Sandia Peak, New Mexico Inks Joint Venture With Mountain Capital Partners

Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) and Sandia Peak Ski Company have joined forces in a collaborative agreement to manage the Sandia Peak Ski Area, situated 35 miles to the northeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This latest addition marks MCP's third ski area in New Mexico, bolstering their extensive portfolio to include 14 resorts that encompass skiing, biking, and golfing experiences across the Southwestern region, Oregon, and Chile.MCP's managing partner, James Coleman, is eager to extend his distinctive "Skiing First" philosophy to Sandia Peak. Coleman embarked on his ski industry journey back in 2000 when he acquired the Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort. In 2015, he further expanded MCP's presence in New Mexico by taking over the management of Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. “The foundations of our company were built on the lessons we learned from skiers and snowboarders in New Mexico,Sandia Peak presents an incredible opportunity for us to bring the best practices we’ve learned for the benefit of Albuquerque and visitors from around the region.” — James Coleman MCP Managing Partner View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sandia Peak Ski Area (@sandia_peak_ski) The Sandia Peak Ski Area boasts three double chairlifts, a surface lift, 35 ski trails, and 300 skiable acres, with a vertical drop of 1,700 feet. Unfortunately, the ski area remained closed during the 2022-23 season due to challenges arising from staffing shortages and adverse weather conditions. Resort officials are actively working on a strategic plan for its future operations, and potential upgrades to the resort are also under consideration.James Coleman emphasized that the burning question on the minds of many Albuquerque-area skiers is not if Sandia Peak will reopen, but rather when it will reopen. The team is diligently exploring options to address this pressing concern.Ben Abruzzo, the general manager of Sandia Peak, expressed that partnering with MCP was a natural choice as they contemplated the continuation of their family's ski business. The Abruzzo family, who have a deep-rooted connection with the ski area dating back to 1958, operate Ski Santa Fe, the Sandia Peak Tramway, and the TEN 3 Restaurant. Notably, the tramway and restaurant will not be affected by this agreement and will continue to be managed by Sandia Companies under the guidance of the Abruzzo family. “Skiing in the Southwest offers unique challenges that have been amplified over the last several years. This partnership will help address those challenges and provide a future for skiing in Albuquerque.” — Ben Abruzzo, Sandia Peak General Manager