Enjoy sky-high frills and thrills in New Mexico
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Year
round activities and discounts at family owned ski resorts
by
Deborah Burst
 There’s nothing more
invigorating than standing on a mountain top breathing fresh crisp air
surrounded by a view so stunning you almost hate to ski down the mountain.
Well almost. Then you take off, swishing your way down a wide powder-packed
trail, gliding through a snow covered forest, and on the descent, a
cinematic view of wall to wall mountains. It’s a natural roller coaster
filled with thrills and frills with a little workout along the way. And the
best place to ride nature’s raw landscapes is the land of enchantment, the
ski resorts of New Mexico in Ski Santa Fe, Taos
Ski Valley,
Red River and Angel Fire.
Each
resort offers sky-high activities in a home-style atmosphere that caters to
everyone from novice adventurers to thrill seeking dare devils. Many offer
year round activities with special family packages. With more than 400
trails throughout the state there’s no jam-packed ski lifts or wait lines,
and New Mexico not only offers quiet beauty, but lift prices that fit
comfortably in your vacation budget.
 Ski Santa Fe—Only sixteen miles from the
historic town of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Santa Fe ski resort is one of the highest ski areas in the
United States.
Ride the New Millennium Triple Chairlift with 73 total runs including steep
bump runs, powder filled chutes, gladed tree-skiing, and plenty of cruising
groomers. Kids love the children’s complex with a snow play area, ski
lessons and their own conveyor lift. And there’s a special program to teach
young adults an easy and fun way to snowboard. Start your day off with
coffee, hot chocolate or a full breakfast with views of the ski run, or
break for lunch or drinks higher on the slopes.
 Taos
Ski
Valley—One of the
biggest and most historic New Mexico
family-run resorts, the Taos
Ski
Valley boasts some of the
most glorious terrains framed by blue skies and fluffy powder snow. Offering
one of the top-rated ski schools in the country, 51 percent of runs are
ranked at an “expert level and above” with 25 percent considered
“intermediate” and 24 percent rated “beginner.” Enjoy lodging on the
mountain with rustic ski lodges, ski-in/ski-out condominiums, quaint
bed-and-breakfasts and luxury hotels in the valley. Take a break from the
slopes and visit the historic town of Taos filled with Native
American culture, historic adobe buildings, art galleries, boutique shops
and world-class dining.
 Red River
—Located in Carson
National Forest in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of
northern New Mexico, Red River is touted as one of the most family
friendly ski areas in the
US. The entire family can enjoy skiing,
snowboarding, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, and
sleigh rides. The snowboarding park has 290 acres of terrain with seven
lifts, and on the same mountain there are three terrain parks for freestyle
skiers and snowboarders. On Saturday’s Nights, the Red River Ski Area
presents the Rail Jam and Torchlight Parade with fireworks. And be sure to
check out the town of Red River
steeped in history with chairlifts just a short walk from
Main Street.
 Angel Fire—In
northern New Mexico nestled high in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains, enjoy a wide range of snow
sports all on the same mountain: ski, snowboard, tube, snow bike, cross
country skiing, ice fishing, and horseback riding. But if you prefer a
little warmer climate, Angel Fire lights up the summers with a long list of
family outdoor activities.
Angel
Fire Resort is surrounded by the
Carson
National Forest filled
with scenic mountain valleys, majestic overlooks and alpine forestlands with
abundant wildlife. Trail the terrain in a guided ATV tour, witness the
mountain scenery on a horseback trail ride, gather the family for a gold
panning adventure, and at the end of the day saddle up for a chuckwagon
dinner.
Ride the
Chile Express for a bird’s eye view of Angel Fire and the Moreno valley, and at the top, take time to
hike the groomed trails or enjoy a picnic lunch. Bring your mountain bike up
on the lift and bike the cross-country trails at the summit or fly down the
mountain on the World Cup downhill trails. Catch your dinner at Monte
Verde
Lake chocked full of
rainbow trout with fishing equipment, bait and boats available. Or enjoy a
day on the river with half and full day trips rafting through the Rio Grand
Gorge.
Closing
The
majority of New Mexico
ski resorts are still family-owned catering to families of all ages and
incomes. Trust your little ones to award winning ski schools while mom and
dad hit the slopes. Many resorts offer “kids ski free” programs and
discounts for the entire family including lift tickets, accommodations and
equipment rental.
There is
ground level, mid-mountain and top of the mountain cafés, grills, and
accommodations. In nearby towns
enjoy a variety of affordable dining from casual steak houses to authentic
New Mexican cuisine, and checkout some of the local musicians performing at
restaurants and bars.
Before you go…
Info and
cams on all New Mexico
ski resorts www.skinewmexico.com
Angel
Fire, summer activities,
http://www.angelfireresort.com/summer/activities.php
Photos
courtesy of ski resorts with the Angel Fire Resort photo by Anna Stewart.
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