Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, a family‑friendly mountain destination founded by the Bolander family in 1952, announced a major expansion plan that would increase its permitted footprint by 915 acres. The proposal, accepted by the Carson National Forest on Oct. 15 for environmental review, includes three new chairlifts, roughly 200 acres of additional ski trails, expanded snowmaking, and a host of summer attractions such as mountain biking, zip‑line tours, a mountain coaster, and disc golf.
Key components of the plan
The expansion would add five parking areas with about 1,200 spaces, a mountaintop restaurant, and three potential reservoir sites to support snowmaking. Summer amenities would feature approximately 30 miles of mountain‑bike trails, a zip‑line circuit, a mountain coaster that could operate in winter, and additional hiking and tubing options.
Environmental review process
Acceptance by the Forest Service does not constitute approval. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the agency will evaluate impacts on water, wildlife, cultural resources and traffic before deciding whether the project can proceed. Sipapu’s General Manager John Paul Bradley emphasized that specialists will study wildlife, water resources, archaeological sites and other potential impacts, and that the public will have a 30‑day comment period once the environmental assessment is released.
Bradley noted that the resort plans to rely on existing adjudicated water rights and that any new diversions would require separate state approval. The proposed reservoirs would store water during higher streamflows, reducing the need to draw directly from the Rio Pueblo during low‑flow periods.
Maintaining affordability and family focus
Sipapu has long marketed itself as an affordable alternative to larger ski resorts. Bradley said the new terrain would ease crowding during peak periods and provide a dedicated learning area near the summit for beginners, all while preserving the resort’s family‑friendly identity. The resort recorded roughly 54,000 skier visits during the 2024‑25 season, with peak‑day visitation nearly doubling over the past decade, leading to longer lift lines and more crowded trails.
“The expansion could help keep the resort financially viable while maintaining affordable prices and offering people more recreation opportunities,” Bradley said.
Economic impact on the community
The project is expected to strengthen Sipapu’s role as a major employer in southern Taos County. In addition to seasonal ski staff, the resort employs workers in mountain operations, maintenance, lodging, retail, and administration. Year‑round attractions could create steadier jobs and support local businesses such as gas stations, restaurants and short‑term rentals in nearby Peñasco and Vadito.
Mountain Capital Partners, the Durango‑based company that owns Sipapu, also announced $9 lift tickets on selected dates at all nine of its U.S. ski resorts this season, with free season passes for children 12 and younger through its Power Kids Pass program.
Next steps
The Forest Service will prepare an environmental assessment and consider an amendment to the Carson National Forest Land Management Plan to accommodate the expanded resort boundary. After the 30‑day public comment period, the agency will decide whether to issue a final decision.
Bradley emphasized that the plan remains flexible: “I don’t expect the plan to look exactly the same when we’re done with the NEPA process because there’ll be public input and there’ll be the environmental input.”
Original reporting: Taos News — read the source article.
