New Mexico ski resorts eye strong El Niño winter season

Ski resorts across New Mexico are sharing early season optimism ahead of a developing El Niño winter, with forecasters pointing toward a wetter-than-average season. The record-strong El Niño is expected to tilt the odds toward more precipitation, according to KRQE Chief Meteorologist Grant Tosterud, who said seasonal forecast models hint at a wetter than average winter.

“They’re forecasting to have a great winter. Everyone keeps talking about the super El Niño,” said Ski Santa Fe’s Ben Abruzzo.

Abruzzo said early forecasts show it could be a good year for snow. Even so, the resort plans to continue relying on snowmaking.

“We’ll still always lean into snow making. It’s just a vital aspect of skiing these days. It allows us to get open sooner, and that snow particle stays around a little longer too. So, it allows us to stay open into April,” Abruzzo said.

Last season, Ski Santa Fe had to end its season two weeks early due to warm temperatures and low snowpack.

The resort is also looking to the future with plans to upgrade and expand its snowmaking system. Ski Santa Fe has proposed a project to the U.S. Forest Service that would add another water tank to boost its snowmaking efforts.

“Then we’re going to run snow making infrastructure, so basically distribution lines to the top of the millennium chair lift which currently does not have snow making available,” Abruzzo said.

A decision by the Forest Service is expected in August of next year.

“We won’t make any more snow than we make now. It just allows snow to be made earlier in the season, so we get more trails open sooner,” Abruzzo said.

Abruzzo said snowmaking can also help with snowmelt and runoff.

“By storing that water as a frozen particle on the mountain, it makes for a better run off, which is good for irrigation,” Abruzzo added.

Ski Santa Fe is scheduled to open on Thanksgiving, with hopes of closing the first weekend of April.

“Our winter outlook is very strong. We’re getting pretty excited,” Abruzzo said.

Ski New Mexico said a major project in Los Alamos County could also benefit Pajarito Mountain. The Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project will connect the ski area to a water supply for wildfire protection and snowmaking.