Sipapu
200 acres, 42 runs in the Carson National Forest. New Mexico's first lift-served ski area, family-built.
Season 2026 - 2027
Opens
20 Nov 2026
Closes
28 Mar 2027
Days open
128
Annual snow
185in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Sipapu's summit reaches 9,255 feet, dropping 1,056 vertical feet to a base at 8,199 feet across 42 runs spread over 200 acres in the Carson National Forest, New Mexico. Terrain splits 40 per cent intermediate, 25 per cent advanced, 20 per cent beginner and 15 per cent expert, with average annual snowfall of roughly 185 inches. The resort offers Power Pass access and is typically the first ski area in New Mexico to open each winter. Six lifts, including one quad chair and two triple chairs, serve the mountain alongside two surface lifts and one t-bar.
Sipapu holds the distinction of being the first lift-served ski area established in New Mexico, a heritage still reflected in its small-scale, family-oriented character today. The resort's early-opening reputation each season has made it a reliable first stop for New Mexico skiers eager to start the winter. Its modest 200-acre footprint and varied terrain give it a genuine local mountain feel relative to the state's larger destinations.
In 1950, Lloyd and Olive Bolander bought 13 acres of riverfront property in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, and in 1952 they installed a 100-foot portable rope tow and opened for business as Sipapu, a name drawn from the Tewa language. The Bolander family built the resort almost entirely by hand, hauling rock and cutting and peeling logs for vigas themselves, constructing the operation step by step over subsequent decades.
Lloyd Bolander was especially passionate about teaching new skiers, particularly children, and the resort's Sipapu School Program continues to offer deep discounts to local schools bringing in classes to learn the sport. James Coleman purchased Sipapu from the Bolander family in 2000, and the resort has continued to operate with the family-built, community-focused character established over its first half-century. Adult daily tickets run from 79 to 95 US dollars, with the Power Pass from 399 dollars.
1,056ft
Vertical
42
Runs
200 acres
Skiable
185in
Annual snow
The Terrain
42 runs across 200 acres skiable
Sipapu is a small ski area in the Carson National Forest, south of Taos, covering 200 acres (81 hectares) with 42 runs. The summit is 9,260 feet (2,821 m) and the base 8,200 feet, a vertical of about 1,060 feet (322 m). The split is 40% intermediate, 25% advanced, 20% beginner and 15% expert, a spread that is notable for a hill of this size. A quad chair, two triples and a few surface lifts serve the mountain, and snowfall averages about 185 inches a year. It is a modest, friendly mountain, and the numbers should be read in that light.
The resort lists 43 named trails and four terrain parks, so there is more variety than the acreage suggests, from gentle learning slopes to steeper advanced and expert pitches. With a vertical of just over 1,000 feet, laps are short and quick, which suits skiers who like to repeat a favourite run. A long-running school program means children and first-timers are a big part of the crowd. Sipapu suits families, school groups and intermediates who prefer a small, easygoing mountain to a big resort, and strong skiers will enjoy a few steeper pitches.
Terrain split
42
runs
42 runs across 4 grades
Beginner8 runs · 20%
Intermediate17 runs · 40%
Advanced11 runs · 25%
Expert6 runs · 15%
Time it right
When to visit Sipapu
The 2025-26 season at Sipapu ran from 20 December 2025 to 29 March 2026, a roughly fourteen-week season. Average annual snowfall of around 185 inches supports this window, and Sipapu has a longstanding reputation as the first ski area to open in New Mexico each winter, often ahead of the state's larger resorts. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season conditions.
Midwinter, from January through February, typically offers the most reliable natural conditions across the resort's varied terrain. The resort's Sipapu School Program brings in local school groups throughout the season, a defining part of its educational mission dating back to founder Lloyd Bolander's original teaching focus. Weekend crowds draw primarily from northern New Mexico, including Taos and Santa Fe.
As a Power Pass resort, Sipapu draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core regional and school-group visitor base. School holiday periods bring significant family visitation given the resort's beginner-friendly terrain and long-running youth teaching programs. The resort's early-season opening date makes it a particular draw for skiers eager to get on snow before New Mexico's other resorts.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and the school program is not confirmed in available resort information. Since James Coleman's 2000 purchase, the resort has maintained the hands-on, family-built character established by the Bolander family across the previous half-century. Sipapu's identity as New Mexico's first lift-served ski area remains central to how the resort presents itself each season.
Season 2026 - 2027
20 Nov 2026
Opens
28 Mar 2027
Closes
128
Days open
185 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Sipapu
Daily snow reports at Sipapu go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
8 in
Snowiest day
4 Dec 2025
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
56 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Sipapu, and where to stay
Sipapu sits in the Carson National Forest in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, with a base elevation of 8,199 feet and a summit at 9,255 feet across a 1,056-foot vertical drop over 200 acres. The resort's riverfront origins date to the Bolander family's original 13-acre purchase in 1950.
The nearby village of Peñasco, where founder Lloyd Bolander was born and raised, and the broader Sangre de Cristo foothills provide the resort's immediate surroundings, with Taos lying a further drive to the north. The Carson National Forest's mountainous terrain gives the area a genuinely rural, forested character distinct from New Mexico's more developed resort towns. Santa Fe lies within a couple of hours' drive to the south.
New Mexico State Route 518 provides the main route through the Peñasco area toward Sipapu, winding through the Sangre de Cristo foothills. Winter driving conditions on this rural mountain route can include snow and ice, and the resort's relatively remote setting means visitors should allow extra travel time compared with more accessible New Mexico resorts. There is no direct public transport service to the mountain.
Santa Fe Regional Airport and Albuquerque International Sunport both offer commercial service within a few hours' drive, though most Sipapu visitors travel by car from Taos, Santa Fe or the surrounding northern New Mexico communities. The resort's modest scale and school-focused programming mean it draws primarily regional rather than fly-in destination visitors.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Sipapu, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Sipapu's ski season?
Sipapu's 2026 - 2027 season typically runs from November 20 through March 28. That window is roughly 128 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in New Mexico, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Sipapu have?
Sipapu lists about 200 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 42 named runs (81 hectares alongside 200 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Sipapu?
Trail grading at Sipapu breaks down roughly as 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 25% advanced, 15% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Sipapu have?
Sipapu operates 6 lifts across 4 lift types. The fleet includes 2 triple chairs, 2 surface lifts, 1 quad chair, and 1 t-bar.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Sipapu?
Base elevation at Sipapu is about 8,199 ft (2,499 m), with the summit around 9,255 ft (2,821 m), giving roughly 1,056 ft (322 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Sipapu get each season?
Sipapu averages about 185 inches (470 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Where can I buy Sipapu lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$59 to US$129, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Sipapu before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Sipapu so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Sipapu have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Sipapu. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Sipapu located?
Sipapu sits in New Mexico, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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