If you are planning to enjoy your winter holiday hitting the slopes with your family, New Mexico is an excellent destination. This beautiful state has some of the best ski resorts for families in the US.
Each family ski area in New Mexico provides a unique experience and has plenty of activities to engage in, apart from skiing and snowboarding, to make your ski holiday more exciting.
Here are our top 3 best ski resorts in New Mexico for families. Check them out to see which one suits your needs best!
Table of Contents
#1. Taos Ski Valley
- Vertical Drop – 3,281 feet
- Skiable Terrain – 1,294 acres
- Ski Lifts – 14 lifts
- Ski Trails – 110
At the heart of New Mexico, 20 miles north of Taos and 72 miles north of Santa Fe, lies the family-friendly Taos Ski Valley, the largest ski resort in New Mexico.
If you want to spend time away from the city or the boredom of your home area, Taos Ski Valley resort provides an exotic and calm environment.
The resort is surrounded by rugged peaks, multicultural vibes, and stunning views of the Sangre Cristo Mountains, providing a family-friendly skiing experience.
Families with young kids will love spending time on this ski mountain as it has a great learning center and incredible restaurants.
Generally, Taos is a perfect ski resort for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and abilities, offering suitable interaction space and entertainment for families, including kids.
Skiing and Snowboarding Experience
Taos Ski Valley is a mystical haven boasting more than 1200 acres of skiable land. It has a total of 110 trails, which have diverse trails to ensure that skiers and boarders of all levels have something to enjoy.
About 48% of the trails in Taos Ski Valley are ideal for beginners and intermediate skiers. So, if a family member is getting started in snow sports, they will have plenty of slopes to explore.
You do not have to be an expert to have fun in Taos Ski Valley. You just need to have the spirit of adventure to explore the incredible terrain. And if you are already an experienced skier, the resort has a challenging terrain that features black and double black diamonds for adventurers like you.
If you are interested in other freestyle skiing and snowboarding, the two terrain parks featured in this resort are all yours to enjoy. You can also head to the resort’s off-piste area for thrilling adventures.
Those new to skiing and snowboarding can join the resort’s ski school to transform their skills.
Kids’ Fun
Taos Ski Valley has two distinct ski schools; the Taos Ski Valley for kids and Ernie Blake Ski School. Both schools have a good reputation for providing the best training for skiers and snowboarders.
Trainers in the kid’s ski school are highly qualified to interact with children and help them enjoy snow sports.
The school offers ski and snowboard lessons, a magic carpet lift, and a children’s center specifically made to accommodate all other playtime activities for children.
Dining and Accommodation
Taos Ski Valley offers world-class dining and accommodation that usually involve specialized services for different guests.
When it comes to dining, you’ll have different options since there are several on-mountain cafes and restaurants. The restaurants offer various dining packages, making it easier for visitors to have a meal plan for the entire family during their stay at the resort.
The accommodations offered in this resort also cater to all people as they range from pocket-friendly lodgings to luxurious private homes.
Off-slope Activities
Off-slope activities in Taos Ski Resort include snowmobile tours, snowshoeing, and ice skating at the Eis Haus. After a long day of having fun in the snow, you can unwind in one of the resort’s hot tubs or saunas.
You can also relax at the on-site Roomers Nightclub or enjoy all forms of music-centered entertainment at the Straight Shot Lounge.
Cultural experiences are available with visits to nearby Taos Pueblo, an ancient native American village inhabited for more than 1000 years.
The year-round resort offers fun in summer and fall, from music performances and live events to mountain biking and horseback riding.
#2 Angel Fire Ski Resort
- Vertical Drop – 2,077 feet
- Skiable Terrain – 560 acres
- Ski Lifts – 7 lifts
- Ski Trails – 81
Angel Fire Ski Resort is one of the top-rated ski areas in the Southern Rockies. It’s located 100 miles from Santa Fe Regional Airport, but you’ll certainly enjoy the 2-hour drive as there are exciting sceneries to watch on the way.
Being the fifth largest mountain resort in New Mexico, you may think that Angel Fire Ski Area doesn’t offer the vastness you want. But you couldn’t be more wrong since the resort has a skiable terrain of 560 acres and a vertical drop of more than 2000 feet.
This may not be much terrain compared to large New Mexico Ski Resorts like Taos, but great snow and fantastic apres-ski make up for it.
So, if you are looking for a family-friendly resort to visit with your little ones, Angel fire offers just the perfect environment to cater to all your winter holiday needs.
Skiing and Snowboarding Experience
For skiers open to wild adventures, Angel fire resort is a perfect ski destination as it provides many skiing and boarding opportunities. It’s the only resort in New Mexico that offers night skiing and snowboarding.
You can visit this resort for your next ski trip to ski under the stars with your whole family. This sounds very cool and adventurous and adds up to why this is indeed a family-friendly resort destination.
Skiing is done in two separate parts of the mountain, including the left and the right sides. The right side is home to various green and blue runs running through the forest, while the right side mainly has blue and black trails.
Whether you have mastered the art of skiing and snowboarding or are looking to learn a new skill, this resort covers all your needs. There are slopes that suit skiers and riders of all levels and abilities.
Over 65% of the ski trails in Angel Fire are suitable for beginners and intermediate skiers who want to build experience and take their skills to the next level. Expert skiers and snowboarders will have the rest of the trails all to themselves.
Kids’ Fun
Kids aged 3-12 years can join the ski school and start private lessons for skiing and snowboarding.
Overall, the ski school experience is remarkable, given that some skills can be assessed at the end of the day. In a couple of days, your child will show impressive progress.
The ski resort equips each child with Flaik GPS technology, which helps track the child’s location and activities during the day. This way, you won’t have to worry about your child getting lost.
It gets better for mothers with younger children starting from the age of 6 to 11 months. Angel Fire Ski Resort offers professional childcare services, giving mothers all the confidence they need to have a great time on the slopes.
The resort also offers a parenting pass. This is an interchangeable pass, where parents traveling with kids old enough to learn skiing take turns teaching their kids how to ski.
Dining and Accommodation
Angel Fire ski resort allows you to create memories of a lifetime with all aspects of its services. It offers exquisite cuisine and accommodation options, including luxurious lodgings, condos, and private homes.
If you found the on-slope activities at this resort fantastic, the food and family-friendly staff are greater than all these experiences. There are various eating locations with an infinite set of dishes, plus a children’s menu.
Depending on where you plan to stay and the type of food you want, you can eat at the Country Club, El Jefe, The Lift Café, Village Haus, The Buzz, Zia Grill, Summit Haus, or Legends Grill.
On the other hand, you can enjoy a homemade meal with your family by booking a hotel room with a full kitchen or renting a private home.
Off-slope Activities
Apart from skiing and snowboarding, Angel Fire offers snowmobiling, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. You can also try cross-country skiing, dog sledding, making a snowman, and horse-drawn sleigh rides if you want more fun.
However, if you want a restful and relaxed experience after hitting the slopes, Angel Fire Resort provides spa services that will give you a peaceful and soothing escape from the cold outside. You can also go shopping with your kids and get some artistic items as souvenirs for your ski trip.
#3. Pajarito Mountain Ski Area
- Vertical Drop – 1,440 feet
- Skiable Terrain – 750 acres
- Ski Lifts – 5 lifts
- Ski Trails – 40
If you want to spend your winter vacation in a ski resort with the best weather, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is a great option. Here, you get to enjoy the snow with a touch of sunlight.
Located in Northern New Mexico, Pajarito boasts lovely sunny weather, making it one of the best resorts with warm weather and breathtaking views during the ski season.
This resort should, therefore, be an easy choice for skiers and snowboarders who don’t like wearing tons of clothing layers when hitting the slopes.
Skiing and Snowboarding Experience
Pajarito Mountain Ski Area has a total of 750 skiable acres, comprising tree glades, gentle trails, and advanced slopes. It has 40 skiable trails, divided into various skiing levels, from beginners to experts.
Beginners have about 20% of the tracks to explore, while intermediates have the most extensive terrain of up to 50% all to themselves. If your family has an expert skier, about 30% of the ski trails will suit their adventures.
When skiing on this mountain, you’ll enjoy watching beautiful views of the Rio Grande Valley. The slopes are less crowded, and there are no long lift queues.
If you don’t have your own skiing equipment, you can rent everything you need here. Kids who lack skiing gear can also benefit from the rental facilities, as the skis and ski boots are available in all sizes.
Kids’ Fun
Your kids will have a great time at the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. They can ski on gentle slopes or join the ski school that offers professional and guided ski and snowboard lessons.
The ski instructors employed in the resort’s ski school are certified to ensure that they understand your kids’ needs and provide them with the best learning experience.
If your kids are under ten years, you can apply for a free season pass online before visiting the family-friendly ski resort.
Dining and Accommodation
Pajarito offers both affordable and luxurious accommodations to ensure that all families have suitable options. If you want comfortable accommodation without spending too much, Los Alamos is affordable and has all the amenities you need.
For those looking for world-class luxury, there are numerous accommodation options at Santa Fe, approximately 1 hour from Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Resort. Just be sure to check availability online before visiting the resort to avoid inconveniences.
Off-slope Activities
When you are not skiing or snowboarding, you can enjoy local sightseeing in the resort. Start by visiting the history museum to learn the resort’s history.
Then visit the art center, where you will find unique and beautiful pieces of art that will challenge your taste and inspire your home decor.
The Southwest Nordic Club will give you a heartwarming experience away from the skiing and snowboarding slopes.
FAQS
Q: Is Taos or Ski Santa Fe Better for Skiing?
A: Both Taos Ski Valley and Ski Santa Fe provide great skiing opportunities for individuals and families. If you are a tree skiing fanatic, you’ll love spending time in Ski Santa Fe.
However, if you want to ski or snowboard on diverse well-groomed terrain, Taos is a great option. It also provides incredible off-piste routes for advanced skiers and boarders.
Q: Is Taos or Angel Fire Better?
A: Both Taos and Anger Fire are excellent ski resorts for beginners and experienced skiers and snowboarders. They offer different types of snow sports, including downhill skiing, snowboarding, backcountry skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and more.
The best one for you will depend on your needs and the type of experience you are looking for. If you love night skiing, Angel Fire is the best one for you. It’s the only resort that offers night skiing in New Mexico.
However, if you are looking for a ski resort with more challenging terrain and exciting groomed slopes, Taos is a great choice.
In terms of price, Angel Fire offers more affordable lift tickets and accommodations than Taos Ski Area.
Q: Is Taos Ski Valley Good for Family Skiing?
A: Yes. Taos skiing is good for family vacations. The serene environment, good snow conditions, fantastic après-ski, and scenic views in this ski area offer the most exciting experience that will keep your family entertained throughout the holiday.
Q: Are There Summer Ski Resorts in New Mexico?
A: Yes. New Mexico ski resorts open for summer fun in New Mexico include Angel Fire Resort, Ski Santa Fe, Red River Ski & Summer Resort, Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, Sandia Peak Ski, and Ski Apache. These resorts offer mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, and more.
Q: Are Ski Resorts in New Mexico Good for Children?
A: Yes. New Mexico ski resorts are excellent for children. They offer good children’s attractions, such as historical artifacts and other exciting cultural sites. Most resorts have good ski schools where children can take snow sports lessons.
Conclusion
Are you planning a ski trip with your family for the next ski season? New Mexico ski resorts offer a great experience to skiers and boarders of all ages and abilities.
The high elevation of most mountains ensures excellent snow conditions and scenic views of the surrounding environments. Feel free to try out the ski resorts reviewed in this article for a rewarding experience!
