As Secretary of the New Mexico Tourism Department, I welcome you to New Mexico, a truly diverse destination. Winter is upon us. The mountains have already welcomed their first taste of snowfall, ski areas are open, and holiday festivities are in full swing. Come celebrate a season like no other in a place like no other: New Mexico, your Land of Enchantment.
Michael Cerletti
Most of New Mexico's Ski Areas are up and running and invite you to spend your holidays on the slopes, not in lift lines.
Sipapu Resort opened its daily operation November 15, followed by Red River Ski Area November 26 and Taos Ski Valley and Ski Apache followed November 27.
Ski Santa Fe has delayed its opening until weather permits, but all resorts are far ahead of last year with their snow-making, due to colder temperatures; and recent snowfalls have put the icing on the cake.
The dark river, usually illuminated by only the stars and moon, reflects each December what has become one of New Mexico's grandest holiday light shows, Christmas on the Pecos in Carlsbad.
Bundled up against the winter chill, you stare in fascination as your boat glides through a fairyland of twinkling lights created by more than 100 Pecos River homeowners and corporate sponsors who spend hours creatively decorating backyards and boat docks with millions of lights.
"We will be celebrating our 17th season this year," said Lisa Boeke, Tourism & Marketing Director for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. "Our new boat the 'Noelle' will be christened on Thanksgiving night at 6 p.m. which will be her first official voyage of the season. Ticket sales are going very well this year and everything is moving on schedule."
A special offer this year is the Flying J Wranglers Christmas concert December 13, 2008. Advance reservations are required. Tickets are available by calling the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, 575-887-6516.
More than 4,000 beachside luminarias will light the way for thousands of visitors when Elephant Butte Lake State Park hosts the 14th annual Luminaria Walk and Floating Lights Parade, 5- 8 p.m. Dec. 13. The event, backlit by a fireworks display exploding across the night sky, will also feature hayrides, caroling and a visit from Santa Claus – all to benefit the Make a Wish Foundation of New Mexico.
"We’re expecting 6 -10,000 people this year for the Weekend of Lights," said Kay Dunlap, Elephant Butte Lake State Park superintendent. "It is now the highlight of several other weekend events in T or C beginning Friday afternoon, so we expect a huge turnout."
Sponsored by the Elephant Butte Chamber of Commerce, the Luminaria Walk begins at 5:00 p.m. and leads from the Marina del Sur/Dirt Dam area to 27 stations along the beach, each sponsored by various organizations and individuals offering refreshments such as posole, hot chocolate and cookies. Luminarias also line the roadway from the main entrance to the marina parking lot. Visitors may walk along the beach or board a hay wagon available for those who might need assistance.
One of the most highly respected festivals in the wine industry, the annual Taos Winter Wine Festival - featuring more than 40 wineries and 200 varieties of some of the best wines from around the world - is January 25 - February 2, 2008.
"In Taos, skiing is a passion, a sport that elevates the senses," said Chris Stagg, Vice President of Marketing. "The Taos Winter Wine Festival conjures that same passion for us."
Stagg said that Taos Ski Valley founder Ernie Blake was the first to understand Taos' classic pleasures. "Always the consummate entertainer he often enjoyed a bottle of his favorite wine at dinner with good friends. What started off as cordial consideration in 1955 is now a tradition of genuine hospitality."
The Taos Winter Wine Festival has evolved into one of the premier wine events in the in the region. Drawing more than 3,000 wine enthusiasts, the festival is filled with spectacular wine and food events throughout Taos Ski Valley and the Town of Taos, where restaurants host wine dinners and chefs pair dishes that compliment the wines they are featuring. Daily seminars are small (40-45 attendees) and give the participants an opportunity to meet and interact with the winemakers and vineyard owners on a personal basis.
Canyon Road Christmas Eve Walk - Walk up Santa Fe's Canyon Road, stopping off at bonfires to catch a bit of warmth and perhaps sing a few carols. Businesses and friends along the way offer hot cider, hot chocolate and posole (a traditional Christmas stew).
Christmas in Madrid - Christmas in Madrid started in the 1920s, when Madrid was a mining town run by Oscar Huber. The whole town would decorate homes and businesses with more than 100,000 lights and create a winter wonderland filled with decorations and blinking lights at the ballpark. That tradition continues today with lights and a Christmas Parade.
Las Posadas - Under the glow of colored lights strung in trees on the Santa Fe Plaza, several hundred spectators cradle candles as they watch an annual re-enactment of a story on which the Christian faith is founded.
Victorian Christmas Evening - Reenactors dressed in clothing from the 1880s help visitors celebrate in the style common to Silver City before the turn of the century, and a visit from a frontier Father Christmas is always a favorite for kids and parents alike.
Winterfest - WinterFest celebrates the holidays with arts, crafts and music, highlighted by the Holiday Light Parade, when the lights through the middle of town are turned off and the glow from lights on decorated floats and automobiles illuminate the faces of spectators
Old Fashioned New Year's Eve Party at Red River - Celebrate New Year's Eve with a cake walk, pizza walk, hula hoop contest, and more! This family friendly event begins immediately after the Fireworks and Torchlight Parade on New Year's Eve and goes until the ball drops... in New York! Admission is free, and food and refreshments are available!
Christmas Carols and Luminarias on the Plaza - The historic village of Old Mesilla is aglow with thousands of luminarias and caroling.
The beloved cartoon characters of Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner have entertained millions of young children, and the young at heart, since 1949 when animation legend Chuck Jones first introduced us to his parody of chase cartoons.
On January 1, 2009, the wacky and zany antics of these two stars of the cinema - florally recreated and larger-than-life - will headline the State of New Mexico's float, "Hats Off To New Mexico - Beep!Beep!," as it travels Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena, California in the 2009 Tournament of Roses® Parade.
This is the third time in the past four years that New Mexico will be represented by a float in the Rose Parade, and it follows on the heels of last year’s float, "Passport to Our World & Beyond," winner of the coveted Grand Marshal’s Trophy "for excellence in creative concept and design." It is one of the top three awards given each year.
Once again, the New Mexico float will be designed by award-winning float designer Raul Rodriguez and built by Fiesta Parade Floats of Pasadena, Calif. under contract with the New Mexico Tourism Department.
While New Mexico's state bird has been entertaining visitors to the Land of Enchantment since its official designation in 1949, so has its cartoon counterpart entertained movie-goers. In fact, both celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2009.
Ballroom Gala Celebration 7:30pm-1:00am Extravaganza includes music and dancing with the Pink Flamingos
Midnight to Remember Package includes:
Please note the prize for this sweepstakes must be taken as awarded and is not exchangeable for other goods, services or cash.
With the coming of the new year we are pleased to announce our lastest feature on the website. Our brand new video archive brings you the best of living New Mexico.
View our Hi Res videos, features run from Scenic Byways, to Featured Communities, Arts and Entertainment and Sports.
You can now share your favorite New Mexican memories with your family and friends with the easy to use email function or even embed the videos in your own website or blog.
