Snowy Season

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Whether you ski or snowboard, or even if you prefer sledding or snowshoeing, this season for winter activities in New Mexico should be optimal no matter what your speed.

“We are expecting 150 percent to 200 percent of normal (snowpack), but you never know,” said George David, executive director of Ski New Mexico. “The season started out (in November) about 120 percent of normal, with normal being over a five-year period. So, we’re optimistic it will be a good year.”

Record low temperatures and heavy snowfall across the state at the turn of the year seemed to confirm earlier loose predictions that this could be one of the New Mexico’s best seasons for outdoor winter sports.

Before snow even started falling, Taos Ski Valley kicked off the season as the top trending ski destination in the U.S., according to a report by travel search and booking engine Kayak.com. By the beginning of 2019, the northern New Mexico ski resort, known for its world class sheer runs, boosted its attractive meter by recording a snow base of nearly 50 inches. The average for the resort is 25 inches at base. Ski Santa Fe also saw about 50 at the beginning of the year. Other ski areas, such as Angel Fire, Pajarito and Sipapu averaged in the low 30s at base. (Snow reports came from SkiNewMexico.com.)

“When people think skiing and snowboarding (across the nation), they don’t think Taos and Ski Santa Fe, but those are hidden gems,” said Tom Horrocks, who resides in New Hampshire and works as marketing communications manager for SnoCountry.com. The website is a worldwide source for snow and ski resort conditions.

Ruidoso recorded the most snow in a single day at the end of 2018, with 20 inches Dec. 28, breaking the previous record of 14 inches. So, it came as no surprise that nearby Ski Apache opened 2019 with a whopping base of 60 inches.

Cross country skiing

Snowy Season Forecast for State’s Diverse Winter Activities

travelnewmex.com | winter 2019

Assuming the trend continues through February, skiers and snowboarders should be flocking to New Mexico’s ski destinations. For those who don’t do either, the opportunities are numerous not only for other snowrelated activities but also for people who would rather avoid snow altogether.

Winter Activities in the Snow

• Cross country skiing: Just about any of the state’s ski resorts offer incredible cross- Skiing country opportunities. Among the best may be the Enchanted Forest Ski Area at Red River, the state’s only full-service cross-country ski and snowshoe area. It has 20 miles of well-marked and widely-groomed, patrolled trails and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For a list and description of some of the state’s other top destinations, visit https://bestthingsnm.com/cross-countryskiing-trail/. The Chama area, too, is a cross-country skiers paradise with marked trails for all skill levels. Maps are available at the Chama Visitors Center.

• Rent a yurt in the wilderness. As long as you’re trekking through the woods, why not take a break by getting a good night’s rest in a yurt? They are available in Red River, Taos and just outside Chama, near Cumbres Pass in Southern Colorado. https://enchantedforestxc.com/lodging/, http://www.yurtsogood.com/Home.html and https:// southwestnordiccenter.com/.

• Snowshoeing: As with cross-country skiing, the places to snowshoe are limitless. Check out the deep woods snow of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in the Jemez Mountains. Snowshoes can be rented at the preserve, located within a crater that is the remnants of an ancient volcano. https://www.nps.gov/vall/planyourvisit/winteractivities.htm. Another pristine area is the San Juan Wilderness near Chama, where you can snowshoe along well-marked trails right up to a yurt for an overnight stay. See the Chama Visitors Center for maps.

• Ice fishing: Eagle Nest Lake State Park, 11 miles northeast of Angel Fire, is a local favorite for winter fishing. The 2,200-surface acre lake contains trout, salmon and perch. A license is required, so check with the Department of Game and Fish at 888-248-6866 before you head out. Also, be sure to make sure the lake is fully frozen.

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