New Mexico’s mountains are bracing for what could be the greatest ski season on record thanks to one of the strongest El Niño years the state has ever seen.

Warming of the sea surface temperatures in the Pacific fuel El Niño “conditions” creating colder and wetter weather patterns across the country, especially here in the Southwest.  The National Weather Service is forecasting above-average snowfall for New Mexico this winter.  In fact, several New Mexico ski resorts saw significant snowfall in early November.

Mark your calendars and clear your schedules, New Mexico ski areas are gearing up for their opening days and they are quickly approaching.  Below are scheduled open dates for the 2015-2016 ski season:

New Mexico Ski Resorts Announce Opening Days

Sipapu  – November, 14

Red River – November, 25

Taos Ski Valley – November, 26

Ski Apache – November, 26

Ski Santa Fe – November, 26

Pajarito – November, 27

Angle Fire – December, 11

Enchanted Forest – Mid-December

Sandia Peak – December (TBD)

*Please note all dates are subject to weather and these are all subject to weather