Santa Fe Ski Guide 2026-2027
Last checked:
Updated for the 2026-2027 season. We check this guide every week and update it as dates and conditions change.
Ski Santa Fe is 16 miles from the Plaza and is tentatively scheduled to open November 26, 2026. Kings Rest Court Inn is a simple, family owned motor court on Cerrillos Road with covered parking at your door, so skis, boots and bags travel only a few steps from your room.
Northern New Mexico has real ski country, from Santa Fe's own mountain to Los Alamos, Taos, Angel Fire and Red River. This guide pulls the basics together in one place: planned season dates, links to each mountain's own conditions page, a gentler snow day, a soak after skiing, and winter driving tips. We are family owned and operated since 1981, and our rooms and location make Santa Fe an easy home base.
Season dates below come from each mountain and can change. Snow decides, so always check the mountain's own page before you go. We link every one.
Ski areas at a glance
| Ski area | From Santa Fe | 2026-2027 opening (from the ski area's own site) |
|---|---|---|
| Ski Santa Fe | 16 miles from the Plaza | Tentative November 26, 2026 |
| Pajarito Mountain | 41 miles, about 50 minutes | Scheduled December 4, 2026 |
| Sipapu | Vadito, 20 miles southeast of Taos on Highway 518 | Not yet announced |
| Taos Ski Valley | 89 miles, about 2 hours | Announced November 26, 2026 |
| Angel Fire Resort | Roughly 2 hours (estimate) | Scheduled December 11, 2026 |
| Red River Ski & Summer Area | 106 miles, about 2 hours | Scheduled November 25, 2026 |
Source: each ski area's own site, checked . Drive time from Kings Rest: about 40 to 42 minutes to Ski Santa Fe, per Google Maps, checked October 1, 2026.
Where to stay for a ski trip
Kings Rest Court Inn is a family motor court on Cerrillos Road, family owned and operated since 1981. Every room has covered parking at your door with no parking fee and no resort fee, so you can unload skis and boots a few steps from your room. The Plaza is about 8 to 10 minutes away, and Ski Santa Fe is about 40 to 42 minutes by car, per Google Maps.
Ski Santa Fe: 16 miles from the Plaza
Ski Santa Fe is Santa Fe's own ski area, 16 miles from the Plaza at the end of NM 475, also called Hyde Park Road, in the Santa Fe National Forest. The resort lists a tentative 2026-2027 season of November 26, 2026 to April 4, 2027. November 26 is Thanksgiving Day.
- Base 10,350 feet, peak 12,075 feet, 1,725 vertical feet.
- 660 acres, 87 runs, and seven lifts including two conveyors. Terrain is about 20% easy, 40% intermediate and 40% expert.
- Chairlift hours are planned 9:00 to 4:00 from opening through March 14, 2027, then 9:30 to 4:30. Half days run 9:00 to 12:30 and 12:30 to 4:00 until March 14.
- Rentals, lessons and lockers are at the base. Book online ahead and plan to arrive early on your first day.
- Parking at the base is free and the lot is plowed daily. It can fill on weekends, holidays and powder days, so the resort suggests arriving before 9:00.
- The free RTD 255 Mountain Trail Blue Bus runs from South Capitol in downtown Santa Fe to the ski area, with a stop at Hyde Memorial State Park. Riders may get a $5 discount token, and seats can fill at peak times. Check the current timetable.
Source: the ski area's own site, checked . Check the Ski Santa Fe snow report and the lift and trail report the morning you go.
Ski Santa Fe on MapsSki Santa Fe snow reportSki Santa Fe lift and trail report
The drive. The resort is 16 miles from the Plaza. From our court on Cerrillos Road it is about 18 miles and about 40 to 42 minutes by car, per Google Maps, checked . Winter roads can be slower, so add time after snow. The road up is a mountain road. The resort strongly recommends four-wheel or all-wheel drive with winter tires, and tire chains may be required during heavy snow. Look at NMRoads before you leave, and see the resort's directions page for current guidance. If you are flying in, the Santa Fe airport is 26 miles from the ski area, and the Albuquerque Sunport is about an hour from Santa Fe, per the resort.
More mountains across the region
Drive times below are the mountains' own figures from Santa Fe, except where noted. Leave early, fill the tank, pack layers, and check road conditions before you go.
Pajarito Mountain
Pajarito is 41 miles and about 50 minutes from Santa Fe, per the mountain. It is scheduled to open December 4, 2026, with expanded snowmaking and a reliability overhaul of the Aspen lift. The mountain lists 750 acres, 44 trails and six lifts, and is known for tree skiing and bump runs. Its directions page describes a Los Alamos route with a photo ID checkpoint and a West Road route that avoids it. See the Pajarito conditions page. Source: the mountain's own site, checked .
Pajarito on MapsPajarito conditions
Sipapu
Sipapu is in Vadito, 20 scenic miles southeast of Taos on Highway 518, which the resort describes as paved and plowed. The resort lists 43 trails. The opening date has not been announced yet, and we will post it here once it is. See the Sipapu snow report.
Sipapu on MapsSipapu snow report
Taos Ski Valley
Taos Ski Valley is 89 miles and about two hours from Santa Fe, per the resort. It announced a November 26, 2026 opening and lists more than 100 trails. See the Taos Ski Valley conditions page. Source: the resort's own site and announcement, checked .
Taos Ski Valley on MapsTaos Ski Valley conditions
Angel Fire Resort
Angel Fire is roughly two hours from Santa Fe by road, which is our estimate, so see the resort's directions page for routes. It is scheduled to open December 11, 2026. New this season is the Angel Express, New Mexico's first high speed six pack chairlift. Night skiing is paused for 2026-2027. The tubing hill is scheduled daily December 11 through March 21. See the Angel Fire conditions page. Source: the resort's own site, checked .
Angel Fire on MapsAngel Fire conditions
Red River Ski & Summer Area
Red River is about 106 miles and two hours from Santa Fe, per the resort. It is scheduled to open November 25, 2026, the day before Thanksgiving, with a lighter schedule at first, then daily in December. The base is 8,750 feet with 1,600 vertical feet and 64 trails. See the Red River snow report. Source: the resort's own site, checked .
A gentler snow day
Not every snow day needs a lift ticket. Hyde Memorial State Park lists cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on about four miles of trails, at 8,300 to 9,400 feet. The park lists no Wi-Fi or cellular service, so tell someone your plan, and check the park's page for current alerts and closures before you drive up. The 1.9 mile Norski Trail in the Santa Fe National Forest, up the ski basin road, is for cross-country skiing only.
Hyde Memorial on MapsHyde Memorial park page
Need gear in town? Alpine Sports and Bluebird Mountain Sports both offer ski rentals in Santa Fe. See the Alpine Sports site and Bluebird's Santa Fe shop.
Alpine Sports on MapsAlpine Sports siteBluebird on MapsBluebird Mountain Sports site
Soak after skiing
Ten Thousand Waves is a Japanese-style spa in the foothills above town, a favorite way to warm up after a cold day. Reservations are required for the hot tubs, so book ahead. Details are on their hot tubs page.
Winter basics for the region
- Altitude. Santa Fe sits at about 7,000 feet, and Ski Santa Fe's base is more than 3,000 feet higher. Give yourself a day or two to adjust, drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol, and wear sunscreen and a hat.
- Weather. Winter days in Santa Fe are usually sunny and dry, with chilly nights, and the mountains can look very different from town. Check the National Weather Service forecast for Santa Fe before you head up.
- Pack. Layers, warm waterproof gloves, goggles, sunscreen, lip balm, warm boots and hand warmers. A few snacks in the room fridge make an easy start.
Ski trip questions, answered
Where should I stay near Ski Santa Fe?
Kings Rest Court Inn is a simple family motor court on Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe, family owned and operated since 1981. Every room has covered parking at the door, with no parking fee and no resort fee, so skis, boots and bags travel only a few steps. Ski Santa Fe is 16 miles from the Plaza, and our court is about 2 miles from the Plaza.
Is there a Santa Fe motor court with covered parking for a ski trip?
Yes. Kings Rest Court Inn is a family motor court on Cerrillos Road, and every room has covered parking at the door with no parking fee. Unload skis, boots and bags a few steps from your room, then come back to a quiet court, a clean room, and a fridge and microwave for snacks after a day on the mountain.
Does Kings Rest Court Inn charge resort fees?
No. We are a small family motor court, not a resort, so there are no resort fees. Parking at your door is free under a covered carport. Rooms include a fridge, microwave and free Wi-Fi, so a ski trip stays simple. Family owned and operated since 1981.
Is Kings Rest Court Inn on the old Route 66?
Yes. Kings Rest Court Inn is on Cerrillos Road, the old Route 66 stretch into Santa Fe, about 2 miles from the Plaza and usually an 8 to 10 minute drive. It is a family motor court with sixteen rooms around a quiet court, and the Railyard is about 5 minutes away.
How far is Ski Santa Fe from Santa Fe, and how long is the drive?
Ski Santa Fe is 16 miles from the Plaza at the end of NM 475 (Hyde Park Road) in the Santa Fe National Forest. From our court on Cerrillos Road it is about 18 miles and about 40 to 42 minutes, per Google Maps, checked . Winter roads can be slower, so allow extra time after snow.
When does Ski Santa Fe open for 2026-2027?
Ski Santa Fe lists a tentative opening of November 26, 2026 and a tentative closing of April 4, 2027. Chairlift hours are planned 9:00 to 4:00 through March 14, 2027, then 9:30 to 4:30. Dates can change with snow, so check the Ski Santa Fe snow report the morning you go.
Do I need four-wheel drive or chains to drive to Ski Santa Fe?
The road up is a mountain road. The resort strongly recommends four-wheel or all-wheel drive with winter tires, and says tire chains may be required during heavy snow. Check NMRoads before you leave. Plan extra time on snowy mornings, and arrive before 9:00 on weekends, holidays and powder days, when the free base lot can fill.
Is there a bus to Ski Santa Fe?
Yes. The free RTD 255 Mountain Trail Blue Bus runs from South Capitol in downtown Santa Fe to Ski Santa Fe, with a stop at Hyde Memorial State Park. Seats can be limited at peak times, so check the current timetable.
What other ski areas are near Santa Fe?
Pajarito Mountain is about 50 minutes away, and Taos Ski Valley and Red River are each about two hours, per the mountains. Angel Fire is roughly two hours, which is our estimate. Sipapu is in Vadito, 20 miles southeast of Taos. Drive times are the mountains' own figures from Santa Fe, except where noted.
What can I do near Santa Fe if I don't want to ski?
Try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at Hyde Memorial State Park, which lists about four miles of trails, or book a soak at Ten Thousand Waves, where hot tub reservations are required. Check the park's page for current alerts and closures before you drive up, and tell someone your plan.
Plan your ski stay
Ready to hit the snow? Book direct for our best available rate, free covered parking at your door and no resort fee. The Railyard is about 5 minutes away and the Plaza about 8 to 10 minutes, so powder days end well. Have more questions about your stay? See our FAQ.
Last checked: