Just because it’s winter, there’s no need to hibernate! There are plenty of things to do in New Mexico during the winter, from snow sports to soaking in hot springs and everything in between. Beat the winter blues by visiting some of these unforgettable places! Which one will you choose for your next New Mexico winter vacation? Let us know in the comments!

  1. Sandia Peak via the Sandia Peak Tramway

Flickr/Brett Kiger The trip is actually more memorable when the mountain is carpeted in snow, and the panoramic views of Albuquerque are just as amazing. Come check out some of the downright best views in New Mexico with a wintery twist this season. Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque, NM 87122, USA

  1. One of New Mexico’s ski resorts in the northern part of the state

Flickr/Will Keightley Taos Ski Valley added the Kachina Peak Chairlift, which carries you 31 feet above the mountain to a max elevation of 12,450 feet. And there is now a bus service running to Ski Santa Fe! This is seriously one of the best winter vacations in New Mexico we can think of - for locals and visitors alike. Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525, USA

  1. Or, go further south.

Flickr/optictopic Ski Apache, near Ruidoso, has 55 trails and receives an average of 180 inches of snow per year. Oh, and fun fact: Ski Apache is home to the longest zipline in New Mexico. Ski Apache, 1286 Ski Run Rd, Alto, NM 88312, USA

  1. Visit an enchanting frozen waterfall.

Flickr/Bob Schoenherr There’s nothing like the sight of a waterfall that has frozen, like Sitting Bull Falls (pictured) in the Guadalupe Mountains near Carlsbad. Come out and find yourself utterly transfixed by the many frozen waterfalls in New Mexico. Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico 88220, USA

  1. Lake Maloya or Lake Alice

Flickr/Bernadine Barela Yes, you can go ice fishing in New Mexico! Both of these lakes in New Mexico are in Sugarite Canyon State Park, near Raton. Just remember to check the park’s website to ensure that the ice is still thick enough before you head out. Sugarite Canyon State Park, 160 NM-526, Raton, NM 87740, USA

  1. Angel Fire. Yes, the whole town.

Flickr/heidi bakk-hansen You can do most winter sports in Angel Fire, but for those who want to enjoy the season at a slower pace, a romantic sleigh ride is the way to go. You’ll quickly see why Angel Fire is one of the best winter towns in New Mexico. Angel Fire, NM, USA

  1. Book a romantic stay at a stunningly wonderful cabin.

Flickr/Louis Zanolli Speaking of romance, holing up in a cabin by a roaring fire is a great way to embrace the season. Rental cabins are abundant in Ruidoso, Cloudcroft, Red River, and Angel Fire. Some of these amazing cabin rentals in New Mexico even come complete with a hot tub. Cozy!

  1. Take a dip or soak for a while in some relaxing, refreshing hot springs.

Flickr/Marilyn Brinker Discover natural hot springs in the wilderness, like those spread throughout Gila National Forest, or warm up at a resort such as Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, located in the town of Ojo Caliente. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, 50 Los Banos Drive, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549, USA

  1. Visit an artisanal chocolate store.

Yelp/Sayble H. Stores like Kakawa Chocolate House in Santa Fe offer truly addictive drinking chocolate to keep you toasty this winter. It’s the perfect addition to one of those lovely cabin rentals we alluded to above! Kakawa Chocolate House, 1050 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA

There are so many awesome places in New Mexico to visit during winter. What’s your favorite? Do you have any ideas now for your next New Mexico winter vacation? Tell us your thoughts and plans in the comments!

Flickr/Brett Kiger

The trip is actually more memorable when the mountain is carpeted in snow, and the panoramic views of Albuquerque are just as amazing. Come check out some of the downright best views in New Mexico with a wintery twist this season.

Sandia Peak Tramway, Albuquerque, NM 87122, USA

Flickr/Will Keightley

Taos Ski Valley added the Kachina Peak Chairlift, which carries you 31 feet above the mountain to a max elevation of 12,450 feet. And there is now a bus service running to Ski Santa Fe! This is seriously one of the best winter vacations in New Mexico we can think of - for locals and visitors alike.

Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525, USA

Flickr/optictopic

Ski Apache, near Ruidoso, has 55 trails and receives an average of 180 inches of snow per year. Oh, and fun fact: Ski Apache is home to the longest zipline in New Mexico.

Ski Apache, 1286 Ski Run Rd, Alto, NM 88312, USA

Flickr/Bob Schoenherr

There’s nothing like the sight of a waterfall that has frozen, like Sitting Bull Falls (pictured) in the Guadalupe Mountains near Carlsbad. Come out and find yourself utterly transfixed by the many frozen waterfalls in New Mexico.

Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico 88220, USA

Flickr/Bernadine Barela

Yes, you can go ice fishing in New Mexico! Both of these lakes in New Mexico are in Sugarite Canyon State Park, near Raton. Just remember to check the park’s website to ensure that the ice is still thick enough before you head out.

Sugarite Canyon State Park, 160 NM-526, Raton, NM 87740, USA

Flickr/heidi bakk-hansen

You can do most winter sports in Angel Fire, but for those who want to enjoy the season at a slower pace, a romantic sleigh ride is the way to go. You’ll quickly see why Angel Fire is one of the best winter towns in New Mexico.

Angel Fire, NM, USA

Flickr/Louis Zanolli

Speaking of romance, holing up in a cabin by a roaring fire is a great way to embrace the season. Rental cabins are abundant in Ruidoso, Cloudcroft, Red River, and Angel Fire. Some of these amazing cabin rentals in New Mexico even come complete with a hot tub. Cozy!

Flickr/Marilyn Brinker

Discover natural hot springs in the wilderness, like those spread throughout Gila National Forest, or warm up at a resort such as Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, located in the town of Ojo Caliente.

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, 50 Los Banos Drive, Ojo Caliente, NM 87549, USA

Yelp/Sayble H.

Stores like Kakawa Chocolate House in Santa Fe offer truly addictive drinking chocolate to keep you toasty this winter. It’s the perfect addition to one of those lovely cabin rentals we alluded to above!

Kakawa Chocolate House, 1050 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM 87501, USA

For more of the Land of Enchantment, you might be interested in awesome things to do in New Mexico during the winter. If you’re a lover of nature, you might enjoy the ten most incredible natural wonders in New Mexico.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

New Mexico Winter Vacation November 15, 2022 Tori Jane

Where should I go on a New Mexico winter vacation?  

There are plentiful options for places to go on a New Mexico winter vacation, including gems like:  

Visit some of the best winter towns in New Mexico    Kick back and relax on the Sandia Peak Tramway    Go on a wonderful winter camping trip in NM   

  2. What are some of the best places to visit in New Mexico in winter?   There are many amazing places to visit in New Mexico in winter; there’s almost nowhere you can go that won’t have wonderful and wintery goings-on to keep you occupied. Some of our favorite winter destinations in New Mexico include:  

Old Mesilla    Truth or Consequences  Carlsbad  

Ruidoso   

  3. What are some of the best places to visit in New Mexico in December?   The best places to visit in New Mexico in December include various resorts and resort towns like:  

Angel Fire    Riverbend Hot Springs   

Red River, the snowiest town in New Mexico    Taos Ski Valley 

The OIYS Visitor Center

New Mexico Winter Vacation

November 15, 2022

Tori Jane

Where should I go on a New Mexico winter vacation?  

There are plentiful options for places to go on a New Mexico winter vacation, including gems like:  

Visit some of the best winter towns in New Mexico    Kick back and relax on the Sandia Peak Tramway    Go on a wonderful winter camping trip in NM   

  2. What are some of the best places to visit in New Mexico in winter?   There are many amazing places to visit in New Mexico in winter; there’s almost nowhere you can go that won’t have wonderful and wintery goings-on to keep you occupied. Some of our favorite winter destinations in New Mexico include:  

Old Mesilla    Truth or Consequences  Carlsbad  

Ruidoso   

  3. What are some of the best places to visit in New Mexico in December?   The best places to visit in New Mexico in December include various resorts and resort towns like:  

Angel Fire    Riverbend Hot Springs   

Red River, the snowiest town in New Mexico    Taos Ski Valley 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are plentiful options for places to go on a New Mexico winter vacation, including gems like:  

  • Visit some of the best winter towns in New Mexico
  • Kick back and relax on the Sandia Peak Tramway
  • Go on a wonderful winter camping trip in NM

 

  1. What are some of the best places to visit in New Mexico in winter?  

There are many amazing places to visit in New Mexico in winter; there’s almost nowhere you can go that won’t have wonderful and wintery goings-on to keep you occupied. Some of our favorite winter destinations in New Mexico include:  

  • Old Mesilla

  • Truth or Consequences

  • Carlsbad

  • Ruidoso

  1. What are some of the best places to visit in New Mexico in December?  

The best places to visit in New Mexico in December include various resorts and resort towns like:  

  • Angel Fire

  • Riverbend Hot Springs

  • Red River, the snowiest town in New Mexico

  • Taos Ski Valley