OFF-PISTE
(ôf' peest')
existing or taking place on snow that has not been compacted into tracks
The 2011-12 ski season is out of the gates. Time to draw up a quick summary of area ski spots, trails, and conditions. We'll highlight the downhill areas and then some of the nordic areas. (Dec 10, '11)
Wolf Creek - Pagosa, CO
The Creek opened its mountain October 9th after sixty inches of snow fell over a few days. Should we have another dry year, Wolf Creek will once again be the guaranteed place to find snow. They're currently reporting a 52" base, with 163" year-to-date. Fantastic groomed nordic loops run from the parking lot through the Alberta valley. Full-day adult passes - $54, which is a steal. Only $33 on locals appreciation days (no i.d. required). Senior and active-military discounts. 3.5hrs by car from Santa Fe. Track storms via the area webcam.
Ski Santa Fe, and the Norski XC Trails
The local ski hill is a short 40min drive from town. Plenty of trails and varying terrain if the snow is good. The Norski nordic trails can sometimes be the winning option as cross doesn't require significant snowpack for a good day. Ski Santa Fe is 70% open right now, reporting a base of 24". The upper mountain remains closed. Discounted rates of $48 are in effect until more terrain opens. Once the snow arrives full-day passes will climb to $63. Senior discounts. Opened Dec 3rd. Great options exist for free-heelers and skinning before 8am or after 4pm. Track storms via the onsite webcam.
Taos Ski Valley
With good snow conditions Taos is the best skiing in New Mexico without question. Best terrain, best lodge, best bars, best ski-school, best lifties. Only partially opened right now, reporting a 35" base. Lift passes are $50 through Dec 16th, $75 afterward. Senior and active-military discounts. 2hrs by car from Santa Fe. Track storms via the onsite webcam.
Pajarito, Los Alamos, NM
Pajarito Mountain has some great throwback terrain and a terrific nordic trail system. The mountain was damaged in last year's Conchas Fire and lost at least one lift. The Canada Bonita nordic trails remain closed by the Forest Service with the exception of trail restoration work being down by the area nordic club. The drive from Santa Fe approximates the drive to Ski Santa Fe plus about 10min. The area is currently closed awaiting snow, reporting a 12" base. Full-day passes - $57. Senior discounts, 75+ ski free. 50min. by car from Santa Fe. Track storms via the onsite webcam.
Crested Butte, CO
We love The Butte because of its sweet Powcam and its kickass early season ski packages. This year celebrates the area's 50th anniversary. The Butte is the best skiing within driving distance next to Taos. When the full mountain is open it's some of the best skiing in North America, plus the village of Crested Butte and vintage bars beat any location in New Mexico or southern Colorado. Opening day way Nov. 24th, currently reporting a base of 22". Adult lift tickets are $92 after Dec 16th but always look around for deals. 5.5hrs by car from Santa Fe.
Durango Mtn Resort, CO
Durango gets a mention solely because of their beer. You can always pick up a six-pack of Ska Blonde and head up to Taos though. Lift tickets also available at REI, SF Railyard.
NORDIC TRAILS
The best area nordic can be found at Enchanted Forest near Red River, and the Canada Bonita trails at Pajarito. Ungroomed skiing can also be had at Norski near Ski Santa Fe. A system of developed and groomed trails can be found in and around Pagosa Springs and Crested Butte. (Dec 10, '11)
Enchanted Forest XC
...under construction
Canada Bonita Trails, Los Alamos
Norski Trails, Santa Fe
Crested Butte Nordic
Pagosa Springs, Nordic
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2010-2011
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| by David Collins |
Hope to get in a lot of nordic skiing this winter since the tax season just crushes my February and March activities. I figure without a pass to Santa Fe I'll get out on more weekend trips to Taos, Pajarito, and Wolf Creek than in the past. So no pass for me this year.
The following winter posts are broken up as follows:
- Winter Deals and Packages
- Downhill and Nordic - A current list of our favorite ski venues (below):
- Backcountry and Alpine Touring
- Calendar of Snow Shoe and Ski Races
Related Winter Links:
- New Mexico Nordic Trails, Maps and Trail Reports
- Borrego Trail - SF Trail Runner
- Cerro Grande - 101ThingsandStuff
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- 10% off your bill at Second St. Brewery with the day's Ski Santa Fe lift ticket and/or a valid season pass thru season end.
- 20% off at Ojo Caliente with the day's lift ticket and/or a valid season pass from any NM Ski Resort thru season end.
- Santa Fe Sage Inn - Two free Ski Santa Fe lift passes with a two night stay thru Feb 28th. Details here.
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Crested Butte, CO
We're digging The Butte because of its sweet Powcam and its kickass early season ski packages. The best skiing within driving distance next to Taos. We'll be eating turkey and emptying Sierra Nevadas up on the mountain in less than two weeks. Opening day Nov. 24th. Adult lift tickets - $59. 5.5hrs by car from Santa Fe.
Related Posts:
- Crested Butte - Opening Weekend 11/25
Wolf Creek - Pagosa, CO
The Creek has opened its mountain early after the first decent storm came through just after Halloween. The area is a close drive, gets more snow than the Yukon, and has a better than average apres-ski bar scene. Fantastic groomed nordic options as well. Opened Nov. 5th. Full-day adult passes - $52, a freaking steal. 3.5hrs by car from Santa Fe.
Related Posts:
- Nordic Skiing Alberta Lake and East Fork Trails
Ski Santa Fe, and the Norski XC Trails
The local mountain rates third on our list because
Related Posts:
- Skiing Norski Trail - Santa Fe
- Nordic Skiing Ski Santa Fe - Totemoff Loops
- Ski Touring Deception Peak
Taos Ski Valley
With good snow conditions, Taos is the best skiing in New Mexico without question. Best terrain, best lodge, best bars, best ski-school, best lifties. Lift passes - $71. 2hrs by car from Santa Fe.
Pajarito, Los Alamos, NM
Pajarito Mountain makes the list because of its throwback terrain, its nordic trail system, and a real easy drive from Santa Fe. Full-day passes - $55. Opening Day - Jan 7th. 50min. by car from Santa Fe.
Related Posts:
- Skiing Guaje Trail - Los Alamos Nordic
Durango Mtn Resort, CO
Durango gets a mention solely because of their beer. You can always pick up a six-pack of Ska Blonde and head up to Taos though. Lift tickets also available at REI, SF Railyard.
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(Dec. 18) There's plenty of back-country skiing in the area although I'm not a real seasoned free-heeler. Caution needs to be taken on any terrain with avalanche potential, not to mention the potential of getting lost and freezing. Consequences could be extreme, so be smart. That being said, here's the information you need to get started.
- Heaven is a Lonely Place - A 2009 article by Justin Nyberg, published in the Santa Fe Reporter.
“Friends come down from the Wasatch [in Utah] and say, ‘You’ve got this all to yourself?’” Bob Lee, a longtime local backcountry skier, says. “On a fresh powder day, I never cross anyone’s tracks.”- Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works - Back-Country Primer
- Winsor Trail/Baldy Ski Outing (2008) - SummitPost.org
Related Posts:
- Colorado Hut to Hut - 1/5
- Cross Country Skiing, Cumbres Pass, CO - 1/1
- Skiing the Rail Trail & Arroyo Chamiso - 12/20
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