After being closed for the past two ski seasons, Sandia Peak Ski Area invited skiers and snowboarders back to the slopes at its reopening on Feb. 10.
The ski area, which has been owned by the Abruzzo family since 1958, was temporarily closed due to snowfall and staffing challenges, but its partnership with Mountain Capital Partners helped the ski area get back on track.
“We typically don’t release numbers but we can say that hundreds of people came for our opening weekend and the turnout beat our expectations,” said Stacey Glaser, MCP marketing director. “It was a celebratory, successful opening day and first weekend.”
MCP is a ski resort management company in Durango, Colorado that manages 14 ski resorts, bike parks and golf courses across the Southwest, Oregon and Chile. Sandia Peak Ski is the company’s third ski resort in New Mexico, including Sipapu Ski and Pajarito Mountain Ski Area.
Through this joint venture the ski area was able to improve its facilities, and Lift 3 now provides access to the 300 skiable acres on all 35 trails. On opening weekend, the ski area held a “first chair” event that made all skier services available such as ski school, rentals, food and beverages.
The resort is also expanding operating hours to Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays through Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Presidents’ Day, Feb. 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It also introduced a Power Pass and a free Power Kids pass for children 12 years old or younger, allowing pass guests with unlimited access to Sandia Peak Ski Area and other ski resorts including Sipapu, Pajarito and more.
Scott Leigh, MCP project manager, said they are proud to be a part of the history and legacy of the family owned business and are excited they were able to advance and move the ski area forward. In a MCP press release, Leigh said the reopening was never an “if” but a “when.”
All season passes for the remainder of the 2023/2024 season and the entire 2024/2025 season are available.