Amie H
Angel Diva
Ski Santa Fe had been on my radar as a place I might like to visit bc it's relatively close to an airport and urban area(more lodging options and non-ski activities. )
I squeezed in quite a few ski trips this year considering that my job doesn't really allow for much time off. So I try to be efficient with the time I have (weekends, extended weekends, etc.) Because of the weekend travel, I wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be swarming w skiers on a late season Saturday, so I stalked their webcams a few weeks ahead, AND watched weather reports to make a decision.
The stars aligned for me in terms of decent airfare (ORD-ABQ) and weather.
Friday after work, I squeezed in an aquacize class, then hustled home, dried my hair, and headed to the airport.
The only thing I dislike about ABQ is that you have to take a shuttle bus to get to the rental cars, thus it increases the "schlep factor" for the skier w clunky luggage.
Anyway, got my car, headed up US 25 to Santa Fe. Yet another motel stay for me, but it had excellent reviews and deadbolt locks, so I felt safe there. It was also on the outskirts of town, so it was quiet, but easy to get everywhere I wanted to go.
Up super early Saturday morning for some reason so I squeezed in 7am Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe in town. Liturgy was interesting in that it switched between English & Spanish. Glad I went!
After Mass, I picked up some breakfast, then got ready to head up the mountain. After skiing, I headed to the Rail Yard area and visited some cool art galleries, then to Tesuque Casino outside of town, which I loved because it's nonsmoking, it has lovely views from huge windows, and I WON more than this trip cost me! Yahoo!!
Back to Ski Santa Fe: It's a very winding mountain road, similar to the road up to Mt Rose in Reno, but unfortunately with more potholes and falling rocks.
There are parking attendants(at least on weekends) and the lot is dirt, so expect muddy boots when leaving.
Bought a half-day ticket online for $75, and turned in my printed qr code receipt at the window.
First chair I did was the Super Chief which has the (annoying, imo) entry gates and a rolling rubber mat. Not my fave but whatever, I hardly waited in any lines.
At the top of the chair you have 2 long green run options: Santa Fe Trail or Crossover (my preference.) Hardpack on the first runs, but I found lots of blues with a layer of soft fresh-ish snow on top.
My favorite run was probably at the top of the Tesuque peak chair: Gayway to Lower Gayway. Nice soft snow, wide easy-ish blue with great views. There was little skier traffic on the runs I took, even though the lot was full. Nice place, probably FABULOUS if you are a mogul fanatic because there are a LOT of bump runs (I stayed on groomers.) I'd visit again, making sure to avoid the Texas & NM Spring Break times which some lift partners noted were unpleasantly crowded. It's a medium-sized day trip resort that has friendly staff, well-maintained terrain, lots of trees & bumps if you're into that, and beautiful views. Base elevation is over 10k and I felt it!
I squeezed in quite a few ski trips this year considering that my job doesn't really allow for much time off. So I try to be efficient with the time I have (weekends, extended weekends, etc.) Because of the weekend travel, I wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be swarming w skiers on a late season Saturday, so I stalked their webcams a few weeks ahead, AND watched weather reports to make a decision.
The stars aligned for me in terms of decent airfare (ORD-ABQ) and weather.
Friday after work, I squeezed in an aquacize class, then hustled home, dried my hair, and headed to the airport.
The only thing I dislike about ABQ is that you have to take a shuttle bus to get to the rental cars, thus it increases the "schlep factor" for the skier w clunky luggage.
Anyway, got my car, headed up US 25 to Santa Fe. Yet another motel stay for me, but it had excellent reviews and deadbolt locks, so I felt safe there. It was also on the outskirts of town, so it was quiet, but easy to get everywhere I wanted to go.
Up super early Saturday morning for some reason so I squeezed in 7am Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe in town. Liturgy was interesting in that it switched between English & Spanish. Glad I went!
After Mass, I picked up some breakfast, then got ready to head up the mountain. After skiing, I headed to the Rail Yard area and visited some cool art galleries, then to Tesuque Casino outside of town, which I loved because it's nonsmoking, it has lovely views from huge windows, and I WON more than this trip cost me! Yahoo!!
Back to Ski Santa Fe: It's a very winding mountain road, similar to the road up to Mt Rose in Reno, but unfortunately with more potholes and falling rocks.
There are parking attendants(at least on weekends) and the lot is dirt, so expect muddy boots when leaving.
Bought a half-day ticket online for $75, and turned in my printed qr code receipt at the window.
First chair I did was the Super Chief which has the (annoying, imo) entry gates and a rolling rubber mat. Not my fave but whatever, I hardly waited in any lines.
At the top of the chair you have 2 long green run options: Santa Fe Trail or Crossover (my preference.) Hardpack on the first runs, but I found lots of blues with a layer of soft fresh-ish snow on top.
My favorite run was probably at the top of the Tesuque peak chair: Gayway to Lower Gayway. Nice soft snow, wide easy-ish blue with great views. There was little skier traffic on the runs I took, even though the lot was full. Nice place, probably FABULOUS if you are a mogul fanatic because there are a LOT of bump runs (I stayed on groomers.) I'd visit again, making sure to avoid the Texas & NM Spring Break times which some lift partners noted were unpleasantly crowded. It's a medium-sized day trip resort that has friendly staff, well-maintained terrain, lots of trees & bumps if you're into that, and beautiful views. Base elevation is over 10k and I felt it!
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