Though there are plenty of fun things to do to keep warm in Santa Fe in the winter, like visiting the famed Museum Hill Santa Fe, there are also plenty of things to do outside – especially if you’re looking to play in the snow! If a bit of adventure sounds good, Ski Santa Fe is waiting. If you’d rather enjoy a quieter adventure, try snowshoeing at Valles Caldera National Preserve.
Whether heading to Ski Santa Fe or places like Valles Caldera National Preserve, a winter getaway in this remarkable town is well worth your time. Our mountains have already gotten their first blanket of pristine, powdery snow, which means ski season is upon us!
Thanks to Santa Fe’s high elevation, there’s an abundance of winter sports to enjoy – yet the city typically keeps snow-free for most of the winter. Santa Fe usually gets around 225 inches of snowfall each year, which sticks around until early spring. Though there’s plenty of great skiing in New Mexico, including just north of us in Taos, one of our favorite spots to enjoy an afternoon on the slopes is Ski Santa Fe. It’s just minutes from our Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe and offers an array of runs from beginning to expert.
There’s something at Ski Santa Fe for everyone! When done, the cozy, upscale guest rooms at our Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe will be waiting. The perfect winter escape is at your fingertips. Book your room at our Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe today!
Hit the Slopes at Ski Santa Fe This Winter
Though Ski Santa Fe is often overlooked by New Mexico Ski Resorts to the north, like Taos and Angelfire, we think it’s one of the best places to enjoy skiing in New Mexico. The skiing at Ski Santa Fe is great, but it’s also incredibly convenient. Ski Santa Fe is just 30 minutes from downtown Santa Fe. That means you can go from enjoying a delicious hot meal at our Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe to the slopes in no time at all!
Ski Santa Fe is located in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains and offers 600 stunning acres of skiable terrain. The peak at Ski Santa Fe sits at an astonishing 12,075 feet, which makes it one of the highest ski resorts in the country.
The vertical drop at Ski Santa Fe is 1,725 feet. In total, there are 86 runs, including groomers and glades. Among these runs, you’ll find something for everyone. Expert skiers will enjoy challenging and steep terrain on nearly 40% of the runs, while the other 60% are split between intermediate (40%) and beginner (20%) level terrain. To move you up the mountain, there are seven lifts: one quad chairlift, two triple chair lifts, two doubles, and two conveyor belts servicing the beginner areas.
In addition to these great downhill runs, Ski Santa Fe is home to three terrain parks, perfect for those looking to up their freestyle game. Like the rest of the mountain, there’s something here for everyone, with a beginner terrain park and a designated place for advanced skills.
More Snowy Fun at Valles Caldera National Preserve
We know the downhill skiing and snowboarding at Ski Santa Fe isn’t for everyone. We’re lucky to have incredible access to various cross-country ski and snowshoe trails here in the Santa Fe area. There are plenty of great hiking trails turned winter destinations, including places like the Pajarito Nordic Ski Trail and the Aspen Vista Trail. Even so, one of our favorite places for these quiet winter sports is Valles Caldera National Preserve.
During the remainder of the year, the Valles Caldera National Preserve is a beloved destination for hiking and stargazing – it’s one of the few International Dark Sky Parks in the country – but come winter, this incredible park is an absolute delight. Valles Caldera National Preserve is about 90 minutes west of our Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe, but it’s a drive that’s well worth your time. It’s a veritable winter wonderland that will leave a lasting impression.
The Valles Caldera National Preserve is a 13-mile-wide crater, a remnant of a massive volcanic explosion. Today, the preserve is known for its vast mountain meadows, abundant wildlife, and meandering streams. The area also has a rich history as the homeland of ancestral native populations. In the winter, these broad lands, once used for ranching, offer miles of tranquil, snow-covered trails perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Winter snow depths range anywhere from 8 – 12 inches. None of the trails at Valles Caldera National Preserve are groomed during the winter, meaning this location is for experienced snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Though it may look flat and tranquil, the ground beneath you can be tricky and unpredictable in the winter, thanks to the streams running afoot. You’ll have to bring your own cross-country skis (or rent them in Santa Fe), but there are some snowshoes and poles for rent at the Valle Grande Bookstore.
Whether your winter retreat involves some downhill fun at Ski Santa Fe or a more tranquil day at Valles Caldera National Preserve, the welcoming, upscale accommodations at our Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe will serve as your perfect home away from home. Book your room today!
