Press Release
Sandia Peak Ski Area Announces Saturday, February 10 Opening
Mountain Capital Partners assumes ownership & management of New Mexico’s original ski area
Albuquerque, New Mex. – Sandia Peak Ski Area will open 100% of its terrain starting tomorrow, February 10. This marks the first time the ski area has been open since 2022.
Beginning Saturday at 9 a.m., Lift 3 will provide access to top-to-bottom skiing across 300 skiable acres on all 35 trails. Resort officials say they’re expanding the ski area’s operating hours to be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Fridays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Presidents’ Day Monday, February 19, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The reopening of Sandia Peak was never an ‘if’ but a ‘when’ for this team, and we are tremendously proud to give skiers and snowboarders in Albuquerque and throughout the region the freedom to ski,” said Scott Leigh, Sandia Peak and Mountain Capital Partners project manager.
Weather and snow forecasting service OpenSnow is projecting up to 7” of snow at Sandia Peak through the weekend. The latest snowfall totals will be updated regularly on the new ski area website, www.sandia.ski.
Leigh added that while 100% of terrain will be available, beginner-friendly access will be limited. Opening weekend will feature a “first chair” event at the bottom of Lift 3 at 9 a.m. All skier services including ski school, food and beverage and rentals will be available, although food and beverage options and rental equipment quantities will be limited.
Lift tickets for Saturday and Sunday are as low as $79, and select dates throughout the season will be available starting at $19. All tickets, ski school lessons and rentals must be pre-purchased online at www.sandia.ski. Beginning today, guests ages 12 and younger can sign up for Power Kids, the no-strings-attached-FREE season pass that provides unlimited access to Sandia Peak plus MCP’s additional 11 ski areas and bike parks.
Sandia Peak Ski Area is also introducing a new season pass lineup that’s headlined by MCP’s flagship product, the Power Pass. Power Pass Core guests will enjoy unlimited access to Sandia Peak, Sipapu and Pajarito, with limited access at Purgatory Resort and more.
All season passes will be available to use for the remainder of the 2023/2024 season and the entire 2024/2025 season, too.
Last fall, Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) and Sandia Peak Ski Company announced a joint venture agreement for the operation of Sandia Peak Ski Area, located near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today, company officials announced that MCP will assume both ownership and management of Sandia Peak Ski Area. This is the company’s third New Mexico ski area, bringing the total portfolio to 14 ski, bike and golf resorts across the Southwest, Oregon and Chile.
Located in the Sandia Mountains just 35 miles northeast of Albuquerque and operating on Cibola National Forest, Sandia Peak is known for its close proximity to the Duke City - the ski area and city are connected by the Sandia Peak Tramway, an aerial tramway with the world’s third longest single span. The Tramway and adjoining TEN 3 Restaurant are not included in the Sandia Peak Ski Area special permit and will continue to be operated by Sandia Companies under the direction of the Abruzzo family.
For more than two decades, MCP, the Southwest’s largest ski resort management company, has strengthened its position in the region, acquiring, building, developing and successfully growing resorts in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Texas and, most recently, Lee Canyon Resort, located outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Over one year ago, MCP introduced a new geographical region to the company with the addition of Willamette Pass Resort in Oregon, and added its first international resort in March 2023 when MCP became the majority owner of Valle Nevado near Santiago Chile, the largest ski resort in the Americas.
For more information, please visit mcp.ski.
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About Sandia Peak Ski Area
Sandia Peak Ski Area, originally La Madera Ski Area, is located in the Sandia Mountains in the Cibola National Forest. It is New Mexico's first ski area, opening to skiers in 1936 and has long been where Albuquerque learns to ski and ride.
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About Mountain Capital Partners
Headquartered in Durango, Colo., Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) owns and manages 14 ski resorts, bike parks and golf courses: 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 at its resorts, including new chairlifts, snowmaking and other capital improvements. For more information, visit mcp.ski.
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