Sipapu Opens November 18, Red River Opens November 23, Ski Santa Fe and Taos Ski Valley Open November 24, Angel Fire Opens December 16.
ANGEL FIRE RESORT
KNOWN FOR: Great family atmosphere.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: Try Legends Grill, especially if it’s Taco Tuesday, or El Jefe for lunch at the resort, or Enchanted Circle Brewing Company in town.
VERTICAL FEET: 2,077
SKIABLE ACRES: 560
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 210 inches
TAOS SKI VALLEY
KNOWN FOR: Steep skiing, great learning center, good bars and restaurants, the Blake Hotel.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: Cafe Naranja or Bumps Market for breakfast or brunch and the Bavarian for après. 192 at the Blake, the Blonde Bear Tavern, or the Hotel St. Bernard for dinner.
VERTICAL FEET: 3,281
SKIABLE ACRES: 1,249
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 300 inches
SKI SANTA FE
KNOWN FOR: Great tree skiing, good family programs, proximity to Santa Fe, and good access to backcountry skiing.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: Head to Totemoff’s at mid-mountain, grab a picnic table and a green chile cheeseburger, and enjoy the live music.
VERTICAL FEET: 1,725
SKIABLE ACRES: 660
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 225 inches
SKI APACHE
KNOWN FOR: Its gondola, Mescalero Apache ownership, one of the southernmost ski areas in the country.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: Hit Spirit Bar for après, the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino to pull some slots, Wendell’s for fine dining and live music. In Ruidoso, Win, Place & Show has regular live country music, and Noisy Water Winery offers great local reds.
VERTICAL FEET: 1,900
SKIABLE ACRES: 750
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 180 inches
SKI SANDIA PEAK
KNOWN FOR: Proximity to Albuquerque, the tram from the desert to the craggy Sandía Peak, great slopes for beginners and families.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: Ten 3, a brand-new stunner of a building on Sandía Crest, serves carb-loaded lunches and exclusive, high-end dinners. Sandiago’s Grill, at the base of the tram, whips up New Mexican classics, along with steaks and fish.
VERTICAL FEET: 1,700
SKIABLE ACRES: 200
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 100 inches
SIPAPU SKI AND SUMMER RESORT
KNOWN FOR: Small size, family-friendly vibe.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: Try Riverside Café, on the second story of the historic lodge.
VERTICAL FEET: 1,055
SKIABLE ACRES: 200
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 190 inches
SKI CLOUDCROFT
KNOWN FOR: Welcoming ski area for beginners. It’s a good value, too. Full-day junior lift tickets are just $35.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: In town, check out Cloudcroft Brewing Company or Mad Jack’s Mountaintop BBQ.
VERTICAL FEET: 700
SKIABLE ACRES: 74
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 110 inches
RED RIVER
KNOWN FOR: A family atmosphere and a great ski school. Slopes that come right into a laid-back town with rustic mountain culture.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: Check out the Red River Brewing Company or head to the Grill, at the ski area base, a popular spot to watch torchlight parades on Saturday nights.
VERTICAL FEET: 1,600
SKIABLE ACRES: 209
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 214 inches
PAJARITO
KNOWN FOR: Great tree skiing, fun family atmosphere, lots of scientists.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK: In Los Alamos, get a beer at Bathtub Row Brewing Co-Op and a burrito at El Rigoberto’s.
VERTICAL FEET: 1,440
SKIABLE ACRES: 750
AVERAGE SNOWFALL: 125 inches
Outfitters & Accommodations
