Sandia Peak and El Niño

More snow

El Niño winters bring Sandia Peak about 33% more snow than a typical winter.

Based on 14 El Niño winters since 1986: 13 of them beat Sandia Peak's median snowfall. That's a clear, consistent pattern, not just noise. Ranks #1 of 152 Western resorts for El Niño snowfall.

El Niño winters (14) +33% snowfall vs. a typical winter 0.8°C (1.4°F) colder 42 days more of natural ski season

Strong El Niño (4) +33% snowfall vs. a typical winter

Every winter since 1986

Snowfall each winter compared with Sandia Peak's 40-winter average, colored by what the Pacific was doing.

El Niño La Niña Neutral

Mid-mountain, November–April. Any single winter can buck the pattern; that's why we look at averages.

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Right now NOAA's latest Oceanic Niño Index reading (Jun–Aug 2026) is +1.8°C: strong El Niño conditions. NOAA's outlook says how long it's expected to last.

El Niño speaks Hear what's in store from El Niño himself.

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