift served access and hosts several New Mexico Brewers Festivals throughout the summer. For more information, visit www.skipajarito.com.