Angel Fire Visitors Guide Winter/Spring 2025/26

WONDERFUL WILDLIFE DINING DELIGHTS

VENERATING VETERANS AMAZING ADVENTURES

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS PET FRIENDLY VILLAGE

Architects • Custom Home Builders

HIGH DESERT A R C H I T E C T U R E

HighDesert.Homes (505) 303-9899 202 Canyon Road • Santa Fe

RANKED #1 TOP CAMPGROUND in the U.S. by Campspot

Angel Fire’s winter magic—snowy peaks and cozy nights—awaits you.

Then come back this summer for sunny trails, cool breezes, and nonstop adventure.

OPEN YEAR- ROUND | 855.421.0308 | BOOK YOUR STAY TODAY!

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VISITOR GUIDE WINTER + SPRING 2026

YOUR BEST DAY ON THE MOUNTAIN

starts with the #1 Ski School in the Southwest

Book Today

PRIVATE & GROUP LESSONS AVAILABLE VISITOR GUIDE WINTER + SPRING 2026

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Taos’ Foremost Western Art Gallery

Heritage Fine arts One LOcatiOn ~ WOrLdWide

Joseph McKay

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Open Daily 10 -6pm • In The Middle Of Gallery Row • 122 Kit Carson Rd, Taos 575-751-7348 • heritagefineartstaos.com VISITOR GUIDE WINTER + SPRING 2026

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F E AT U R E

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ballet has all the edges, all the directions, every increment of lean,” she explains. “For a skater, it’s irresistible.”

Ski ballet was once a legitimate competitive discipline featured as a demonstration sport at the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.

Combining spins, jumps and synchronized movements set to music, it drew fans and athletes like Suzy “Chapstick” Chaffee and Rune Kristiansen. But by 2000, the International Ski Federation dropped it from competition, and the sport faded from view.

Now, Carrillo and a passionate online community are determined to bring it back. Through groups like Tip Tail: A Tribute to Ballet Skiing, she’s connected with legends such as Wayne Wong and Fabrice Becker — pioneers of the sport’s golden era. “There’s a whole movement happening again,” she says. “We want to hand it down before it disappears.”

Even as she spins down Angel Fire’s slopes, Carrillo remains a dedicated figure-skating coach — both in person and virtually. What began as a pandemic workaround has become an international practice. “With Zoom, I’m coaching people all over the world,” she says. “During COVID, I’d strap on rollerblades and work with my students from a parking lot. Now I’m teaching skaters from places like Oberstdorf, Germany. I just set my phone up, watch their movement, and then ski or skate to demonstrate corrections — it’s as if they’re right there with me.”

When asked for advice to young skiers, Carrillo doesn’t hesitate: “Learn three critical skills — how to ski on one ski, how to ski backward, and at least one spin rotation. That versatility keeps you safer when the unexpected happens!”

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MY MOM BELIEVED IN CROSS-TRAINING BEFORE IT WAS EVEN A THING. YOU CAN ONLY SPEND SO MANY HOURS IN THOSE BOOTS — YOU HAVE TO DO OTHER SKILLS TO TRAIN YOUR BODY.

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Carrillo and her husband, Carlos, moved to Angel Fire three years ago in search of “higher and drier” mountain life.

They quickly became fixtures in the community — she as a ski and skating coach, he as her music partner for Friday-night karaoke jams at Pub & Grub.

Between violin riffs and ski spins, Carrillo’s energy seems boundless.

Her favorite thing about Angel Fire, she says, is the people. “The whole community is so inclusive and encouraging — they respect the effort behind anything someone is willing to attempt. If you don’t feel like you fit in anywhere else, Angel Fire is here for you.”

At Angel Fire Resort, she’s become something of a local legend. “People see me out there twirling down the hill and ask, ‘What is that?’” she laughs. “Next thing you know, they’re taking a ski ballet lesson.” Under the resort’s ski school director, Robin

I’VE ALWAYS PREFERRED PERFORMANCE OVER COMPETITION. IT’S ABOUT EXPRESSION AND JOY, NOT JUST MEDALS.

May — himself a former ballet skier — Carrillo now teaches the fundamentals of ski ballet to both kids and adults. Her classes blend artistry and safety. “I teach everyone to ski backward,” she says.

“It’s going to happen by accident anyway. Why not learn to do it gracefully?”

In November, Carrillo participated in the Amateur Ski Ballet Competition at Colorado’s Winter Park Resort — a “dance-off on snow” with costumes, choreography and cash prizes. She’s also helping forge ties with Monarch Mountain, which now hosts dedicated ski ballet clinics led by instructors known as “SnoPros.” “It’s all about

creating connections — building this art back up one slope at a time,” she says.

When the snow melts, Carrillo shifts gears — to tennis, music, and community life. She and Carlos host open-mic nights, teaching newcomers to harmonize and helping locals find

A professional figure skater for many years, Kat Carillo was in the Ice Capades starting in high school.

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R E TA I L

Shopping ELEVATED

Find your mountain style in Angel Fire

Lindsey Living 3365 Mountain View Blvd, 575-447-1248 Where mountain inspiration meets polished interior design, Lindsey Living has quickly become one of Angel Fire’s most stylish destinations. Created by the team behind Lindsey Homes, the boutique extends the company’s passion for craftsmanship into an inviting retail space filled with décor that feels both contemporary and deeply connected to alpine life.

Inside, visitors find a fun selection of furniture, lighting, throws, candles, pottery, textiles, wall décor and seasonal accents — each item chosen with a designer’s eye for scale, texture and the harmony of modern mountain living. Whether you’re decorating a slope-side condo, refreshing a gallery wall or seeking a perfect finishing touch for a newly remodeled room, the pieces here feel intentional and inspiring.

The shop excels at blending rustic charm with clean, modern lines: warm wood, soft neutrals, rich leathers, sculptural ceramics and nature-inspired art.

Thoughtful accessories and giftables — hostess sets, artisan candles, charcuterie boards, ornaments and more — make it easy to leave with something meaningful, whether you’re shopping for your own home or someone else’s.

Lindsey Living is more than a boutique; it’s a style guide for elevated mountain life. Visitors walk in for décor — and walk out wanting to redesign their whole home.

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Shopping ELEVATED

The Indigo Market

3465 Mountain View Blvd, 575-224-2119

Bright, joyful and eco-forward, The Indigo Market, in the log building next to the post office, is one of Angel Fire’s most creative expressions of local entrepreneurial spirit. Co-owned by Jennifer Hoffmann and daughters Amanda Taylor and Abigail Vogel, this family-run boutique embodies their shared love of design, color and sustainable living. The result is a store with heart — one that feels cheerful, warm and unmistakably rooted in community.

Inside, vibrant displays showcase artisan-made goods, clever kitchen accessories, colorful apparel, sustainable swaps, mountain-themed gifts and imaginative décor. The Indigo Market is known for spotlighting regional makers and women-owned brands, giving visitors a chance to take home something unique, handmade or environmentally conscious.

Shelves brim with items that make everyday life brighter: printed dishtowels, whimsical mugs, essential-oil blends, greeting cards, candles, baby gifts, puzzles, toys and unexpected finds that make you laugh, linger, and explore. Clothing racks feature easy, wearable pieces perfect for mountain living. Seasonal merchandise — holiday ornaments, winter accessories, spring florals — keeps the shop feeling fresh year-round.

Perhaps what guests love most is the vibe: friendly, creative, and downto-earth. The Indigo Market celebrates joy in all its forms, making it a must-visit for gift hunters, home stylists and anyone who believes shopping should feel good

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R E TA I L

Shopping ELEVATED

Pine & Peak Home DEcor 3400 A2 Mountain View Blvd Small, stylish and full of charm, Pine & Peak Home Décor proves

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that great design doesn’t require a giant footprint. Tucked along the Mountain View Blvd shopping corridor between beloved local staples, the boutique draws visitors in with its warm aesthetic and beautifully curated selection of home décor, jewelry and gifts.

More Angel Fire Shops To Explore

Pine & Peak specializes in the thoughtful little things that make a home feel personal — candles, wall art, tableware, seasonal pieces, stationery, cozy textiles and on-trend accessories. The shop is also known for its customer favorites Consuela Bags, Emily Lex watercolor products, Rosy Rings diffusers and candles, and jewelry collections that balance playful style with everyday wearability.

Sweet Shirt Shop – Gifts from the Mountain 3400 A Mountain View Blvd

The store’s Instagram presence reflects its personality: cheerful, cozy and seasonally inspired, with posts showcasing new arrivals, local love, and items visitors can’t resist touching. Whether you’re looking for an affordable hostess gift, a unique piece of jewelry, or the finishing accent for your mountain retreat, Pine & Peak feels approachable and fun.

Unique custom-made furniture and handcrafted gift accessories.

VISITOR GUIDE WINTER + SPRING 2026

Ponce de Leon Creations – Mountain View Mall Handcrafted turquoise & silver jewelry with deep New Mexico soul.

Classic Angel Fire sweatshirts, flannels and cozy essentials since the 1980s.

Water Works Gallery – 28 Fria Ct Suite B

Luminous landscape art by Ramona Bagley.

Blue Dawg Furnishings – 57 Flamingo Road Zodiac Gifts & Casa de Artesanías 3453 & 3375 Mountain View Blvd

Local artistry, ceramics, ornaments and Southwestern textiles.

SNOWMOBILING X-Country Skiing For a gentler glide, the Angel Fire Resort Nordic Center at the Country Club offers more than 12 km of groomed trails for classic and skate skiing. Lessons, rentals, and day passes make it easy for all ages to try this quiet sport amid mountain scenery. The terrain winds through rolling meadows and aspen groves, with wildlife tracks often visible alongside the groomed corduroy.

Afterward, warm up with lunch at the nearby clubhouse. Info: angelfireresort.com or 575-377-3055.

Snowshoeing & Hiking Angel Fire’s extensive trail system becomes a winter wonderland for snowshoers and hikers. The Greenbelt Trails — Bear, Deer, Elk, Oeste Vista and Sage — weave through meadows and piñon forest, offering peaceful, family-friendly routes right from the village center. For adventure seekers, the Elliot Barker Trail, off U.S. 64 near Palo Flechado Pass, climbs through spruce and aspen to overlooks of Eagle Nest Lake and Wheeler Peak.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Winter’s Best The Can’t-Miss Events of Angel Fire’s 2025–2026 Season Stargazing & S’mores A NIGHT UNDER THE NEW MEXICO SKY

Jan. 1 • Feb. 5 • March 5 | Monte Verde Lake Angel Fire’s signature winter stargazing nights are pure enchantment. Bundle up and head to Monte Verde Lake, where amateur astronomer Mike Hawkins guides guests through constellations, nebulae, and galaxies. Fire pits crackle, complimentary s’mores melt just right, and the night sky makes this one of the most magical events of the season.

World Champion Shovel Races THE MOST ANGEL FIRE EVENT EVER

Jan. 30–31 | Angel Fire Resort Angel Fire’s delightfully outrageous winter tradition returns with all the speed, nostalgia, and community pride that made it famous. Racers sit on waxed grain scoops and launch themselves downhill, reaching astonishing speeds in a competition that’s equal parts adrenaline and pure joy. Born in the early 1970s during the resort’s early grooming days, shovel racing has grown from a friendly challenge into a nationally recognized event with a devoted fanbase and generations of local legends. Whether you’re racing or cheering from the base, this twoday spectacle is vintage Angel Fire: bold, quirky, and unforgettable.

Pond Skim THE ICY RITE OF SPRING

March 22 | Angel Fire Resort Closing Day wouldn’t be Closing Day without the beloved, and often hilarious, Pond Skim under Lift 2.

Costumed skiers and snowboarders attempt to glide across a frigid pool of water while spectators cheer, laugh, and capture every splash. With live music from DK & The Affordables, sunny spring vibes, and plenty of wipeout dramatics, this event is the perfect exclamation point at the end of ski season. Whether you’re gliding, sinking, or just soaking up the fun, the Pond Skim is an absolute must-see.

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ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPION SHOVEL RACES

ICE FISHING TOURNAMENT, EAGLE NEST

VISITOR GUIDE WINTER + SPRING 2026

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GET OUTFITTED SINCE 1974

RENTALS & SALES Located just outside the front door of The Lodge 12 Aspen Street Daily | 8 AM – 5 PM

Last-minute gloves, goggles, or layers?

Slopeside Sports HAS YOU COVERED. Located on the Base Area deck next to Village Haus Daily | 8 AM – 5 PM