Pajarito Mountain Ski Area

Chris D

Low prices meet, low elevation, and poor attention to detail. Pajarito is in trouble with both warming temps and poor management. The terrain is pretty straightforward, and there isn't anything really that steep. The snow doesn't hold up well because it melts rather than sublimates, which then freezes at night. So, it's icy compared to other northern NM ski areas. When it does get powder, the top half of the mountain is a lot of fun (if you don't hit rocks/trees barely hidden under the snow). The lower half isn't steep enough for powder skiing, and you pretty much straight run to the chair for another lap of the top half. The resort and its management are in serious financial trouble. It shows up in big ways: facilities are not maintained or improved. I've personally been stuck on a broken chairlift for a few hours. But also in little ways: the groomer kicks baseball sized rocks onto the ski runs (particularly at the beginner area), and the resort just leaves them there for people to hit. It'd take maybe 30 minutes to clear the rocks from each of the common spots, but the resort cannot or won't pay staff to do that. Take it for what it is, inexpensive and careworn.

Zak Evans

Awesome little ski resort, super short but still fun. Would suggest going to if you have time, not a destination resort but still great. Not a ton of people. An asset to the community to allow people to hike uphill

Tyco Jewel

First time here today. I am primarily a green trail skier. I prefer long cat track type runs. Pajarito is a very pretty, scenic ski area.Due to the weekend storm they had great snow but a lot of their signs blew down. So it was challenging finding my way.I never did find the green trail to the Mother lift that is depicted on the trail map. So I did not get to try the several green runs from that lift. I would come again though. Hopefully they get the signage fixed. Otherwise, its about the same travel time to Pajarito from Albuquerque as to Ski Santa Fe.

Barry Ore

I love this mountain! It is a relatively small ski hill, but has good variety of runs ranging from beginner to difficult. It is a great ski hill to learn to ski/snowboard, with a good bunny hill and lessons. It also has some very steep runs with moguls (the "Fab Four" off of the Mother lift. When the area gets good snow, the powder on this mountain is incredible. I just saw my sister faceplant into waist-deep powder and completely disappear, buried in snow. She said it was "like a pillow" but it was "a lot of work" to get out and dig out skis.