Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) may construct its second chairlift/gondola hybrid lift at Sandia Peak, its latest acquisition near Albuquerque. The Telemix system would directly replace Chair 1, a Stadeli double which dates back to 1963, and effectively replace Chair 3, a Riblet double constructed in 1980. MCP acquired and reopened Sandia Peak earlier this year and quickly reactivated two of its four chairlifts that had sat idle for several seasons. Chair 1 was not among them and has been inoperable since 2017.
The new lift would closely resemble the Arizona Gondola which Leitner-Poma built for MCP at Arizona Snowbowl in 2020. Sandia’s Telemix would travel 7,400 feet in 7.5 minutes, half the time of the old lift. It could operate in both winter and summer for skiers as well as foot passengers coming from the independently-owned Sandia Peak Tramway. Although specific chair and gondola sizes weren’t specified, the lift would transport 2,400 guests per hour. The Forest Service is currently accepting comments on the proposal via email and expects to reach a decision in August.
Lift Blog 
Great news for Sandia Peak, but wish they’d get Hesperus reopened with some of that chondola money.
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They only had the bunny hill open for all but literally three days of this season. Unless this is paired with better snowmaking or a bike park, I cannot see the logic in it.
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According to their web page they only have 30 acres of snowmaking. They’d need to get at least snowmaking on 2 top to bottom runs to make it worth it.
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Yes, agree that snowmaking T2B is going to be required for this ski area to stay open as a ski area. With only 117″ of annual snowfall (claimed on their website, but not seen very often) and years like this year fairly common with only 64″, I think the survival is doubtful without it.
It’s too bad, because the terrain is really ideal for the average low-intermediate skier, and it’s so close to the largest population center in New Mexico.
I have many fond memories of skiing there in the 80’s. Our house was only 7 miles away.
I think the idea here is to provide an alternate way to get to the top of the tram for summer tourism. The tram is really crowded and an alternate option would probably get some traction with tourists.
Also, removing 1 and 3 and running the new lift along with 2 and 4 would make a lot of sense.
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