7 Best New Mexico Towns For A Winter Getaway
While New Mexico lives up to its moniker as “The Land of Enchantment,” there’s something extra enchanting about visiting this Southwestern U.S. state during winter. For those seeking some winter sun, New Mexico has plenty of places to escape into the beautiful desert wilderness. Yet for anyone who craves an authentic snowy mountain vacation, this state has some incredible ski resorts suitable for winter sports enthusiasts at all levels.
From the frosty heights of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the ethereal sand dunes of the Chihuahuan Desert, here are seven of the best New Mexico towns for a winter getaway.
Red River
Situated high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, around 163 miles southwest of Pueblo (Colorado), is the sporty ski town of Red River. The main attraction here is Red River Ski & Summer Area with its 209 skiable acres and a balanced mix of beginner-friendly runs and advanced terrain. In addition, there’s Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area, another great option for winter sports with some 30 kilometers of groomed Nordic ski trails, 18 kilometers of snowshoe trails, and even five kilometers of designated dog-friendly trails. And for anyone who prefers to traverse the snowy terrain on four wheels, Red River has dedicated snowmobile trails at Sawmill Canyon leading all the way up to Greenie Peak (at 11,250 feet above sea level).
Back in town, visitors can quench their thirst and satisfy their cravings at Red River Brewery & Distillery, the area’s first (and, so far, only) craft brewery and distillery that also serves hearty New Mexican pub fare. Once everyone is ready to call it a day, Rio Colorado Cabins offers a great place to “rough it in comfort” at night.
Taos
Whether one hopes to embark on fully immersive journeys into New Mexico history or wants to make their own history on some of the southern Rockies' top ski slopes, Taos really does have something for everyone. Taos Pueblo is where to go for a 1,000-plus-year-old indigenous village that keeps pre-colonization Tiwa Puebloan culture alive and thriving, and the Millicent Rogers Museum is a local institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing Native American and Hispanic art through multiple centuries.
Meanwhile, for travelers seeking exhilarating experiences in the mountains, Taos is also within easy reach of exceptional ski runs. More specifically, Taos Ski Valley has a whopping 1,294 acres of skiable terrain, offers up to 3,131 feet in vertical drop, and sports a high number of advanced and expert-level trails. Or, for a more chill family-friendly ski outing, Angel Fire Resort has 86 trails across 560 acres with up to 2,077 feet of vertical drop, and nearly half of their trails are beginner and intermediate-friendly. Whatever folks ultimately decide to do in and around Taos, The Blake at Taos Ski Valley is the perfect place to rest, recover, and enjoy the wondrous mountain vistas with its spacious guest rooms and suites, full-service spa, and full array of shopping and dining options in the area.
Tesuque
About six miles north of Santa Fe is Tesuque, a town that offers plenty for visitors to experience up and down the mountains. Heading up, Ski Santa Fe is a solid resort for skiers and snowboarders at all levels, especially since it averages 225 inches of annual snowfall, and it has a nice mix of easy and difficult trails. For those who prefer a more rustic ski day, the nearby Norski Cross Country Ski Track (at Santa Fe National Forest) works great for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing.
Returning to town, Tesuque Casino has over 700 slot machines, live table games, smoke-free gaming spaces, and incredible mountain views from the casino floor. To satisfy some other cravings, Tesuque Village Market is a solid choice for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And for the ultimate Santa Fe-style luxury resort stay, there’s Bishop’s Lodge, an Auberge property perched in the Sangre de Cristo foothills with elegantly appointed rooms and suites, the delectable SkyFire restaurant, and a full suite of wellness offerings at Stream Dance Spa.
Sandia Park
Nestled in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque is Sandia Park, a picture-perfect New Mexico mountain town that provides an easy escape from the mundane. In fact, the journey up can be an amazing experience in and of itself, thanks to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway that connects the Sandia Peak area to the valley below. Once folks are up the mountain, there’s a whole lot to see and do, starting with the Sandia Peak Ski Area with its 35 trails across 200 acres that offer frosty fun for the whole family. Or, for a chilly sojourn into the wilderness, Routes Bicycle Tours & Rentals offers guided snowshoe tours (with equipment rentals included!) every Sunday during the winter season.
Beyond the Sandia Peak area, there’s more to explore in the central village, including the Lantern Ridge Farm with a lovely farm-to-table restaurant situated right by a local farm and nursery. And for those wanting to stay on the mountain a little longer, Elaine’s B&B is a cozy and comfy place to kick back and enjoy some more fresh mountain air.
Ruidoso
Perched high up in the Sierra Blanca Mountains of south-central New Mexico is Ruidoso, an incredible alpine village surrounded by over 1 million acres of protected and largely pristine forest lands. At the indigenous-owned Ski Apache, guests can ski or snowboard on trails that reach as high as 11,500 feet above sea level and provide incredible panoramic views that extend as far as White Sands National Park. Or, for a more laid-back snow day, Ruidoso Winter Park is an inviting family-friendly haven for tubing, ziplining, and riding the park’s mountain coaster.
Heading into town, visitors can discover another side of Ruidoso at the Spencer Theater For The Performing Arts, the region’s premier venue for live music and theatrical shows. In addition, Ruidoso’s Midtown district has become a hotspot for visual art, and The Adobe Fine Art Gallery offers 10,000 square feet full of amazing paintings, giclées, bronze sculptures, artisan jewelry, and much more. Whatever one decides to do around town, the Inn of the Mountain Gods makes the ideal retreat to rest and recharge with its stylish rooms and suites, a full on-site casino, multiple enticing dining options, and a soothing full-service spa.
Cloudcroft
Though southern New Mexico may be better known for its expansive deserts, this region also has plenty of its own tall mountains, and the village of Cloudcroft is a great place to begin to discover them. After all, this is where travelers will find Ski Cloudcroft, New Mexico’s southernmost ski area and one that’s well-equipped to stay open in winter despite the challenges presented by its geography. For more adventures on open snow, the surrounding Lincoln National Forest offers ideal spaces for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing (at Trestle Recreation Area), as well as sledding and tubing (at Silver Springs & Deerhead Campgrounds).
In case anyone needs a change of scenery, it’s a short-ish drive west from Cloudcroft to White Sands National Park, the world’s largest gypsum dune field and a spectacular display of heavenly beauty in the Chihuahuan Desert. After a long day in the wilderness, one can score rich rewards at Cloudcroft Brewing Company, a haven for local craft beer and artisan pizzas. From there, it’s a wondrous journey up to The Lodge at Cloudcroft, a historically ethereal mountain resort that’s been welcoming guests since 1899.
Carlsbad
Where the Pecos River flows into the Chihuahuan Desert, the town of Carlsbad emerges as the illustrious “Pearl of the Pecos,” and there are even more hidden gems to find underground. Of course, visitors come to reach the grand depths of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, where a surprisingly verdant stretch of desert wilderness leads down to a massive network of 119 limestone caves. Closer to town, there’s also the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, a critical habitat for local wildlife like box turtles, burrowing owls, cougars, and mule deer, and a wonderful spot to walk around and soak up the southern New Mexico sun.
For anyone seeking out some special souvenirs, The Artist Gallery abounds in striking works (including paintings, jewelry, and ceramic goods) by local artists. Also downtown is Milton’s Brewing, an awesome spot to enjoy local craft beers and New Mexico wines. From there, it’s a short walk to The Trinity Hotel, a one-time bank building (built in 1892) that’s now a lovely boutique hotel with its own tasty restaurant on site.
Make a Great and Enchanting Escape to New Mexico This Winter
When travelers seek a burst of sunshine and (relative) warmth during the cold months of winter, New Mexico provides a bright and welcoming respite. Yet, at the same time, the Land of Enchantment also offers plenty of chill thrills atop the soaring heights of ski towns like Taos and Sandia Park. New Mexico is also a state full of wonderful year-round surprises, from the stunning caves of Carlsbad to the diverse landscapes around Cloudcroft. Whatever one hopes to see and do in the months ahead, New Mexico has many exceptional options for travelers to put together the ultimate winter getaway.
