Vadito, NM – Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort picked up an early treat this Halloween weekend: below-freezing temperatures. The extra-cold temps allowed mountain crews to begin making snow early Saturday as the resort prepares to open skiing and snowboarding in New Mexico next month.
For the past nine consecutive seasons, northern New Mexico’s oldest resort – which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in the 2011-12 season – has clinched the title of first ski area to open in New Mexico. This year, Sipapu is looking to make that a perfect ten. To accomplish this feat (opening day is slated for November 19 this year), the resort depends on making snow in the fall, said general manager John Paul Bradley.
“For the last nine years, Sipapu has been the first resort open in the state,” he said. “With that kind of track record, guests have come to expect to get their first turns of the season at Sipapu. We make that happen by making our own snow.”
Mother Nature gave snowmakers an added boost this week: Wednesday’s storm dropped at least six inches of snow on the mountain, although Sipapu’s snowmakers hope to augment that considerably, Bradley said.
Bradley added that with cold temperatures expected in the upcoming days, mountain crews could be working around the clock to cover Sipapu’s slopes with snow.