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First Timer’s Guide to Sipapu

Welcome to Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort – New Mexico’s longest running and fastest-growing resort for extreme family fun. Known for our convenient, affordable mountainside accommodations and terrific conditions, Sipapu is a fantastic place to explore, learn to ski, and start year-round family vacation traditions. Bookmark and share this page for a quick planning guide to Sipapu, and feel free to contact us for assistance.

About Sipapu

Sipapu offers all kinds of year-round outdoor activities and adventures, a wide range of comfortable lodging accommodations, plus great dining in the heart of northern New Mexico.

Getting to Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort is easy. We are located 20 miles southeast of Taos, which is a short scenic drive from Albuquerque by way of the High Road to Taos.

Before you arrive

Upcoming Events at Sipapu

Plan your trip around one of our special events.

Upcoming Events

Quick Planning Guide to Sipapu

We’re here to help! For questions, or assistance in planning your trip to Sipapi Ski and Summer Resort, contact us at 505-587-2240 or [email protected].

Lift Tickets

Plan to purchase lift tickets online prior to arrival. Lift tickets are not available for purchase at the ticket office windows. Your lift ticket purchase can be loaded onto a reusable card, called the Sipapu Card. The reloadable cards are available at the resort, and once activated your reloadable card will hold your online ticket and rental purchases. Learn more about how to use the Sipapu Card.

Ski & Snowboard Lessons

Lessons are a great introduction to skiing or snowboarding the mountain. The Sipapu ski school offers group and private lessons for all skill levels.

Ski Shop Rentals

Our ski rental shop makes it easy to rent the ski, board and bike equipment you need and hit the slopes fast. All resort equipment rentals are booked exclusively online before you come. Rental purchases will be loaded onto your card when you activate the card.

Guide to Sipapu Rentals – How to Streamline the Process:

  • Measure your kids’ feet and enter their exact shoe size into the website (and your own).
  • Ski boots are meant to fit TIGHT. You don’t want any play in the toes of the boots or risk losing a toenail. Learn more.
  • Rent once, keep your whole trip. If you’re coming for multiple days, grab your gear the night before you plan to ski and keep it your entire rental period. No need to turn in at the end of the day until the end of your trip.
  • Allow up to an hour or more to get fitted for your gear. We strive for excellent customer service and seek to get the fit on your gear right the first time, which takes time. Ill-fitting ski boots are the worst for everyone. So when the line is long, it’s because our technicians are working hard to get the right fit the first time. 

Guide to Sipapu Lodging

Sipapu offers a wide variety of slope-side accommodations, from simple hotel rooms to a lodge that sleeps up to 14. Book online. 

Guide to Sipapu Dining Venues

Sipapu offers full-service dining through the Riverside Cafe and Paradise Grill. Order food online while you’re on the mountain through our online ordering system. Click here to order.

Grab & go snacks and convenience meals are available in our onsite General Store, or visit Taos’ grocery stores for more hearty fare.

Want to cook for yourself? Each lodging room has a microwave, mini-fridge and coffee maker. Rental houses, duplexes, casitas, cabins and suites have full-service kitchens.

Packing List

  • Layers: Start with a breathable base layer, then build on that with a warm fleece or non-cotton sweater you can wear under a water-resistant jacket.
  • Waterproof snow pants and jackets.
  • Waterproof mittens or gloves
  • Neck gaiter
  • Helmet
  • Goggles and sunglasses
  • Warm socks
  • Snow boots or shoes with good tread
  • Hand warmers
  • Skis or snowboard equipment
  • Sunscreen
  • Lip balm
  • Snacks
  • Water

Click here for a printable packing list from Albuquerque Moms Blog. 

Parking at Sipapu

Parking is conveniently located slopeside.

Sipapu Trails

Sipapu offers trails for every ability, and we have an especially good beginner area. Download and view our Trail Map.

I am new to skiing, where should I start?

Our beginner ski area is robust, and starts with the Magic Carpet to your left as your cross the bridge to the ski area from the lodge. That’s where lessons meet and if it’s your very first time on skis, it’s where you should start to get your ski legs.

I am an intermediate skier, where should I go?

Sipapu offers plenty of fun for intermediate skiers. The blues off of Lift 1 are all fantastic. Start on Butterfly to Thumper for a nice warm-up run.

As an advanced skier, what’s good for me?

Oops, Flower and Reasonable Anxiety are all great for advanced skiers. When lifts 3 and 4 are open, you can often find some powder stashes off Jimmy Pop, Wormwood and Gamble Glades. Enjoy!

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