2026–27 New Mexico Ski Season: Opening Dates & What’s New

Winter is getting closer, and across New Mexico, the mountains are getting ready.

The countdown to ski season is officially on.

From major snowmaking investments and new lifts to upgraded beginner areas, new programs and milestone celebrations, New Mexico's ski areas are preparing for the 2026–27 season.

Opening dates are starting to take shape, and there's plenty to look forward to when the lifts start spinning. Whether you're planning your first turns of the season, looking for a new mountain to explore or simply ready to start thinking snow, here's what's happening across New Mexico Ski Country.

2026–27 Opening Dates at a Glance

Opening dates are subject to change based on weather, snow conditions and mountain operations. Check individual resort websites for the latest information before traveling.

Angel Fire Resort

Opening December 11, 2026

Angel Fire is heading into its 60th anniversary season with a major new addition to the mountain: Angel Express, New Mexico's first high-speed six-passenger chairlift.

The new lift brings Angel Fire's total to eight lifts, including three high-speed lifts, and increases uphill capacity by about 1,800 riders per hour. The goal is simple: spend less time waiting and more time skiing and riding.

The resort is also introducing a new centralized guest hub, bringing together upgraded ticketing, rentals, guest services, retail and other skier amenities. A new RFID-enabled Access Card will allow guests to reload their passes or tickets online and head directly to the lifts with hands-free scanning.

Snowmaking is getting an upgrade, too, with nine new automated snow guns and more than a mile of new snowmaking pipe added over the past two seasons.

And throughout the winter, Angel Fire will celebrate 60 years in the mountains with special events, retro ski days and other anniversary celebrations.

This season's highlight: New Mexico's first high-speed six-pack + 60 years of Angel Fire.

Pajarito Mountain

Opening December 4, 2026 

Pajarito is heading into one of the biggest infrastructure transformations in the mountain's history—and much of it is happening beneath the surface.

The centerpiece is a major snowmaking and water infrastructure project connected to the Jemez Mountain Regional Fire Protection Project. A new pipeline and 10-million-gallon reservoir will provide a much more reliable water supply for snowmaking while also supporting wildfire protection in the Jemez region.

BY THE NUMBERS

27X - More water available for snowmaking

300% - More snow guns

10 million - Gallons of reservoir capacity

The project is also expanding snowmaking coverage across the mountain, including new dedicated coverage on additional trails. Crews have been working throughout the summer on the pipeline, electrical infrastructure, snowmaking system, trail work and the Aspen Lift.

For skiers, the goal is exciting: more snow, sooner, across more of the mountain. Pajarito is also making some terrain changes this season, including regrading Crazy Mother Terrain Park into a regular run and continuing trail work across the mountain.

And for families, there's another reason to take a look: Pajarito's Power Kids Pass gives kids 12 and under free, unlimited skiing, with no adult purchase required.

This season's highlight: A major snowmaking transformation designed to make Pajarito's season more reliable.

Red River Ski & Summer Area

Opening November 25, 2026 

Red River is kicking off the 2026–27 season with an improvement designed to help people take their very first turns.

A new magic carpet is coming to the beginner and teaching area, giving new skiers and snowboarders an easier way to get comfortable on the snow and spend more time learning.

For a mountain known for its classic ski-town atmosphere, it's a fitting addition: making it easier for families and first-time skiers to get started and enjoy the mountain from day one.

Red River is also planning to open winter tubing one day ahead of the ski season, on November 24, giving Thanksgiving-week visitors another way to get into the winter spirit.

This season's highlight: A new magic carpet built with beginners in mind.

Sandia Peak Ski Area

Potential early opening November 1; tickets currently available for skiing beginning December 19 

Sandia Peak is heading into the season with some meaningful improvements for beginners and families.

A new magic carpet is replacing the old handle tow in the beginner area, making learning and getting around the beginner terrain easier. Even more significantly, the beginner lift is now open to everyone for the first time in decades, expanding access to the mountain for new skiers and riders.

Kids 12 and under can also ski for free through Sandia Peak's Power Kids Pass, which provides unlimited access at participating Power Pass mountains.

And if you're looking to gear up for the season, the Sandia Peak Ski Swap returns October 30–November 1 with the Albuquerque volunteer ski patrol.

Sandia is also watching the weather closely and preparing for the possibility of an earlier opening if conditions cooperate. The mountain's current ticket calendar begins December 19, so check directly with Sandia Peak for the latest opening information as winter approaches.

This season's highlight: A more welcoming beginner experience, free skiing for kids 12 and under and the possibility of an early start.

Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort

Opening November 20, 2026 

Sipapu is keeping its focus on what matters most: getting people on the mountain, especially families and new skiers.

For 2026–27, the resort is adding five new snow guns, helping expand coverage and get more terrain ready when temperatures cooperate. An additional snowcat will also increase grooming capacity by about 25 percent.

And for anyone thinking about learning to ski or snowboard, Sipapu has another attention-grabber:

Learn2Ski — $49

The new package combines a four-hour lesson, equipment rental and a lift ticket—making it one of the most accessible ways to give skiing a try.

Sipapu is also bringing back its Yeti Club, a Saturday kids' ski and ride program offered in three multi-week sessions throughout the season.

On the pass side, Sipapu is continuing its affordability focus with prices held since 2023, RFID-enabled passes and expanded 50%-off buddy-ticket benefits.

This season's highlight: More snowmaking, more grooming and a $49 way to learn.

Ski Apache

Opening November 28, 2026 

Ski Apache is preparing for the 2026–27 season with an eye on both the forecast and its high-tech approach to snow.

With a potentially very strong El Niño shaping up for the winter, the resort is watching conditions closely as it prepares for the season ahead. Its Snowfactory remains an important tool for early-season snow production, using cooling technology to make snow even when outdoor temperatures are too warm for traditional snowmaking. Ski Apache says it is one of two such units currently operating in the United States.

The resort also has 2026–27 season passes on sale, along with its Free Kids Ticket Program for children 12 and under on eligible dates.

This season's highlight: High-elevation skiing, high-tech snowmaking and an early-season outlook worth watching.

Ski Santa Fe

Opening November 26, 2026 — Tentative

Just 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe, Ski Santa Fe is heading into another season with a continued focus on access, learning and the guest experience.

The mountain's Millennium Triple Chair debuted during the 2025–26 season, adding access to intermediate and advanced terrain.

For 2026–27, Ski Santa Fe is also highlighting its commitment to adaptive snowsports and accessibility, including its Adaptive Ski Program building and partnerships that help guests with disabilities experience skiing and snowboarding.

The resort is also holding season-pass pricing steady and continues to offer a range of pass options designed around different skiing styles and budgets.

And there's one more reason to keep an eye on the mountain: Ski Santa Fe's current winter outlook is calling for above-normal snowfall to be favored for the 2026–27 season. Of course, forecasts are probabilities—not promises—but we'll take the optimism.

This season's highlight: More access, more inclusion and another winter just outside Santa Fe.

Taos Ski Valley

Opening November 26, 2026

Taos Ski Valley is opening the 2026–27 season with more than $3 million in operational improvements and a long list of new experiences both on and off the mountain.

On the mountain, Taos is adding more tower and fan snow guns for early-season snowmaking, completing additional trail work and glading, and introducing a satellite snow-depth mapping system designed to help improve grooming and understand snow coverage across the mountain.

But some of the most interesting additions are about the experience.

Taos is expanding its signature Ski Week program, while new Full Moon Uphill Tours will offer another way to experience the mountain after dark. The resort is also adding a new Winter Market on New Year's Eve and expanding dining and guest amenities.

For skiers looking for something beyond a traditional ski day, Taos continues to build out the mountain experience in ways that make a trip feel like more than simply riding lifts and skiing runs.

This season's highlight: More snowmaking, more mountain experiences and a whole lot more ways to experience Taos.

The Countdown Is On

The lifts aren't spinning quite yet—but the countdown has officially begun.

Across New Mexico, ski areas are investing in snowmaking, lifts, learning, accessibility, grooming and the guest experience, while preparing for another winter in some of the most distinctive mountain communities in the West.

And with El Niño expected to continue through the heart of winter, there's plenty of reason to start watching the forecasts, checking the calendars and thinking about those first turns.

Mark your calendar, explore what's new and start planning your 2026–27 New Mexico ski adventure.

[Explore Ski New Mexico]