New Mexico: Enchanted Skiing And Snowboarding -
It's known as the “Land of Enchantment.” New Mexico’s ski experience doesn’t disappoint in this serene landscape. It’s beautiful, uncomplicated and truly enchanted.
Despite the dry climate, sitting on the southern end of the Rockies has its perks; like light snow and bluebird days; New Mexico resorts also see more than their share of gorgeous scenery from red cliffs to snow-capped peaks.
The ski areas here are visited mostly by families and cater to function over form with short lift lines, lower-priced lift tickets, and a down-home attitude.
The escape starts when you step off your plane at Albuquerque International Sunport. The adobe and tile terminal is your first intro to western art. The cultural experience of New Mexico is everywhere, no matter which resort you choose.
Contemporary Native American pueblos, Anasazi Indian sites, and hundreds of art galleries laden with local crafts pepper the state. Speaking of pepper, if you don’t make it to the museums, you will still get your fill of culture through the aromatic, authentic New Mexican food and chili peppers. You’ll be ready to rip at one of New Mexico’s charming resorts after a hearty meal and good night’s rest.
There are eight major areas in New Mexico; seven in the Northeast part of the state, where most of the snow tends to collect. You can hit them all in one vacation if you can’t decide which to visit.
The oldest resort in New Mexico is Sandia Peak. It’s also the easiest to reach just outside of Albuquerque via the 60-person, 20-minute aerial tram that rises more than 4,000 vertical feet. Weekends get crowded and the lifts need updating but, if you have an afternoon to play hooky, it’s done at Sandia.
The Enchanted Forest is the Southwest's largest, full-service cross country ski area. Located three miles east of Red River in the Carson National Forest, the area feels like the backcountry, yet the 33 km of trails are groomed and patrolled. There’s classic on one side (diagonal stride skiing) and smooth groomed on the other for snowshoeing and freestyle (skate skiing).
You can even learn to skate with the Enchanted Forest ski lessons. In fact, complete lesson packages including the gear cost less than a lift ticket at most alpine resorts.
The largest ski area in New Mexico for downhillers is Taos Ski Valley. But it lands a couple of other "tops" on New Mexico’s list: Highest vertical drop (3,274 ft from Kachina Peak) and highest lift (11,819ft).
A blend of Swiss, French, and Austrian traditions, there’s no better place for a “European” ski week than at Taos. The extreme grounds of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains were first tamed by founder and ski legend Ernie Blake.
He brought with him philosophies and expertise to cultivate one of the best ski schools in the nation for adults and children. Though the area only recently opened to snowboarding, skiers have known for years that the best stuff on the mountain requires good, old-fashioned legwork. After your quads have screamed “Uncle”, head for the deck of the Hotel St. Bernard for adult beverages and the best burger in the west.
Looking for less of a challenge in you skiing and snowboarding? Head 30 minutes east to Angel Fire. The abundance of beginner and intermediate trails are ideal for those wanting to take it easy. The resort tends to attract younger attitudes and keeps the boarders happy with sound systems under the lifts pumping out music to the trails and terrain parks.
Make sure you stop in Santa Fe on your way to Taos from Albuquerque. Ski Santa Fe has the perfect balance for a vacationing couple or family looking for both good skiing and a great place to visit. The resort, located in North America's oldest capital city, has trails for all levels plus loads of bumps and steeps. The longest run roams three miles, and the trail system covers 660 acres on about 1,700 vertical feet.
When you’re ready for a break, there’s an art gallery or museum on every corner and side street and the food is a work of art on its own. Pajarito Mountain lies on the east slopes of the Jemez Mountains, above Los Alamos, two hours from Albuquerque and 45 minutes from Santa Fe. The Los Alamos Ski Club, a not-for-profit organization, owns the 750 acres, so your ski day coule be tax deductible.
About 300 acres are groomed; the rest of the place hosts some of the best tree and bump skiing in the state. The small, family owned Sipapu resort is where most New Mexican kids learn to ski and is about 50 miles from Pajarito (20 miles from Taos).
You’ll find one of the biggest little ski areas in the west about an hour’s drive north of Taos. With only six chairlifts and very little natural snow, Red River still maintains a steady stream of loyal guests. About 85 percent of the trails are covered with manmade snow but the area is a whole lot of fun for all ski and board abilities.
It’s also convenient. Everything is within walking distance- the mountain, the lodging, the dining and rowdy bars. The town of Red River, by the way, is where you will stay if you cross-country ski at Enchanted Forest.
Way out in left field, 18 miles northwest of the town of Ruidoso, there’s Ski Apache. The southeastern New Mexico ski area is has incredible views of White Sands National Monument and the area is loaded with Native American history. Owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, the area boasts the state's only gondola. Yes, there's also have a casino in this popular summer resort region. Ski Apache, because of its proximity to the Lone Star State (2.5 hours from El Paso), is filled with Texans.
Grab your skis and head to New Mexico if you’re looking to get away from the typical race-to-the-slopes mentality, you love great weather, and relish culture. You'll be enchanted, too.
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