Home Care In Sandia Park, NM

Sandia Peak is preparing to open for the 2025-26 winter season on December 12, and for the first time in several years, every lift on the mountain is expected to operate. The milestone follows two seasons of work by Mountain Capital Partners, which has steadily rebuilt the resort’s infrastructure since acquiring the ski area in 2023.

The mountain reported three inches of new snow on November 23 and said crews have been working daily to get terrain ready. Preseason efforts this month have focused on lift maintenance, snowmaking setup, and final adjustments to the beginner-area magic carpet. Staff shared that the carpet is nearly ready and that the mountain has taken on a more winter-like appearance after recent snowfall.

Mountain Capital Partners reconstructed Chair 4, the primary lift for beginners, and added the new surface lift to expand novice access. The company also revived Chair 2, the upper-mountain lift that had been dormant for years, and says it is now preparing it to return to service this season, according to news outlet . Chair 3, the summit lift that experienced mechanical issues last winter, is undergoing routine maintenance and is anticipated to operate if early-season conditions allow. In an update provided to media, regional marketing coordinator Thaniel Cebulla said the team expects Lift 3 to run “pending weather and snow conditions.”

For a ski area that sat idle for multiple winters before MCP’s purchase, the return of the full lift network marks a significant shift. Sandia Peak reopened in 2024 after years of inactivity, and the coming season represents the clearest indication yet of long-term plans to stabilize operations.

Snowmaking remains central to that effort. Even though Sandia’s summit tops out at 10,300 feet, the resort has struggled with inconsistent snowfall. The mountain said its snowmaking crews are prepared to begin full production the moment temperatures drop enough to sustain it.

Beyond this winter, MCP has announced a major upgrade slated to begin in 2026: a hybrid gondola-chairlift that would replace the aging Chair 1 and eventually take over the role of Chair 3 as well. The planned 7,400-foot lift would significantly increase uphill capacity and shorten ride times while improving summit access for both skiers and non-skiers.

Sandia Peak, which traces its ski history back to the 1930s under the name La Madera, is the Albuquerque’s closest ski area— a metropolis of over 900,000 residents. With opening day now less than three weeks away, the resort is encouraging visitors to purchase lift tickets early, noting that advance-purchase prices start at $15.

Sandia says further updates will be provided as temperatures drop and snowmaking ramps up ahead of the planned December 12 start.

Sandia Park, N.M. – , a company that produces vegan versions of classic candy bars, receives kudos from PETA today for signing on to a groundbreaking new program that helps shoppers identify food and beverage companies that don’t test on animals.

Go Max Go is one of many companies—including Ferrero International, Bacardi Limited, Amy’s Kitchen, Heineken, and Unilever—that have already signed PETA’s Eat Without Experiments pledge.

“Go Max Go’s statement of assurance will give it a leg up with caring consumers who want to support transparent, eco-and-animal-friendly businesses,” says PETA Vice President Shalin Gala. “PETA now calls on Oreo-maker Mondel?z International to take inspiration from this conscientious company and end cruel and deadly tests on animals.”

Customers spend money according to what a company represents. According to global market research, companies that don’t align with customer beliefs pay the price, because 42 percent of consumers walk away, and one in five never return. A survey of 30,000 consumers found that 74 percent crave greater transparency regarding companies’ stances on important issues such as animal testing. Companies signing PETA’s pro-animal pledge forward their brands in the minds of a new wave of ethics-conscious consumers.

Visitors to the Eat Without Experiments website can take action urging Oreo-maker Mondel?z International—which also owns Cadbury, Honey Maid, and several other well-known brands—to stop tormenting and killing animals in tests that do not apply to human health. Mondel?z misleads consumers by claiming it doesn’t test its products on animals, but neglects to say that it does fund basic and deadly “nutritional science” experiments on animals, which aren’t required by any regulatory agencies.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to experiment on”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit or follow PETA on , , or .

There are certain must-see attractions in New Mexico that you just don't question—unless you're me, apparently. Several of the most famous tourist destinations in the Land of Enchantment weren't necessarily on my bucket list, but I decided to visit anyway and fell in love with them. You're welcome to judge me for my initial feelings, but at least I came around in the end!

1. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

This is kind of embarrassing to admit, but I never understood the hype surrounding the International Balloon Fiesta. How exciting could it really be to watch hot air balloons floating around in the sky? I probably wouldn’t have attended the festival if I hadn’t already been in Albuquerque visiting a friend, and I’m grateful for the perfect timing. I’m sure you all know this already, but even though the balloons are the main event, there’s so much more to the festival. It’s basically a giant carnival with food, games, entertainment, and so much more. And the balloons themselves are anything but boring. From the mass ascension at sunrise to seeing their ethereal glow at night, the event is nothing short of magical. I was pleasantly surprised in so many ways, and I’ll definitely return to witness the beloved spectacle again in the future.

2. Sandia Peak Tramway

I’m claustrophobic and afraid of heights, so it’s safe to say being packed like sardines with a bunch of people, in a tiny space, over 10,000 feet in the air wasn’t my idea of a good time. But after seeing pictures of the views from the summit of Sandia Peak, I knew I had to face my fears—and I’m so glad I did. The ride was a bit nail-biting, but luckily, it only lasted 15 minutes. I tried not to pay attention to how high we were going and instead focused only on the beautiful scenery. It really is stunning; lush aspen and fir forests cover the hillsides, and the majestic peaks of the Sandia Mountains soar into the clouds. Once we reached the top and I could fully exhale, I was in awe. There are simply no words to describe the 360-degree views spanning 11,000 square miles. It’s hard to believe you’re in Albuquerque! There’s even a restaurant at the summit where you can enjoy specialty cocktails, craft beer, and local cuisine amid the beautiful surroundings. I almost didn’t want to leave and come back down (and not just because I was afraid to get back on the tram).

3. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

I'm even more ashamed of this than the Balloon Fiesta, but I wasn't overly excited about visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park. I've toured many caves in my life, and after a while, they all start to look similar—so I assumed the same would be true of Carlsbad (I was wrong). The vastness of the underground chambers and the size and number of stalactites and stalagmites were beyond anything I had ever seen. Being here feels like exploring another planet, and the longer you spend in the caverns, the more you start to lose all sense of time and direction. Twisting and turning pathways weave through the subterranean labyrinth, evoking feelings of wonder that don't abate until you reach the surface.

Do you think these must-see attractions in New Mexico are underrated, overrated, or given just the right amount of attention? What other tourist destinations in the Land of Enchantment are worth the hype?

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.