While the recession has created a financial slippery slope, it has not deterred skiers and snowboarders from shelling out hundreds each season to indulge in their sports.
Representatives from local skiing hotspots said the recession has made little difference in how well-attended their slopes are.
Christy Germscheid, Angel Fire Resort public relations director, said skiers’ and snowboarders’ devotion has kept them coming back each season.
“The kids always seem to find a way to buy that pass,” she said. “It seems like they’re coming up with the money somehow. I think they may re-prioritize, you know; they may eat more Top Ramen in order to come and hit the slopes.”
Student snowboarder Andrew Galloway said skiing and snowboarding gives people an escape from daily life, even more so in light of the recession.
“It’s a lifestyle thing,” he said. “You get to go up, out of the city, away from everything, drink beer, hang out. …There’s nothing better than getting up in the morning and getting on the first chair on a powder day knowing you’re the first one that’s going to ride that snow.”
Stacey Glaser, Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort marketing director, said skiers and snowboarders have bargain shopped to find the best deals, and that’s why New Mexico resorts have maintained steady business.
“When the recession started, we were all scratching our heads wondering how it was going to affect our business,” she said. “What we discovered is that, overall, people still want to go on ski trips. They still want to do their ski vacations, but they’re trying to do it a little more affordably.”
Of the New Mexico slopes, Pavel Babuska, a skier who works at Sport Systems in Albuquerque, said Taos has the most to offer with a season pass that pays off after the fourth lift. The terrain suits beginners and experts, he said, and the only downside is that the crowd changed when they opened it up to snowboarders.
“Taos is hands down the best — you pay the most for it, but it’s got the gnarliest terrain in New Mexico,” he said. “They actually hold the qualifying for the World Extreme Championships there. If you want the best, you go to Taos, and on a good snow year you can’t beat it.”
Babuska said Angel Fire Resort has remained competitive with a season pass that includes lift tickets at Monarch, Durango, Ski Cooper, Pajarito and Sipapu at $299 for students, but it doesn’t provide the same challenges Taos does.
“The downside is it’s not very steep,” he said. “Like for really aggressive riders, it won’t do a lot for you, unless the park is good. But if it’s not, then it’s still great for most people who just want to go and have fun.”
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, two hours north of Albuquerque, is a family-owned operation that Babuska said has favorable deals.
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Sandia Peak and Ski Santa Fe, both owned by the Abruzzo family, have observed minimal attendance change, which Ben Abruzzo said can be attributed to their proximity to Albuquerque and having the most snow in New Mexico this season.
“It’s right there in the backyard, and I think our prices are pretty reasonable compared to the larger areas in Colorado and whatnot,” he said.
Babuska said Sandia has the potential to be a great place to ski and ride, though Santa Fe is a better option considering it’s still close to Albuquerque and offers better terrain.
“As far as Sandia’s concerned, it could be turned into such a sick place, but they continue to have poorly operating, 40-year-old equipment,” he said. “Going from the base of Sandia to the peak on their fastest chair takes 22 minutes. It’s a total lift museum.”
No matter the resort, Babuska said he is not surprised students have shelled out hard-earned dollars to support New Mexico skiing and snowboarding.
“It’s kind of extreme and fun, and that’s what we like to do,” he said. “Everything about the student community is more radical than conservative, and I feel like it’s kind of a radical thing to engage in.”
