Beyond The Turns - Sandia Peak’s Summer Projects Are In Action

Follow Along With All Of Our Enhancements This Summer

Just because the snow has melted doesn’t mean our crew rests. All summer long, the Sandia Peak team is hard at work laying the groundwork for an even better winter season ahead. This blog is your go-to spot for real-time updates on everything we’re doing to keep improving the guest experience, protect our mountain’s environment, and ensure our operations run smoothly all season long.

From preventative lift maintenance to snowmaking upgrades, we're thinking ahead—way ahead—to give you the best winter possible. Check back often as we roll out updates on the big (and small) projects shaping the future of skiing and riding at Sandia Peak.

June 11th Update: Big Things For Chair 2

Significant progress is being made on Lift 2. Our team recently completed one of the most critical steps in any lift inspection: a full cable test. We’re happy to report that the cable has officially passed.

While this is big progress in restoring the beloved lift, it is just the beginning. Next, we’ll remove every chair for detailed testing, replace the gear oil, and inspect each key component to ensure everything is ready for your laps. There’s still work to be done, but this early progress gives us strong momentum and plenty of optimism as we move closer to winter.

Why Lift 2 Matters

Getting Lift 2 back online would be a big win for your experience. It opens up an additional lift option, helping to spread skiers and riders out across the terrain and reduce wait times at the base. More importantly, it gives greater access to more laps on the upper mountain.

Don’t Miss This

This Saturday is your last chance to lock in the Power Pass Core with 8 interest-free payments starting at just $46 a month. It’s the easiest way to plan for winter and get access to 10 Power Pass resorts, including unlimited laps at Sandia Peak, Sipapu, and Pajarito. Secure your pass now and start dreaming of the winter ahead!

We’ll continue to push through the next phases of maintenance and inspections, all with one goal in mind: creating the best winter possible at your mountain. Make sure to follow along for more updates to come by visiting this page and following us on our social media.

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May 29th Update: Inside the Lift 3 Tune-Up

As part of our annual maintenance program, our team recently removed chairs from Lift 3 to perform a comprehensive inspection, known as nondestructive testing (NDT). This is something we complete on all of our lifts, every year, to make sure everything’s running smoothly when the snow falls again.

What is Nondestructive Testing?

Nondestructive testing is exactly what it sounds like: inspecting equipment for signs of wear or damage without compromising its structural integrity. These tests use a mix of visual and scientific techniques to catch issues that can’t always be seen with the naked eye, helping us identify problems before they affect performance.

When you’re talking about a lift system that runs nonstop all winter, that’s a big deal. Cracks and issues can form in almost any component over time. That’s why NDT is one of the most critical tools in our summer projects.

What Types of NDT Are Used?

The most common form of NDT is a detailed visual inspection, but that’s just the start. Summer inspections also include high-level techniques designed to spot internal flaws and micro-cracks early.

One method we use involves attaching a magnet to different components on the lift, then coating it with a fine powder or liquid. If there’s even the tiniest flaw or crack starting to form, that material will cling to it and reveal exactly where an issue is.

Other methods include ultrasound testing, where sound waves are used to measure the thickness of metal, helping us verify the strength and structural integrity of components like towers.

Why This Matters to You

We don’t just test for the sake of testing. Every inspection, every check, every repair we do now means less downtime and more laps for you when the season kicks off. Our goal is simple: give you the best winter possible when we welcome you back.

With NDT now complete on Lift 3, our team is using the tensioner system to reattach the chairs and prep for next season. It’s the final step in a process that’s all about keeping your season flowing, your wait times down, and your powder days rolling.

Now It's Your Turn 

Our team is already laying the groundwork to welcome you back with the best season possible, and now it's your turn. From now through June 14th, you can lock in unlimited access to Sandia Peak, Sipapu, and Pajarito for as low as $46/month with the Power Pass Core.

It doesn’t stop there. The Power Pass Core also includes 6 discounted buddy tickets, 4 restricted days to share between Purgatory, Arizona Snowbowl, Brian Head, Lee Canyon, or Spider Mountain, and more. Check out all the details here and secure your pass before June 14th to lock in the lowest monthly payments available.

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May 14th Update: Multiple Lift Projects, Snowmaking Enhancements, and a Big Upgrade

Our team is in full summer mode, and that doesn’t mean sitting at the beach with our feet up. Multiple lift maintenance projects are happening around the mountain, with Lifts 2, 3, and 4 getting their chairs detached for an even closer look at their performance. This, along with our maintenance that took place last week, the current analysis on the day lodge, and everything happening to enhance your experience, means you can focus on what really matters next winter, getting as many laps as possible!

Plus, a new project just got added to our plates! We will be replacing the handle tow with a magic carpet. This will create a more accessible and controlled area for learning. So, whether you're learning from a complete beginner or refreshing your skills, the magic carpet and sports school area create a fun and welcoming environment. Our team continues to work on current projects and analyzes our area daily to find enhancements that will benefit you, our guests.

These additions, paired with our FREE kids pass for ages 12 and under, and your 2025/26 Power Pass Core, mean more laps for you, more laps for them, and more time together at the mountain where you belong! But don’t wait—your last chance to split the Power Pass Core into 9 interest-FREE payments as low as $41/month expires tonight at midnight.

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May 1st Update: Cutting Edge Maintenance, Snowmaking Enhancements, and Improving Your Experience

Our team has kicked off the summer season with one goal in mind: making next winter better than ever, starting now.

Chairlifts

We're currently deep into a cutting-edge preventative maintenance program for our lifts. This goes far beyond the industry standard. By using advanced diagnostic tools and in-depth analysis, we’re gaining a clear understanding of each lift’s current performance, so we can ensure they're ready to roll, not just for opening day, but for the entire season. This forward-thinking approach means you can focus on what really matters—getting as many laps as possible!

Snowmaking

Meanwhile, we're turning our attention to creating a longer winter season with more consistent snow conditions. This summer we’re stepping it up. We’re exploring new technologies to improve our snowmaking pond systems—protecting our water from evaporation so we can make more snow during the season. This project is setting us up for a more powerful start to snowmaking this fall, so we can open at an even earlier date, keep our season going longer, and give you more time to have fun!

Guest Services

We’re also taking a close look at your experience from the moment you arrive. Right now, our team is evaluating and reworking the base area to make it easier to navigate, find services, and get to the lifts with less hassle. Whether it’s improved wayfinding or a smoother flow from the parking lot to the chairlift, these upgrades are all about getting you on the snow quicker and with less stress.

Winter Doesn’t Have To Wait With The Power Pass

Summer doesn’t have to mean the end of your season. With the Power Pass and Power Pass Select, your 2025/26 pass unlocks 10 FREE interconnected days of skiing at Valle Nevado and La Parva in Chile—home to the largest ski resort network in the Southern Hemisphere—plus unlimited access to Spider Mountain Bike Park right here in the U.S.

Even better? The Power Kids Pass is still completely FREE and includes unlimited biking at Spider Mountain, Pajarito, Brian Head, and Lee Canyon, plus summer skiing in Chile. Grab their pass now and give them a full year of adventure—on us.

Don’t wait—our interest-FREE payment plan makes it easy to lock in your pass today, but monthly payments go up after May 14th. Split it into nine easy installments and start using it right away, all while we prep the mountain for your return next winter.

Buy Yours Today