It’s a unique start to the New Year at Pajarito Mountain, where winter’s grip remains light. Pajarito Mountain Ski Resort in New Mexico offers stunning views and a variety of terrain for all skill levels.
Wind
Humidity
With overnight temps hovering at a mild 34°F and a meager snowpack depth of just 1 inch—an astonishing 93% below the seasonal average—skiers and riders will find limited natural coverage across the slopes. However, a glimmer of hope lies ahead: light snowfall is forecasted, with 0.09 inches expected in the next 24 hours and up to 0.61 inches over the next three days. While not substantial, it could provide a much-needed refresh on select groomed runs, thanks to Pajarito’s increasingly vital snowmaking systems.
Despite the thin cover, Pajarito’s spirit is strong. The resort, recently honored for its dedicated ski patrollers and recognized as a pioneer in snowmaking across New Mexico, officially opened five weeks early this season. Improvements are ongoing, including a new water pipeline to bolster snow production—a key step toward weathering dry spells like this. Enthusiasts are encouraged to check lift and trail statuses before heading up and to celebrate the mountain’s resilience, community roots, and affordable charm. With Ullr watching, and snowmakers working overtime, the mountain continues to carve out its place in the Southwest ski scene.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Quemazon.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Pajarito Mountain.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Pajarito Mountain impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Pajarito Mountain Ski Resort is located in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico. The resort is situated in the Santa Fe National Forest and is surrounded by several prominent mountain ranges, including:
1. Jemez Mountains: Pajarito Mountain is part of the Jemez Mountains, a range of volcanic mountains in northern New Mexico.
2. Sangre de Cristo Mountains: These mountains are located to the east of Pajarito Mountain and provide a stunning backdrop to the resort.
3. Sierra Nacimiento: This mountain range is located to the north of Pajarito Mountain and offers additional scenic views.
In terms of mountain aspects, Pajarito Mountain has a variety of terrain options for skiers and snowboarders, including:
1. Beginner slopes: Pajarito Mountain has several beginner-friendly runs for those new to skiing or snowboarding.
2. Intermediate slopes: Intermediate skiers and snowboarders will find plenty of challenging runs to enjoy at Pajarito Mountain.
3. Advanced slopes: For more experienced skiers and snowboarders, Pajarito Mountain offers steep terrain, moguls, and tree skiing opportunities.
Overall, Pajarito Mountain Ski Resort offers a diverse range of mountain ranges and terrain options, making it a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts in New Mexico.
The best trails for advanced skiers are the Aspen and the Breathless runs, while the beginner-friendly trails include the Beginner's Luck and the Bandolier. Interestingly, the ski resort was once a secret location for the Manhattan Project during World War II. For beginner skiers, the resort offers affordable and helpful lessons with experienced coaches. After a day of skiing, the best après-ski bar to hit up is the Pajarito Brewpub and Grill, which offers a variety of delicious food and drinks in a cozy setting.
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, a chance of snow showers before 9am, then a chance of rain showers. cloudy, with a high near 42. northwest wind around 15 mph. chance of precipitation is 50%. little or no snow accumulation expected.
Northern New Mexico ski areas are experiencing modest snowfall activity, with no significant accumulation in the past 24 hours, and only light snowfall forecasted over the next five days. Hopewell and Rio Santa Barbara, near the Chama and Taos regions respectively, currently hold the deepest snowpacks at 15", though no new snow is expected imminently. Vacas Locas and Bateman—proximal to ... Read more