Vadito, NM – After picking up more than a foot of new snow overnight, Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort officials announced this morning that the northern New Mexico resort would open for ski operations today.
Sipapu went to weekends only beginning this week, but after getting pounded with 14 inches of new snow last night, officials made the call to fire up the lifts again this morning.
“With this much snow in less than 24 hours, the decision to open was a simple one,” said general manager John Paul Bradley. “We’re skiers and snowboarders, and we’re going to open this mountain every chance we get.”
Sipapu is currently reporting a three-foot base with 14 inches of new snow since 11 a.m. Monday morning. Lift #1, which services trails from the top to the bottom of the mountain, will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Mountain crews expect to have at least 12 trails open: four beginner, six intermediate and two advanced.
Sipapu’s lift ticket office will open at 8 a.m., with lift tickets priced at $25 for adults and teens, and $10 for kids (ages 7-12) and seniors (60-69). In celebration of the unexpected snowfall, Sipapu will also extend its popular Car Load Days deal, where everyone in one vehicle (limit six) skis for $50. Kids six and younger, 4th graders (with a report card), active duty military (active duty ID required), guests who are 40 years old, guests who are 60 years old and those 70 years and older receive a free lift ticket. Season pass holders from partner resorts, including Angel Fire Resort, Red River Ski Area, Pajarito Mountain and Ski Apache may present their 2011-2012 season passes for a free lift ticket, too.
Sipapu’s rental shop will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the ski school will not offer ski school lessons on Tuesday.
Sipapu will resume weekend operations this Saturday and Sunday, and the resort is scheduled to be the last to close in New Mexico on April 15, weather and conditions permitting.