Ski resorts throughout the state of New Mexico are gearing up for an anticipated busy ski and snowboarding season this year. After receiving a record amount of snowfall last year, state tourism officials believe that this year is poised to be a particularly successful ski season, especially for clients on a budget and for families.
"Our state ski's resorts offer families a unique, affordable vacation," said George Brooks, executive director of Ski New Mexico. "Since most of our resorts are owned and operated by families, they understand what makes a family vacation particularly special. New Mexico prides itself on comfortable hospitality, from warm welcomes to a variety of lodging options geared toward families to packages accommodating the tall and the small. Easy to get to and easy to enjoy, New Mexico has incredible days of skiing and riding in store for the whole family. If this sounds too good to be true, I invite you to experience it for yourself."
Angel Fire Resort
Angel Fire Resort is expected to open on Dec. 16. It features two high-speed quads, two freestyle terrain parks. Activities include skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, tubing, Nordic skiing, ice skating, sleigh rides, snow blades, snow skates, ice fishing, horseback riding and torchlight parades.
www.anglefireresort.com
Discover Ski Apache
Located in Southern New Mexico, this resort offers 55 trails beginning at 11,400 feet, that fan out for skiers and snowboarders of all levels with a fall line of more than 1,800 feet. Ski Apache is located just minutes from the mountain resort village of Ruidoso and the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino in Mescalero. Opening is planned for Thanksgiving weekend.
www.skiapache.com
Enchanted Forest Cross County Ski Area
As New Mexicoís only full-service cross-country ski area, it offers 20Ω miles of trails for both classic and freestyle skiing and 9.3 miles devoted to snowshoes. The area, located three miles from the town of Red River, is scheduled to open on Nov. 19.
www.enchantedforestxc.com
Pajarito Mountain Resort
Located on the eastern edge of the Jemez Mountains, five miles west of Los Alamos, this resort encompasses approximately 750 acres of land, privately owned by the Los Alamos Ski Club that was developed as a ski area in the late 1950s. Pajarito Mountain currently has 40 trails on 300 acres of skiable terrain.
www.skipajarito.com/mountain.php
Red River Ski Area
Known as ìthe place to learn,î this area is popular with skiers and snowboarders of all levels. More experienced skiers and riders will enjoy its challenging trails and the Bobcat Terrain Park, while families may opt for nighttime snowmobile tours that are offered on the weekends and are available by reservations through the Skier Services office. Red River is scheduled to open on Nov. 24.
www.redriverskiarea.com
Sandia Peak Ski Area
Located 45 minutes from Albuquerque, this ski area is tentatively scheduled to open on Dec. 16. It features a certified snow sports school, a complete rental shop, a skiersí cafe and the Wintermill Ski Shop.
www.sandiapeak.com
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort
Opening weekend for this resort is slated for Nov. 20.
www.sipapunm.com
Ski Santa Fe
This resort is located high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, just 16 miles from the heart of historic Santa Fe and features a base area elevation of 10,350 feet, making it one of the highest ski areas in the continental U.S.. Its triple chairlift takes ski and snowboard enthusiasts to a new height of 12,075 feet. It is scheduled to open on Nov. 25.
www.skisantafe.com
Taos Ski Valley
This resort is scheduled to open on Nov. 26.
www.skitaos.org
Valles Caldera
The Valle Grande, the largest of several large, grassy meadows located within the Valles Caldera, stretches more than three miles across and offers rolling terrain for those on skis or snowshoes to explore.
www.vallescaldera.gov
For more information on all of New Mexico's ski destinations, visit Ski New Mexico.
The Details
Ski New Mexicowww.skinewmexico.com
