Mike Smith
El Rito Media
msmith@currentargus.com

One northern New Mexico ski resort has dodged the lack of snowfall that has hurt other resorts in the state as above normal temperatures and sporadic precipitation disrupt the ski season.

“We are fortunate at Sipapu that we’re in this valley that the weather pattern changes once you hit that alpine valley,” said Christiana Hudson, marketing director for Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort.

As of Tuesday, March 4, the resort located 20 miles southeast of Taos had 79 inches of snow on the ground, according to the Ski New Mexico website.

The resort has a peak elevation of 9,255 feet and averages 185 inches of snowfall per year, read the Sipapu website.

Manufactured snow has been a helpful alternative for ski resorts in New Mexico, including Sipapu, Hudson said.

Sipapu and other ski areas in northern New Mexico could get a boost from Mother Nature this weekend with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque forecasting a mix of rain and snow.

A closer look at Sipapu

The Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort touts itself as being first in New Mexico in many respects.

According to the resort’s website, Sipapu opened in 1952 as the first lift-served ski area in New Mexico. It is the state’s longest running lift ski resort with the longest ski season, the website says.

“It is very diverse and it’s very alpine,” Hudson said. “One of the things that’s unique about Sipapu is all the runs empty into the same base area, so nobody ever gets lost.”

Hudson said the resort has onsite amenities that include a restaurant and bar, general store, slope-side cabins and a hotel.

“It really is more of a resort experience,” Hudson said.

Lots to do for the family

Like other ski resorts in New Mexico, Sipapu offers special events. Last month a snow castle was built and a scavenger hunt was held on the grounds, according to Hudson.

An event called the Cardboard Derby will be held March 22.

“It’s not really a race,” Hudson said. “The goal is to actually hit a target and you create a vessel made only of cardboard, duct tape, string or twine and paint. You go down a chute to try and hit a target and whoever is closest to the target wins big prizes.”

Hudson said there are categories for children, young adults and older adults.

“People build vessels that look like cats, school buses or pirate ships or rockets and it’s a super fun event for the whole family,” she said.

On March 29, Sipapu hosts the Pond Skim.

“The goal is for skiers and (snow) boarders to test their balance and their bravery and go across Lake Sipapu,” she said. The man-made lake is nearly 75 feet long, three feet deep and filled with river water ranging in temperature from 30 to 40 degrees, Hudson said.

The season wraps up April 5-6 with Corny Closing Days.

“We do that because the snow that time of year is called ‘corn snow,’” Hudson said. “It is … granular snow that is developed from the heating and cooling down in spring temperatures and actually it’s really great skiing. We celebrate it with all things corn. We have corn dogs, popcorn, and Helotes, the Mexican street corn. So many corny things happening on Corny Closing Days.”

Here are reported New Mexico skiing conditions as of Tuesday, March 4.
(Information provided Ski New Mexico)

Sipapu had a base depth of 14 inches with 13 of 44 trails open and 4 of 6 lifts open.

Angel Fire had a base depth of 20 inches with 32 of 86 trails open and 7 of 7 lifts open.

Pajarito Mountain had a base depth of 10 inches with 13 of 53 trails open and 3 of 6 lifts open.

Red River Ski Area had a base depth of 24 inches with 41 of 64 trails open and 7 of 7 lifts open.

Taos Ski Valley had a base depth of 38 inches with 68 of 120 trails open and 12 of 13 lifts open.

Ski Santa Fe had a base depth of 36 inches with 77 of 90 trails open and 5 of 7 lifts open.

Note: Snow conditions can change after this report is compiled.

Mike Smith can be reached at 575-308-8734 or email at msmith@elritomedia.com.