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    New Mexico, USA

    Ski Santa Fe

    660 acres, 86 runs above Santa Fe. Independently owned since 1985, high-desert skiing above 10,000 feet.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    Opens
    13 Dec 2025
    Closes
    22 Mar 2026
    Days open
    99
    Annual snow
    19ft
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Ski Santa Fe's summit reaches 12,074 feet, dropping 1,723 vertical feet to a base at 10,351 feet across 86 runs spread over 660 acres in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, 16 miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Terrain splits 47 per cent advanced, 32 per cent intermediate, 16 per cent beginner and 5 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 225 inches. The resort remains privately owned and does not participate in the Epic, Ikon or Mountain Collective passes. Eight lifts, including two quad chairs and two triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside two double chairs and two surface lifts.

    Ski Santa Fe is among the oldest and highest ski areas in the United States, with a base elevation above 10,000 feet giving it consistently cold, dry snow despite its southern latitude. It is the southernmost major ski resort in the Rocky Mountains, a distinction tied directly to its high-desert New Mexico setting. The resort's independence from the major multi-resort pass networks reflects a deliberate ownership choice rather than a lack of scale.

    The area's skiing history began in 1936, when a rope tow powered by a Packard sedan engine, the first of its kind in New Mexico, was installed by retired lawyer and skier Robert Nordhaus at the future site of the resort. In 1949, the Sierras de Santa Fe group founded the Santa Fe Ski Basin and raised funds to build the area's first chairlift, and ski pioneer Ernie Blake helped open the resort in February 1950 before going on to found Taos Ski Valley several years later.

    The Abruzzo family has owned Ski Santa Fe since 1985, having inherited the resort from their parents following a fatal plane crash. This continuous family ownership, combined with the resort's decision to remain outside the major pass networks, has kept Ski Santa Fe operating on its own terms relative to New Mexico's other major resorts. Adult daily tickets run from 89 to 109 US dollars.

    1,722ft
    Vertical
    86
    Runs
    660 acres
    Skiable
    19ft
    Annual snow
    The Terrain

    86 runs across 660 acres skiable

    Ski Santa Fe spreads 86 runs across 660 acres skiable of terrain. It leans advanced at 47%, with 14 beginner runs to find your feet and 44 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.

    Terrain split
    86
    runs
    86 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner14 runs · 16%
    Intermediate28 runs · 32%
    Advanced40 runs · 47%
    Expert4 runs · 5%
    Time it right

    When to visit Ski Santa Fe

    The 2025-26 season at Ski Santa Fe ran from 13 December 2025 to 22 March 2026, a roughly fourteen-week season. Average annual snowfall of around 225 inches, combined with the resort's high base elevation above 10,000 feet, supports consistently cold, dry conditions well suited to New Mexico's high-desert climate. 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 advanced-weighted terrain. As an independent resort outside the major pass networks, Ski Santa Fe draws primarily from Santa Fe and the broader northern New Mexico region rather than pass-driven destination traffic. Weekend crowds are generally heavier than weekdays.

    The resort's Direct-to-Lift RFID ticketing and weekday discount pricing reflect a locally focused, value-conscious approach to season operations. As one of the oldest ski areas in the country, with roots tracing to 1936, Ski Santa Fe's programming leans toward straightforward, dependable operations rather than large festival-style events. School holiday periods bring increased family visitation.

    Specific event programming beyond standard operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Continuous Abruzzo family ownership since 1985 has kept the resort's seasonal priorities focused on serving its Santa Fe-area community directly. The resort's status as the southernmost major Rocky Mountain ski area continues to draw visitors seeking a distinctly high-desert skiing experience.

    Season 2025 - 2026
    13 Dec 2025
    Opens
    22 Mar 2026
    Closes
    99
    Days open
    19 ft
    Annual snow
    Getting there

    Getting to Ski Santa Fe, and where to stay

    Ski Santa Fe sits in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, 16 miles east of Santa Fe, New Mexico, with a base elevation of 10,351 feet and a summit at 12,074 feet across a 1,723-foot vertical drop over 660 acres. This makes it one of the highest-elevation ski areas in the country, set within New Mexico's high-desert mountain landscape.

    Santa Fe itself, the state capital and a major arts and culture destination, provides extensive lodging, dining and services just a short drive from the resort. The historic Santa Fe Plaza and the city's broader cultural attractions give the area a four-season appeal well beyond winter skiing alone. Albuquerque, New Mexico's largest city, lies about an hour to the southwest.

    New Mexico State Route 475, known as the Santa Fe Ski Basin Road, connects downtown Santa Fe directly to the resort, climbing steadily into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains over the 16-mile route. Winter driving conditions on this road can include snow and ice at elevation, and the route is well maintained given its role as the resort's sole access point. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.

    Santa Fe Regional Airport offers limited commercial service close to the resort, while Albuquerque International Sunport, roughly an hour away, provides substantially more extensive flight options. This combination of a short drive from historic Santa Fe and reasonable airport access makes Ski Santa Fe a practical stop for visitors combining culture and skiing in a single trip.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near Ski Santa Fe, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

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    26 Aug 2026

    Ski Santa Fe Snow Report

    Snow Report
    Updated 5 Sept 2026
    12,073ft
    summit
    +0in
    new snow · last 24 hours
    Mainly Clear49°F / 66°F · NW 14mph
    Snowfall
    24 hours
    0in
    48 hours
    0in
    7 days
    0in
    Base depth
    0in
    Season total
    0in
    Total lifts8

    Live open status isn’t available right now.

    13 Dec 2025 - 22 Mar 2026

    Hour by Hour

    Next 43 hours· Updated Sep 5, 2026 at 6:02 PM
    SatNowSun12a1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p5p6p7p8p9p10p11pMon12a1a2a3a4a5a6a7a8a9a10a11a12p1p2p3p4p5p
    Conditions
    Temp°F · feels
    5546
    5445
    5445
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    5346
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    5851
    6053
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    5043
    5245
    5448
    5651
    5956
    6360
    6562
    6764
    6762
    6558
    6358
    Snowfallin
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
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    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
    0
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    0
    0
    Precip chance%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    1%
    2%
    8%
    8%
    13%
    14%
    13%
    11%
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    10%
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    13%
    9%
    20%
    15%
    13%
    14%
    4%
    36%
    36%
    9%
    9%
    9%
    9%
    9%
    9%
    38%
    38%
    38%
    38%
    38%
    Precipin0000000000000000000000000000.100000000000.00.0000
    Wind / gustmph
    14G20
    13G17
    11G14
    10G12
    10G13
    10G12
    9G10
    9G10
    7G8
    7G11
    8G11
    9G10
    9G9
    7G8
    8G9
    10G12
    10G11
    9G11
    10G12
    10G14
    9G13
    9G17
    6G13
    5G15
    5G19
    8G14
    3G12
    4G11
    5G12
    3G12
    5G8
    11G18
    13G20
    12G19
    12G19
    11G16
    10G15
    10G14
    8G13
    8G12
    9G11
    11G12
    8G13

    Scroll for the full outlook · Open-Meteo

    7-Day Outlook

    12,073 ftUpdated Sep 5, 2026 at 6:02 PMOpen-Meteo

    Days 1–7

    0.0"

    Days 8–14

    0.0"

    Unlock days 8–14

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    Sat, Sept 5

    Overcast
    Temp66° / 49°°F
    Snow0.0"(11%)
    Wind14 mph NW

    Live snow from the resort feed; forecast from Open-Meteo, via Supabase.

    Understanding the Ski Santa Fe snow report

    Get the latest Ski Santa Fe snow report — real-time snowfall, snow depth, and mountain weather for this New Mexico resort, spanning 3155m to 3680m in elevation.

    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 3155m base area, while summit depth captures conditions 525m higher at 3680m, 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 Ski Santa Fe's base and summit.

    Data sources

    We pull Ski Santa Fe'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 8 lifts, including 2 quad chairlifts.

    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.