Hit the Slopes at These New Mexico Ski Resorts

ANGEL FIRE RESORT

Angel Fire Resort boasts more than 560 acres of downhill terrain, one of the longest chairlifts in America, and New Mexico’s only night-skiing operation, but don’t pigeonhole it as only a downhill skier’s paradise. “Our guests are coming up to show their kids snow for the first time, make snow angels, and experience winter,” says director of marketing Greg Ralph, noting that the resort also has tubing and a Nordic Center. “It’s the full experience.”

What’s new: Watch experts zigzagging down Angel’s Plunge from the new deck at Mountain Haus, located at the bottom of the Southwest Flyer lift.
Try this: While Angel Fire is unabashedly family-friendly, it offers plenty of ways for adults to play, too, including seasonal mixology classes, whiskey tastings, and cooking demos.
VITALS: Vertical drop: 2,077 feet Annual snowfall: 210 inches Skiable acres: 560 Lifts: 7 Terrain parks: 3

ENCHANTED FOREST CROSS COUNTRY SKI AND SNOWSHOE AREA

On December 15, 2021, a devastating windstorm ripped across the 600 acres of Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Area, felling roughly 20,000 trees in less than 24 hours. Rebuilding New Mexico’s only dedicated commercial spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. “If we were to close,” says Geoff Goins, who co-owns the ski area with business partner Ellen Miller-Goins, “there are literally thousands of people who wouldn’t have a place to go to experience the sport.” This winter, all five yurts are ready for guests looking to experience the newly exposed views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Gold Hill, and the Latir Peak Wilderness.

What’s new: For the first time, Enchanted Forest will set aside trails for fat biking, the cycling trend that uses tires more than 3.8 inches wide to facilitate biking on snow.
Try this: “A lot of families like that they can all ski or snowshoe together,” Goins says.  Fido can come, too, if he stays on the 5 kilometers of dog-friendly trails.
VITALS: Trails: 20.5 miles of groomed trails for skiing and 11 miles for snowshoeing Annual snowfall: 200 inches Skiable acres: 600

PAJARITO MOUNTAIN SKI AREA

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is known for incredible powder days, impressive mogul runs, and old-school ski culture. Slow-moving double chairlifts offer plenty of time to take in views across the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains, while fellow skiers sit down in the lodge and pull slightly squashed sandwiches from their parkas’ inner pockets. “The ski area is no-frills,” says marketing director Christiana Hudson, “while boasting world-class terrain.”

What’s new: Under new leadership, Pajarito will be open for on-slope fun Thursday through Sunday. Plus, after a roughly 10-year hiatus, the Townsight lift is expected to spin this season.
Try this: For a party on two planks, hit up Pajarito’s annual season-ending Skiesta event, which features live music, ski contests, and costumes galore.
VITALS: Vertical drop: 1,440 feet Annual snowfall: 137 inches Skiable acres: 280 Lifts: 6 Terrain parks: 1

RED RIVER SKI & SUMMER AREA

With about 500 full-time residents yet multiple ski, snowboard, and outdoor gear shops (not to mention ski lifts that rise a block from the main drag), there’s no question Red River leans into its “small town, big adventure” reputation. It hasn’t always been a hub for winter play, however. Prospectors Lane, Silverado, and Powder Keg are just a few of the ski trails that pay homage to the town’s mining heritage.

What’s new: Red River added another 10 snow guns to its fleet, which will allow artificial white to supplement Mother Nature on more than 85 percent of its 209 skiable acres.
Try this: Broadway and the Face, two of the resort’s most popular trails, offer intermediate and expert skiers great views across the valley of Greenie Peak coupled with the sensation of falling into town.
VITALS: Vertical drop: 1,600 feet Annual snowfall: 214 inches Skiable acres: 209 Lifts: 7 Terrain parks: 3

SANDIA PEAK SKI AREA

Founded in 1936 and owned by the Abruzzo family since 1958, Sandia Peak Ski Area begins a new chapter under a partnership between the Abruzzos’ Sandia Peak Ski Company and Mountain Capital Partners, which owns Pajarito Mountain Ski Area and Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort. “Having an opportunity to reopen a ski area that’s been closed is something that’s important to us and the Abruzzo family,” says Mountain Capital’s Scott Leigh. The team is prioritizing snowmaking, lift infrastructure, and hiring lift operators. “We’re thinking about getting the place back open for skiing as quickly as possible,” he says.

What’s new: Skiers with the Power Pass Core will have unlimited days at Sandia Peak as well as Mountain Capital’s other New Mexico–based resorts. Youngsters 12 and under ski free with the Power Kids Pass.
Try this: The Sandia Peak Tramway, which connects Albuquerque to Sandia Peak Ski Area, offers guests expansive views across the Duke City as they glide up to powder days or a meal at Ten 3.
VITALS: Vertical drop: 1,700 feet Annual snowfall: 117 inches Skiable acres: 300 Lifts: 4 Terrain parks: 1

SIPAPU SKI & SUMMER RESORT

With ski school instruction for kids as young as three years old, free passes for littles 12 and under, and beginner-level terrain parks perfect for kids to learn rails and jumps, there’s no doubting the commitment Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort has for grooming the skiers of tomorrow—today. With the facility’s extensive network of upper-mountain chutes and glades, more experienced shredders will find much to love, too.

What’s new: Sipapu puts the “fun” in “Dysfunction” with a steep new double-black quad-burner of the same name.
Try this: Guests who book two nights in one of Sipapu’s cozy hotel rooms or lodge rooms—both located within easy walking distance of the slopes—receive two free lift tickets on select dates.
VITALS: Vertical drop: 1,055 feet Annual snowfall: 190 inches Skiable acres: 215 Lifts: 6 Terrain parks: 4

SKI APACHE

Besides skis, ski boots, and poles, there’s one more item to add to your packing list for a day at Ski Apache. “Plenty of sunblock,” says assistant director Travis Cochise. “We have great skiing with a lot of sunshine.” Smear on the SPF and explore the expertly groomed runs and thrilling back bowls at one of the few U.S. ski areas under Native ownership.

What’s new: The resort expects to add a pair of snowcats to its fleet of grooming equipment.
Try this: Don’t miss 360-degree views from the 11,400-foot apex of New Mexico’s only gondola, which looks out to a skyline dominated by Sierra Blanca Peak.
VITALS: Vertical drop: 1,900 feet Annual snowfall: 180 inches Skiable acres: 750 Lifts: 9, including the gondola Terrain parks: 0

SKI CLOUDCROFT

When Michael Adams, whose parents bought Ski Cloudcroft in 1997, calls Ski Cloudcroft a family-owned and -operated business, he means it literally. “We’re not open without at least three of us being there at any one time,” he says. He runs the business with his brother, sister-in-law, and dad. The welcoming “from our family to yours” spirit permeates New Mexico’s smallest and southernmost ski area. “Skiing can be very intimidating, especially for the people that have never done it or are still very new to it. We try to remove that anxiety of trying to pick up a new winter sport.”

What’s new: The rental shop adds Rossignol skis to its lineup. “We’re proud to offer them,” Adams says. 
Try this: Beginners should check out Happy Valley, a long, wide, confidence-building green run perfect for linking multiple turns together for the first time.
VITALS: Vertical drop: 700 feet Annual snowfall: 70 inches Skiable acres: 100 Lifts: 3 Terrain parks: 0

SKI SANTA FE

From the stucco architecture in the base area to the red and green chile menu options at Totemoff’s Bar & Grill, independently owned and operated Ski Santa Fe brings elements of the City Different to the slopes. “The town of Santa Fe is steeped in culture and tradition,” says operations manager Tommy Long. “It is everywhere: the people, the architecture, the food, and the outdoors. Ski Santa Fe embraces and embodies all those aspects.” For the second year running, the ski area will triple-down on its terrain-park offering with three parks.

What’s new: An all-new RFID ticketing system will help visitors get through the gate, up the lifts, and onto the slopes faster than ever before.
Try this: Gather your crew at the top of Gayway. “If you want a panoramic view of the Río Grande Valley from north to south,” Long says, “it can’t be beat.”
VITALS: Vertical drop: 1,725 feet Annual snowfall: 225 inches Skiable acres: 660 Lifts: 7 Terrain parks: 3

TAOS SKI VALLEY

With 1,294 skiable acres, Taos Ski Valley easily claims the title of New Mexico’s largest ski area—not that size is the only thing this resort, which sits within the Sangre de Cristo’s highest peaks, has going for it. “We have some of the best terrain in all of North America,” says chief operating officer John Kelly. “Our confluence of cultures, intimate scale, ‘better, not bigger’ mantra, and B Corp ethos make the Taos experience unlike anything else.”

What’s new: Advanced skiers and riders should explore the three new trails (two black diamonds and one double-black diamond), then relive the thrill of their descents at the Martini Tree Bar, which is back this season after a short hiatus.
Try this: If your legs aren’t jelly after a day exploring Taos’s famed cliffs and cornices, strap on skates and try a few twirls at the Eis Haus, located in the Lower Plaza.
VITALS: Vertical drop: 3,131 feet Annual snowfall: 300 inches Skiable acres: 1,294 Lifts: 13 Terrain parks: 2

Read more: There’s a lot more to New Mexico’s ski resorts than what’s on the slopes.