by Mandi Kane
Daily Lobo
The lack of natural snow has made for another year of financial struggles for the Sandia Peak Ski Area, which was closed for the entire season last winter.
According to Sandia Peak management, only about 11 percent of the mountain has been opened this year, with the mountain receiving just over 17 inches of the white stuff this winter.
The small amount of snow has been barely deep enough to open three of the mountain's beginner runs, said Tom Long, Sandia's general manager.
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"The economic impact is considerable," Long said, adding that recent storms have helped but still aren't enough to improve conditions. "We are surviving with only about a tenth of our normal business."
Long said Sandia Ski Area is seeing about 100 customers a day. He said in a good season it averages around 1,000 a day.
Artificial snow, made from blocks of ice in huge machines on the mountain, has been the only thing keeping the mountain open, Long said.
Still, the small crowds have provided an excellent environment for beginning skiers and those who want to learn to ski or snowboard, he said.
"People have been successful in learning how to ski or board, and they are telling their friends about the experience, which is helping us out since we don't have much of a budget for advertising right now," Long said.
Many UNM students said they are willing to put up with the subpar skiing conditions to have a mountain in close proximity to the city.
"It is really inconvenient for people who live in town, because we have to drive so far to go skiing when there is no snow up on the Sandias," said UNM junior Courtney Pompa. "I know you can't predict the weather, but I hope next year we get a lot of snow up there. It would be really fun."
Long said he hopes Albuquerque snow enthusiasts aren't deterred from the many perks Sandia has to offer them.
"It is close, so if you want to get in some exercise before or after class, the snow conditions are great," he said. "If you haven't been up on your skis this year, it is a great place to get them out and enjoy yourself."
Lift ticket prices have been reduced for the duration of the season, Long said, and are $22 for adults.
The mountain's other businesses, trying to remain optimistic, said they have felt the financial impact this season.
Adam Herrera, manager of High Finance and Sandiagos, the ski area's neighboring restaurants, said they are trying to make due and looking forward to better seasons in the future.
"The High Finance (restaurant) was hurt a little bit," Herrera said. "We definitely saw more of a local crowd."
Despite the conditions, Long said the whole mountain could open by the end of the season if Albuquerque sees significant snowfall.
