sorry anonymous...the first thing they teach you is how to fall, the second, how to maintain your speed. If your kid can't do that why take him up to the top of the mountain where he can potentially hurt himself, and, more importantly, me!

Went to Santa Fe on March 4th. They report 91" of snow. Where is it? How do they measure it and where? Seems like there may be a size issue with someone. The snow was great and they do have a lot of it. No need to exaggerate.

My wife and 3 kids went to SSF over the weekend of Feb 8-10th, 2008. Contrary to many of the posts here, we had a great time. Everyone was nice and courteous, and the weather was perfect. The lodging was above-average for the price. The only thing I would have to complain about would be the food on the slopes. We went to have lunch around 11:45AM, and they were already out of hot-dogs and everything was very expensive and not all that tastey. The manager was not very friendly either. Other then that, it was a great time and I would definitely recommend it and would definitely go again.

My wife and I just spent two days skiing Santa Fe as first time skiers. We took lessons the first day which I definitely recommend if you have never skied before. We both had a great time, except for when she hurt her knee on one of the green runs and I had to get ski patrol involved. They got her to the clinic and it looks to be a sprained knee.

I had read some of the negative reviews before coming to SSF, but my experience was quite the contrary. Everyone we encountered that worked for the resort was friendly, patient and helpful. The lifts weren't that bad, except for when beginners like me slowed them down. The snow boarders were just as friendly as the skiers, and I didn't see anyone cutting in line at the lifts. All in all it was a great place to learn, and I even skied some of the blue runs by day two. I would definitely recommend SSF to anyone.

This is a nice ski area close in to 100,000+- city / county of Santa Fe and many many more within an hour and half (Albuquerque). Terrain is varied with crowds mostly confined to beginner and intermediate slopes. Advanced terrain is little hard to figure out though without getting into some steeps that may or may not have good coverage. Even in good snow years steep snow is quickly scraped off by side slipping snow boards. A skill taught by the ski basin’s snowboard instructors, I’ve seen it. They also teach if you are snowboarding and have your heals uphill you have right of way over all other traffic. Though my favorite is see an instructor lining up all students off a lift or a narrow trail side by side and making it near impossible to get by. All these taught skills are repeated outside of classes.

The road from Santa Fe 7,000 feet to base 10,000 ft can be hazardous. There are a number of places with permanent ice in shadows / curves. Don’t let the tailgater rush you he/she knows where to slow down or will be off the road. If you let them pass you will soon meet them again in a line of cars (which they know, go figure). Don’t let them get to you as fights breakout in the parking lot. On snowy days leave early (before 8am from town) especially on weekends. There are several steep areas that cars with inadequate tires (check yours!!) will spin out and block the road. Given the long line of cars it may take the tow trucks hours to clear the jam. Upside if you leave early is you may have first tracks to yourself till noon.

On a crowded day the parking can leave you with jaunt if you arrive after 10am. There is a shuttle but if you intend leaving before 3pm it will not take you back. If you’re in a group consider sending a driver out to get the vehicle and have your group meet twenty minutes later at 5 minute parking. Also a suggestion for drop off (let parking attendant know what you’re doing).

Lack of courteously on the mountain, where to start? As mentioned by other the lift lines are atrocious. The funny thing is with the new Millennium triple and restrictions on total parking is uphill capacity is matched to the crowd. The triples (upper mountain) are not detachable however uphill capacity equals downhill mountain capacity. However many chairs go off empty because of the lack of supervision and enforcement as people queue to get on. There is pack of local snowboarders do not like have more than a two on triple. They will but bump any unsuspecting skier or rider who doesn’t understand this. This which will of course stop the lift, not to pull the offenders lift ticket but keep the next chair from hitting the downed person. It is so bad a law enforcement official (with handcuffs ready) should be posted on crowded days.

Getting a beer at Totemoff’s (on mountain lodge) can be equally daunting. It is not uncommon to start in line with ten people in front of you and watch another ten cut in. I recently objected and got shoved around. I think the employees try but know they will not be supported by the management. The lower lodge (a nice facility) cafeteria line seems to flow better. Just make sure you bring lots of quarters to lock your equipment. Also after going through line good luck on finding a place to put your tray down. There is a Baptist Conference center nearby that brings high schoolers in from Texas and Oklahoma. They feel the signs that says to not leave unattended equipment is for non believers only and a greater power will keep it from being enforced. So you pay $10 for a plate of spagitti and eat standing up while the empty chairs at tables are full of coolers with wonder bread, mayonnaise, and bologna, and piles of shoes on the table tops.

On a whole you can have a good time just avoided weekends and prime vacation periods. Which goes for most any ski area.