Sandia Snowshoe Classic – Friends of the Sandia Mountains

Event starts in:

Announcing the
22^nd Sandia Snowshoe Classic 2026
Saturday, January 24, 2026
– sign up at sandiasnowshoe –

Registration is closed.

For more snowshoe events in New Mexico, check out:
Santa Fe Snowshoe Classic, January 31

Thursday, 11/27/2025 Page .S016
Copyright (c) 2025 Albuquerque Journal

Sunday, 1/18/26 Page F1
Copyright (c) 2026 Albuquerque Journal

Click any image to enlarge.

REI Coop   Cabra Coffee   Triangle Grocery   Burger Boy
Rumor Brewing   Heart & Sole Sports   Trail Rider Pizza   Ribs
Roots Farm Cafe   Sandia Peak Tramway    Lantern Ridge Farm

Pre-event Updates

January 19, 2026 – Kerry Jones: Here’s the latest from the morning model runs… The European model (heavily weighted by OpenSnow) has trended 2X snowier, while the GFS model is drier. Both models show a strong backdoor cold front moving into the region Friday afternoon with cold, low-level upslope conditions (i.e. low clouds, easterly winds) strengthening Friday night into Saturday morning. That will be a key part of the forecast, and the cold air looks deep enough to reach the Crest.

Where they differ significantly is when and how far south the “Baja” Low kicks eastward. Right now, the European model (left image) brings the system into western NM by Saturday morning while the GFS keeps it off northern Baja.

Upslope conditions alone are usually good for light accumulations, generally 3″ or less, along the east slopes. If the Baja low moves as the European indicates, and provides upper level support, then we can easily double that total. For now, it’s not a slam dunk by any means.

January 18, 2026 – Kerry Jones: You may have noticed the official NWS forecast for Saturday now includes a low probability of snow showers for the Crest. The models have been showing a weak/weakening low pressure system crossing central/south-central NM later Friday into Saturday PM but keeping most of the associated precip to our south and east. This system originates off Baja California and while not cold (in fact, temperatures look at or above seasonal average), it does bear watch with respect to moisture content. In other words, it won’t take much effort to squeeze out light precipitation at the Crest.

My personal feeling given the pattern is that there won’t be enough snow to cause problems even if the more bullish Euro verifies. Right now, timing-wise, there could be minor impacts pre-race and during the race. Not looking to be a bluebird day. However, there’s enough uncertainty this far out per usual to stay in watch mode but I’m not seeing anything crazy at this point.

January 16, 2026 – Steve Roholt: The course is well covered with snow. I shoveled a few problem areas. It will be interesting to see how things hold up with the fair weather pattern.

Worst area: 130 South just below Kiwanis Meadow

January 12, 2026 – Silke Bletzer: Here a few more pictures of the snowshoe course from this morning, coming from Ellis trailhead. Like Steve said, the course is looking very good right now.

January 12, 2026 – Steve Roholt: Kerry Jones and I had a look today. The course overall is in great shape thanks to the recent snow. There were several areas of the trails that were melted down to dirt before the storm. All of these areas are now snow-covered, and trail users have tracked the entire course.

The long-term weather forecast is not real favorable for more snow but the course is well covered. The FOSM Monday crew and the course marshals will have another look next week. We saw a few obstacles that should be marked and a couple areas on Kiwanis Meadow Trail that should be marked to keep people from going off course. The start finish and parking areas need attention.

January 9, 2026 – Great news! Sandia Peak Ski Area reports 12 inches of snow in the past 48 hours and will be opening tomorrow. The snowshoe course is covered in fresh powder awaiting cross-country skis and snowshoes.

December 28, 2025 – Steve Roholt: The start/finish is covered, but the snow is further down toward the gate this year. Highway and parking areas clear. There are a few snow covered icy spots on the highway mostly above 10000 ft. New snow from this last storm one inch if you’re being generous.

Most of the course including the section of the Service Road has good coverage. The usual spots along 130S are getting thin/bare, but overall the course is well covered. I walked with hiking boots and traction devices today. Even if we don’t get significant snow, what’s there should hold up as it’s well consolidated and there are only a few problematic areas (exposed rocky areas) that may need attention. Of course, a foot of new snow would be nice!

Happy New Year!

December 23, 2025 – Race Director Mike Madden: I picked up the free EM January newspaper at the East Mountain Library on Saturday. To my surprise, our Snowshoe Classic is featured on page 8! See attached photo. BTW, we have 99 registered runners as of this morning (a big number, given three weeks of record breaking mild & dry weather)!

December 18, 2025 – Steve Roholt: It was 35 degrees with wind today. I was up there 10-1. The course itself is pretty well covered with consolidated snow. I did upper Switchback and Buried Cable today. It would be nice to have more snow, but what has fallen so far has laid down a good base. There are a couple of melted-out spots on 130 South, but I did not go to look today. 5 weeks out. Much can happen in the meantime!

December 15, 2025 – Race Director Mike Madden reports that 85 participants have registered.

December 10, 2025 – Steve Roholt: I spent some time shoveling snow and packing with snowshoes with the goal to level out the Upper Switchback Trail. I’m in the process of discussing this issue with Sam. This trail is adopted by the New Mexico Cross Country Ski club and is used for the snowshoe classic. It’s a non-wilderness, multiuser, all-season, official FS trail.

Upper Switchback Trail. Descriptions below. Click to enlarge a photo.

Left photo: Looking up, about 8-12 inches undisturbed snow. Most of this trail is NE exposed and early season sun angle is low. There are a few sun-exposed spots that are a bit thin, but overall trail coverage is very good. Note the canted trail.

Middle photo: Looking down. Shoveled from the back (up) slope to the lower critical edge. Walked through and packed it with snowshoes. In trail lingo it’s benching and backsloping; not dirt but snow.

Right photo: There is ample backslope snow, prevailing winds tend to cause backslope drifting as well. There is a fair amount of canting throughout the trail system. It’s just how the Sandias are at that elevation. The corridor is mostly 6 feet wide.

The idea of this type of snow management is to take from where it’s not needed (above/backslope) and put on the downslope/critical edge. The lower edge of the trail needs to be stable. Shoveling is easier with lighter snow, and shoveling from top to bottom is not as strenuous. It’s generally best to do this early in the season as the packed snow starts a wide, level base. Then when it does snow it generally falls level. Snow gets further consolidated from users (CC skiers and snowshoers) after a few days.

Obviously more snow is better but we have no control over the weather!

Sandia Snowshoe Classic History

FOSM has sponsored this January event under a Forest Service permit since 2001 with cancellations in 2018 (lack of snow) and 2021 (COVID). Registration fees are set to provide modest net income after expenses. Generous sponsors provide refreshments and “swag” for the participants. Registration is limited to 175 participants.

Former director Lou Romero (2014-2017) has published a brief history of the event. The intention has always been that the event be a fun time for participants of all ages and skiils, but elite racers participate.