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Skiing and Snowboarding in the Land of Enchantment

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Archives for November 2021

Early Season Ski Deals!

Nov 30, 2021 by Cathryn Huff

It pays to be the early bird on the mountain! Several of our New Mexico resorts are featuring hot deals and cool packages for skiers who are ready to roll.

Is learning to ski or snowboard on your bucket list? At Taos Ski Valley, everything is more fun with a friend. So grab your sidekick and book a two-for-one 2-day Beginner Adult Lesson. Build confidence, create memories, and enjoy the mountain all while learning how to ski or ride with your BFF.

Also at Taos Ski Valley, start your kids off right, and set them on the path to a lifelong love of skiing with a 2-day child lesson. The bonus here is that you’ll receive a 2-day Adult Lift Ticket on us, because parents deserve a vacation, too. You’re welcome.

And when you take your last run of the day, you won’t have far to go if you book 2 nights at The Blake Hotel, just steps away from the slopes. This deal comes with up to 4 free lift tickets…Happy Holidays to you! Book any or all three of these Taos Ski Valley deals until December 13, and ski/stay between December 2-16. You must book three days in advance, so shake a leg!

At Red River, they don’t call ‘em “Deal Days” for nothing, and they’re coming right up. During the first two weekends in December, Adults can ski a full day for $66, and kids are discounted to $56. If you’re just warming up with half days, ski for $49/$42. If you’re a college student just waking up after fall semester finals week, there’s an early week for you, too. From December 13-20, ski a full day for $62, and add on a ski or snowboard rental package for just $28. Get the deets on these deals here.

It’s great to be a kid at Sipapu, because kids 12 and under receive a FREE Power Kid’s season pass that’s good every day at Sipapu, plus Pajarito Mountain, Purgatory Resort, Snowbowl, and Hesperus during the 2021/2022 winter season. So pack your van with all the neighborhood kids, and you’ll be the most popular parent on the block! Check here often, because new deals pop up all the time.

With all the money you’re gonna save by beating the rush to the slopes, you might just treat yourself to some of the local amenities (did someone say “Spa Day”?) and make this the best ski season ever!

Filed Under: Tips Tagged With: discounts, save money, savings

Snowmaking Is Both An Art & A Science

Nov 23, 2021 by Cathryn Huff

With cool temperatures and low humidity, New Mexico is home to some of the best natural snow in America. But when Mother Nature needs a helping hand, skiers and snowboarders throughout the Land of Enchantment benefit from the state’s modern snow making systems which provide much of the idyllic trail surfaces they enjoy throughout the day.

Snow making dates back to the early 1950s with the invention of the first snow cannon and gained widespread popularity at resorts throughout America in the 1970s. Today, it allows winter sports enthusiasts to hit their favorite slopes earlier in the winter and later into spring.

The artificial snow not only creates a base for early season skiing, but also provides an excellent foundation that allows natural snowfall to stick sooner. As springtime approaches, the more dense man-made snow is better able to endure through the freeze-thaw cycle created by the warmer days and cold nights, extending the season beyond what would be possible naturally.

Snow makers use every forecasting tool possible to monitor the weather and make their winter plans. That includes meteorologist discussion boards, on-site weather stations, current trends in the oceans and historical weather data. Snow making is always a balance of production, timing, year-to year-forecast and goals.

At Ski Santa Fe, Operations Manager Tommy Long likes to start making snow on November 1. That date has both to do with the water rights as well as low enough temperatures.

“We are set up to put a lot of water on the hill relatively quickly if temps are right. The colder the temps, the more water you can effectively turn into snow. Humidity plays a role in this as well, but cold is king,” says Long.

Snow makers look for a wet bulb temperature of 28 degrees and below, which factors in the ambient temperature and the humidity. The colder and dryer it is, the more snow you can create, which makes New Mexico one of the best places in the world for simulating perfect snow.

In a good year, skiers contribute more than $400 million to New Mexico’s tourism economy, so it’s critical to keep up with the latest technology to provide the stellar snow experience New Mexico is known for. As the snow making industry moves heavily into automation, Ski Santa Fe is embracing the newest tech with open arms.

“We have the ability to run our guns in automatic so they take into account changes in temperature, humidity, and the desired product you are looking for, like lighter, dryer snow or wetter, heavier snow. With the current climate demands and the need to maximize efficiency, snow making is becoming smarter, faster and more dynamic,” says Long.

After the snow is created, there’s still work to be done as crews use snowcats to create a consistent, groomed surface. Finally, tillers are used to pack down the new snow and craft that perfect corduroy surface every skier and snowboarder loves.

The skilled craftsmen are already hard at work making snow at your favorite New Mexico ski area. It’s not too soon to make plans to come see for yourself how smooth a ride it is. Ski Santa Fe, Red River Ski & Summer Area, Taos Ski Valley and Sipapu will all be open this week and have been blowing snow to get ready for the Holiday weekend!

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes

Gearing up for the 2021-22 New Mexico Ski Season!

Nov 15, 2021 by Cathryn Huff

Blustery winds, swirling leaves and pumpkin spice everything means pretty much one thing to skiers…snow is on the way! The good news is that the trusty Farmer’s Almanac time-tested weather formula predicts above-average amounts of snow from coast to coast this winter. But better layer up because Janice Stillman, the editor of the Old Farmer’s Almanac, says, “This coming winter could well be one of the longest and coldest we’ve seen in years.” Brrr…

We say, BRING IT ON!

To start, here is a a list of the opening dates for our New Mexico resorts, all in one handy spot:

Angel Fire Resort: Dec. 17
Pajarito Mountain: TBA
Red River Ski Area: Nov. 24
Sandia Peak: Dec. 18, pending snowfall
Sipapu: Nov. 19
Ski Apache: TBA
Ski Santa Fe: Nov. 27
Taos Ski Valley: Nov. 25

A few notable updates:

Pajarito has undertaken a $250,000 investment to re-line its water retention pond. The 9 million gallon pond collects runoff and rainwater, and also acts as a fire mitigation source for the area. For skiers who love the breathtaking views, the best bump skiing in the state, and the laid-back atmosphere of one of New Mexico’s “Best Secret Ski Towns” (as named by National Geopgraphic last winter), this improved consistency in snowmaking gives you one more thing to love about Pajarito.

Red River Ski & Summer Area is always looking at ways to improve their guests’ experience. They have added seven new snow making guns and upgraded water lines to further expand their already robust snowmaking system. The new contactless Axess RFID system revolutionizes the lift ticket experience from easy online booking to being scanned right through your pocket at the access gate—no more fumbling with clumsy gloves and zippers to find your pass! We can’t wait to see you at Red River Ski & Summer Area this winter.

Sipapu is New Mexico’s family friendly, family fun ski resort in the heart of the mountains. They kick off the season by being the first to open, and they offer the most affordable ski vacation around with dynamic ticket pricing starting at just $9 for lift ticket! Check out their new online calendar for purchasing lift tickets where you can easily plan your visit around the best deals in the state.

Ski Santa Fe has increased their snowmaking capabilities and installed more snow guns. This will allow them to cover more terrain in the early season, getting more runs open early and laying a solid foundation for the entire winter. Don’t forget to take a load off and check out the new updates to the mid-mountain Totemoff’s Bar and Grill and the Terrace Grill at the base.

Also operating on the conviction that you can never have too much snow, Taos Ski Valley has added a new state of the art snowcat, 13 new snow guns, and an enhanced snow-making pipe. In addition, the instructors at their Ernie Blake Snowsports School are stoked to offer new guided experiences, as well as a Ski Strong Gold Medalist program this season. And if you don’t wear yourself out on the mountain, treat yourselves to the new dinner sleigh ride to the Bavarian, and save some energy for the brand new ice skating rink on the Lower Plaza!

So, gear out, gear up, and we’ll see you soon!

Filed Under: Ski New Mexico News

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    Open
    As ski season comes to a close we're already looking forward to next year! 

Which ski resort is first on your list to visit next season?

📸: @kirtlandodr

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    Chair chats on the way up the mountain, tag your chair lift buddy in the comments!

📸: @redriverskiarea 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #skiredriver #redriver #redriverskiandsummerarea
    Open
    We loved seeing a new generation of skiers on the mountain this year! 💪🏼 

📸: @skisantafe

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #skisantafe #skibueno #santafe
    Open
    Nothing better than a New Mexico sunset 💛 

📸: @skiapache

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #skiapache
    Open
    We may be celebrating the first day of spring today but man are we going to miss these views 😢 

📸: @sunnysarah_hk 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    Incredible conditions to close out the season @angel_fire_resort today! They are 100% open. Make sure you get in a few last turns and enjoy that powder! 

#skinewmexico #springskiing #powderdays
    Open
    Happy St. Patrick's Day! ☘️ Lucky for us we're still enjoying days on the slopes!

We hope you're wearing green on the mountain today! 

📸: @zubin_stillings 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    We sure are going to miss seeing these mountains covered in snow ❄️ 

📸: @holzerkristen 
#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    There's no better feeling than the one you get before your first run of the day ⛷️ 

What ski destinations have you visited this season? 

📸: @ljdoncaster 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM
    Open
    Sometimes it feels like you're the only one on the mountain!

We're soaking up the last bits of the 22/23 season, how about you? ⛷️

📸: @redriverskiarea

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #skiredriver #redriver #redriverskiandsummerarea #redriverskiarea
    Open
    Breathtaking views at Taos Ski Valley! 😍 

Thanks @taoschic for letting us share this beauty! 

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #skitaos #taosskivalley #taos
    Open
    The Monday after Daylight savings has us wishing we were on the mountain even more than usual! Anyone up for a quick trip up to @angel_fire_resort?

#SkiNewMexico #NewMexicoTRUE #nmtrue #SkiNM #skiangelfire #angelfireresort #angelfire

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