Pajarito Mountain welcomes skiers on December 27, 2025, with a mix of anticipation and patience. Pajarito Mountain Ski Resort in New Mexico offers stunning views and a variety of terrain for all skill levels.
Wind
Humidity
Following an unseasonably warm overnight low of 37°F, the snowpack sits at a mere 1 inch—significantly below average for this time of year, down over 92%. While current coverage on the mountain is limited, optimism is in the air with 2.06 inches of fresh snow forecasted in the next 24 hours, and a total of over 6 inches possible through the 5-day outlook. This upcoming storm could be the boost the mountain needs to shift from early-season conditions into more rideable terrain.
Despite the thin base, Pajarito has already opened select lifts and trails, thanks in part to early operational efforts and recent cold snaps. Enthusiasm remains high, following a surprise early season opening and the return of community events such as ULLRfest. While summer operations were canceled earlier this year, winter has brought renewed energy to the Los Alamos slopes. With a new water pipeline project underway and fresh leadership at the mountain, the season is shaping up to be one of transformation. Skiers are encouraged to check the latest trail openings and be prepared for variable conditions—but with snow on the horizon, Pajarito is far from finished.
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, snow showers. high near 40. southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. chance of precipitation is 80%. new snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Pajarito Mountain is expected to receive up to 2.1" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Northern New Mexico is seeing a moderate influx of snowfall, with Hopewell leading the forecast at 11" over the next five days. This bodes well for nearby resorts like Chama and the northern peaks near the Colorado border. Taos Ski Valley, the top ski destination in the state, sits just south of key sensors like Gallegos Peak and Red River ... Read more