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Sandia, Pajarito ski areas to open this weekend
Wheeler blazes the path for his owner Anita Doornbos at the Sandia Peak Ski Area in 2023. The ski area, as well as Pajarito Mountain Ski Area, are opening this weekend.
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Christmas came early for New Mexico skiers as a winter storm helped push opening dates for some ski resorts to this weekend.
Sandia Peak Ski Area and Pajarito Mountain Ski Area in Los Alamos, both managed by Durango, Colorado-based Mountain Capital Partners, are opening Saturday, according to their websites.
Sandia Peak opens on Saturday at 9 a.m. and will stay open through 4 p.m. The ski area, located near Albuquerque, says there will be no groomed terrain available but said advanced terrain is open with access via Lift 3.
Sandia said ski school and lessons, as well as food and beverage, will not be available on opening day, but said the lodge will be open for restroom access “and keeping cozy,” according to its website. Tickets start at $55 and are available for payment only through credit cards and online purchases.
Meanwhile, Pajarito Mountain also plans to open on Saturday. Tickets are $79 for Saturday’s opening day.
The openings of the two ski resorts come as parts of New Mexico endured winter-like storms this week, including in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, which saw several inches of snowfall.
That’s also opening the door for other ski areas to open before Thanksgiving, including Ski Santa Fe, which wrote in a news release Friday that it plans to open on Nov. 23.
“Guests will be able to take a ride on the new Santa Fe Express High-Speed Quad, which will be spinning for Opening Day,” Ski Santa Fe said. “We are making all efforts to open all lifts on opening day. Terrain openings will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20.”
Taos Ski Valley is slated to open Nov. 28 and Angel Fire Resort on Dec. 13, according to Ski New Mexico, though that can be subject to change.
The snow report from Sandia Peak shows a base depth of between 16 and 24 inches and a season total of 36 inches.
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Pajarito Mountain, meanwhile, had a base depth between 18 and 24 inches of snow and a season total of 44 inches.
