From the GM: A Behind the Scenes Look
Dear Pajarito:
The mountain may look quiet this summer, but don’t let that fool you — behind the scenes, this has been one of the busiest, most consequential seasons in Pajarito’s history. We’re deep into the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project, a generation-defining investment that will fundamentally change what a season at Pajarito looks like, and I want to give you a firsthand look at what season pass dollars are helping build.
A New Water Source for the Mountain
Crews have spent the summer laying pipe for a new connection that will bring reliable water from Los Alamos up to the mountain, feeding our reservoir and a new base-area holding tank. For decades, our snowmaking has depended on snowmelt and rain. Once this pipeline is online, we’ll have a consistent, season-long water source for the first time — a huge step toward more dependable early and late-season conditions.
Snowmaking Gets a Major Upgrade
With water access solved, we’re pouring resources into the snowmaking system itself. New electrical infrastructure —including 1,500 kVA of transformers and five new 300-amp snowmaking circuits — is going in across the mountain to power an expanded fleet of snow guns, which we expect to grow by 200% this year with a longer-term goal of triplingtoday’s inventory. Four new pump houses and new piping round out the build, and together these upgrades are projected to increase our snowmaking coverage by roughly 50% by acreage in time for the 2026-27 season.
Lift and Base Area Work
Aspen lift is getting the most extensive overhaul in its history: a full bull wheel bearing replacement, a new control system and drive, a new hydraulic brake system, new communication line and tower wiring, and a complete electric motor overhaul. Our beginner lift is receiving its own major service, including an electric motor overhaul and a complete gearbox rebuild. We’re also overhauling the water system serving the lodge, so guests can expect improved reliability at the base area once the season starts.
What This Means For Your Season
More reliable snowmaking means more consistent conditions, especially early and late in the season, and it sets us up to open more days each week going forward. This is the foundation we’ve needed for a long time, and it’s finally coming together.
A Note on Summer Access
Because of the scale of this construction, we’ve suspended lift-served mountain biking and closed the lodge for the summer to keep our crews safe and the project on schedule. Hiking is still welcome as long as you steer clear of active work areas, and we’ll continue hosting select events like ULLRfest with limited cafe hours. Thank you for your patience while we get this right.
None of this is possible without you. When you buy a season pass, it’s a direct investment in the mountain’s future, and I couldn’t be more excited to welcome you back this winter to a Pajarito that’s stronger, more reliable, and built to last. Thank you for your continued loyalty to this little bird of a mountain.
See you on the slopes,
Jasen Bellomy
General Manager, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area
