Winter Operations
Our commitment: During this difficult time, we are committed to the health and safety of our guests, employees and our community while continuing to honor our passion and excitement for skiing and snowboarding. Friendly staff, amazing snow and a one of a kind day in the mountains is what we will continue delivering to our guests every single day. In addition, we are committed to providing a clean, socially distanced and COVID responsible environment for you, your family and friends. This winter will truly be unique as nearly all aspects of your visit to Ski Santa Fe will be different from prior seasons. Please read through our Winter Operations Plan for the 2020-2021 season and become part of our mission to help ensure great skiing and boarding will be possible from opening day until the first days of spring!
COVID Safe Practices
All of our team’s efforts have been focused on providing the best opportunity for us to ski and ride safely during this pandemic. We have been working with the other New Mexico ski areas, our National Ski Areas Association and our State Government to develop COVID Safe Practices (CSP’s) specifically for Ski Areas. The CSPs provide the government mandated frame work for how we will operate during the pandemic. The full CSPs can be found here: All Together New Mexico. Please find ski area specific COVID-safe practices at the bottom of this page. New Mexico is now operating on a Red to Green Framework, Santa Fe County is currently in the Red Level. Please visit the New Mexico Red to Green Framework web page for more information.
Ski Santa Fe is New Mexico Safe Certified in Ski Areas, All Employers, Retail, Restaurant, and Tour Operator and will adhere to those COVID Safe Practices.

Visiting from another state? Please respect the State-Mandated 14-day quarantine for travelers coming into New Mexico.
COVID Safe Winter Operations Plan
Everyone, Every day, Everywhere
- Face coverings are required at all times including skiing or riding with the exception of while eating or drinking.
- 6 foot social distancing will be required and encouraged wherever possible
- Information notifying guests to stay at home if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms are posted on Ski Santa Fe’s website and throughout the ski area.
- Ski Santa Fe will implement and maintain COVID-19 surveillance testing and contact tracing program for all active ski area employees as required by the Ski Area COVID Safe Practices set by the State.
- Employees will be screened daily for COVID 19 symptoms. Those with symptoms will be asked to stay home or will be sent home and will be directed to take a test or self- quarantine for 14 days
- Employees who have had a known close contact to a person who is lab-confirmed to have COVID-19 will not return to work until authorized by the Department of Health.
- Hand washing and hand sanitizer stations will be readily available throughout the ski area.
- All indoor spaces will be cleaned and sanitized 3 times daily.
- High touch areas will be cleaned and sanitized every 2 hours.
- Ski Santa Fe and its staff will encourage all guests to read and comply with the current New Mexico Public Health Order including abiding by the 14 day out of state travel quarantine prior to coming to Ski Santa Fe. The current travel restrictions will be posted on our home page and in various visible locations in our base area.
- Ski Santa Fe will adhere to all CDC and OSHA Guidelines.
- Day Lockers will not be available. Come prepared to ski or ride and use your car as your locker.
- There will be NO special events or live music at Ski Santa Fe this season.
- Plexiglass guards will be installed in areas where close contact between guests and staff are likely.
The cornerstone of the Ski Area CSPs are a reduction in total guest capacity. All New Mexico ski areas are required to operate at 25% of their daily operational uphill lift capacity. This simply means that the daily guest capacity will be limited to 25% of the lifts operating daily and may also vary depending on how much of the mountain’s ski trails are open. The 25% established by the CSP’s is the maximum allowed, however Ski Santa Fe may operate at a lower capacity based on uphill operational lift capacity, available ski terrain, adverse weather conditions and other factors. The daily capacity will be posted on our website and at the ski area.
The daily capacity will be calculated using the following established lift capacities:
Chairlift | 100% (people) | 25% (people) |
Lift 1: Santa Fe Super Chief (Quad) | 2000 | 500 |
Lift 2: Sierra (Double) | 1133 | 283 |
Lift 3: Tesuque Peak (Triple) | 1500 | 375 |
Lift 4: Easy Street (Double) | 750 | 187 |
Lift 5: Chipmunk Corner (Conveyor) | 200 | 50 |
Lift 6: Pine Flats (Conveyor) | 600 | 150 |
Lift 7: Millennium (Triple) | 1500 | 375 |
Total: | 7683 | 1920 |
Based on historical visitation we expect that most weekends and all holidays will sell out. We ask that non-skiers or non-snowboarders please stay home. No indoor dining or warming areas will be available at this time.
All publicly accessible indoor spaces including the Rental Shop, Skier Services, Restrooms, Sports Shop, Indoor Ticketing and Totemoff’s warming area will be limited to the 25% occupancy limit allowed under the current Public Health Order.
No indoor dining or warming areas will be available at this time in accordance with the current Public Health Order. Outdoor dining will be available at 25% capacity.
No indoor seating will be available at Totemoff’s Bar and Grill.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! YOU MUST PURCHASE A LIFT TICKET OR OnePass ACTIVATION PRIOR TO COMING UP THE MOUNTAIN.
- Ski Santa Fe will control capacity and access via online sales and reservations. All OnePass activations, lift tickets and ski school packages will be available online only. This will allow us to be confident that we are operating at or under our allowable daily capacity. If you don’t have a ticket or active OnePass please stay home!
- Arrival and departure times will be staggered to support social distancing. Daily lift tickets and OnePass Activations will be available for skiing and boarding from 8:30am to 3:30pm or 9:15am to 4:15pm. You may choose either time for your arrival and departure based on daily capacity and availability. Please respect your arrival and departure time and support social distancing.
- Daily Lift Tickets will be available online only and may be purchased in advance for any open day available on the Ski Santa Fe 2020-2021 calendar. You can change or cancel your tickets up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. There will be no refunds if you cancel within 48 hours of intended day of use. Same day online daily lift tickets may be available if capacity allows.
- Half day tickets will only be available Monday through Friday excluding holidays and must be purchased in advance online.
- Daily lift ticket prices and purchase options can be found here. Once you arrive at the mountain, take your e-receipt to the main ticket office to receive you lift ticket. Those who have pre-purchased rentals and/or lesson packages should go to the Rental Shop FIRST to redeem daily lift tickets, rentals and the lesson voucher.
- OnePass and Peak Plus Card activations are required to be made online prior to your arrival at the ski area. Please see the OnePass and Peak Plus Card pages for details.
- Group Reservations will not be accepted at this time.
Ski Santa Fe permits uphill traffic with updated restrictions for the 2020/2021 season.
The Covid Safe Practices for Ski Areas require us to track each user within our permit area and to limit the total capacity. Because of capacity limitations we will have restrictions on uphill use Weekends and Holiday Blackout Dates (12/26-12/31, 1/16-1/17, 2/13-2/14).
- Uphillers are required to wear a face covering while traveling up and down the mountain.
- No Lift Ticket or activated One Pass/Peak Plus required Monday-Friday excluding Blackout Dates and Holidays (12/26-12/31, 1/16-1/17, 2/13-2/14).
- Saturday, Sunday, and Blackout Dates a valid Lift Ticket or activated One Pass/Peak Plus Card are required for all uphill access from 8AM-5PM.
- Saturday and Sunday uphill access is permitted without Lift Ticket or activated One Pass/Peak Plus Card after 5:00 pm and before 7:30 am, users must be back in the parking lot by 8AM.
- Please know and follow, including preseason, all the Uphill Access Guidelines.
Waiting in line and riding the lift will be a bit different this season but we will still get you where you want to go! Here are the changes that will allow us all to have a safe and socially distanced lift ride:
- Guests and staff are required to wear a face covering anytime while on the premises including the lift line, riding the lift and while skiing or boarding down the mountain.
- Lift lines and mazes will be marked with signs for 6 foot separation front and back (tip to tail). Lines will be separated side to side by 6 foot empty “ghost” lanes.
- Guests traveling together may ride the lift together.
- Family members may ride the lift together.
- Guests skiing or boarding alone should ride the lift alone.
- We ask all guests to present their ticket or pass for scanning at arms-length. Take the time to make your pass or ticket easily accessible.
- Do not bunch or gather in groups before getting in the lift line. If you need to wait for others in your party, do it uphill and away from the lift maze.
- Once at the top, clear the lift unloading zone, maintain social distancing and head towards your favorite run.
Any trip to Ski Santa Fe begins and ends with driving and then parking, and maybe then a ride in one of our shuttles. Or you maybe you have come to Ski Santa Fe on the Blue Bus. Here is what you need to know when you arrive:
- Follow parking attendants’ instructions as we will utilize all of our lots to support social distancing in our parking lots.
- Maintain social distancing while in the parking lots and wear a face covering.
- Come prepared to ski and use your car as your locker. No day lockers are available.
- Our open-air shuttle trailers will operate at 1/3 capacity or around 20 guests.
- Our open air shuttle trailer will follow the Tour Operator CSPs.
- Go here for more information on the Blue Bus and its Covid Safe Practices.
- We will utilize greeters at the arrival steps and around the base area to answer questions and reinforce COVID Safe Practices.
Our Ticketing and Skier service staff are ready to redeem your e-receipts, help with pass issues and answer any questions you have. We have both indoor and outdoor locations. Below are what you need to know to redeem your e-receipt and get on the slopes quickly and safely.
- Have your e-receipt and bar code ready for scanning before you get to the ticket window. WIFI will be available inside and out. PRO TIP: screen shot your bar code before you come to the mountain.
- While in line maintain 6-foot social distancing, follow the signage directions and always wear your face covering.
- The main outdoor ticket offices will have every other window open and will use maze gating and signage to support social distancing.
- The indoor Skier Services spaces will follow the CSPs for Retail and will limit occupancy to 25%.
Rentals are now available for purchase for the upcoming week. Rentals need to be purchased in advance online.
We look forward to getting you in the right gear to get you on the mountain fast. We have a few changes this season so read below and come prepared.
- Purchase your daily lift ticket, rentals and/or ski school packages online before you come.
- Have your e-receipt and bar code ready for scanning before you get to the cashier. WIFI will be available inside and out. PRO TIP: screen shot your bar code before you come to the mountain.
- While in line maintain social distance, follow the signage directions and always wear your face covering.
- The entire rental process will be socially distanced. Indoor boot fitting will be limited, be prepared to change into your ski or snowboard boots outside. Our rental equipment specialists will be there to help you get the right fit.
- Indoor day lockers will not be available. Recyclable plastic bags will be available for rental guest’s shoes, once you have the right fit, take your sealed shoe bag to one of our three secure outdoor storage locations. Guests will retrieve their shoes at the same storage location at the end of the day and may return their rental equipment there if the rental return line is at capacity. Please support 6-foot social distancing in and around the storage locations.
- Rental equipment will be sanitized daily.
Ski School and Chipmunk Corner lessons are now available for purchase for the upcoming week. Package Lessons and Chipmunk Corner Packages need to be purchased in advance online.
We love teaching skiing and boarding to those new to the mountain or those seeking to improve their skills. We will have some changes in our offerings, but our expert and friendly instructors will be there to help ensure you have a great day on the mountain.
- Purchase your ski school packages and daily lift ticket online before you come.
- Purchase Chipmunk Corner packages and daily lift ticket online before you come.
- For Private lessons, purchase your daily lift ticket online then call 505-992-5084 to reserve the Private lesson.
- Ski School and Chipmunk Corner group lessons will be limited to 4 plus the instructor in compliance with the Public Health order limiting mass gatherings.
- All Ski School and Chipmunk Corner packages will be ½ day only and do not include lunch.
- Have your e-receipt and bar code ready for scanning before you get to the Ski School and Chipmunk Corner cashier. WIFI will be available inside and out. PRO TIP: screen shot your bar code before you come to the mountain.
- While in line maintain social distancing, follow the signage directions and always wear your face covering.
- Ski School and Chipmunk Corner will have staggered arrival and start times, please remember that with the limited indoor space available non-skiing/boarding guests are asked to use your car as your home base.
- Classes will not intermingle with other classes.
- We are required to record all students’ names, date of instruction, time of training, and contact information.
- Groups that have students not in a traveling party or same family will not ride the lift together.
Food service will only be available outside in accordance with the Public Health Order. Indoor dining and warming areas will not be available.
We all love a green chili burger and a hot cocoa on a cold day. While our seating and service areas will be different, you will still be able to enjoy a great meal this season.
All of our Food and Beverage Operations will adhere to the CSPs for Restaurants and the maximum occupancy limits and seating restrictions as set forth in the current Public Health Order.
All Food Service
All food service locations will adhere to the CSP’s for Restaurants.
- Guests are required to wear masks when entering, leaving, or moving through the facilities at all times except when eating and drinking while seated.
- We will not have self-service stations available for fountain drinks, coffee, utensils, and condiments. Single use utensils and condiments will be provided with your meal or drink when ordered or picked up.
- All tables are limited to 6 guests and all tables must be spaced 6 feet apart. Please do not move the tables or chairs. Guests may only eat or drink while seated at their table.
- All food and beverage facilities will be closed by 5pm daily.
- Pets (other than service animals) will not be allowed in any eating area including indoor space, outdoor patios and tent areas.
- Hand sanitizer stations will be available at entries and exits and other areas throughout the ski area.
- All food service team members will be certified in safe food handling practices and a food safe certified manager will be present at every restaurant.
- Indoor tables will be cleaned and sanitized after each use.
- Outdoor tables will be cleaned and sanitized 3 times per day.
Outdoor Dining Options
Ski Santa Fe will offer outdoor dining options at the Terrace Grill in the base area and at Totemoff’s Bar and Grill at mid mountain.
- Food and drink purchased at the Terrace Grill and Totemoff’s Bar and Grill cannot be taken into an indoor facility.
- Alcoholic beverages must be consumed within our designated and marked outdoor seating areas.
- Outdoor seating areas will have uncovered and covered seating. The covered seating (tents) will be open on at least 3 sides.
- Food brought from home or other outside sources may not be brought into/or consumed within Ski Santa Fe’s indoor facilities.
- There will be no indoor dining at Totemoff’s Mid Mountain Lodge
Base Area Food Service - La Casa Cafe and BAz Coffee Shop
- La Casa Café and BAz Coffee Shop will adhere to the Indoor Dining CSPs.
- Guests are encouraged to use the outdoor seating. We have greatly expanded outdoor seating and many options are available including tent covered seating areas.
- Indoor seating will be limited to 25%, no more than 6 guests per table and tables will be spaced 6-feet apart. Please refrain from moving any tables or chairs.
- Guests who choose to purchase food from an indoor location must provide name, phone number, and email as is required by the State of New Mexico contact tracing program.
- Guests who choose to purchase food from an indoor location will be screened and must answer the State required COVID questionnaire. Guests who report symptoms or answer yes to any of the questions will be denied service and asked to leave the ski area.
- Food brought from home or other outside sources may not be brought into/or consumed within Ski Santa Fe’s indoor facilities.
- Indoor seating areas will be limited to La Casa Café and BAz Coffee Shop patrons only.
- Indoor seating areas will not be available for changing of clothes or boots
- No bags will be allowed to be left indoors. Any articles left within the facilities at Ski Santa Fe will be removed to the lost and found building located at the base of the Quad Chairlift #1.
- In the event of severe weather, a portion of the indoor dining many be discontinued to allow for the dining area to be used as a warming area while guests await transportation to leave the ski area.
Ski Santa Fe Sports Shop
- The Sport Shop will be limited to the maximum occupancy limits per the Public Health Order which is currently 25%.
- While in the store maintain social distance, follow the signage directions and always wear your face covering.
- Hand sanitizer will be required before and after trying on gloves.
La Casa Lodge
- Those areas not already covered in the Winter Operations plan will adhere to the CSPs for Retail and will be limited to 25% occupancy. Entries and Exists will be monitored and metered to adhere to the capacity limitations.
- Day Lockers will not be available. Come prepared to ski and use your car as your locker.
- Seasonal Lockers will be valet-only at peak periods and accessibility will be limited to the 25% capacity during non-peak periods. Seasonal Lockers will be limited to ski, snowboard and pole storage only.
- Restrooms will be cleaned and sanitized every 2 hours.
- The elevator will be cleaned and sanitized every 2 hours.
The Santa Fe Ski Patrol will continue to provide the highest standard of quality care to all of our guests. Our patrol team is a highly qualified group of professional EMTs, Paramedics, Nurses and Physicians. Beyond their normal professional skills, all are trained on the current COVID Safe Practices and CDC PPE procedures.
- If a patroller is providing you care, ensure to keep your face covering on at all times unless the medical provider requests you remove it.
- For altitude and non-emergent related illness, consider heading down the mountain for the day and leaving the limited bed space available open for others in need.
- Depending on your medical issue, you may be directed to an indoor or an outdoor aid facility.
- If you are experiencing COVID like symptoms and do not have an emergent issue we will urge you to seek definitive care at a hospital, and will ask that you leave the ski area.
- If you are treated by ski patrol we will collect your contact information and follow-up after 3-5 days to see if you or anyone from your travelling party has COVID-like symptoms, or we ask that you contact us if such symptoms arise.
Questions
Please contact us at info@skisantafe.com or call us at 505.982.4429.
New Mexico COVID-safe practices for ski areas
The following COVID-Safe Practices apply to the operation of ski resorts and areas. Certain facilities may be required to remain closed. Operators should consult the state Public Health Order for specific prohibitions.
Required
- Adhere to COVID-Safe Practices for All Employers (p. 9).
- Adhere to COVID-Safe Practices for Retail Establishments (p. 11). Strictly enforce all applicable maximum occupancy limits per the Public Health Order. All publicly accessible indoor spaces, such as lodges, lobbies, and warming areas, are considered “retail space” under the Public Health Order.
- Operations shall not exceed 25% of the daily maximum uphill capacity based on operational lifts. Post signage daily indicating maximum allowable capacity. Patrons must be turned away if capacity has been reached.
- All food and beverage services must adhere to COVID-Safe Practices for Restaurants (p. 12) and maximum occupancy limits and seating restrictions per the Public Health Order.
- All places of lodging must adhere to COVID-Safe Practices for Hotels, Resorts & Lodging and maximum occupancy limits per the Public Health Order (p. 26).
- Group transportation, such as shuttles, must adhere to seating and social distancing requirements in the COVID-Safe Practices for Tour Operators (p. 31). Maximize the use of open-air transportation to the greatest extent possible.
- Child Care operations must adhere to COVID-Safe Practices for Child Care Centers and Early Childhood Professionals.
- Require patrons to wear face coverings as a condition of entry and patronage.
- Special events may not exceed the mass gathering limit per the Public Health Order.
- Discontinue self-serve indoor locker rooms and other indoor areas where patrons may congregate. Where lockers are publicly accessible, monitor access to enforce maximum occupancy restrictions and social distancing.
- Establish, implement, and maintain a surveillance testing and contact tracing program for all active ski area employees. Plans must be submitted to and approved by the New Mexico Department of Health and the New Mexico Environment Department before resuming operations.
Chairlifts and Other Aerial Transportation
- Ensure patrons do not ride with others not in their travel party. Traveling party may ride together and non-traveling party members must ride alone.
- Maximize the use of open-air chairlifts to the greatest extent possible. Enclosed lifts, such as gondolas, must operate with all windows opened to maximize circulation.
- Utilize signage and employ additional staff to monitor queues for the purpose of maintaining social distancing.
Group lessons, such as ski school, may not exceed the mass gathering limit per the Public Health Order, including instructors. Groups must not intermingle. Operators must record names, date and time of training, and contact information for each participant.
Access and Ticketing
- Access must be strictly monitored to maintain capacity and social distancing standards.
- Group reservations may not exceed the mass gathering limit per the Public Health Order.
- Arrange for contactless scanning or checking of tickets.
Create a COVID-Safe Practice operating plan and make it publicly available online. Plans must address at minimum the following:
- Calculating and enforcing daily maximum uphill lift capacity
- Arranging for and enforcing social distancing and mask wearing
- Managing and enforcing indoor occupancy restrictions
- Preparing for social distancing during weather emergencies when patrons are more likely to seek shelter indoors
Best practices
- To support contract tracing, provide all customers who visit the establishment the opportunity to record their name and phone number or email address, along with the date and time of their visit, and retain such records for no less than four weeks from the date of collection.
- Accept patrons on a reservation-only basis.
- Employ a greeter to communicate safety restrictions and protocols.
- Install large plexiglass sneeze guards where regular interaction is common.
- Arrange for contactless payment and receipt options to the greatest extent possible.
- Screen employees and customers with a no-contact thermometer; individuals with a temperature reading above 100.4°F should be denied entry.
National Ski Areas Association ski area operating best practices
Ski Well, Be Well