By Janet Webb | October 22, 2013
Earlier than usual** by 33 days, snow fell for the first time this season in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico on Wednesday, October 16.
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort reported 6 inches of snow that morning, officially beginning snowmaking operations that evening as the resort prepares to be the first ski area open in New Mexico (Opening Day is slated for November 16).
For the past 11 consecutive seasons, Sipapu has clenched the title of first ski area to open in New Mexico. This year, Sipapu is looking to up the ante by opening a week earlier than its historical opening date. 
The resort typically opens the Saturday before Thanksgiving – this year, Sipapu is gunning to open a week before, on Saturday, November 16. Pictured is Sipapu on October 16, morning snowfall and evening snowmaking. See all Sipapu Resort information at SipapuNM.com.
Red River Ski Area
Further north by about 40 miles, the Town of Red River also received a welcome dump of early snow. The town posted this ten-second video of snowfall on Main Street on Wednesday morning. You can learn more about snow conditions and ski area openings at redriver.org.
Opening Day!
Ski area opening dates in Northern New Mexico:
• Sipapu November 16
• Red River November 27
• Taos November 28
• Angel Fire December 13
** So here’s what the National Weather Service says about snow in the Taos area: November 18 is the average date for first snow; September 28 is earliest date ever recorded for first significant snowfall. But in the neck of the woods, we seldom conform to averages and prefer to celebrate the unusual. That’s why this past week was so spectacular.
