15 Reasons to Ski New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle

five reasons to ski red river new mexico the charming affordable mining town — *There are at least 5 reasons to ski Red River, New Mexico. The charming, affordable old mining town at the base of the mountain is one of them. ©braveskimom, 2021*

Austria has the Weisse Ring.

Italy has the Selle Ronda.

New Mexico has the Enchanted Circle.

While Europe’s famous ski circles are connected by piste and lift — and are skiable in one day — when you ski New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle you’ll need a car to complete the route and at least three days to ski.

But but try to make it a week!

(New Mexico lifted the mandatory quarantine period for visitors on February 10. If you’ve been waiting to ski New Mexico this winter, now you can!)

(New Mexico has eight ski areas. Here’s the scoop on each one!)

5 Reasons to Ski Angel Fire Resort

Angel Fire Resort feels “family.” It’s a mountain to which families return, year-after-year. The closest lodging is at the base, just steps from the Chile Express Lift, making Angel Fire a resort where you can park your car and truly relax.

Pro Tip: The Chile Express lift is long, with long runs. If you’re skiing with lower intermediates, this is your lift. More experienced skiers can take the Chile up one time and lap the Southwest Flyer, a shorter lift with more challenging terrain.

(For powder day tips, click here)

1. Excellent Infrastructure

Angel Fire has seven lifts, including two high-speed quads that serve the entire mountain. Unless you’re a beginner, or skiing with beginners, there is no need to catch a slow lift.

2. Intermediate Heaven

With 560 skiable acres and a 2,077’ vertical drop, Angel Fire is a medium-sized mountain that caters to intermediate skiers. Fully 56% of the terrain is blue. Turn your kids loose and let everyone explore.

One of Five Reasons to Ski Angel Fire: Powder that lasts for day! Here, on Hell's Bells in an area called The Steeps. — *One of Five Reasons to Ski Angel Fire: Powder that lasts for day! Here, on Hell’s Bells in an area called The Steeps. ©braveskimom, 2021*

3. Secret Stashes for Advanced and Expert Skiers

If you’re looking for powder that truly lasts for days, where the only tracks you’ll see are the ones you just skied, head for The Steeps. While the black runs here aren’t super-long, they are super-empty. Or, check out the Angel Fire’s hike-to terrain, with even less competition for lines.

4. Gorgeous Glades

The healthy pine forests at Angel Fire are beautiful, and in several places, perfectly thinned for fun, rewarding glade skiing. Our favorite was Shane’s Glade, a medium-angle wonderland.

5. New Mexico’s Only Night-Skiing

Operating on weekends and during holidays, Angel Fire lights up 50 acres for after-dark fun. Other daytime options include sledding, tubing, and nordic skiing.

Glade skiing that is fun and moderate at Angel Fire New Mexico another of the five reasons to ski angel fire — *Gorgeous Shane’s Glade. Widely-spaced, medium-angle tree skiing is yet another of the 5 Reasons to Ski Angel Fire! ©braveskimom, 2021*

5 Reasons to Ski Red River Ski and Summer Area

Before visiting Red River Ski and Summer Area, I was told that it’s reminiscent of Telluride. It’s true. The mountain rises steep and rugged above the old mining town, set high in the southern Rockies. However, Red River is smaller and significantly more laid-back and affordable.

Pro Tip: Ski the Silver Chair. While the black diamond runs here are shorter and moderately less steep, the fall-lines are true and the natural snow is soft at the top of the mountain.

(Another ski mom’s take on why she thinks skiing Red River is the best family ski vacation)

1. Red River is Steep

With 1,600’ of vertical, rising straight up from town, fully 38% of Red River is rated expert, the hardest of which includes vertiginous drops through glades and top-to-bottom leg burners.

2. Best Children’s Zone Ever

The backside of Red River is a sylvan delight, with green trails winding through aspen forest and punctuated with an “old west” mining camp, village and more for families to explore. The beautiful terrain makes these easiest runs a delight to ski, for all ages.

Stunning and fun beginner terrain on the backside of Red River Ski Area. Add to this the numerous children’s zones and imagination stations nestled in the trees and you’ve got more reasons to ski Red River! ©braveskimom, 2021

3. So. Much. Snowmaking.

Red River makes snow on fully 85% of the mountain. Planning an early season visit? No worries.

(Why and how snow is made: Snowmaking 101)

4. Ski-In/Ski-Out Convenience

Dream of sleeping less than 50 yards from a lift? Much of the town’s lodging (and dining — don’t miss Red River Brewing) is located at the base of the mountain, adjacent to the Platinum and Copper chairlifts.

5. Natural Beauty

From the Ski Tip lodge at the resort’s summit, you can see forever. Grab a wrap or a sandwich, a beer or a coffee, and enjoy stunning Rocky Mountain views.

perfectly groomed corduroy skiing at red river new mexico are one of five reasons to ski red river — *2:00 pm on a Wednesday after 3 days of snow. While this is only groomed run off of the Silver Chair at Red River, the perfect corduroy is almost as fun as the pow! ©braveskimom, 2021.*

5 Reasons to Ski Taos Ski Valley

Taos Ski Valley is a New Mexico “must-ski” for intermediates and above. Founded by a Swiss immigrant looking for the region’s snowiest slopes, Taos is New Mexico’s world-class resort.

Pro Tip: Taos has an excellent “learn-to” program with a dedicated beginner area. But to take full advantage of the mountain, hold off until everyone in your group or family can handle harder blue runs.

(I’ve actually got Ten Reasons to Ski Taos Ski Valley.)

1. It’s a Big Mountain

While the base area is small, the resort rises a full 3,804 feet to the top of precipitous Kachina Peak (12,481’). The high-altitude snow is light and dry, although 100% of beginner and intermediate terrain (49% of the mountains 110 trails) has snowmaking.

Our son skiing Kachina Peak in 2016. While the peak wasn't open during our most recent visit, the skiing on New Mexico's big mountain is pure and true! — *Our son skiing Kachina Peak in 2016. While the peak wasn’t open during our most recent visit, the skiing on New Mexico’s big mountain is pure and true! ©braveskimom, 2021*

2. World-Famous Terrain

A perennial stop on the Freeride World Tour, Taos is known for its dramatic steeps and chutes. Ski lift-served Kachina Peak when conditions allow. Check with ski patrol at the top of Lift 2 for the status of Taos’ abundant hike-to terrain. Or, ski right off Lift 2, traversing to steep glades and chutes.

3. Don’t Miss Runs

Taos has some runs you shouldn’t miss, including Honeysuckle (Green), Lower Stuaffenberg (Blue) and Hunziker Bowl (Black). For confidence-building, check out Walkyries Bowl, Chute and Glade. And to cap off your Taos experience, ski Al’s Run.

4. It’s a B-Corp

From EV charging in the parking lot to responsible waste reuse, Taos takes myriad small steps to make big environmental change. A certified B Corp since 2017, Taos receives high ratings based on sustainability and stewardship.

five reasons to ski taos ski valley including beer and lunch at the bavarian — Bavarian beer and New Mexico culture meet at Taos Ski Valley on the socially-distanced deck at the Bavarian. Bring your wallet, the food and drinks aren’t cheap, but the spaetzle is a local institution. ©braveskimom, 2021

5. Authentic Culture

Stay and dine in the town of Taos for a taste of authentic New Mexico food (try Orlando’s or La Cueva). And, don’t miss Taos Pueblo, a World Heritage Site, inhabited for more than 1,000 years.

Enjoy!

15 Reasons to Ski New Mexico’s Enchanted Circle