One of the best things about driving up to the
Santa Fe Ski Basin from the city is the absolutely gorgeous drive
getting there. The total distance from where the road begins (Washington
Street and Artist Road) is about 15 miles. This is 15 miles of winding
road where you'll have some great vistas and some excellent photo
opportunities.
The road to the Santa Fe Ski Basin passes directly
through Hyde State Park which is about 7.5 miles up the mountain.
Another 7 miles on the road past Hyde State Park and you're at the ski area. When you arrive at the top you'll find a very large parking area and a trail head if you're wanting to hike into the high mountain back country.
The Ski Santa Fe area is located within the Santa Fe National Forest and is one of the largest in New Mexico along with the Ski Taos Resort about 2 1/2 hours north of Santa Fe.
One of New Mexico's Most Popular Ski Areas
During the winter months the Santa Fe Ski Basin is popular with both local skiers and skiers from across the country and the world. Because Santa Fe is a days drive from many points in Texas, you'll see plenty of Texas license plates in the parking lot, especially around winter holiday times.
The Santa Fe Ski area is situated high in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The elevation at the Ski basin base is 10,350 feet above sea level. This elevation makes the Santa Fe Ski Basin one of the highest ski areas in the United States. In addition to that, the Millennium Triple Chairlift will take skiers to a height of 12,075 feet. That is truly high.
Ski Equipment Rentals
Ski equipment and snowboard rentals are available at the base lodge and lessons are always available. There are also ski equipment rental companies in the city of Santa Fe as well as a rental facility at Hyde State Park. If you wish to avoid the early morning lines at the Ski Basin rental facility then renting your equipment before driving to the slopes is possible.
The lodge building also has food and beverages, lockers and a ski accessory and clothing shop. Also a great Bunny Trail for the youngsters.
Another thing that has
always made the ski area popular is it's close proximity to the city of
Santa Fe and it's good selection of lodgings and dining. There are no
overnight accommodations on top of the mountain so people stay overnight
in the city and enjoy the Santa Fe sights and entertainment.
Exploring the Ski Basin During Non-Winter Months
There are many things to do at and near the Ski Santa Fe area during non-winter months. Chair lift rides are available in the fall to take in the great scenery and change of colors. The mountain is filled with a mixture of Aspens and Firs and when fall arrives and the Aspens change to a golden color it's quite beautiful. Another very popular endeavor all over the mountain is trail hiking. Hyde State park itself has numerous hiking trails with a good mixture of easy and not so easy hikes.
La Piedra Trail is 1.6 miles long and connects with the popular Dale Ball Trail North to the Little Tesuque Creek Trail. The trail took two years to construct and opened in may of 2012.
The La Piedra Trail meant that for the first time people are able to get on Santa Fe trails near downtown and hike, bike or run all the way up to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. "You no longer have to go on paved road [Hyde Park Road] to get to the mountains," said Charlie O'Leary, executive director of the Santa Fe Conservation Trust. A good deal of the land needed for the trail was donated to the Trust.
The Trust had a Madrid NM firm called Anasazi Trails design and construct the trail.In addition to the trail building company many volunteers donated their time to help in it's building. The new la Piedra Trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers and snow shoe enthusiasts.
Below are links to additional Western Trips articles you may enjoy...
Hiking in New Mexico
Hiking Along the California Coast
Hikers and Mountain Bikers Head to Santa Fe
Because the Santa Fe area has so many good trails it's recognized as one of the best places in the country for runners. The trail system around Santa Fe is divided into three sections: north, central, and south. The most challenging of the three sections, the southern area trails can turn your run into a hike. Don't let that discourage you because the views of the mountains are well worth it.
The trail systems can be accessed from Hyde State Park halfway to the Santa Fe Ski Basin or they can be accessed on the southern portion just a few miles east of the Santa Fe plaza on Upper Canyon Road.
Another system of trails you should be aware begins at the Cruz Blanco Trailhead, southeast of downtown Santa Fe. This trail offers access to the 1.45 mile Dorothy Stewart and the 2.8 mile Atalaya Mountain trails.
(Article and photos copyright 2013 Western Trips)
View Larger Map
 |
| Cross Country ski trails |
Another 7 miles on the road past Hyde State Park and you're at the ski area. When you arrive at the top you'll find a very large parking area and a trail head if you're wanting to hike into the high mountain back country.
The Ski Santa Fe area is located within the Santa Fe National Forest and is one of the largest in New Mexico along with the Ski Taos Resort about 2 1/2 hours north of Santa Fe.
One of New Mexico's Most Popular Ski Areas
During the winter months the Santa Fe Ski Basin is popular with both local skiers and skiers from across the country and the world. Because Santa Fe is a days drive from many points in Texas, you'll see plenty of Texas license plates in the parking lot, especially around winter holiday times.
The Santa Fe Ski area is situated high in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The elevation at the Ski basin base is 10,350 feet above sea level. This elevation makes the Santa Fe Ski Basin one of the highest ski areas in the United States. In addition to that, the Millennium Triple Chairlift will take skiers to a height of 12,075 feet. That is truly high.
Ski Equipment Rentals
Ski equipment and snowboard rentals are available at the base lodge and lessons are always available. There are also ski equipment rental companies in the city of Santa Fe as well as a rental facility at Hyde State Park. If you wish to avoid the early morning lines at the Ski Basin rental facility then renting your equipment before driving to the slopes is possible.
The lodge building also has food and beverages, lockers and a ski accessory and clothing shop. Also a great Bunny Trail for the youngsters.
 |
| Santa Fe Ski Basin chairlifts |
Exploring the Ski Basin During Non-Winter Months
There are many things to do at and near the Ski Santa Fe area during non-winter months. Chair lift rides are available in the fall to take in the great scenery and change of colors. The mountain is filled with a mixture of Aspens and Firs and when fall arrives and the Aspens change to a golden color it's quite beautiful. Another very popular endeavor all over the mountain is trail hiking. Hyde State park itself has numerous hiking trails with a good mixture of easy and not so easy hikes.
La Piedra Trail is 1.6 miles long and connects with the popular Dale Ball Trail North to the Little Tesuque Creek Trail. The trail took two years to construct and opened in may of 2012.
The La Piedra Trail meant that for the first time people are able to get on Santa Fe trails near downtown and hike, bike or run all the way up to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. "You no longer have to go on paved road [Hyde Park Road] to get to the mountains," said Charlie O'Leary, executive director of the Santa Fe Conservation Trust. A good deal of the land needed for the trail was donated to the Trust.
“Since
the founding of Santa Fe over 400 years ago, trail access to the
mountains and nature has been important to residents and visitors
alike," O'Leary said - See more at:
http://www.santafe.com/article/first-major-trail-connection-in-over-a-decade-set-for-santa-fes-sangres#sthash.qR7Kaaqm.dpuf
“Since
the founding of Santa Fe over 400 years ago, trail access to the
mountains and nature has been important to residents and visitors
alike," O'Leary said - See more at:
http://www.santafe.com/article/first-major-trail-connection-in-over-a-decade-set-for-santa-fes-sangres#sthash.qR7Kaaqm.dpuf
The Trust had a Madrid NM firm called Anasazi Trails design and construct the trail.In addition to the trail building company many volunteers donated their time to help in it's building. The new la Piedra Trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers and snow shoe enthusiasts.
Below are links to additional Western Trips articles you may enjoy...
Hiking in New Mexico
Hiking Along the California Coast
 |
| Sangre de Cristo Mountain hiking trail |
Because the Santa Fe area has so many good trails it's recognized as one of the best places in the country for runners. The trail system around Santa Fe is divided into three sections: north, central, and south. The most challenging of the three sections, the southern area trails can turn your run into a hike. Don't let that discourage you because the views of the mountains are well worth it.
The trail systems can be accessed from Hyde State Park halfway to the Santa Fe Ski Basin or they can be accessed on the southern portion just a few miles east of the Santa Fe plaza on Upper Canyon Road.
Another system of trails you should be aware begins at the Cruz Blanco Trailhead, southeast of downtown Santa Fe. This trail offers access to the 1.45 mile Dorothy Stewart and the 2.8 mile Atalaya Mountain trails.
(Article and photos copyright 2013 Western Trips)
View Larger Map
