places in New Mexico

Ski Season Just a Snowfall Away

main lineupMove over fall, winter is coming. New Mexico’s ski season is nearly here, and excitement is in the air. High altitudes, coupled with New Mexico’s light, fluffy snow and brilliant sunshine, create some of the finest ski conditions in the West. There is no reason to spend an extra five or six tiring hours in the car heading further north and standing in long lift lines when you get there when you could already be on the slopes of New Mexico’s incredible ski areas. Make your reservations now for some super New Mexico skiing this season. Come "Ski & Ride the Winter Sun."

Red River Ski Area is "The Place to Learn," where skiers and snowboarders of all levels feel at home. For those more experienced skiers and riders, the resort offers challenging trails and the Bobcat Terrain Park. For those families that would like to see the sights from the top of the mountain at night, snowmobile tours are offered on the weekends and available by reservations through the Skier Services office. Red River has opened on Thanksgiving Weekend for 46 consecutive years; and with a little help from its recently updated snowmaking capabilities, that’s not going to change. Visit www.redriverskiarea.com.

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort enters the ski season as the fastest growing resort in New Mexico - yet visitors still won't wait in line for a lift. Opening weekend is slated for November 21. Sipapu offers incredible specials all season long, so you can customize your trip by selecting your favorite specials or take advantage of the incredible packages, and enjoy a fun-filled vacation without worrying about the cost. Visit www.sipapunm.com.

Ski Apache is southern New Mexico's Premier Ski and Snowboard Resort. Fifty-five trails, beginning at 11,400 feet, fan out for skiers and snowboarders of all levels with a fall line of over 1,800 feet, making skiing and snowboarding a blast. Ski Apache is located just minutes from the mountain resort village of Ruidoso and the spectacular Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino in Mescalero. Visit www.skiapache.com.

Ski Santa Fe is nestled high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just 16 miles from the heart of historic Santa Fe. With a base area elevation of 10,350 feet, Ski Santa Fe is among the highest ski areas in the continental United States.Its triple chairlift takes snow sport enthusiasts to a new height of 12,075 feet and some of the southwest's finest skiing. The vistas atop Ski Santa Fe are unsurpassed and act as the gateway for thrills including steep bump runs, powder filled chutes, gladed tree-skiing, and plenty of groomers. Local patrons and visitors from around the world can all find something for their taste, whether a first time skier/boarder or seasoned veteran. Visit www.skisantafe.com/index.php/home

With winter setting in and daytime temperatures dropping, snow guns at Taos Ski Valley are operating 24 hours a day.The crews are making snow on 100-percent of the beginner and intermediate terrain, giving Taos Ski Valley the largest snowmaking coverage area in the region. Snowmaking continues until the middle of January. The recent snowfall and cold temperatures have everyone at Taos Ski Valley gearing up for a great season. Opening day is planned November 26. Visit www.skitaos.org.

Angel Fire Resort opens for the winter season December 12, followed by the grand opening of night skiing on December 19. If your family is into it, so is Angel Fire. With two high-speed quads, two freestyle terrain parks and a mountain as big as all get-out, Angel Fire Resort has enough to keep the family happy all winter long. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, winter activities here include snowmobiling, tubing, Nordic skiing, ice skating, sleigh rides, snow blades, snow skates, ice fishing, horseback riding and torchlight parades. Visit www.anglefireresort.com

Pajarito Mountain Resort is located on the eastern edge of the Jemez Mountains, five miles west of Los Alamos. It comprises around 750 acres of land, privately owned by 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, not counting some excellent tree skiing, and has some of the best bump skiing in the state. It is rarely crowded, and is noted for its lack of lift lines, offering 1,200 feet of vertical, five chair lifts and one surface lift. Open to the public and with miles of groomed, lots of bumps, tree skiing, and a brand new terrain park, it is New Mexico's best kept skiing secret. Visit www.skipajarito.com/mountain.php.

Sandia Peak Ski Area, 45 minutes from Albuquerque, is scheduled to open December 19. The Ski Area is fully equipped for a fun day on the slopes. Here you find Sandia Peak's certified snow sports school, a complete rental shop, skiers' cafe, and the Wintermill Ski Shop. Visit http://www.sandiapeak.com/index.php?page=winter-sports

Retreat on cross-country skis or snowshoes to the center of the Valles Caldera, where you'll find yourself surprised by the wide expanse and distances. The Valle Grande, the largest of several large grassy meadows within the Valles Caldera, stretches more than three miles across and offers rolling terrain. Expect to be fully immersed in the quiet tranquility you can only find in snow-covered landscapes. You can also choose to traverse the Valle Grande and enter quiet mountain forests to more remote areas. Ski or snowshoe onward to the History Grove or Jaramillo Meadow for a grand tour of some of the prettiest areas of the Preserve. Visit www.vallescaldera.gov/comevisit/skisnow.

Enchanted Forest Cross County Ski Area, New Mexico's only full service cross country ski area, offers 33km of trails groomed for both classic and freestyle skiing, and 15 km devoted to snowshoes. The area, located three miles from the Town of Red River, traditionally opens in late November. Visit www.enchantedforestxc.com.

Ancient Native American communities, historic Spanish towns, and the spirit of the Old West are part of what make New Mexico so distinctive for any visitor. Soaring Rocky Mountain peaks and winter sports areas that offer outstanding terrain, diversity, and value will make every skier and boarder feel right at home. The combination means a winter trip to New Mexico is one exploration after another, both on the mountain and off.

Visit www.skinewmexico.com.

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort to Open November 21:
First Resort to Open in New Mexico

Vadito, NM: Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, New Mexico’s year-round destination for family-friendly, family fun, expects to once again claim the title of first ski resort in New Mexico to open for the season by opening this Saturday, November 21.

Located 20 miles southeast of Taos, Sipapu has offered skiers and snowboarders the longest winter season in the state for the past six years by being the first resort to open and the last to close.

Last week’s storm system (which dumped 7 inches at the resort) plus cold temperatures have enabled Sipapu's mountain crew to get a jump-start on the season by covering the slopes with snow.

“We’re spending 18-20 hours every day making snow right now,” said John Paul Bradley, general manager at Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort. “We’re working hard to give our guests the best early season conditions possible.”

As part of Sipapu's ongoing commitment to begin operations first in New Mexico, Sipapu increased its snowmaking abilities and staff are using the most snow guns in resort history. Since 2001, the resort has tripled its snowmaking abilities, giving winter enthusiasts the first crack at the ski season.

Bradley expects Sipapu guests to have access to lift #2 and the resort’s traditional season-opening run, Practice Slope, and lower Bambi. Additional trails will open thereafter.

Sipapu is scheduled to open at 9:00 a.m. on November 21, but visitors are encouraged to check out Sipapu’s snow report at www.SipapuNM.com for up-to-date conditions and hours of operation. Early season lift tickets (available opening day through December 11) are $15 for adults (ages 20-59) and seniors (ages 60-69). Teens (ages 13-20) and children (ages 7-12) pay just $10. Fourth graders (report card required), kids ages six and younger, guests who are 40 years old, and seniors 70 or better ski and ride free everyday at Sipapu.

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort enters the 2009-2010 ski season as the fastest growing resort in New Mexico, yet visitors still won’t wait in line for a lift. For complete information about the Sipapu, visit www.SipapuNM.com.

About Sipapu
Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort is New Mexico’s fastest growing ski resort. Located just 20 miles southeast of Taos and two hours north of Albuquerque, Sipapu offers family-friendly, family fun to all levels of skiers and snowboarders. Family-owned and operated since 1952, Sipapu is home to New Mexico’s longest ski season and the best deals in the Rockies. The resort is surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Carson National Forest, and features over 40 trails, four lifts and two terrain parks. On-site amenities include slope-side lodging, a full-service ski shop, ski school and gourmet home cooking at the Riverside Café.