Pajarito Mountain
750 acres, 45 runs near Los Alamos. Founded by Manhattan Project scientists, Power Pass access.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
26 Dec 2026
Closes
7 Mar 2027
Days open
71
Annual snow
165in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Pajarito Mountain's summit reaches 10,440 feet, dropping 1,441 vertical feet to a base at 8,999 feet across 45 runs spread over 750 acres near Los Alamos, New Mexico. Terrain splits 50 per cent intermediate, 30 per cent advanced and 20 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 165 inches. The resort offers Power Pass access. Five lifts, including three double chairs and one quad chair, serve the mountain alongside one surface lift.
Pajarito carries an unusual scientific pedigree: the ski area traces directly back to the Manhattan Project scientists and soldiers stationed at nearby Los Alamos during the Second World War. This origin gives the resort a distinctive place in ski history among New Mexico's mountains, alongside its more conventional identity today as a community-run, volunteer-supported ski area. Its terrain mix, weighted toward intermediate and advanced skiing, suits a broad range of visitors.
In 1943, Los Alamos scientists and soldiers, many of whom had grown up skiing in the Alps, formed the Los Alamos Ski Club, with early members including Nobel laureates Enrico Fermi and Emilio Segrè, along with J. Robert Oppenheimer. The club first opened a modest ski hill at Sawyers Hill in December 1944, charging 7.50 US dollars a person for access to a single tow rope. As snow on Sawyers Hill grew unreliable, the club identified Pajarito Mountain as offering steeper runs, more terrain and more consistent snow.
On 23 November 1957, the volunteer-built Pajarito Mountain ski area opened with two tows, double the vertical drop of Sawyers Hill, a beginner's slope and a narrow upper trail. Investor James Coleman acquired the ski area in 2014 in partnership with Los Alamos County, and the resort joined Mountain Capital Partners in 2018, combining continued volunteer involvement with professional management. Adult daily tickets run from 45 to 65 US dollars, with the Power Pass from 399 dollars.
1,440ft
Vertical
45
Runs
750 acres
Skiable
165in
Annual snow
The Terrain
45 runs across 750 acres skiable
Pajarito Mountain rises above Los Alamos in the Jemez Mountains and covers 750 acres (304 hectares) with 45 runs. The summit reaches 10,440 feet (3,182 m) and the vertical is 1,440 feet (439 m), starting from a base at 9,000 feet. Half the terrain is intermediate, 30% advanced and 20% beginner, so the balance tilts harder than most small hills. Three double chairs, one quad and a surface lift do the work, and snowfall averages about 165 inches a year. This is a community-run local mountain rather than a destination resort, and it is best judged on those terms.
The best-known terrain is the Fab Four, a string of double black diamond mogul runs that gives the mountain its edge. For gentler laps, the blue runs Why Not and One More Time offer steady cruising, and the Aspen run has had a T-bar since the 1962-63 season. Beyond those names the mountain is compact, so expect repeat laps rather than a long tour. Pajarito suits intermediate and advanced skiers from Los Alamos and northern New Mexico, and visitors based in Santa Fe who want a day on snow without a long drive to a bigger resort.
Terrain split
45
runs
45 runs across 4 grades
Beginner9 runs · 20%
Intermediate23 runs · 50%
Advanced14 runs · 30%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Pajarito Mountain
The 2025-26 season at Pajarito Mountain ran from 14 December 2025 to 8 March 2026, one of the shorter seasons among New Mexico's ski areas at roughly twelve weeks. Average annual snowfall of around 165 inches supports this window, though the resort's season length can vary more than higher-snowfall New Mexico peers depending on annual conditions. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season weather.
Midwinter, from January through February, typically offers the most reliable natural conditions across the resort's intermediate and advanced terrain. Given Pajarito's scientific-community origins and continued volunteer involvement, the resort retains a distinctly local character relative to New Mexico's more commercially oriented mountains. Weekend crowds draw primarily from the Los Alamos and broader northern New Mexico area.
As a Power Pass resort under Mountain Capital Partners since 2018, Pajarito draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core Los Alamos community base. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation given the resort's intermediate and beginner-weighted terrain. The resort's origins within the Los Alamos Ski Club continue to shape its community-oriented programming.
Specific event programming beyond standard lift operations is not confirmed in available resort information. The blend of volunteer involvement and Mountain Capital Partners' professional management, in place since 2018, continues to define how the resort operates each season. Pajarito's identity as a mountain built by scientists and volunteers remains a distinctive part of its seasonal character.
Season 2026 - 2027
26 Dec 2026
Opens
7 Mar 2027
Closes
71
Days open
165 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Pajarito Mountain
Daily snow reports at Pajarito Mountain go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
5 in
Snowiest day
4 Dec 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
34 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Pajarito Mountain, and where to stay
Pajarito Mountain sits near Los Alamos in northern New Mexico, with a base elevation of 8,999 feet and a summit at 10,440 feet across a 1,441-foot vertical drop over 750 acres. The resort sits within the Jemez Mountains, a volcanic range distinct from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains that host Santa Fe and Taos further east.
Los Alamos itself is the nearest town, a small city built around the Los Alamos National Laboratory with a history directly tied to the ski area's founding by Manhattan Project scientists. Santa Fe, New Mexico's state capital, lies roughly 35 miles to the southeast, providing more extensive lodging and dining options for visitors. The surrounding Jemez Mountains offer additional outdoor recreation beyond skiing.
New Mexico State Route 501 and local roads connect Los Alamos to Pajarito Mountain, with the resort a short drive from the town centre. Winter driving conditions on the approach can include snow and ice at elevation, though the route is well used given the resort's role as the community's local mountain. There is no direct public transport service to the ski area.
Santa Fe Regional Airport, roughly 45 minutes away, is the nearest airport with commercial service, while Albuquerque International Sunport offers more extensive flight options a further drive to the south. Most Pajarito visitors are Los Alamos and northern New Mexico locals rather than fly-in destination travellers, consistent with the resort's community-rooted identity.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Pajarito Mountain, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
Mammoth Mountain Opens Early on November 5 With Up to 33 Inches of Snow in the Forecast
Mammoth just moved opening day forward to Thursday, November 5, eight days ahead of schedule. A snowy weekend and cold snowmaking nights did the work, and our forecast shows up to 33 inches more landing on November 13 and 14. Here is what opens, what the weather looks like and where Mammoth sits among the early Ikon Pass openers.
3 Nov 2026
Utah Snow Storm Builds Early-Season Base Ahead of November Openings
Rain down low, snow up high, and a snow report full of zeros that mostly means ‘not updated yet’. Utah’s first proper storm of 2026-27 is rolling through the Wasatch, Snowbird’s snow stake is closing in on 10 inches, and Brian Head is five days from opening day. Early November snow rarely looks like much, but it is the layer every November opening date is built on. Here is where it stands.
1 Nov 2026
Sierra Nevada Halloween Storm: Dodge Ridge Forecast to Lead With 19 Inches
Halloween weekend brings a wet, windy storm to the Sierra Nevada. Our five-day forecast has Dodge Ridge on top with 19 in, followed by Bear Valley at 15 in and Mammoth Mountain at 12 in, with most of it landing on Saturday. A winter weather advisory covers the Tahoe Basin and Mono County until 7 AM Sunday, gusts could reach 47 mph and the freezing level swings between 4,900 and 8,700 ft, so some bases will see rain. A dry spell follows from Monday.
31 Oct 2026
Lake Louise Opens Early on 1 November With Juniper Express and Easy Street
The Rockies get their first lift-served turns of the season early. Lake Louise opens Sunday 1 November, five days ahead of schedule, after a cold October and round-the-clock work from the snowmaking and mountain crews. Terrain is limited to Juniper Express Chair and Easy Street, with two small terrain parks and the beginner area for lessons. Opening-day tickets are over 60% off, with prices rising as more lifts open. First chair is at 9:30 am under the resort’s new lift hours.
31 Oct 2026
Kitzbüheler Horn Summit Cable Car to Be Replaced After 70 Years
A Tyrolean summit lift that has been carrying guests up the Kitzbüheler Horn since 1955 is on borrowed time. Its licence runs to 2045, but a new inspection rule has made refurbishment uneconomic, so Bergbahn AG Kitzbühel will spend around €15 million on a replacement on the same line. It should hold roughly 100 people and keep running in winds that would stop today’s lift. Building starts in autumn 2027, which makes this winter and next summer the last chances to ride the old one.
30 Oct 2026
What’s New in Japan Skiing This Winter: Niseko Gondola, a Private Resort and a Bigger Ikon Pass
Niseko Village is replacing a lift from the early 1980s with an eight-person gondola, Tsugaike gets a six-person chairlift, Madarao joins the Ikon Pass and Togari opens Asia’s first private ski resort. Here’s what is actually new in Japan skiing for 2026/27, plus what is still a year or two away.
30 Oct 2026
Wolf Creek Opens on Halloween Weekend as Colorado’s Early Season Gathers Pace
Colorado’s early-season dominoes keep falling. Arapahoe Basin opened on Wednesday, Keystone follows on Friday, and now Wolf Creek is joining in on Saturday 31 October, just in time for Halloween. A storm on 23 and 24 October left 20 inches of natural snow in the San Juans, and three lifts will turn from 9:00 am, covering about 30% of the mountain. Expect rocks, unmarked obstacles and open water, but also Local Appreciation lift tickets at $73 for adults.
30 Oct 2026
Keystone Resort Opens for 2026/27 With More Than Two Miles of Skiing
Keystone is next. After Arapahoe Basin claimed the first chairlift skiing of the season on Wednesday, Keystone opens on Friday 30 October at 9:00 am with more than two miles of snowmaking-built terrain on Schoolmarm and Silver Spoon, plus free donuts, coffee and a live DJ. Last year the order was reversed, when Keystone squeezed in a three-hour afternoon session to beat A-Basin by a day. Snowmaking has been running since 15 October.
29 Oct 2026
Pajarito Mountain Snow Report
Snow Report
Updated 3 Nov 2026
10,440ft
summit
+0in
new snow · last 24 hours
Overcast29°F / 39°F · N 9mph
Snowfall
24 hours
0in
48 hours
0in
7 days
0in
Base depth
0in
Season total
0in
Typical winter 34in
Total lifts5
Live open status isn’t available right now.
26 Dec 2026 - 7 Mar 2027
Hour by Hour
Next 48 hours· Updated Nov 3, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo
7-Day Outlook
10,151 ftUpdated Nov 3, 2026 at 5:02 PMOpen-Meteo
Days 1–7
0.0"
Days 8–14
0.3"
Tue, Nov 3
Overcast
Temp39° / 29°°F
Snow0.0"
Wind9 mph N
Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.
Understanding the Pajarito Mountain snow report
Planning a day at Pajarito Mountain? Our snow report combines official mountain data with live weather so you know exactly what conditions look like right now, from the 2743m base to the 3182m summit.
Snow measurements
Our snow reports measure snowfall in centimeters over multiple time windows — last 24 hours, last 7 days, and the season total. Base depth reflects accumulation at the 2743m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 439m higher at 3182m, where snow typically stays colder and lingers longer. Imperial conversions are shown alongside for convenience.
Weather conditions
Wind and temperature swings matter as much as fresh snowfall. Cold, calm conditions hold snow quality well, while wind-loading or a warm-up can change things quickly — especially given the elevation spread between Pajarito Mountain's base and summit.
Data sources
We pull Pajarito Mountain's conditions from on-the-ground mountain reporting, then layer in forecast data so you get a fuller picture than either source alone. The mountain is served by 5 lifts, including a quad chairlift.
When to check
Snow reports are typically updated early morning and late afternoon. For the most current conditions, check back regularly, especially if a winter storm is approaching.