Looking for the best New Mexico ski resorts? We’ve got you covered.
Known as the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico is not just dusty desert.
In fact, the state boasts snow capped mountains and generous swathes of true alpine environment, offering fantastic skiing and snowboarding terrain for all levels.
Here’s our guide to everything you need to know about the best ski resorts in New Mexico…
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Ski Apache
By William (CC BY-SA 2.0 licence)
New Mexico’s second largest ski resort has more than 750 skiable acres boasting a 1900 foot vertical drop, and receives over 15 feet of snow per year.
Trails are well mixed, with 18% of the 55 runs featuring wide slopes for beginners, 55% intermediate runs with cruisers and a huge bowl, and 27% advanced runs including some tricky bump runs.
There’s also a terrain park with jumps, tubes and rails.
Après ski at Ski Apache is second to none, with the Main Lodge Spirit Bar offering panoramic views and the ideal place to kick back after a day of riding the slopes.
The mountain village of Ruidoso has a great variety of restaurants and bars with some excellent nightlife, as well as a casino and great shopping.
Where to Stay: MCM Elegante Lodge & Resorts
The 3 star MCM Elegante Lodge & Resorts is located in Ruidoso high in the mountains, and offers 120 air-conditioned rooms with refrigerators, LED televisions and MP3 docking stations and private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations.
Suites benefit from fully fitted kitchens for self catering.
The resort also features a golf course, large indoor pool and spa tub, outdoor terrace with BBQ grill, as well as a bar and restaurant serving a complimentary buffet breakfast.
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Swimming pool
- Jacuzzi
- Fitness centre
- Golf course
Taos Ski Valley
By Murray Foubister (CC BY-SA 2.0 licence)
This relaxed and friendly ski resort has 300 inches of average annual snowfall, a vertical drop of 3281 feet, and 1200 skiable acres with a great variety of terrain for all levels.
Taos Ski Valley is particularly well known for its fantastic advanced terrain, with 30% of the 111 runs being advanced and 37% being challenging expert black diamond and double black diamond runs with steep slopes, bumps, cliffs, and tree skiing.
Beginners have 15% of the trails, which are spread across the entire mountain and almost every chairlift has a green trail from its summit.
The 18% intermediate runs offer some fast cruising, and plenty of more testing runs to improve your skills.
There’s also a terrain park for skiers and boarders of all ability levels.
The ski village has a small but solid selection of bars and restaurants, including a Bavarian lodge offering beer and hearty German fare, plus a cantina dishing up spicy New Mexico cuisine. For more bars and restaurants, head into nearby Taos town and take in some live music or get your groove on at Shadows dance bar.
Where to Stay: The Blake at Taos Ski Valley
This premier 4 star 80 room lodging property is at the heart of Taos Ski Valley resort among the retail shops and dining establishments of Taos’ base area.
The Blake offers an inviting and sophisticated lodging experience, with Hispanic and Native American fine art and artifacts defining the decor.
Each room at the resort benefits from flat screen TV, refrigerator, and private en suite bathroom. Spacious suites feature gas fireplaces and full kitchenette.
The luxurious spa and wellness centre provides innovative fitness programs, customized spa treatments, and a holistic approach to wellness and renewal.
Guests are invited to dine at the 192 restaurant, where the dining experience centers around a communal fireplace and eclectic dishes are paired with carefully curated wines and signature cocktails.
- Ski-in/ski-out access
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Sauna and hot tub
- Swimming pool
- Pet friendly rooms
Angel Fire Resort
Angel Fire Resort’s 560 acres is packed with diverse skiable terrain including over 30 acres of gladed trails, 3 ski and ride terrain parks, a Nastar giant slalom style course, a tubing hill, ski school — and, as an added bonus, it is the only New Mexico ski resort to offer a lit slope for night skiing.
Of the 81 total runs, 21% are dedicated to beginners, 56% for intermediates, and 23% advanced, and runs feature everything from gentle groomed cruisers to challenging hike-only steeps.
Angel Fire has a vertical drop of 2077 feet, and an average annual snowfall of 210 inches, and the ski area also features an extensive snow-making system.
When the skiing stops Angel Fire Resort includes several places to warm up and unwind after a day on the slopes. If you’re looking for wild nightlife then Angel Fire probably isn’t for you, but a good selection of restaurants including fine dining at Elements, and tasty pizzas at Chianti’s Pizzeria.
Where to Stay: The Lodge at Angel Fire Resort
At the base of the mountain just steps from the Chile Express chairlift, 3 star The Lodge at Angel Fire Resort offers spacious rooms and suites, each featuring two queen beds, living areas, refrigerators and coffeemakers.
Pets are welcome.
Take a plunge in the indoor pool, enjoy a relaxing soak in the hot tub, get your blood pumping in the fitness center, or wine and dine at one of 3 restaurants.
Choose between pizza at Chianti’s, family dining at Legends Grill, or grabbing a coffee at The Lift Coffee Shop and Market.
- 3 dining options
- Bar
- Indoor swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Fitness center
- Pet friendly
Sandia Peak
By AdamSelby (CC BY-SA 3.0 licence)
Situated near to Albuquerque with ski resort access close to the city, a 60-person aerial tram rises more than 4,000 vertical feet in less than 20 minutes to get skiers to the top of this popular ski resort which is known to get busy at weekends.
There are 200 acres of skiable terrain at the resort, which has a vertical drop of 1700 feet and makes 125 inches average snowfall per year.
Sandia Peak offers great beginner skiing and snowboarding plus an excellent ski school, and of the 39 runs 31% are suitable for beginners, with 46% of the trails being intermediate.
There are also 23% advanced trails, and a terrain park which includes fun boxes, jumps and rails suitable for beginner to intermediate boarders.
Apres ski is limited at Sandia Peak, but the Double Eagle II Cafe is a good spot to grab a coffee and a snack, the restaurant at the summit offers lunch and dinner, and a full bar to go with the view, and at the base of the tramway Sandiago’s is a perfect place to enjoy great food with an incredible view.
Enchanted Forest
This small but sweet ski resort has 30km of groomed ski trails and 18km of snowshoe trails, as well as stunning mountain vistas.
The vertical drop is 400 feet, and 50% of the 33 runs being intermediate, with 30% being beginner and 20% advanced.
Trails have a back country feel, with gentle slopes and 12 to 16 foot wide groomed trails for classic and freestyle skiing, and Enchanted Forest is a great place to learn to ski.
The resort also has a full rental shop and snack bar.
Where to Stay: The Lodge at Red River
A landmark 4 star hotel, The Lodge at Red River offers 1 and 2 bedroom guest rooms with en suite bathrooms and flat screen TV.
Rooms are positioned adjacent to the hotel lounge with a library, game area, morning coffee bar and a big screen TV.
The hotel’s restaurant Texas Red’s Steakhouse offers hearty fare like steaks and burgers, and the Lost Love Saloon features live music performances.
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Library
- Games area
- Coffee bar
Pajarito Mountain
Sitting above Los Alamos in the Jemez Mountains with Rio Grande valley views, Pajarito Mountain ski resort boasts a top elevation of 10,400 feet, 40 trails, 300 skiable acres, 125 inches average annual snowfall, and 1,200 feet of vertical drop.
It boasts five chairlifts including three doubles, one triple and a quad.
Pajarito’s terrain includes miles of groomed trails, bump runs and glade skiing, and trails are divided into 20% green runs, 50% blue runs, and 30% advanced runs, so there’s plenty for all levels of ability.
There’s little in the way of après ski at Pajarito Mountain ski resort, but the cozy mountain lodge café delivers an authentic on mountain dining experience from breakfast time through dinner.
At the regular beer and band events, craft beer is served from 12pm, and from 3 to 5pm there’s live music entertainment.
Sipapu Ski Resort
Located just over two hours north of Albuquerque, the affordable, family friendly Sipapu Ski Resort is blessed with 41 runs over 200 acres of skiable terrain, average snowfall of 190 inches, a vertical drop of 1,055 feet, and a snowmaking system that covers 70 percent of runs to offer New Mexico’s longest ski season, from November to April.
There’s a large amount of beginner and intermediate terrain, with 20% green runs and 40% blue runs, and a ski school.
For the more advanced there are 30% black runs with 10% double black diamond runs for the experienced skier.
The terrain is diverse, with plenty of great tree skiing and two terrain parks for all snowboarding and skiing abilities.
Sipapu Ski Resort base facilities include the Riverside Cafe, and the Paradise Riverside Bar and Grill with open mic nights on Thursdays. There’s also a rental shop on site and a gift shop.
Red River
By Debbie Moore (CC BY-SA 3.0 licence)
The welcoming Red River ski resort offers terrain for all abilities, and it’s one of the best places to learn to ski or snowboard.
It features 290 skiable acres with a 1600 foot vertical drop, 7 lifts, 214 inches of annual snowfall plus 85% state of the art snowmaking, and 63 trails.
Beginner trails make up 31% of runs, including the fun ski through Moon Star Mining Camp — a replica of a Rocky Mountain mine.
The terrain offers wide open groomers, park laps, and glade skiing, with 38% of the terrain is made up of blue runs for intermediate skiers, and the remaining 30% is advanced trails.
There are also 3 terrain parks, and private and group skiing and snowboarding lessons are provided by professionals.
Laid back and often uncrowded, this characterful ski resort is styled like something out of a western, complete with saloons, bars and restaurants, and live country and western music on weekends, as well as weekly torchlight parades and fireworks.
The Grill at the Lift House features a full bar with offerings from margaritas to local craft beers, and a unique ascent in a snowcat to the Ski Tip Restaurant is an unforgettable experience.
Where to Stay: Sitzmark Sports Lodge
Sitzmark Sports is the premier ski and snowboard rental shop in Red River, and guests at the Sitzmark Sports Lodge benefit from an on site ski equipment rental service.
Large rooms sleep anywhere between 2 to 8 people, and feature fireplaces, flat screen TV/DVD/VCR, sitting areas, private bathrooms, and mountain views.
Larger rooms have spacious, fully equipped kitchens, balconies, and some have laundry facilities.
- Self catering accommodation
- Great location close to slopes
Ski Santa Fe
Situated above the iconic cultural city of Santa Fe, Ski Santa Fe’s terrain is a fantastic mix of cruisers, bump runs, glades and tree runs, short chutes and small bowls.
Annual average snowfall at Ski Sante Fe is a generous 225 inches, and the resort benefits from a 1,725 foot vertical drop and 77 trails.
Ski Santa Fe offers a full-service children’s learning complex, as well as a Snow Sports School for teens and adults.
Runs are split into 20% beginner, 40% intermediate, 35% expert, and 5% double black diamond runs.
The La Casa Lodge complex has easy access to lift tickets, ski and snowboard rentals, retail shops, a cafe, and a food court with grill, pizza and pasta bar, hot and cold deli, local favorites and a bakery.
Totemoff’s Bar & Grill located mid-mountain is perfect for sampling a signature warm cocktail, a hot chocolate or a local craft beer and having a bite to eat, as well as live music throughout the season.
Which do you think are the best ski resorts in New Mexico?
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