Northern New Mexico is home to some of the best skiing regions in all of the Southwest United States. Not only does it offer gorgeous and sweeping vistas of the Rockies, but it also has lots of sun-kissed days and excellent powdery-filled trails. Snowbirds like us flock to places like Red River to snowboard and ski on what are some of the best slopes in the whole country. In fact, we loved the choice of ski resorts in Red River, New Mexico. They featured everything from family-friendly skiing areas to European-style resorts offering a host of other outdoor events and activities. Whether you’re an alpine skier like us, a cross-country one, a weekend enthusiast, or a snowboarder, Red River’s unique mountains and ski trails will enthrall you.
If that wasn’t enough, there’s also more stuff to do for the ardent winter enthusiast; think sledding, snowshoeing, freestyle parks for hot doggers, tubing, and more! The fact that Santa Fe, one of the best US winter vacation spots, sits just 3 hours south excited us even further. So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on those amazing ski gear and read our detailed guide to skiing in Red River, New Mexico.
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Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area
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Best for outdoor recreation. Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area is the sole full-service cross-country ski/snowshoe area in all of New Mexico. Tucked in Carson National Forest, just 3 mi (5 km) from Red River, this region offers 640 acres of skiing. Think of a signed, groomed, and patrolled area with a backcountry feel combined with stunning mountain vistas along meandering forest trails! We loved exploring the 20 mi (33 km) of maintained trails. What makes it all the better is the presence of the ski school, so beginners can dip their toes into the waters.
If that wasn’t enough, the resort also has snowshoeing and trails for skiing with your dog! Are you bringing your doggie along for skiing? Check out this packing list for a ski trip with your pets. Our day of skiing was capped off perfectly with a steaming cup of coffee at the warming hut under the clear blue New Mexico skies. The region has recently also added activities such as mountain biking and Nordic walking.
The Terrain. Enchanted Forest offers 20 mi (33 km) of 12-16 ft.-wide signed, groomed, and patrolled trails for both freestyle and classic skiing. There are 33 runs divided into 30% beginner’s terrain, 40% intermediate terrain, and 30% advanced terrain. Moreover, it also has 11 mi (18 km) of snowshoeing-only trails as well as 1.9 mi (3 km) of trails to ski with one’s dog.
The Town. The resort town of Red River, hardly 4 mi (6 km) away, serves as the base town of Enchanted Forest. Sprawled across the banks of the eponymous Red River, this former mining town is now a veritable hub of outdoor recreation activities. It also has a shopping district, some great restaurants serving superb fare, and even a saloon for après-ski tipples.
At a glance
- Known for: Versatile skiing opportunities, including skiing with your dogs.
- Opening: Late November-Late December
- Closing: N/A
- Elevation: 9,688 ft (2,593 m)
- Summit: 10,078 ft (3,072 m)
- Lifts: None
- Airport: Taos Regional Airport – 40 mi (64 km)
Pros
- It offers excellent skiing opportunities, including skiing with pet dogs!
- The powdery slopes are well-maintained and groomed and offer runs for skiers of all skill levels.
- It’s affordable.
Cons
- There are no lifts at this ski resort.
Where to Stay: Mountain View Lodge on the main street is an excellent place to stay for exploring the Enchanted Forest skiing region. It offers spacious rooms and suites, all of which come with creature comforts, mod-cons, and even patios with mesmerizing views of the surroundings. In fact, the suites even come with fully equipped kitchens for whipping up meals. Aside from free Wi-Fi, the lodge also has a shared lounge and barbecue facilities.
You might also want to check out the best cross-country touring skis.
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Taos Ski Valley
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Most thrilling. When Ernie Blake was looking for the perfect place to open his own ski resort in the early 1950s, he spotted a world-class snow basin during one of his flights – and the world-class Taos Ski Valley was born. Today, it’s one of the country’s few family-operated and owned ski resorts. It’s also touted to be one of the Southwest’s most challenging mountains, with big bumps, glades, steep chutes, and powder shots. With a jaw-dropping vertical drop of 2,612 ft (796 m) and 305 inches of annual snowfall, it’s no surprise that skiing Taos is nothing short of enthralling.
After years of allowing only traditional downhill skiers, Taos also began allowing snowboarders in 2008. Add to that, there’s even a ski school that services all levels of skiers, thus encouraging skiing as a whole. As a result, the ski region has a busy roster of events, including the Full-Moon Snowshoe tours, the Winter Wine Festival, and more.
The Terrain. Taos has 113 trails across a whopping 70 mi (113 km) of slopes, categorized as 24% beginner, 25% intermediate, and 51% expert runs. Two terrain parks, which include a freestyle terrain park, are a great place to practice your skills in a designed environment.
The Town. Taos Ski Valley sits in the shadows of Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s tallest mountain. What’s more, it’s home to many lodging options, which is rare for a ski village. What’s more, there are many restaurants and pubs too, which make the valley very lively at après-ski too. Don’t confuse the Taos Ski Valley with the actual town of Taos, which lies 18 mi (29 km) down the mountain and is constantly voted one of the USA’s best mountain cities.
At a glance
- Known for: Excellent downhill skiing and snowboarding.
- Opening: Late November
- Closing: Early April
- Elevation: 9,200 feet (2,804 m)
- Summit: 12,481 feet (3,804 m)
- Lifts: 14 ( 1 gondola, 9 chairlifts, 4 magic carpets)
- Airport: Taos Regional Airport – 40 mi (64 km)
Pros
- It’s one of the most scenic skiing regions in northern New Mexico.
- The local shops offer top-notch gear and everything else you need.
- The folks are friendly, the trails aren’t crowded, and the village is lively.
Cons
- Some people might require acclimatization due to the elevation.
Where to Stay: Alpine Village Suites in the winter looks straight out of a Christmas card. The charming mountain hotel sits close to the lifts and offers everything from excellent digs to free storage for ski equipment. Choose from a host of rooms and suites, all of which feature classic mountain furnishings but with a modern twist. In fact, every room boasts cable TVs, luxe bathrooms, and kitchenettes. We loved soaking our sore bodies in the hot tub at the end of the day. Or, you could even take advantage of the massage services and reflexology treatments offered here.
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Angel Fire Resort
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Most versatile. Located down the road from Red River, the contemporary, family-oriented, alpine Angel Fire Resort has one of the best snowmaking capabilities in northern New Mexico. With 210 inches of annual snowfall and a vertical drop of close to 2,100 ft (640 m), skiing here is one thrilling adventure. It’s made all the better with the fact that there are 74 trails that include everything from freestyling and bumps to glade and tree skiing. Hence, it’s able to accommodate riders and skiers of all ages, skill levels, and abilities. The best bit? It’s northern New Mexico’s only ski area to offer night skiing.
“We were thrilled with the night skiing opportunities here – imagine going down a glowing mountain!”
WOW Travel
What’s more, the ski area is home to the Big Ol’ Texas Weekend and even hosts the Shovel Racing World Championships. There’s also tubing, NASCAR racing, a ski/snowboard school, and a Nordic center. And since it’s a year-round mountain resort, Angel Fire offers other outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, tennis, and golf.
The Terrain. Angel Fire offers 46 mi (75 km) of alpine skiing slopes categorized as 54% beginner, 37% intermediate, and 9% expert. It also offers 15 mi (24 km) of groomed cross-country ski trails, sledding, and snowshoeing.
The Town. The charming village of Angel Fire is the base town for the ski resort. It offers a fair number of staying options and some excellent cafes, restaurants, and bars.
At a glance
- Known for: A host of alpine and non-alpine activities, including excellent skiing.
- Opening: Mid-December
- Closing: Mid-March
- Elevation: 8,600 feet (2,600 m)
- Summit: 10,677 feet (3,254 m)
- Lifts: 7 (5 chairlifts, 2 magic carpets)
- Airport: Taos Regional Airport – 33 mi (53 km)
Pros
- The Alpine ski resort offers not just skiing but also other snow-based activities.
- It’s a four-season resort, which means that you can come here again!
- There’s even a lit slope for night skiing and snowboarding.
Cons
- Pro skiers might find the skiable area too small for their tastes.
Where to Stay: It doesn’t get any more romantic than at The Retreat at Angel Fire, which sits right in the heart of the town. Rooms and suites at this aparthotel boast not just the usual mod-cons such as cable TVs and stylish bathrooms but also a fully-equipped kitchen and twin bathrobes in the bathroom. But what sets them apart is that they’re not in a single building but designed as individual cottages spread throughout the property. Aside from the choices of rooms and suites, the hotel also has free private parking, free Wi-Fi, and a fitness center. At the end of the day, we’d enjoy lounging at the outdoor fireplaces with an alfresco dinner under the stars.
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Red River Ski Area
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Best all-around skiing. The eponymous Red River Ski Area is one of the best ski resorts in Red River, New Mexico. Known as the “Ski Town of the Southwest,” Red River boasts a varied terrain to cover all skill levels, and that too with a vertical drop of 1,600 ft (487 m). We were amazed that the ski slopes ran right in the town itself! The legendary New Mexican blower powder envelops them and is, thus, definitely built for skiers. In fact, we had absolute fun skiing through a ski-through replica of the former old mining camp that the town was known for. Are you just starting out? There’s a wonderful ski school here for peeps with all skill levels.
That said, Red River goes beyond skiing and has three terrain parks for snowboarders and snowmobiling as well. Since it receives an annual average snowfall of 18 ft (5.5 m), the ski area has a fantastic snowmaking capacity to cover 85% of the 57 runs.
The Terrain. The ski area has 57 trails covering 12 mi (20 km) of slopes divided almost equally into beginner, intermediate, and expert terrains. Very few New Mexico resorts have so much beginner terrain while also having more difficult runs and trails. Since we were a group of skiers with varied abilities, everyone had a great time here.
The Town. Red River is a rare ski area where the slopes literally descend into the town, which started off as an old gold mining town on the Enchanted Circle. Today, this charming and alluring one-street town is built such that we could literally walk back to our hotel from the slopes. Don’t, and we mean “don’t” miss heading to the Motherlode Saloon. Rumor has it that it was where the Austin music scene got its start!
At a glance
- Known for: Unique ski area with excellent powder and snowmaking.
- Opening: The day before Thanksgiving
- Closing: Late March
- Elevation: 8,750 ft (2,667 m)
- Summit: 10,350 ft (3,154 m)
- Lifts: 7 (5 chairlifts, 2 rope tows)
- Airport: Taos Regional Airport – 36 mi (58 km)
Pros
- It’s a well-rounded ski region with excellent skiing and an equally amazing après-ski scene.
- You can walk back from the slopes to the hotel or a pub without waiting for ski lifts or lines.
- It offers activities besides skiing too.
Cons
- Springtime skiing is slushy and warm, so maybe stick to the earlier winter months.
Where to Stay: Sitting right on the main street in front of the chairlift at Red River is Alpine Lodge, a classic mountain hotel with contemporary offerings. The lodge features comfy rooms and suites, some of which even come with balconies affording gorgeous views of the mountain. The outdoors here are amazing, especially the garden with direct views of the mountains and ski lifts. Wrapping things up is the hot tub, which was a blessing after a day out on the slopes.
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Our Verdict!
This specialized list of resorts for skiing in Red River will help you decide where to go.
- Best all-around skiing: Red River Ski Area
- Most versatile: Angel Fire Resort
- Most thrilling: Taos Ski Valley
- Best for outdoor recreation: Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area
Is Taos or Angel Fire better?
Angel Fire is good, but Taos is far superior, with challenging runs, excellent snowmaking, and a great town.
Is Taos hard to ski?
60% of Taos is steep, shaded, high, and north-facing, and 51% of the runs are considered difficult. So, while it’s challenging, yes, it might not be entirely too difficult for pro skiers.
What is the snowiest ski resort in New Mexico?
Taos Ski Valley is the most snow-guaranteed skiing region during the winter skiing season.
