Ski New Mexico

Skiing and Snowboarding in the Land of Enchantment

Archives for January 2022

Soak in our Hot Springs for Apre-Ski Recovery

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Have you ever gingerly ended a great day of skiing with the thought, “Ohhh…I wish I had paid a little more attention to pre-season conditioning….OWWWW…”? Working out muscles that you forgot about over the summer can surprise you with a deliciously exhausted but sometimes achy body when you come off the slopes.

Well, we’ve got you covered (or technically “submerged”) here in New Mexico, a state surprisingly filled with hot springs and spas to sooth and re-energize your sporty self.

SANTA FE
You actually have to drive right past 10,000 Waves on your way to Ski Santa Fe, which means it’ll be there on the way down. Offering a “Japanese-adobe aesthetic”, 10,000 Waves is only ten minutes from Santa Fe but modeled after the great hot spring onsen in Japan. In addition to self-contained hot tub and sauna suites with private changing rooms and showers, they offer massages, skin care, and multiple spa treatments. And since you’ll be too relaxed to go anywhere afterward, you may as well stay for dinner and book a room. Reservations are limited, and Covid has restricted walk-in communal bathing, so consult the website early on in your planning.

Ojo Santa Fe Resort is another jewel in the NM hot springs crown. Surrounded by 77 acres of lush New Mexican high desert, you can bathe in the luxury of hydrotherapy in spring-fed thermal pools, dine on farm-fresh cuisine at their Blue Heron Restaurant, and lose yourself in a wide selection of spa treatments. Overnight guests get access to perks like morning yoga and freedom to roam the land.

TAOS
Ojo’s sister spa, Ojo Caliente, is about an hour from Taos Ski Valley, 30 minutes from Pajarito, and 90 minutes from Sipapu. With natural pools built into the landscape, Ojo Caliente’s healing waters are legendary for inspiring the country’s very first health spa back in 1868. Sulfur-free pools, rich in four elements—iron, arsenic, soda and lithia—offer deep and soothing mental and physical health benefits. You will also find dining, lodging and spa amenities here. You might want to wait until after you’ve finished the skiing part of your trip, or you may be too relaxed to get back on the hill.

RUIDOSO
Riverbend Hot Springs is not exactly IN Ruidoso—in fact, it’s a well-kept secret about 2.5 hours away, but well worth the diversion. Add a little “fire” to your snowy Ski Apache vacation and detour to the one and only open-air hot springs on the banks of the Rio Grande, long considered sacred by the Apache and Mimbres tribes. Crystal clear mineral waters pumped from deep under the surface of the earth will heal, rejuvenate and recharge your body, mind and soul. Open every day of the year, you can rent a room or RV site, rent a private pool, or breeze through with a one-hour pass.

ALBUQUERQUE
And for something completely different, try the True REST Float Spa, a zero-gravity flotation experience in a special solution of water salinated by 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts. You literally crawl into a private isolation pod, pull the top down and float effortlessly in a completely silent, dark environment for an hour while the water does its thing to relax, heal and provide a profound form of complete rest. Lactic acid is drained from the muscles, reducing soreness and recovery time, and Sulfate naturally detoxes the body. What a dreamy way to end one great day of skiing and get ready for the next.

For more year-round hot springs experiences in New Mexico, check out this list.

Taos Winter Wine Festival

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February 3-6, 2022

The Taos Winter Wine Festival is an annual four-day weekend of events featuring the culinary artistry found in Taos, New Mexico’s many excellent restaurants coupled with the sophistication and wines of national wineries.

By bringing over 40 national wineries to Taos to partner with 24 of the areas best restaurants, a four-day schedule of snow, food and wine events featuring the Grand and Reserve Tastings, chefs luncheons, winery seminars and wine dinners. The weekend culminates with the Grand Tasting at the Taos Valley Ski Resort where restaurants and wineries serve samples of their best food and wine.

For a full schedule visit taoswinterwinefest.com

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/TaosWinterWineFest/

Where the Mountains Feed Your Soul

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Angel Fire NM

In the summer months, Angel Fire draws hordes of enthusiastic mountain bikers to its world-class bike park. In the winter, when the snow flies, the resort transforms into a snowy playground of the first order. But here’s the thing about Angel Fire: while the sports are top-notch, so is the rest and relaxation. You don’t have to do anything, except kick back and let the mountain air restore you.

If you do come for the skiing and riding, however, you’ll find a renowned ski and snowboard school that makes it an ideal place for newbies, and enough challenging runs to keep experts happy. What’s more, Angel Fire is the only resort in the state to offer night skiing. Add three terrain parks, a tubing and sledding hill, more than 10 miles of nordic track, snowshoe trails, and abundant slopeside lodging, and you’ve got a legit winter destination.

Because Angel Fire loves to host families, many of the amenities cater to groups. Numerous multi-room condos and spacious vacation houses dot the base area, providing easy access to lifts with all the comforts of home. For those who want to be in the very heart of it all, you can book a room at the Lodge at Angel Fire, a contemporary hotel steps from the lift with a pool, hot tub, fitness center, and pet-friendly rooms.

For those in need of additional square footage, you can find well-appointed two- and three-bedroom units that are an easy walk to the slopes. Need even more space? Dozens of vacation homes are available around the mountain, all within easy striking distance of the on-mountain action—from a large, light-filled home with stunning views that sleeps eight, to a 2,500-square foot cabin that will accommodate up to 13.

If you like to roll in your RV, even in winter, you’ll be happy to know about the deluxe Angel Fire RV Resort. The state-of-the-art facility provides more than a hundred paved and level pads, with an on-site bath house, hot tub, and wifi, along with a retail market, laundry, and even a putting green.

Most of the dining options are conveniently close to Angel Fire’s base area. The Village Haus Restaurant and Bar is located on the ground floor of The Lodge, and Legends Grill, a family-friendly pub that serves gourmet burgers and other classic fare, can be found on the second floor. El Jefe, a “Fresh Mex” restaurant known for its top-shelf margaritas, can be found just across from the Chile Express Lift. During the mountain’s operating hours, make your way to the Summit Haus, at the top of Chile Express, for endless views on the wraparound deck.

You’ll find lots of casual dining options around town, from craft brewpubs to pizza and sandwich shops. And for those seeking a more upscale experience, Elements, at the Angel Fire Country Club, does excellent steaks and seafood.

You could easily spend a vacation sticking close to Angel Fire, but a few side trips are worth consideration. The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway loops around Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest point at 13,159 feet, and takes you through Eagle Nest, Red River, Questa,  and Taos. The scenery alone is worth the drive. But of course each town has its own share of attractions.

Just north of Angel Fire, along Highway 64, you’ll find the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Opened in 1971, the chapel and site were created by Victor and Jeanne Westphall to honor veterans after the death of their son David, a First Lieutenant killed in action in 1968. It was the first major monument of its kind—and is often cited as a source of inspiration for the monument built in Washington D.C. in 1982. The New Mexico memorial sees some 45,000 annual visitors.

You may not encounter anything quite as poignant as the Vietnam memorial along the Enchanted Highway but there are many other worthy stops. Grab a bite in Eagle Nest and continue on over Bobcat Pass, the state’s highest road, before dropping down into Red River. By the time you roll through Taos, you’ll be ready for some of New Mexico’s famous red and green chile. Then it’s back to the lovely Moreno Valley, home to Angel Fire, where you can breathe deep, relax, and rest up for another day of mountain adventure.

Article by: Nick Heil

Ski Vacation Family Style!

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Introducing your kids to skiing could be the beginning of a life-long love affair with a sport that’s accessible for all levels and all ages. And it’s a great way to be active and explore our state as a family! But if you’re reading this, you already know that…

What you might not know about is all the activities available OFF the mountain for little snow bunnies who still have energy at the end of the day. You can all sleep next week! Read on:

ANGEL FIRE
Snow tubing is a great way to give your legs a rest and connect with your real child AND your inner child as you careen down the 4-lane Tubing Hill at the Angel Fire Resort. There’s also a more budget-friendly kids’ Sledding Hill at the Nordic Center that’s perfect for all sizes. On Fridays and Saturday at 4:00, fuel up at the S’mores and Hot Chocolate Bar on the Zia Bar Deck. And then, if you get a second (or third) wind, Angel Fire offers the only night skiing and snowboarding in New Mexico.

LOS ALAMOS
Speaking of chilling under the twinkling stars, if you are looking for a magical way to end your day at Pajarito, head over to Los Alamos to the only NHL regulation outdoor ice rink in New Mexico. The rink offers public skating, hockey and skating lessons from mid-November through February.

RED RIVER
For kids over 42” tall, Red River Ski Resort offers 1-hr tubing sessions through mid-March. And every Saturday, you can come for the skiing and stay for the torch light and fireworks show. Watching the Red River team members serpentine with torches down the frosty mountain in beautiful unison is just the beginning of a spectacular evening. Bundling up and sipping hot chocolate while you watch the skies light up with brilliant fireworks is sure to be a highlight of your vacation.

ALBUQUERQUE
There are two ways to get to Sandia Peak—You can drive around the east side of the mountain and take the lift up from the bottom for your first run, or you can take the tram up on the west side, and it’s all downhill from there. But even when the resort isn’t open, there are several ways to enjoy the snow and the views from the top. If there is snow, break out your snow shoes and hike north along the rim to the “Kiwanis Cabin” and then a little farther to the Sandia Crest House gift shop and snack bar. Thursday through Sunday, enjoy a breathtaking dining experience at the brand new Ten 3 restaurant right at the top of the tram.

SIPAPU
At Sipapu, the weekend of February 26-28 was designed for kids! Bring the whole family up for the FREE February Fun Fest that includes a giant snow castle, a mountain-wide scavenger hunt, a costume contest and more fun than you can shake a ski pole at. And as always, kids under 12 ski for free, so load ‘em up.

RUIDOSO
To mix things up at Ski Apache, head over to Ruidoso Winter Park where kids over 46” tall can take a Magic Carpet conveyor belt ride up the hill with their tubes and race their friends down! There’s a Kidz Korral for smaller kiddos and hot chocolate and snacks for all at the VIP Igloo.

SANTA FE
For an off-mountain experience unlike any other, enter a fantastic realm of stories and exploration at Meow Wolf, House of Eternal Return. Show the kids a one-of-a-kind universe, and go on a journey through multiple dimensions through magical portals, secret passageways, and a pure expression of human imagination. You might want to put a tracking device on them, or you may never get them out!

TAOS
There is a place in Taos where the mountain towers more than 9,000 feet above you, and the Rio Grand flows 800 feet below you. After a half day of skiing, take a short drive to the Rio Grand Gorge Bridge (the second highest on the U.S. Highway System) for spectacular views and maybe even a glimpse of bighorn sheep. Proceed across the bridge for another 1.5 miles, and you will encounter the Earthship Biotecture, a fascinating community of off-the-grid and self-sufficient homes made out of primarily natural and recycled materials like earth-rammed tires, cans, and bottles. Your little junk collector’s eyes will pop right out of his head!

Activities aside, however, the best part about a ski vacation with your kids is the time you get to spend together. Have meaningful conversations on a long lift ride, teach them how to roast the perfect marshmallow over the firepit, and recap everyone’s favorite moment of the day as you drive down the mountain…Those are the moments they’ll remember forever.

Absorb the magic and spiritual energy of Taos, New Mexico

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Article by Nick Heil

The first lift started spinning in the mountains outside of Taos way back in the 1950s, and since that time the name has become synonymous with the skiing. Even before I moved to New Mexico more than 20 years ago, I’d heard of the sun-soaked mountain oasis that delivers world-class skiing and snowboarding in one of the most unique settings anywhere in North America. Little did I know then just how special it really was.

Home to Taos Pueblo (a World Heritage Site), iconic adobe churches, numerous art galleries, quirky cafes and fine restaurants, boutique shops, and and eye-popping natural wonders like the Taos Gorge, the town and its surroundings are a kind of condensed version of the entire state. While some towns are conducive to an improvised visit, there’s so much to do and see around Taos it’s worth making an actual plan.

You could spend days simply touring the area and checking out the sites. Several view points in the Rio Grand Valley and along the Rio Grand Bridge provide Instagram-worthy photos. A little further down Highway 285, you’ll find Ojo Caliente Hot Springs, a posh resort with soaking pools, mud baths, a terrific restaurant, and cozy rooms and cottages. You can visit the D.H. Lawrence ranch, where the literary giant lived and wrote—and even pair this with a side trip to Ghost Ranch, Georgia O’Keefe’s home and studio, for a double dose of art history. Just north of town, you can tour one of Taos’s legendary earth ships, a type of sustainable architecture built with recycled materials like bottles and tires. Or keep your exploration right downtown with a visit to the famous Taos Plaza.

Regardless of the time of year and your zest for adventure, a walking tour of Taos is a must. Even without an agenda the town is fun to explore, but you’ll get more out of the experience with a few mandatory stops. The Taos Art Museum and the Millicent Rogers Museum (Rogers family amassed one of the greatest collections of southwest art in the region) top the list. From there you can wander to the San Francisco de Assisi Mission Church—photographed by Ansel Adams and painted by O’Keefe. And make your way to the Kit Carson Home and Museum to learn more about Taos’s most famous past resident.

No surprise that this cultural melting pot also has a vast array of dining options. There are numerous excellent New Mexican options, featuring spicy green and red chile, tamales, enchiladas, and other local favorites. I love Antonio’s (as do many others), a fun, casual place for lunch and dinner specializing in southwest fare. For similar tastes, you can’t go wrong at Orlando’s, Michael’s Kitchen, El Taosueno, and La Cueva Cafe as well.

Branch out in other culinary directions at places like Aji, a terrific newer player on the restaurant scene specializing in Peruvian dishes. Taos mainstays like Doc Martin’s, at the Taos Inn, and Lambert’s always deliver (filet mignon or lobster risotto, anyone?). For more casual dining, check out The Burger Stand (don’t miss their duck-fat fries) and the always popular Taos Mesa Brewing. For a special night out, who doesn’t adore the Love Apple, which serves fresh, locally sourced meals in a charming, intimate space.

Taos is a morning town—in the winter, everyone’s headed for the mountain—and that means there are great coffee and breakfast choices. Grab a latte or cappuccino at World Cup, a block off the Plaza. The Burrito Spot whips up hearty and delicious hand-held burritos. Order up luscious French Toast or Eggs Benedict at Gutiz. Or grab a pastry at Bearclaw or Farmhouse Cafe and Bakery.

 While Taos thrums with energy all year, winter is especially lively. Yuletide in Taos stages  events from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Including tree lighting, torchlight parades, pop-up shops, and craft fairs, among other activities, the Yuletide activities bumps for more than a month. And the end of January brings the Taos Winter Wine Festival, showcasing world-class vintners and lots of great food as well.

Looking for a base camp? Taos has some great, and refreshingly affordable, options. El Monte Segrado provides well-appointed rooms and a heated covered pool just a few blocks from the Plaza. For a truly classic experience, try the Taos Inn, the historic adobe lodge with the coziest lounge in town. Other great choice5 include Hotel La Fonda, El Pueblo, and one of my favorites: the Sagebrush Inn, which has been around since 1929, which is full of character and a lively restaurant. And for a little more privacy, try the Old Taos Guesthouse Inn, which is equal parts cozy and comfy.

Wherever you wind up, you simply can’t spend time in Taos without absorbing its magic and spiritual energy. Add some snow and mountain adventure and it’s a recipe for lifelong memories.