Industry News
Sandia Peak Ski Area, NM, will not open for the second consecutive year due to reduced snowfall, staffing issues, and financial difficulties, Alaina Mencinger writes for the Albuquerque Journal.
Last winter the ski area did not open due to a lack of snow. General manager Ben Abruzzo says the previous five winters have been dryer and shorter than any in the last 20 years.
“Sandia Peak has for sure had less snow and shorter winters in the past five years than we had seen in the past 20.”
– Ben Abruzzo
The last time the resort opened, in 2020, the snow didn’t arrive until late January, limiting the resort to just five weekends of operation. The shorter season also makes it more difficult to find employees.
“We’ve been operating this mountain for 50 years and every year we’ve made an attempt to open. We’re like a lot of businesses – we’re struggling with reality right now. Having these really short ski seasons in a row, you’re not guaranteeing people enough employment.”
– Ben Abruzzo
Abruzzo added that plans to build a mountain coaster at the resort are also on hold and that the long term future of the resort is up in the air. The special use permit the resort has with the US Forest Service does not allow the ski area to remain on the mountain without operating and talks about its future are ongoing.
