Hit The Road
Thrills and Frills in New Mexico Ski-Resorts Year round activities and discounts at family owned ski resorts
By Deborah Burst There's nothing more invigorating than standing on a mountain top breathing fresh crisp air surrounded by a view so stunning you almost hate to ski down the mountain. Well, almost. Then you take off, swishing your way down a wide powder-packed trail, gliding through a snow covered forest, and on the descent, a cinematic view of wall to wall mountains. It's a natural roller coaster filled with thrills and frills with a little workout along the way. And the best place to ride nature's raw landscapes is the land of enchantment, the ski resorts of New Mexico in Ski Santa Fe, Taos Ski Valley, Red River and Angel Fire. Each resort offers sky-high activities in a home-style atmosphere that caters to everyone from novice adventurers to thrill seeking daredevils. Many offer year round activities with special family packages. With more than 400 trails throughout the state there are no jam-packed ski lifts or wait lines. New Mexico not only offers quiet beauty but lift prices
that fit comfortably in your schools in the country, 51 percent climate, Angel Fire lights up the vacation budget. of runs are ranked at an “expert summers with a long list of family level and above” with 25 percent Ski Santa Fe-Only sixteen outdoor activities surrounded by considered “intermediate” and 24 miles from the historic town, Santa the Carson National Forest filled percent rated “beginner.” Enjoy Fe Ski Resort is one of the highest with scenic mountain valleys, rustic ski lodges, ski-in/ski-out ski areas in the U.S. Ride the New majestic overlooks and alpine condominiums, quaint bed-andMillennium Triple Chairlift with 73 forestlands with abundant breakfasts and luxury hotels in the wildlife. Trail the terrain in a total runs including steep bump valley. Take a break from the runs, powder filled chutes, gladed guided ATV tour, witness the slopes and visit the historic town tree-skiing, and plenty of cruising mountain scenery on a horseback of Taos filled with Native groomers. Kids love the children's trail ride, gather the family for a American culture, historic adobe complex with a snow play area, ski gold panning adventure, and at lessons and their own conveyor lift. buildings, art galleries, boutique the end of the day saddle up for a shops and world-class dining. And there's a special program to chuckwagon dinner. Red River teach young adults an easy Ride the Chile Express for a Located in Carson and fun way to snowboard. bird's eye view of Angel Fire and the National Forest in Start your day off with Moreno valley, and at the top, take the Sangre de Cristo coffee, hot chocolate or a full time to hike the groomed trails or Mountains of breakfast with views of the enjoy a picnic lunch. Bring your northern New ski run, or break for lunch or mountain bike up on the lift and Mexico, Red River is drinks higher on the slopes. bike the cross-country trails at the touted as one of the Taos Ski Valley-One of summit or fly down the mountain on most family friendly the biggest and most the World Cup downhill trails. Catch ski areas in the historic New Mexico familyyour dinner at Monte Verde Lake country. The entire run resorts, the Taos Ski chocked full of rainbow trout with family can enjoy Valley boasts some of the fishing equipment, bait and boats Ski Taos extreme skiing, most glorious terrains available. Or enjoy a day on the river skiing, courtesy of snowboarding, framed by blue skies and with half and full day trips rafting Ski Taos. snowmobiling, cross fluffy powder snow. through the Rio Grand Gorge. In Summary…The majority of country skiing, snowshoeing, Offering one of the top-rated ski New Mexico ski resorts are still tubing, and sleigh rides. The family-owned, catering to all ages snowboarding park has 290 acres and incomes. Trust your little ones to of terrain with seven lifts, and on award-winning ski schools while the same mountain there are three mom and dad hit the slopes. Many terrain parks for freestyle skiers resorts offer “kids ski free” programs and snowboarders. On Saturday's An Environmental Reference Guide and discounts for the entire family Nights, the Red River Ski Area by Kelby Ouchley including lift tickets, accommodations presents the Rail Jam and Author Kelby Ouchley, a collector of firstand equipment rental. Torchlight Parade with fireworks. person accounts detailing the environment There are ground level, midAnd be sure to check out the town during the Civil War, has combined his mountain and top of the mountain of Red River steeped in history profound knowledge and insight with his cafés, grills, and accommodations. with chairlifts just a short walk collection of reference into a compelling read of In nearby towns enjoy a variety of from Main Street. flora and fauna during this era. As the war affordable dining from Angel ravaged landscape absorbed the brunt of the battle, Kelby meticulously casual steak houses to Fire-In describes the influence of this man-made trauma to the plants and authentic New Mexican northern New animals in its path. cuisine, and checkout Mexico By tracing noted documentation of daily life during the Civil War, some of the local nestled high the author restructured vivid images of the surrounding landscapes musicians performing at in the Sangre and the accompanying animal life. In his book, individual species are restaurants and bars. De Cristo identified and defined accordingly alongside some very interesting Info and cams on Mountains, personal notes relayed in this book. all New Mexico ski enjoy a wide “Collectively, no better sources exist to reveal human attitudes resorts can be found at range of snow Angel Fire Terrain Park, photo toward the environment in the Civil War era. This one-of-a-kind www.skinewmexico.com. sports all on by Anna Stewart reference book will spark widespread interest among Civil War Summer activities the same scholars, writers, and enthusiasts, as well as environmental historians.” at Angel Fire are listed at mountain: ski, snowboard, tube, Kelby Ouchley was a biologist and manager of national wildlife refuges for the U.S. http://www.angelfireresort.com/ snow bike, cross country skiing, Fish & Wildlife Service for more than thirty years. He and his wife Amy live in the summer/activities.php. ice fishing, and horseback riding. woods near Rocky Branch, Louisiana, in a cypress house surrounded by white oaks and But if you prefer a little warmer black hickories.
Flora and Fauna of the Civil War
Louisiana Road Trips
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