Proposed Expansion Could Add Hundreds of Acres of Terrain and New Lifts at New Mexico Ski Area

Under a proposal submitted to the Forest Service, a small New Mexico ski area, Sipapu, could add hundreds of acres of skiable terrain and multiple new ski lifts.

According to a Forest Service project notice, the Carson National Forest accepted Sipapu’s application on October 15, 2026.

The proposal seeks to expand Sipapu’s special use permit boundary by about 915 acres, with winter use involving the development of about 200 acres of new terrain, plus tree skiing. The total skiable acreage would end up around 415 acres, up significantly from Sipapu’s current 215 skiable acres.

Along with the expansion, the proposal includes trail widening on existing trails, the installation of three new lifts, the installation of one new carpet and conveyor lift, the relocation of one existing carpet conveyor lift, uphill skiing access, snowmaking improvements, a new restaurant, and more.

A map shared by the Forest Service shows the reimagined Sipapu with the new chairlifts unlocking numerous trails beyond the ski area’s current boundary. 

Summer proposals include a mountain bike park with approximately 30 miles of trails, mountain coaster, zip line/canopy tour, challenge course, and more.

The Forest Service notice said that Sipapu identified the summer and winter development as consistent with its 2019 Master Development Plan (MDP). These documents, common at ski areas, provide a blueprint for future developments but don’t lock them into place or guarantee they will be built.

“Every project in this proposal comes from that accepted plan,” an FAQ section of Sipapu’s website reads.

The purpose of the new changes “is to further develop both winter and summer recreation at Sipapu to meet existing and future public demand,” the Forest Service notice reads. 

The expansion will need Forest Service approval before it can move forward, a process that will include a public comment period at a later date.

The final approved project may be smaller depending on the outcome of that review, Sipapu noted. Construction wouldn’t begin until the Forest Service approves it and would take place over several years, according to Sipapu. 

For more information, visit the Forest Service and Sipapu web pages dedicated to the proposal.

Related: The Ski Monster Is Expanding From Boston to the Twin Cities, and the Owner Has a Not-So Secret Trick To His Success