Shuttered New Mexico Ski Area To Be Reopened By New Operator

Ian Greenwood
·2 min read
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Sandia Peak Ski Area, a New Mexico-based ski resort that hasn't operated since 2022, has entered a joint operating venture agreement with Mountain Capital Partners (MCP), a conglomerate that plans to reopen the once-shuttered resort.

With the addition of Sandia Peak, MCP's portfolio will cover 14 ski, bike, and golf resorts across the American Southwest and Chile. MCP offers the Power Pass, a ski pass that offers access to multiple resorts across its portfolio, namely unlimited days at Sipapu Ski And Summer Resort (New Mexico), Pajarito Mountain Ski Area (New Mexico), and now Sandia Peak.

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In the comments section of the Instagram post announcing the entrance of Sandia Peak into the Power Pass family, skiers wondered if the joint venture meant that Sandia Peak would open this season.

"Stay tuned for more updates as resort officials are actively working on an operating plan," the resort wrote in response.

Sandia Peak struggled to remain open during previous seasons because of "staffing shortages and weather challenges," per an October 16th press release announcing the joint venture agreement.

"The foundations of our company were built on the lessons we learned from skiers and snowboarders in New Mexico," said James Coleman, MCP's managing partner. "Sandia Peak presents an incredible opportunity for us to bring the best practices we've learned for the benefit of Albuquerque and visitors from around the region."

MCP reports that resort upgrades at Sandia Peak are "still being considered," with the primary announced change coming to the ski area revolving around Power Pass inclusion.

Currently, Sandia Peak is home to three double chairlifts, one surface lift, and 300 skiable acres of terrain. The resort is located just outside Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Sandia Peak Tramway, which connects Sandia Peak and Albuquerque, isn't part of the resort's special permit agreement, so it will continue to be operated by the Abruzzo Family, Sandia Peak's longtime owners.

While the Abruzzo Family isn't selling Sandia Peak, they will have no hand in ski area operations outside of the tramway going forward per the joint operating venture agreement -- MCP has that base covered.

According to MCP, all current Sandia Peak staff will retain their positions, with the conglomerate participating in an ongoing search for "key leadership roles."

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