Originally published February 13, 2024. Updated September 2026 with a summary, next steps and answers to common questions.
While some of us are counting down the days until spring, others are trying to hold onto winter as long as possible for one reason:
Snow.
For us skiers and snowboarders (and those who just enjoy all those aprés-snow activities) we can’t hold onto this season long enough.
Thankfully, we still have two months of snow season ahead.
Below are our 4 favorite ski resorts in New Mexico right now and why we’re loving them. (Hint: It’s time to plan your weekend getaway right now!)
New Mexico’s Top Ski Resorts According to Us
1. Angel Fire. Want to skip the long wait for a chair lift and enjoy fresh powder — even on the weekends? Angel Fire is the ski resort for you. Known for its beginner-friendly runs, they also have several terrain parks and plenty of backside runs to enjoy. As a bonus, the free shuttles from the barely crowded parking lots make getting to the base easy. Once you’ve finished your day (or are in need of a quick mid-run bite), run over to El Jefe across the street for awesome tacos, nachos, and margaritas. From Albuquerque, Angel Fire is just a 3 hour drive.
2. Sipapu. Another Enchanted Circle favorite, Sipapu has 40 trails and several terrain parks to choose from. Far less crowded than Taos (and, of course, Santa Fe, which has become a parking nightmare), Sipapu offers great powder and a convenient restaurant and food truck at the base. They also have some great deals if you’re looking to save money on lift tickets — check out their “Stay two nights, get two lift tickets for free” offer going on right now.
3. Pajarito. An excellent choice for downhill skiers and snowboarders, Pajarito in Los Alamos also offers awesome trails for cross country enthusiasts. Another bonus of this resort is that lift tickets are significantly more affordable than other ski areas in New Mexico. (You can find lift tickets here starting as low as $25.) The on-mountain cafe has awesome green chile cheeseburgers, so definitely grab one for lunch or dinner. Want a real rush? Check out the “best fall line” in New Mexico and test your skills on the “Fab Four” black diamond run.
4. Red River. While most people think of Santa Fe and Taos when asked about the best ski resorts in New Mexico, the lesser known resort at Red River actually won a big-time award this year when it was named one of the “Best Ski Towns in North America.” Why did Red River earn such an accolade? Voters noted that it’s the “low-key destination that old-school skiers dream about.” They also went on to say that Red River has a “surprisingly robust array” of hotels, restaurants, breweries and music venues, which means there’s plenty to do if you decide to stay a night or two. (For those of you interested, Taos came in number 10 in the same poll.)
Did we miss one of your favorite ski resorts in New Mexico? Let us know!
And, of course, if you need to #claimyourweekend so you can go enjoy a ski trip, we’re here to help! Book your next clean with Sandia Green Clean by clicking here. Our teams are now serving the Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos areas.