Sandia Peak Winter Readiness Updates
- Thaniel Cebulla
- Dec 1, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 9
January 9th: Delayed Opening Day
We want to provide a quick update regarding our planned opening.
Despite sharing news yesterday that we were scheduled to open, we’ve encountered an issue during final opening-day checks that must be fully resolved before operations can begin. To ensure the best possible experience on opening day, we need to delay our opening.
Our team is working diligently to address this as quickly as possible, and we are eager to welcome you to the slopes after this extended delay. We sincerely apologize for the change in plans and any confusion this may have caused.
We will continue to provide updates and share a confirmed opening date as soon as it is available. Thank you for your patience and continued support; we’re looking forward to welcoming you to Sandia Peak very soon.
For those of you that did purchase tickets already for tomorrow January 10th, you will be receiving a credit shortly. This credit can be towards a future purchase at Sandia Peak or any other Power Pass mountain. For further questions, please feel free to reach out to info@sandia.ski.
Sincerely,
The Sandia Peak Ski Area Team
January 1st: Mother Nature Continues To Tease Us
Earlier this week, our crew jumped on colder temperatures overnight and fired up snowmaking to keep pushing winter forward. This wasn’t a test run. This was go time. Every cold window matters, and when conditions line up, progress can happen quickly.
However, last night brought warmer temps and a lot of precipitation, just not the kind we’re dancing for. Even so, our team remains locked in and ready to take advantage of every opportunity the weather gives us. This time of year can change fast, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to get you back on snow as soon as conditions allow.
While opening day has not yet been announced, you may still see January 10th listed on our calendar for now. This does not indicate an opening date. It simply allows us to remain flexible as we continue to monitor conditions and stay optimistic. We’ll share clear updates as soon as conditions allow us to welcome you back.
Keep checking back here for more updates as conditions evolve. Winter can change fast, and we’re ready when it does.
December 29th: Snowmaking Fired Up Overnight
Our crew took advantage of colder temps last night and fired up snowmaking to keep pushing winter forward. This wasn’t just a test. This was go time!
Snowmaking always depends on the weather lining up, and we’ll keep jumping on every cold window we get. When conditions cooperate, things can move fast. Each night like this puts us one step closer to getting you back on the mountain.
Keep checking back here for all the updates as we move closer to opening day and remember, every day without snow is one day closer to snow.
December 20th: Snowmaking Systems Tested and Ready
Earlier today, our team powered up the snowmaking system for the first time this winter. This was a planned test run to check equipment, confirm everything is working properly, and make sure we’re fully prepared for the season ahead.
Now we’re watching for cold temperatures to fall into place. When they do, our crew will be ready to move quickly and start building a solid base on the mountain. Every step like this brings us closer to opening day. Snowmaking depends on a consistent stretch of cold, but once conditions line up, progress can happen fast.
Keep the cold thoughts coming and keep checking back here for rolling updates as winter continues to take shape.
December 18th: Lift Work Is All Coming Together!
Our team has been hard at work getting the mountain ready to welcome you back with the best experience possible this winter. Over these past few weeks, we’ve been heavily focused on Lift 3 and have officially wrapped up its summer maintenance, including a full rebuild of the sheave wheel bearings. This project sets Lift 3 up for smooth laps once the snow starts flying, helping unlock top-to-bottom skiing when conditions allow.
We’re also putting the finishing touches on our brand-new magic carpet, a big improvement for beginners, kids, and families. This upgrade helps our Never Ever Experiences run smoother and makes getting started on snow feel easier from day one.
We continue to keep a close eye on the forecast, and the moment temperatures drop into range, we’ll be ready to start making snow. Getting the mountain open usually takes a stretch of consistent cold paired with a little help from Mother Nature, and once winter settles in, things can change quickly.
Now it's your turn! Tomorrow night is your final chance to grab the Power Pass Core, aka the New Mexico Power Pass, at a discounted price. If you’re looking to get unlimited access at Sandia Peak, Sipapu, or Pajarito, now’s the time to lock it in before prices go up.
December 16th: Important Information Around Opening Day
We wanted to take a moment to share where things stand with opening day, because we know you are anxiously waiting for that first lap of the season. We feel it too. If we could flip the switch on winter today, we would. So here’s a clear look at what we’re seeing on the mountain and what it will take to get the season started.
This past week brought milder temperatures, which kept our team from firing up our making snow, and we haven’t seen any extra help from the forecast to keep things moving. Trust us, no one wants to see the chairs spinning more than our crew but until colder temps arrive and we get a little help from Mother Nature, our scheduled opening day will be moving back.
Our team will continue watching the weather nonstop, and the second temperatures dip back into range, we’ll be ready to fire up snowmaking. To get the mountain open, we typically need four steady days of cold, consistent temps paired with a boost from Mother Nature.
We’re just as eager as you are to get back on the slopes. The new opening day will be confirmed as soon as winter gives us the coverage we need. In the meantime, tickets will stay live starting on the 26th so you keep access to early pricing while we stay optimistic and watch for the cold snap that can get things moving fast.
Until the shift arrives, keep thinking cold thoughts and check our Winter Readiness Blog for all the updates as we keep pushing toward getting you back on the slopes.
Your Credit Is On The Way!
If you purchased lift tickets, rentals, or lessons for dates before December 26th, our team will be reaching out soon with your resort credit. This credit can be used to rebook for a future date or anywhere on the mountain, and it will remain valid through April 30, 2026.
If you don’t receive an email with access to your credit by Friday morning, please reach out to info@sandia.ski and we’ll get everything taken care of.
Dec 11th: The Mountain Is Coming Together
Every day brings us closer to getting you back on the mountain, and our team is knocking out the final pieces needed for opening day. Summer lift maintenance is wrapping up with extensive work on Lift 3 as we rebuild the sheave wheel bearings to keep it running smoothly for many seasons to come. The new magic carpet is nearly finished with a few remaining steps, and we’re watching the forecast closely with the hopes of firing up snowmaking soon.
We know you’re eager to get back out there, and we’re pushing hard to make that happen. Keep cold thoughts in mind, do your snow rituals, and we’ll keep moving as fast as possible to welcome you back to the mountain soon!
December 4th: Winter Made Another Appearance Last Night
Mother Nature dropped a good round of snow across the mountain, and our team rolled in this morning to a fresh white look that finally feels like the season taking shape. It’s the kind of morning that gets everyone fired up.
Our crew is working through the final steps to get everything ready to go for you! That includes finishing the magic carpet installation and completing our chairlift prep so the mountain is fully dialed for opening day.
We’re stoked to welcome you back soon, and our scheduled opening day, December 19th, is getting closer by the minute. Winter is starting to wake up, the team is cranking through the final touches, and we’ll keep you updated here every step of the way!
December 1st Update
Our crew has been charging hard to get the mountain ready, and we’re in the final stretch of dialing everything in for winter. Equipment checks, on-mountain prep, and monitoring temperatures for snowmaking are all moving forward as we build toward a strong start to the season. Every piece is focused on making sure the mountain is in tip-top shape and ready the moment you step on snow.
As part of that push to deliver the best experience possible, our new scheduled opening day will be December 19th. This additional window helps us ensure everything, top to bottom, is ready for a great start to the season.
We cannot wait to welcome you back soon! Check back here regularly for more updates as we get closer to the winter season.
I’ve spent a lot of time riding and working in mountain environments, and I’ve learned that things like lift inspections, snow management, and clear access planning are what actually make or break a winter season. I’ve used similar readiness checklists myself, and they save a lot of last-minute stress once conditions turn unpredictable. One thing I especially appreciate is how clearly these updates are communicated to visitors — that transparency builds trust. When I’m researching trip planning or operational standards, I usually cross-check info like this with this website, because practical, experience-based details are what help people make smart decisions before heading up the mountain.