Things to do / Travel Guide
Stunning blue skies, adobe brown and natural red colors, and Spanish architecture are all staples of the New Mexico and Southern Colorado region. Music can be heard from all corners, and nature is at its purest. History is visibly preserved in the many small towns named with a Spanish and Mexican flair. Winters bring dustings of snow onto the many national forests and mountain ranges, making this area a perfect destination for winter sport enthusiasts.
Skiing in and around the Sange de Christo Mountain Range
One of the longest mountain chains on Earth, the Sange de Christo Mountain ranges have more than 10 peaks over 14,000 feet high, and over two dozen more that reach over 13,000 feet in height, making for some of the best skiing and snowboarding terrain one can get in New Mexico.
Formed more than 27 million years ago, the Sange de Christo mountains offers some of the spiciest skiing and boarding in New Mexico that rides of any level can enjoy. From remote, backcountry alpine riding to world class resorts such as Taos Ski, there is something here for everyone.
Snowboarders flock to the “snowboard capital of the state,” Angel Fire Resort, with its 2 freestyle terrain parks, featuring jumps, jibs, and a halfpipe. Angel Fire Resort is located in Taos and boasts a stunning 10,677 foot summit and an average snowfall of 210 inches to cover its seventy trails, Angel Fire is literally no small drop on the map.
Sante Fe National Park is home to some top terrain. Ski Sante Fe has moguls, glades, tree skiing, bowls and basins awaiting its visitors as they make their way down from the mountain's amazing 12,075 foot summit. They can also enjoy themselves in the various backcountry, cross country and snowshoeing areas.
Visitors to the Carson National Forest have a choice of glades, chutes, meadows, and woodsy skiing over both alpine and cross-country trails. These can be found either in resorts such as Sipapu or on maps available from the national park services.
Sante Fe and Taos serve as the gateway for lodging and all the nightlife you could ask for. Hotels to bed and breakfasts can all be found in Sante Fe and the neighboring town of Taos which retains its history in the architecture, tastes and smells so innate to New Mexico. Whether you want to go rugged in the RV parks or stay in a classy suite, these two towns have whatever suits your taste.
Cuisines from all over the world, such as Chinese, Thai, Italian, and French, as well as famous Southwestern dishes, are served up daily in cantinas, intimate candlelit restaurants, or at the local watering hole just down the winding, adobe dusted streets. Try the El Farol, the oldest bar and restaurant in Santa Fe, famous not only for its delicious, steaming food, but also for the eclectic mix of live music and flamenco dancers on show nightly.
Don't forget to check out the dancing and live music, from jazz at the cabaret piano bar to the salsa down the street, for great après ski memories. So grab a bite to eat, drink some wine or strong coffee, and watch the sun set into the distance, as you stroll to the tunes of mariachi singers and their instruments.
Skiing in and around the Jemez Mountains
Home to a group of volcanic mountains, the Jemez Range includes the mountain peaks of Pajarito Plateau, the Sante Fe National Park, and the Caldera National Preserve. While snow may not be as plentiful as on the higher peaks of the area's other mountain ranges, Jemez Mountains offers a wide variety of natural forest terrain conducive to to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Locals know, and shh…don't want to spread the word too far about the Pajarito Ski Area outside Los Alamos. Despite being the only major ski resort operating in the Jemez Mountains, its forty powder packed trails and over 850 skiable acres are known not only for their varying levels of difficulty, but for their lack of crowds as well, making this a must-visit stop on your next trip. Snowboarders have access to the “Porcupine Park” terrain park. They also have almost full access to all trails, though some remain for skiers only which, depending on your point of view, may or may not be a plus.
Try the tree runs, glades, and natural moguls to get your blood pumping and heart racing, while breathing in the fresh mountain air at this weekend only ski resort. All levels from beginner to thrill seeker will find all they could ask for of a ski resort at Pajarito.
Los Alamos serves up fresh Baskin Robbins ice cream, authentic Mexican food served and prepared by the people who know it best, Sushi and Italian eateries, cozy bistros, and local pizza joints to tempt the taste buds and quell the hungry stomach. Check out the nightlife and live music at the many bars and restaurants, found in town, and the events taking place here throughout the season.
Cozy bed and breakfasts nestled into the winding streets of Los Alamos not only provide a fireplace to warm up your fingers and toes at night, but also provide a hearty breakfast to get your body moving in the morning. If you prefer a little more luxury, there are also national chain hotels such as the Hampton Inn which can provide a place to rest your head, eat, and lounge in the same place, without ever having to leave the premises.
Hometown bars with pool tables, Texas Hold'em tournaments, karaoke, and live music fill the streets, giving visitors a place to relax at the end of the day, and keep them occupied into the wee hours of the morning. A quiet night in at the Reel Deal movie theater, followed by the living movie reel of your days spent here in Los Alamos, make for a great night's worth of dreams.
New Mexico may not be the first place that jumps to mind when planning a ski vacation, but rest assured that it will satisfy in ways that you never thought possible. From soaring summits to down home family feeling, the resorts here know how to keep their visitors coming back again and again. Experience the Southwest hospitality, and paint your dreams full of powder.
Ski Resorts in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado
Skiing
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