Pajarito Mountain Ski Area

What Pajarito Mountain Ski Area does

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is a private alpine ski resort located near Los Alamos, New Mexico, operating approximately 750 skiable acres above 9,000 feet on land held by the Los Alamos Ski Club. The mountain has operated continuously since the late 1950s and is managed under contract by Mountain Capital Partners, LLC, a Durango, Colorado-based ski industry operator. It serves a regional and destination skier base drawn from northern New Mexico, the greater Southwest, and the Los Alamos National Laboratory community, competing on uncrowded slopes and accessibility rather than scale.

The business runs a direct-to-consumer model with diversified revenue streams: Power Pass and traditional season passes, daily lift tickets, equipment rentals, ski lessons, food and beverage, retail, and the Bird Bucks stored-value program. A multi-year "Transformation 2026" capital program (the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project) is expanding snowmaking capacity by roughly 50% and growing the equipment fleet by 200-300%, and an RFID-enabled lift access system is committed for the 2026/2027 season. Pricing has been held flat since 2023, with complimentary passes for children 12 and under and seniors 75 and older, and pass holders gain reciprocal access to roughly 10 other US resorts plus one Chilean resort via the Power Pass network. The resort employs 11-50 staff and operates a summer program of lift-served mountain biking, hiking, and private events, with no public financial disclosures available.

Name

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area

Legal name

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area

Website

https://pajarito.ski

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is a private, ~750-acre alpine ski resort near Los Alamos, New Mexico, operated by Mountain Capital Partners for the Los Alamos Ski Club. It sells lift tickets, Power Pass access, rentals, lessons, F&B, and retail to regional and destination visitors, with summer mountain biking on the side.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ski Resort Operations

NAICS

Skiing Facilities (71392)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Ski & Mountain Resorts (Lift-Served Skiing/Riding) (THAAAJAA)

Keywords

• Ski resort operations
• Winter mountain recreation
• Season pass programs
• Ski and snowboard lessons
• Mountain bike park

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Alamos

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Season Passes: Power Pass products offering unlimited or restricted access to Pajarito and partner resorts. Includes Power Pass (unlimited access to all Power Pass Mountains), Power Pass Select, Power Pass Core, and weekday-specific passes. Revenue generated through annual pass sales collected upfront.
2. Lift Tickets: Day passes for skiing and snowboarding, with prices varying by age, day of week, time of year, and time of entry. Tickets can be purchased online or on-site.
3. Equipment Rentals: Ski and snowboard equipment rental services offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Lessons and Programs: Group lessons, private lessons, beginner lesson packages, Camp Bluebird (children's program), Master the Mountain, and Senior/Women's Clinics.
5. Food and Beverage: Pajarito Mountain Cafe offers food service. Cafe open during events and regular operating hours.
6. Retail: The Birds Nest Store offers gifts, apparel, and souvenirs. Free firewood policy for guests.
7. Resort Charge / Bird Bucks: Prepaid account system where guests load funds for use on tickets, rentals, lessons, food, beverages, clothing, gear, and other goods at the resort.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area operates a year-round mountain recreation resort on approximately 750 skiable acres in the Jemez Mountains near Los Alamos, New Mexico, selling season passes (under the Power Pass brand), daily lift tickets, equipment rentals, ski/snowboard lessons, on-mountain dining, retail merchandise, and summer mountain biking and hiking access. It is privately owned by Los Alamos Ski Club and managed by Mountain Capital Partners as part of the Power Pass multi-resort network.

Product overview

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is a ski resort and year-round mountain recreation destination located in Los Alamos, New Mexico, operated by Mountain Capital Partners. The resort offers a comprehensive portfolio of products organized around three core areas: (1) Season passes under the Power Pass brand, including Power Pass, Power Pass Select, Power Pass Core, Power Kids Pass (free for ages 12 and under), and Super Senior Pass (free for ages 75+), which provide tiered access to Pajarito and affiliated Power Pass mountains across the U.S. and Chile; (2) Daily access products including lift tickets, equipment rentals for both winter (ski/snowboard) and summer (mountain bike), and lesson programs including Beginner Lesson Package, Group Lessons, Camp Bluebird, Master the Mountain, and Sr & Women's Clinics; and (3) On-mountain amenities including the Pajarito Mountain Cafe dining venue, The Birds Nest Store retail shop, Lodge Rentals & Catering for events, Bike Park for summer mountain biking, Hiking trail access, and Gift Cards and Bird Bucks prepaid accounts. The resort spans approximately 750 skiable acres and is currently undergoing a major infrastructure transformation (Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project) including a 50% expansion of snowmaking capacity, Aspen lift overhaul, and water system improvements ahead of the 2026/2027 winter season.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Power Pass Resorts: Multi-resort season pass network including Pajarito, Sipapu, Sandia Peak, Arizona Snowbowl, Brian Head, Nordic Valley, Purgatory, Lee Canyon, Willamette Pass, Spider Mountain, and international resorts in Chile (Valle Nevado and La Parva).
• The Birds Nest Store
• Pajarito Mountain Cafe

Products and services

• Power Pass Premium season pass providing unlimited, no-blackout access to all 10 Power Pass Mountains across the U.S., plus year-round mountain biking at Spider Mountain and 10 free days at Valle Nevado and La Parva in Chile. Includes 6 Buddy Tickets, 10% off dining/retail/lessons/rentals, 3 free days at Monarch, Loveland, and Sundance, and 5 free golf rounds at Birdie Ranch or Bison Golf Club.
• Power Pass Select Mid-tier season pass providing unlimited skiing and riding at Pajarito, Sipapu, Sandia Peak, Brian Head, Nordic Valley, and Willamette Pass, plus 12 restricted days at Purgatory, Snowbowl, and Lee Canyon and unlimited mountain biking at Spider Mountain.
• Power Pass Core Entry-level season pass offering unlimited access to Pajarito, Sipapu, and Sandia Peak with 4 restricted days at select partner resorts including Purgatory, Snowbowl, Brian Head, Lee Canyon, and Spider Mountain.
• Power Kids Pass Free unlimited season pass for children ages 12 and under, providing skiing and snowboarding access to all 10 Power Pass mountains plus unlimited mountain bike uplifts at every Power Pass bike park and unlimited winter access at Valle Nevado and La Parva in Chile.
• Super Senior Pass Free unlimited season pass for guests ages 75 and older, offering unrestricted access to all 10 Power Pass mountains plus unlimited year-round mountain bike uplifts at every Power Pass bike park.
• Power Pass Weekday Customizable weekday pass providing access to all 10 U.S. Power Pass mountains on 1–5 selected weekdays throughout the winter season, with 10% dining discount at all U.S. Power Pass mountains.
• Pajarito Weekday Pass Limited weekday skiing pass restricted to Pajarito Mountain only, offering 1–5 day options for local skiers.
• Lift Tickets Day passes for skiing and snowboarding access, with pricing that varies by visitor age, day of week, time of year, and time of entry; available online and on-site.
• Winter Equipment Rentals Ski and snowboard equipment rental services available on a first-come, first-served basis, with pre-payment available online to speed up checkout.
• Bike and Hike Tickets Summer access tickets for mountain biking and hiking activities at the Bike Park, including scenic chairlift rides.
• Bike Rentals Mountain bike rental equipment available for use at the Bike Park during the summer season.
• Beginner Lesson Package Introductory ski and snowboard lessons designed for first-time riders, providing foundational skills development.
• Group Lessons Ski and snowboard group instruction sessions for various skill levels.
• Camp Bluebird Youth ski and ride program for children, providing instruction and mountain experience for young skiers.
• Master the Mountain Advanced ski and snowboard instruction program for experienced riders looking to improve their skills.
• Sr & Women's Clinics Specialized ski instruction programs designed for senior and women riders, focusing on technique and mountain safety.
• Bike Park Summer mountain biking facility featuring lift-served trails and terrain for various skill levels at Pajarito Mountain.
• Hiking Summer hiking activities with access to mountain trails via chairlift, offering scenic views of the Jemez Mountains and surrounding areas.
• Pajarito Mountain Cafe On-mountain dining venue offering food and beverages for visitors during operating hours, with online ordering available.
• The Birds Nest Store On-mountain retail shop offering gifts, apparel, souvenirs, and outdoor gear.
• Lodge Rentals & Catering Event venue rental services for private gatherings, corporate events, and group functions, with catering options available.
• Gift Cards Gift cards available for purchase that can be used for lift tickets, rentals, lessons, dining, and retail purchases at the resort.
• Bird Bucks Prepaid resort charge account that guests load with funds for use on tickets, rentals, lessons, food, beverages, clothing, gear, and other goods at the resort.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% increase in snowmaking capacity and coverage
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Power Pass Resorts Network (Mountain Capital Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPajarito Mountain is part of Mountain Capital Partners' Power Pass network, which includes 10 U.S. ski resorts plus international access to Valle Nevado and La Parva in Chile. The partnership allows pass holders to access multiple resorts across Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Utah.
• Los Alamos Ski ClubcoreOthersThe mountain comprises around 750 skiable acres of land privately owned by Los Alamos Ski Club, that was developed as a ski area in the late 1950s. The ski club ownership structure is unique among ski resorts.
• Birdie Ranch / Bison Golf ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPower Pass includes 5 FREE golf rounds plus additional discounts at Birdie Ranch or Bison Golf Club.
• Boxing Bear BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating brewery at Summerfest event.
• Blu Dragon BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating brewery at Summerfest event.
• Red River BrewingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating brewery at Summerfest event.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort: Small New Mexico ski resort and fellow Power Pass network member offering season passes, lessons, rentals and year-round mountain recreation. Directly comparable in scale, regional positioning and pass-network strategy.
• Brian Head Resort: Utah ski resort in the Power Pass network offering family-focused skiing, lessons and rentals. Comparable as a network peer and similarly-sized regional mountain resort.
• Sandia Peak Ski Area: New Mexico ski area operating within the Power Pass network alongside Pajarito, offering similar lift-served skiing, lessons and event programming for the regional Albuquerque/Northern NM market.
• Purgatory Resort: Colorado ski resort in the Power Pass network (Durango) offering lift-served skiing, lessons and rentals. Comparable as a network sibling with shared pass and marketing infrastructure.
• Taos Ski Valley: Major destination ski resort in New Mexico with extensive terrain, lodging and ski school. Comparable as a competing New Mexico ski operator competing for regional skier days and destination visitors.
• Arizona Snowbowl: Power Pass network resort in Flagstaff, Arizona offering lift-served skiing/snowboarding with the Arizona Gondola and beginner terrain. Comparable as a sister resort under MCP management with shared pass economics.
• Lee Canyon: Nevada ski resort in the Power Pass network near Las Vegas offering lift-served skiing, lessons and rentals. Comparable as a sister network resort targeting a regional population.
• Angel Fire Resort: New Mexico ski resort operating in northern New Mexico near Taos, competing with Pajarito for regional skier demand and offering similar family and beginner-friendly programming.
• Ski Santa Fe: New Mexico ski area near Santa Fe competing directly with Pajarito for Northern/Central NM skier days, offering lift-served skiing and lessons in the same regional market.
• Nordic Valley: Utah ski resort in the Power Pass network offering family-friendly skiing and lessons in the Ogden area. Comparable as a network peer with shared pass economics and similar scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/pajarito.mountain
• Instagraminstagram.com/skipajarito
• Xx.com/SkiPajarito

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pajarito Mountain Ski Area