SKI GUIDE: POWDER PLAY

Essential information for planning your ski trip

After the pandemic hobbled several ski seasons, New Mexico’s ski resorts are looking forward to unbridled downhill runs and off-the-slopes recreation this year. Several have completed improvements in the off-season, including expanded snowmaking at Red River Ski & Summer Area, upgrades at Totemoff’s Bar and Grill at Ski Santa Fe, and the newly canopied Eis Haus rink at Taos Ski Valley. Here are all the details on the state’s regularly operating ski resorts for the 2022–2023 season.

ANGEL FIRE RESORT

Snow report: Online and via email

Scheduled season: Dec. 16, 2022–March 19, 2023

Distance from Santa Fe: 94 miles

Travel time: Two and a half hours

Lifts and runs: Five chairlifts (including two high-speed quads — the only resort in New Mexico with two) and two surface lifts servicing 81 downhill trails, including hike-to expert runs

Terrain parks: Liberation, Sweet Street, and Night Rider

Glade skiing: 30 acres in Bear Glade, Elk Glade, Shane’s Glade, and Eagle Glade. All are designated as advanced terrain.

Lift tickets: Adults (18–69): full day $104 (online $100), half day $83; teens (13–17): full day $94 (online $90), half day $75; juniors (7–12): full day $74 (online $70), half day $59; children (6 and under) full day half day $16; seniors (70–74): full day $74 (online $70), half day $59; super seniors (75+): full day $22 (online $20), half day $16; military adult (18–69): full day $87 (online $83), half day $70; military teen (13–17): full day $82 (online $78), half day $66; military junior (7–12): full day $64 (online $60), half day $51. Night skiing $30 per person or $20 with same-day ticket. Half day begins at noon.

Elevation: 8,600 feet at base, 10,677 feet at lift summit; 2,077-foot lift-served vertical drop

Snow: 210 inches average annual snowfall; snowmaking on 52 percent of the mountain

Facilities: Lessons, rental skis and snowshoes, lodging, restaurants, bars, adaptive ski program, Nordic center with 15 kilometers of trails, multiple terrain parks for all levels, tubing hill, sledding and snowshoeing, state’s only night skiing

Child care: Check with ski resort before opening day

Directions from Santa Fe: Take US 84/285 north to Española and then take NM 68 to Taos. Take US 64 east over Palo Flechado Pass (9,101 feet) to NM 434. Follow this road south a few miles to the resort entrance.

PAJARITO MOUNTAIN SKI AREA

505-662-5725, pajarito.ski

Snow report: Online

Scheduled season: Opening TBD (check website for days of operation; open daily during winter break and spring break)

Distance from Santa Fe: 40 miles

Estimated travel time: 60 minutes

Lifts and runs: Five chairlifts and one surface lift servicing 40 trails

(35 percent expert, 45 percent intermediate, 20 percent beginner)

Lift tickets: Full-day lift tickets starting at $29 when purchased online in advance. Free season passes for children 12 and under and seniors 75 and older. Season pass and lift ticket discounts available at pajarito.ski.