Angel Fire Ski Resort - New Mexico

Address:Angel Fire, New Mexico
Tel: (505) 377-6401

Snowboarders and freestyle skiers will flock to the "snowboarding capital of the state" at Angel Fire Resort. With an amazing 10,677 feet at its summit, and an amazing annual snowfall of 210 inches, Angel Fire is a little piece of snowsport heaven just waiting for riders to come explore. Located a mere half hour from Taos, in the Sangre de Christo Mountain Range, Angel Fire is a great addition to the itinerary for your next winter get away.

Seventy trails challenge visitors, from the easy terrain for beginners to the unforgiving steeps awaiting the intermediate and advanced riders. The trails are serviced by 2 high-speed quad chairlifts. A nice feature here is that once you start down a trail, the slope stays the same the whole way down. This is perfect for riders who do not want to accidentally drift onto territory that may be too easy or advanced for them. Wide, highly groomed trails are the norm at Angel Fire. Nightly scheduled grooming keeps the snow in top condition throughout the season, which runs annually from December through March. There are 13 acres of glade skiing located at the front and back of the mountain. Also, check out the 22km of Nordic trails if you're looking for a different experience.

Snowboarders have a choice of two freestyle parks. The more inexperienced boarders will likely want to first spend some time honing their skills at the "Lowrider" park. More advanced riders will likely head straight for "Liberation" with its 400 foot halfpipe, jumps, rails, funboxes, and a school bus to catch air on. Angel Fire made its mark on the snowboarding map in the United States by hosting the USASA Snowboard Nationals in 2004, so you can rest assured that their parks are kept up to snuff. With a dedicated chairlift, and a pumping sound system, riders will easily find a home here with no problems.

In keeping with Angel Fire Resort's freestyle spirit, the ski school offers a "Free ride workshop" in which not only will you be taught boarding lingo, but within 2 hours you'll learn all the skills necessary to break into the sport yourself! Limited to 5 students per class, the course will have students riding the rails and jibs in no time. Regular adult and children's lessons are available for group or private sessions. Drop off your little ones in the Little Chilies or Free Rider's program, and come back to see their huge smiles as they come down the hill on their own and tell you all about their action packed day, including the delicious lunch and snacks provided for them. Reservations for all lessons must be made at least 72 hours in advance. Angel Fire Resort also offers adaptive lessons for visually, mentally, and physically handicapped patrons. Cross country ski lessons are also available, rounding out the school's course schedule

Visitors will find only top line brands of equipment at the site's rental shop, where standard or Demo equipment is available for all day rental. There is also a full service repair and tuning shop on site. Choose from the skis, snowboards, cross country skis, ski blades, and snowshoes available either in packages or as individual pieces.

Varying rates exist for adult, teen, junior, and active military duty prices. Riders may choose between a full day or half day ticket, while children under 6 and seniors over 70 years ski or ride free.

Those not wanting to ski or snowboard can have a great time on the "Polar Coaster," Angel Fire's snow tubing park, which features 6 lanes running at 1,000 feet each that remain open when after the sun's gone to bed. Time is sold in 90 minute blocks, making this a great activity for any time of day.

When hunger sets in, you have a choice of six onsite options located at the base and summit of the mountain. Two coffee shops warm up your insides, while the choice among hamburgers, hot dogs, or slow cooked BBQ will tantalize your stomach and then fill it. Check out the Lazy Lizard Cantina at the base for drink specials, cocktails, beer, and wine, and relax with a game of pool or watch the game on their big screen TV. Taos also offers a myriad of less expensive, but still high quality, restaurants and nightlife options.

Angel Fire Resort Hotel, located only minutes from the Chilie Express Lift, offers riders an indoor pool, hot tubs, a gym, and free wireless internet. Alternatively, you can choose from the many rental condos, homes, or studios within a 2-3 block radius of the mountain's base. Taos also offers bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, and private rentals just a short morning's drive from Angel Fire.

For the undemanding, recreational winter enthusiast, or those bringing along the family with kids, Angel Fire is an unpretentious and high quality destination – both on and off the snow.

Angel Fire is simply the best place in the southwest for beginners and intermediate skiers and especially those friends or families who only get to ski once or twice a year because: The layout of the mountain; funneling your family and friends right back together both on the front and back sides; The size of the resort; you can ski different runs all day, no matter what level of experience, but still it's not too big so you will run into each other several times a day to share a run or a laugh or two.