Your Ultimate Guide To Winter Attractions And Activities In New Mexico
Tori Jane
Author
If you ask just about anyone in the USA where they think the best winters in the nation are had, you probably won’t hear New Mexico as one of them. But perhaps you ought to – and perhaps more folks should know about it as a wintertime powerhouse of delights. There are countless amazing New Mexico winter activities that plenty of people don’t even know about, and this feels like some sort of injustice. Let’s take a look at some of the coolest fun things to do in New Mexico in winter – and bundle up! You’ll want to head out right away (we sure did). From tree lightings to snow tubing, ice skating, holiday festivals, and more, you’re sure to have an absolute blast in the Land of Enchantment this winter.
Holiday Events In New Mexico
If you’re on the lookout for all the best holiday events in New Mexico, you’re in the right place; goodness knows this beautiful little state is jam-packed with seasonal delights. No matter what holiday(s) you’re celebrating at this time of year, you’re sure to find something wonderful to celebrate in style! From Christmas festivals to winter events and more, check out all the amazing holiday events in New Mexico. From Santa Fe to Albuquerque, Carlsbad to Taos Ski Valley… there’s always something amazing going on during the holidays in the southwest. New Mexico is wonderful year-round, but in the winter, it really shines.
1. Christmas Lights Display: Glow Winter Lights
Folks hunting for the best Christmas lights display in New Mexico need look no further than the legendary Glow Winter Lights in Santa Fe. Taking place at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden each year, hundreds of thousands of sparkling lights turn the entire place into an incredible winter wonderland sure to thrill guests of all ages. This year’s festivities begin on Friday, November 24th. While in Santa Fe, be sure to check out the utterly incredible experience known as Meow Wolf. Don’t look it up... just go. It’s more fun that way. You may also want to consider an adventure in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, which extend from near Santa Fe through Taos and up into Colorado. The mountains are a much-beloved destination for all sorts of winter sports, like cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and more.
2. Tree Lighting: Old Town Tree Lighting
Few cities in New Mexico are as iconic as Albuquerque, and who’d have thought that the ol’ ABQ was so wonderful during the winter months? Kick it all off with the awesome annual Old Town Tree Lighting, taking place this year on December 1st at 6 p.m. at Plaza Don Luis. After the tree is lit up in brilliant color to usher in the holiday season, there will be holiday shopping, activities, and more. Your New Mexico winter vacation has never been so delightfully cheery! Learn more about the tree lighting and all the festivities to follow on the official City of Albuquerque website. While in Albuquerque, be sure to check out the Sandia Peak Tramway, too, up in the Sandia Mountains - it’s a wonderful way to soak up all the winter goodness in one trip!
3. Holiday Festivals: Taos Winter Wine Festival
The absolutely legendary Taos Winter Wine Festival is concrete proof that winter in New Mexico is where it’s at! It’s not every day someone thinks of combining winter and wine – it's more of a cider season, traditionally – but we’re glad they did. This season’s event takes place January 25th through January 27th in Taos. What to expect: this is an epic schedule of food and wine events including a Reserve tasting, chef luncheons, Aprés Ski Tastings, a Grand Tasting and wine dinners – plus more. If you love good food and good wine, this one’s for you – bonus points if you’re here for the ski resort and happen to be able to indulge! Visit the official website for more information.
4. Long-Time Traditions: The Tumbleweed Snowman
Each and every year right up next to Interstate 40 in Albuquerque there’s a delightful winter tradition that’s been going strong for almost 30 years: a peculiar but jolly-looking giant snowman known as the AMAFCA Tumbleweed Snowman crafted not of snow but of tumbleweeds and outfitted with a nice hat, a scarf, and the usual snowman affairs. He makes his initial appearance on what’s come to be known as Tumbleweed Tuesday (the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving) and his presence is what really kicks off the holiday season for most folks in the ABQ area (if not further). He stands anywhere from 12 to 14 feet tall and is actually only made up of three (gigantic) tumbleweeds. This is one quirky holiday tradition in New Mexico you can’t even pretend to dislike; he’s just so cute.
Winter Towns In New Mexico
Like anywhere else, New Mexico has some small towns that go all-out for the holidays and the winter season. These places go above and beyond, turning into a veritable winter wonderland with or without the presence of snowfall. Come explore some of the most downright wonderful winter towns in New Mexico where everything comes alive when it’s chilly outside; from Ruidoso to the beautiful ABQ, there’s something somewhere for just about everyone.
5. Taos
If you ask anyone in the state what town they thought the ultimate winter town was, chances are you’ll get a lot of folks who mention Taos and/or Taos Ski Valley first and foremost. But this small town in northern New Mexico is so much more than just a haven for skiers and anyone who loves to snowboard; there are hundreds of other incredible winter attractions in Taos to do, see, and experience, like the Harwood Museum of Art, the Taos Plaza, Kit Carson Park (which is gorgeous in the winter), and so much more (especially for those who love the outdoors). You might want to strongly consider Taos for your next winter vacation.
6. Red River
You may not have heard of Red River, New Mexico, and therefore you might be curious as to why it earned a spot on this list. The reason is simple (and a whole lot of fun): it’s the single snowiest town in New Mexico, getting an absolutely insane 151.1 inches annually on average. For the record, the average snowfall amount in Vermont is 89.3 inches – Red River blows Vermont and many other well-known snowy states out of the water every single year. Or perhaps we should say “off the side of the mountain”? We digress; must-dos in Red River include horseback riding, hiking, dining, shopping, and wonderful mountain views. Winter visitors also love the Red River Ski Area. This town is for sure an underrated delight!
7. Ruidoso
Ruidoso is a beautiful small town in New Mexico with big heart, and every winter is special when you’re here. The nearby Lincoln National Forest is jaw-droppingly gorgeous when covered in snow, and there’s almost always something wonderful going on to celebrate the season. From sleigh rides to snow tubing, ice skating, and other winter sports, Ruidoso’s got a little bit of everything for those who love spending time outdoors in the winter (two words: Ski Apache), and for those who would rather stay out of the cold there’s always traditions like the Inn of the Mountain Gods’ Tree Lighting, The Nutcracker at Spencer Theater, the Country Christmas Bazaar and lots more. Come out to Ruidoso and do winter right!
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8. Madrid
Madrid is one of those small towns in New Mexico that was a booming mining town, died, became a ghost town, and then was revived as an artist town – and it’s adorable during the holidays and winter season. Nestled between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, this town’s holiday lights display was once so impressive that nearby flights literally re-routed their paths to go over it. Come the holidays, the whole town is lit up and in celebration mode; there’s a parade of lights, epic house decorations all trying to outdo one another in the friendliest way possible, shopping, dining, and more. Make Madrid one of your stops – you won’t regret it.
Outdoor Activities In New Mexico
Who says you can’t enjoy the great outdoors when it’s cold outside? We sure don’t! There’s a little something for everyone in New Mexico; in the winter, a lot of these places only get better. From cross-country skiing to snowshoeing, snow tubing, ice skating, sledding, and more, there’s a little something waiting for you in the Land of Enchantment this season in terms of outdoor activities. Winter in New Mexico is a blast – we promise!
9. Frozen Waterfalls: All of ‘em!
Did you know there are numerous gorgeous waterfalls in the Land of Enchantment? And you know what that means: come winter, frozen waterfalls in New Mexico will totally be a thing – a thing you need to experience at least once. Need some ideas? Why not turn our awesome waterfall road trip in New Mexico into your new favorite cold-weather adventure? One thing is certain: you’ve never seen anything like these, and they’ll cause you to fall in love with New Mexico all over again.
10. Ice Skating: Cloudcroft Ice Rink
Cloudcroft is an awe-inspiringly photogenic place that’s even better in the winter. It’s a very popular destination, too, though – so make sure having other people around won’t be an issue for this one! The wondrous Cloudcroft Ice Rink is the only natural ice-skating rink in the entire Southwest – lucky us! Surrounded by the fragrant, beautiful Lincoln National Forest, this small town is so much more than just an ice-skating trip... so be sure to stay a while and enjoy everything this beautiful small town in New Mexico has to offer.
11. Snow Tubing: Ruidoso Winter Park
As you can see, there are a number of winter wonderlands in New Mexico perfect for a seasonal escape, and for those whose inner child demands a snow day, we’re here to oblige. Should you visit the winter town of Ruidoso, don’t leave until you’ve visited the legendary Ruidoso Winter Park for some of the best snow tubing in New Mexico. Your tubing ticket is good for three hours after purchase, so make the most of it. The 2023 season begins on Thanksgiving Day, so be ready, set, and go!
12. Winter Hikes: All of ‘em.
If someone ever tells you that you can’t go hiking in the winter, stop talking to them. You don’t need that kind of negativity in your life; instead, find yourself a friend who knows where all the best winter hikes in New Mexico are and hang out with them – maybe even hit the trail together. Among our favorite winter hiking trails in New Mexico are hikes like McCauley Hot Springs Trail, the Nambe Lake Trail, and many more. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination... and maybe the capabilities of your snowshoes.
Winter Getaways In New Mexico
When people think about New Mexico they tend to envision cacti and desert vistas, but this is nowhere near a complete picture. There are plains, mountains, valleys, deserts, and everything in between jam-packed into this little state, and if you’re hoping to plan a wintertime getaway, every landscape’s got something to enjoy. Whether your ideal escape for the winter months involves day trips, hot springs, hot air balloon rides, or a state park or two, come out to the Land of Enchantment and fall in love. No matter what part of the state you wander off to, you’re sure to be – well, enchanted!
13. Snowy Cabin: A 20th-Century Treasure
Those on the hunt for the perfect cabin rental in New Mexico need look no further than this romantic getaway in Ruidoso. Located in close proximity to the shops and restaurants of the town without being too close to civilization, this gorgeous little forest cabin built in 1941 is perfect for wintertime snuggles or perhaps a night spent watching snowfall in the hot tub. Either way, this is the New Mexico winter getaway you’ve always dreamed of... if you’ve dreamed of such a thing, anyway.
14. Hot Springs: Jemez Hot Springs
Did you know there are more than 30 amazing hot springs in New Mexico, many of which are perfectly lovely for a good old-fashioned dip? Yep – one of our favorites, for example, is Jemez Hot Springs (formerly known as Giggling Hot Springs, which was honestly pretty cute). Located about an hour north of Albuquerque in the quiet town of Jemez Spring, and the water maintains temperatures from 98 to 105 degrees – quite comfortable, especially when the surrounding air is chilly and crisp. Better still, watching snowflakes lazily drift earthward from the comfort of a hot spring is otherworldly – try it sometime.
15. Skiing/Snowboarding Resort: Angel Fire Resort
Ask anyone who’s lived in the Land of Enchantment for a while what the best ski resort is and they’ll probably either say Taos Ski Valley or, of course, Angel Fire Resort. This awesome escape from the real world is a wintery paradise for everyone, not just the skiers and the snowboarders. With more than 80 amazing runs, 30+ acres of gladed trails, an awesome tubing hill, NASTAR racing (see what they did there?), and more, Angel Fire Resort is sure to be your new favorite place to go skiing in New Mexico.
Little do many folks know, the New Mexican winter is a wonder-filled one. The state, and its winters, are ridiculously underrated – few folks who haven’t lived here even realize New Mexico has a winter season (or snow). Luckily for those of us lucky enough to call it home, though, this typically means all the more cold-weather shenanigans for us (unless, of course, you count our resorts, which typically do very well in the winter). No matter what your shenanigans of choice may be, you’re sure to find something perfect awaiting your arrival in New Mexico.
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