Industry News
Sandia Peak Ski Area, connected to Albuquerque, New Mexico, via the Sandia Peak Tramway, has remained closed for over two years due to a combination of factors. The lack of snow, combined with difficulties in attracting employees, as well as a lack of interest by the owners, had resulted in the multi-season closure of the resort. However, the ski area’s recent partnership with Mountain Capital Partners (MCP), the third-largest ski resort operator in the United States, has revived hopes that Sandia Peak Ski Area will reopen potentially as early as this winter.
- Related: America’s 3rd Largest Ski Resort Operator Announces Joint Venture With Sandia Peak Ski Area, NM
Scott Leigh, General Manager and COO at MCP, said in an interview with a local newspaper: “There was just challenges with snow. Snowfall each year as well as staffing were two big challenges that you know, contributed to not operating the ski area for the past couple of years. We’re really excited to have begun reviving Sandia Peak Ski area.”
Mountain crews are working diligently to restore operations and functionality to the lifts and a variety of ski area equipment needing repair and maintenance. This includes on the slopes as well as in the buildings and supporting infrastructure. Additionally, MCP is looking to hire food and beverage workers, guest service representatives, rental technicians, and lift operators. “We’re also looking for people to come work here again to help us get the ski area restarted but have been focused really on the basics of you know, getting the equipment back up and running and maintenance done on the lift and the snowcats and things of that nature,” conveyed Leigh.
With the recent snowfall favoring New Mexico, MCP is racing to provide an opening date for enthusiastic patrons who have waited over two years and hope to welcome back customers soon. “You know, stay tuned, continue to watch out for what we’ve got going on up here, we’ll hopefully be providing additional updates,” reported Leigh.
Sandia Peak Ski Area, originally named La Madera Ski Area, is located in the Sandia Mountains which are a part of the Cibola National Forest. It is New Mexico’s original ski area, opening in 1936, and has long provided quick access for beginners in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas to learn skiing and snowboarding. Sandia Peak Ski Area offers three double chairlifts, one surface lift, 35 trails of varied difficulty, one terrain park, and 300 skiable acres with 1,700 vertical feet of descent. Sandia Peak Ski Area is one of the 12 destinations accessed by the Power Pass in which all kids 12 and under ski free at all 12 resorts.
Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, MCP owns and manages 14 ski resorts, bike parks, and golf courses, and is the third largest operator in the United States behind Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain CO. MCP’s portfolio of ski resorts includes Purgatory Resort (CO), Arizona Snowbowl (AZ), Brian Head Resort (UT), Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort (NM), Nordic Valley Ski Resort (UT), Pajarito Mountain Ski Area (NM), Hesperus Ski Area (CO), Willamette Pass Resort (OR), Valle Nevado (Chile), Lee Canyon (NV), Sandia Peak Ski Area (NM), Spider Mountain Bike Park (TX) and Colorado’s largest snowcat skiing operation, Purgatory Snowcat Adventures (CO). In spring 2023, MCP announced its purchase of Silver Creek Golf Course (AZ), which includes the oversight of neighboring Bison Golf Club (AZ). In total, the ski and bike resorts feature 8,000 acres of terrain; more than 500 trails, 70 and 20 terrain parks; and over 35,000 acres of backcountry snowcat skiing. Since 2015, MCP has invested more than $75 million in its resorts, including new chairlifts, snowmaking, and other capital improvements. For more information, visit mcp.ski.
