Sipapu Opens Early, Kicks Off New Mexico Ski Season

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort in San Juan County opened lifts on Friday, November 21, making it the first ski area in New Mexico to begin operations for the 2025 to 2026 season. The resort initially put a limited amount of terrain into service, using the Big Magic Carpet for beginner access, and signaled plans to expand available runs through Thanksgiving week as conditions permitted.

Resort management reported that favorable weather in late November allowed crews to make progress on several construction projects, including ongoing work on a new Lift 3. Officials said additional terrain would open as snowmaking systems and natural snowfall allowed, indicating a phased ramp up rather than a full mountain opening immediately. The early lift operations came just ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, a key revenue period for lodging, restaurants, and other visitor dependent businesses in the county.

For local residents and businesses the opening has immediate economic implications. An earlier start to the season can draw holiday travelers who otherwise might delay trips, increasing demand for accommodations and local services during a traditionally busy travel week. Seasonal employment opportunities at the resort and among local hospitality firms may expand as runs come online, and the prospect of a new lift signals potential for higher capacity and longer term visitor growth when the project is completed.

Sipapu’s move also sets a pace for regional resorts, which have varied opening schedules that depend heavily on weather and snowmaking capacity. The resort’s reliance on snowmaking underscores the sensitivity of the regional ski economy to early season temperatures and precipitation patterns. In the near term the community can expect a stepped increase in visitor activity as the resort brings more terrain online, while longer term infrastructure investments such as Lift 3 may shape capacity and competitiveness in future seasons.

As conditions evolve through and beyond Thanksgiving week, Sipapu’s phased opening will be a key indicator of how quickly the local winter recreation season ramps up and how much economic activity it will generate for San Juan County.