SUMMERTIME TRIP UP THE Chile Express chairlift to the 10,677-foot summit of Angel Fire Resort transforms into a magical ascent above mountain bikers twisting, turning, and jumping down the winding trails. Their muffled shouts combine with the rustle of aspen leaves and the rattle of the chair over each tower to make staccato music. The return trip down lays out a breathtaking view of the fertile Moreno Valley and Mount Wheeler, New Mexico’s highest peak.

Now imagine that same ride in January, the vivid turquoise sky reflecting off bright snow punctuated by the blur of skiers and snowboarders. The hot chocolate waiting at the Summit Haus restaurant at the top or the Village Haus at the base is a sweet reward for a day on the slopes.

Angel Fire, a village of 1,200 residents, takes its name from the morning sky’s glow of fiery color behind the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Moache Ute people traveling through the valley claimed it was the fire of the gods, or as Franciscan friars later interpreted, “the place of the fire of the angel.” The small northern New Mexico community grew up around the ski area, which was started in 1965 by the ranching LeBus family. Now, Angel Fire is a high-altitude (8,400 feet) outdoor lovers’ paradise just a few hours by car from Santa Fe. New this year: Weekly flights directly to Angel Fire Airport from Albuquerque during ski season make this mountain town even easier to visit.

Get cozy after a day on the slopes. Photograph courtesy of Visit Angel Fire.

“People find it surprising that we’re uncrowded,” says Greg Ralph, Village of Angel Fire tourism director. “It’ll be hustle-bustle during the holidays and spring break, but the rest of the time, you can go skiing or mountain biking and never wait in a lift line.”

Angel Fire’s laid-back pace, sunny summer days where temperatures rarely reach the 80s, an average of 210 inches of winter snow, the state’s only night skiing, and exhilarating activities year-round make it a true all-season getaway for the entire family.

“In the summer and fall, people come because it’s a great place to spend your time outside,” says Mike Hawkins, Angel Fire Resort marketing manager. “And you don’t need air conditioning to escape to when you’re done with the day—the weather is perfect. That’s why I love it.”

There are plenty of other ways to stay busy, too. Weekly farmers’ markets, live music on Friday evenings, hot-air balloons, a world-class classical music festival, and the annual artist studio tour all provide an escape. Angel Fire’s variety of comfortable cabins, rental houses, and the resort—all in close proximity to any activity—embodies the best of mountain life.

Take a family sleigh ride with Roadrunner Tours.

Winter offers adventures of all kinds. Adrenaline junkies can slalom or board down more than 80 runs, including 30 acres of tree skiing, or hone skills in the three terrain parks. If downhill’s not your speed, there’s more than 12 kilometers of cross-country skiing or snowshoe trails, horse-drawn carriage rides, snowmobile tours, and tubing and sledding. Events such as the annual holiday tree lighting and New Year’s Eve fireworks, snow shovel races, Mardi Gras, and spring break festivities build cold season excitement and community participation.

“The sunsets here are just phenomenal,” says Elke May, an Angel Fire native and ski instructor. “And the stars! You can walk outside and so easily see the Milky Way. There’s nothing quite like waking up on a snowy morning and the snow hasn’t been touched. It’s just a different type of quiet—comforting and peaceful.”

But whenever you visit, Angel Fire provides a respite from everyday life. “Come up into the mountains and step into the natural beauty,” May adds, “even if you don’t want to do anything but hang out and read a book.”

Fly In and Out

Advanced Air flies direct from Albuquerque to Angel Fire five times per week during ski season, December through March.