Los Alamos County water pipeline to Pajarito Mountain nears completion

A major water pipeline to Pajarito Mountain is nearing completion and is expected to begin pumping water by mid-November for snowmaking at the ski area. The project is meant to supply both winter snowmaking and summer fire suppression on the mountain in Los Alamos County.

The pipeline will carry water to a retention pond at the top of the mountain. “For many years, Pajarito has really run on hope and natural snow. We’ve had very little snow making because that retention pond at the top was at the mercy of runoff and our monsoon seasons,” said Christiana Hudson, marketing director for Pajarito Mountain Ski Area.

The project is a partnership between Los Alamos County and the ski area, funded by more than $7 million in state grants. Hudson said the pipeline “will be consistent” and, according to her, provides “2,700% more water” than the ski area previously had.

The expanded snowmaking capability could allow the ski area to open earlier in the season and potentially stay open later. The ski area said last season was rough, and slopes had to close earlier than planned.

The county sees a second use for the water in fire protection. The pond at the top of the mountain will be available for helicopters to draw from during wildfires. “It’s critical to have that infrastructure in place to protect community, and the laboratory too,” said Philo Shelton, utilities manager for Los Alamos County.

The county said the pipeline should be pumping water in the middle of November. The ski area plans to begin its season on December 4.