Northern New Mexico offers some of the best skiing in the Southwest and the continental United States, with powdery trails, sun-soaked days, and gorgeous vistas of the Rockies. Whether you’re an alpine skier, a snowboarder, a cross-country skier, or a weekend enthusiast, you’ll thrill to the unique mountains and ski trails of the area. Now that you’ve read about all that Northern New Mexico has to offer for skiers and snowboarders, grab your gear and spend a day or two at some of the best slopes in the country. Check out which resort best suits your idea of a fun day in the sun and snow.
Ski Santa Fe
Did you know that Ski Santa Fe is one of the highest ski areas in the country? With over 660 acres of skiable terrain, Ski Santa Fe offers a diverse range of trails for skiers of all levels. Ski Santa Fe receives an average snowfall of 225 inches and can make snow on 50 percent of the mountain.
Taos Ski Valley
In the early 1950s, Ernie Blake, who then worked for the new Santa Fe Ski Basin, searched for the perfect place to open his own ski resort. Today, it’s one of the country’s few family-owned and -operated ski resorts. Taos Ski Valley has 113 trails and 14 lifts, with a summit elevation of 11,819 feet and a vertical drop of 2,612 feet. After years of allowing only downhill skiers, Taos opened to snowboarders in 2008. The mountain offers a freestyle terrain park and ski school services at all levels.
Mountain Review: Taos, New Mexico
Sandia Peak Ski Area
Albuquerque’s Sandia Peak ski area and famous tram offer spectacular views of the city and some fine skiing. The mountain’s peak elevation is 10,378 feet with a vertical drop of 1,700 feet. Four lifts access the resort’s 30 trails and the Scrapyard Terrain Park, with jumps, rails, and more for beginners to intermediate skiers.
Angel Fire Resort
The area has a ski-through replica of an old mining camp, three terrain parks, and a ski school for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Angel Fire boasts 74 trails, including glade skiing, bumps, and two freestyle parks, all serviced by six chairlifts. The mountain has a summit elevation of 10,677 feet and a vertical drop of 2,077 feet. Angel Fire is the only ski area in Northern New Mexico that offers night skiing. The ski area has five lifts servicing 57 trails and snowmaking capacity to cover 85 percent of the runs.
Read also: Winter in Santa Fe
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort
Sipapu has the longest ski season in New Mexico. This family-friendly resort is located 20 miles southeast of Taos and has been open since 1952. With a summit of 9,255 feet and a vertical drop of 1,055 feet, the mountain is open to both skiers and snowboarders with 41 trails, three terrain parks, and five lifts. Sipapu offers slopeside lodging that date to the resort’s opening, including cabins, mobile homes, and hotel and lodge rooms.
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area
Skiing the slopes of Pajarito, on the east slopes of the Jemez Mountains above Los Alamos, you might feel like you’re gliding into the past. The 1950s past, to be precise. Owned by the Los Alamos Ski Club, Pajarito is one of Northern New Mexico’s best-kept secrets. It’s small, but because it’s not very well known, there are never any lift lines or crowds. The mountain’s summit elevation is 10,440 feet, with a 14-foot vertical drop.
Other Options
Up for a Road Trip? Just south of these ski areas, Ruidoso boasts its own ski areas. If you’re closer to that part of New Mexico, there’s no need to travel to the northern part of the state. If you find yourself in the Four Corners region, the area near Durango, Colorado, has many options for skiing and snowboarding. Purgatory Resort and Wolf Creek Ski Resort are among the best places to ski in the Four Corners.
| Ski Area | Summit Elevation (feet) | Vertical Drop (feet) | Number of Trails | Number of Lifts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ski Santa Fe | 12,075 | 1,725 | 79 | 7 |
| Taos Ski Valley | 11,819 | 2,612 | 113 | 14 |
| Sandia Peak | 10,378 | 1,700 | 30 | 4 |
| Angel Fire | 10,677 | 2,077 | 74 | 6 |
| Sipapu | 9,255 | 1,055 | 41 | 5 |
| Pajarito Mountain | 10,440 | 1,400 | N/A | N/A |
Read also: Snowboard Rental Guide: Santa Fe
Read also: The History of UCSB Hockey
tags: #santa #fe #new #mexico #snowboarding