For more than 40 years, tucked among the forests above Red River, there was a special place where winter felt a little more magical.
Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area became a destination for Nordic skiers, snowshoers, families, adventurers and anyone who simply wanted to spend a winter day surrounded by snow-covered trees.
This winter, Enchanted Forest will not open for the 2026–27 season.
And while we don't know what the future may hold for this beloved place, we do know what it has meant to generations of visitors.
A Dream Began in the Mountains
The story of Enchanted Forest began with John and Judy Miller, longtime Red River residents whose love of skiing and the mountains became a lifelong passion.
The couple first became involved in Red River's ski community in the 1960s and later owned Powder Puff Mountain with friends. After Powder Puff was sold in 1979, John began guiding cross-country ski trips in the Upper Red River Valley.
But he wanted people to experience Nordic skiing in a different way.
After visiting a large groomed cross-country ski area in California, John was inspired to create a place where people could discover the sport without having to tackle a demanding backcountry tour.
That vision became Enchanted Forest.
The area opened during the winter of 1985–86 with about 10 kilometers of trails. Over the years, it grew into a beloved network of trails winding through the Carson National Forest, welcoming generations of skiers and snowshoers to the mountains above Red River.
John taught countless lessons and helped introduce people to the joy of Nordic skiing, while Judy led ski and snowshoe outings, including the popular Ladies Ski Days she had begun before Enchanted Forest opened.
Their philosophy was simple: help people fall in love with the sport and the mountains.
And people did.
More Than a Ski Area
Enchanted Forest became known for much more than its trails.
There were memorable traditions like the Just Desserts Eat & Ski, where visitors made their way along the trails while stopping for treats from local businesses. There were holiday luminaria tours, snowshoe adventures, yurt stays and countless ordinary winter days that became special simply because they were spent together in the forest.
For many visitors, Enchanted Forest wasn't just somewhere to ski.
It was where they learned to ski.
Where families returned year after year.
Where friends gathered.
Where visitors discovered a quieter side of winter in New Mexico.
And where the forest itself was part of the experience.
The area eventually passed to John and Judy's daughter, Ellen Miller-Goins, and her husband, Geoff Goins, who took over the business in 2010. They continued the tradition while finding new ways to share the mountain, including overnight yurt stays and other experiences.
A Difficult Winter to Say Goodbye
The decision not to open for the 2026–27 season was not an easy one.
After several challenging winters and increasingly difficult snow conditions, continuing operations would require significant financial commitments before knowing whether there would be enough snow to operate. The area remains for sale, and there is still hope that someone may eventually carry the Enchanted Forest story forward.
For the full story from the current owners, visit Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area.
Thank You for the Memories
John and Judy Miller both passed away in November 2022, just four days apart. They left behind far more than a ski area. They left a legacy woven into the fabric of Red River and New Mexico's Nordic skiing community. [View their beautiful Memoriam]
They believed in the mountains, in skiing, in community and in the simple joy of sharing a beautiful winter day with other people.
That spirit lived on through Enchanted Forest for more than four decades.
So, from all of us who love New Mexico's mountains:
Thank you, Enchanted Forest.
Thank you for the trails through the trees.
Thank you for the lessons, the laughter and the traditions.
Thank you for the first ski days, the family adventures and the quiet miles through the forest.
And thank you to the Millers, the Goins family, and everyone who helped make this place so special.
We hope this isn't goodbye forever.
But whatever comes next, the magic of Enchanted Forest will always be part of New Mexico ski country.
