Ski Santa Fe Eyes Strong Season After Lean Years
Operators are optimistic about the upcoming ski season after two years of little snow across northern New Mexico.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Skiing
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Ski Santa Fe workers are expected to begin snowmaking operations this week as the resort prepares for the coming season. Northern New Mexico ski areas experienced back-to-back years of little snow, and last year Ski Santa Fe's season was cut short.
Why it matters
A rosy precipitation forecast and significant infrastructure additions give Santa Fe-area skiers reason to expect a better winter than the last two. The outlook matters for local recreation and visitors who depend on the ski area for income.
The resort projects opening day for November 26, 2026, after last season was cut short by a lack of snow. The source does not quantify the forecast precipitation totals or the scale of the new infrastructure.
The players
Ski Santa Fe
Ski Santa Fe is the ski resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico, whose season was cut short last year and which expects a strong year ahead.
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service is the U.S. federal agency that issues weather forecasts and the 2026-2027 Winter Outlook projecting a historic El Niño for New Mexico.
The details
Ski Santa Fe workers will begin snowmaking operations this week in preparation for the season. Operators say they expect a strong year, though the extraction does not detail the specific infrastructure additions made by the ski areas.
Timeline
Last year: Ski Santa Fe's season was cut short due to a lack of snow.
This week (early November 2026): Snowmaking operations begin at Ski Santa Fe.
November 26, 2026: Projected Ski Santa Fe opening day.
Winter and spring 2026-2027: A historic El Niño is expected to affect New Mexico, according to the National Weather Service.
Season Trajectory
After back-to-back years of little snow across northern New Mexico, the 2025-26 closures left operators with a lean precedent to recover from. The forecast for a historic El Niño this winter would place the coming season in sharp contrast to that prior run.
Skiers planning a Thanksgiving-timed trip can look toward the projected November 26 opening day at Ski Santa Fe. The resort's snowmaking start this week is the first concrete step toward that date.
The takeaway
Skiers watching the season should track the projected November 26 opening day and the snowmaking progress at Ski Santa Fe. A strong El Niño winter could bring the snow the area lacked in recent years.
What happens next
Ski Santa Fe's projected opening day is November 26, 2026, when the season is expected to begin.
Further reading
For more on the outlook for the slopes, see Skiing coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Santa Fe New Mexican.
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