Winter Fun in Santa Fe | 10 Things to Do | SantaFe.com
ice skating in Santa Fe New Mexico

Winter in Santa Fe is truly a wonderland. Snow softly blankets the city and the earthy scent of burning piñon from fireplaces across the city fills the air. You might be tempted to stay inside and sip hot chocolate, or something stronger, in front of merry flames in a kiva fireplace, but why would you when there’s so much fun to be had? From the ski slopes to the theater, a cool craft brew festival,  excellent museums, and much more, Santa Fe is a hot place to be in winter. Read on for our seasonal suggestions.

Sensational Skiing

With a base elevation of 10,350 feet, Ski Santa Fe is one of the Southwest’s most exciting ski destinations, open to skiers and snowboarders alike. Just 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe high in the foothills of the Rockies, this family-friendly ski area offers 86 trails for all levels. Races, workshops, a snowboard camp, and other events are held throughout the season The lively apres-ski party takes place mid-mountain at Totemoff’s Bar, where live music, craft beer, and cocktails are on tap, along with burgers and other bites.

Check out our story about the 2023 – 24 ski season at Ski Santa Fe.

Souper Bowl Saturday

There’s the Super Bowl and then there’s the Souper Bowl, Santa Fe’s longstanding culinary competition that packs in the crowds. While there are no controversial referee calls or injuries causing competitors to limp off the field, excitement runs high inside the Santa Fe Convention Center, where local chefs vie to bring home the trophy for best Savory, Seafood, Cream, or Vegetarian soup as well as the Best Soup award.

You, the taster, get to sample each of the soups in the competition and then cast your votes for your favorites. The proceeds benefit The Food Depot, which last year served more than 385,000 meals to New Mexicans in need. Past winners include Dr. Field Goods in 2023, Terra at Four Seasons Rancho Encantado, Joe’s Dining, and The Pantry, so you know these soups will be delicious.  This year’s event will be held January 27, 2024, and tickets are on sale now. Learn more and get tickets here.

Spa Session

Winter is the perfect season to nourish your body, mind and spirit and the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado is the perfect place to do so, with a menu of services that are inspired by ancient Southwest traditions. Chase the cold away with a soak in an outdoor hot tub, then choose from an enticing menu of treatments, including a head-to-toe massage and a warming scrub of vanilla and chai. You’ll feel refreshed, revitalized and restored.

Fun on Ice

Have the urge to twirl on ice or drive a hockey puck into the net and score? You can do both, and more, at the ice arena at the Genoveva Chavez Community Center. Sessions devoted to figure skating freestyle, ice dancing, public skates, family fun skates, adult level hockey drop-ins and more take place regularly. Check the schedule here. Don’t have skates? Don’t worry. You can rent figure or hockey skates and even get your own skates sharpened if they need it.

Sleighing It Winter fun in Santa Fe includes sledding at several popular locations.

Sledding is one of winter’s great pastimes and you’ll find plenty of places to enjoy it in the mountains of Santa Fe, whether your favorite vehicle is a toboggan, a plastic sled, or even an inner tube. Hyde Memorial State Park, eights miles from Santa Fe on Hyde Park Road, is the most popular sledding area, located in a forest along Little Tesuque Creek. (For safety reasons, you can only use a plastic sled or inner tube here.)

More sledding areas lie along Hyde Park Road, including Black Canyon, a great spot for children with its campgrounds and trails, and Aspen Vista, where plastic saucer sledding is popular.

Museums

Santa Fe is home to many excellent museums, from those you can find near the plaza to those up on Museum Hill. Visiting Santa Fe museums is a great way to spend a winter day! Explore history, art, Native American art and culture, folk art from around the world, and so much more. Lovers of the distinctive art of Georgia O’Keeffe can indulge themselves with a few hours at the museum that celebrates her work.

Theatre

Another perfect indoor activity for winter is catching a live show at the Lensic Performing Arts Center, or a special film at places like Jean Cocteau Cinema.

Meow Wolf

Cold outside? Head to Meow Wolf and spend the day exploring a multiverse beyond imagination! This interactive art display is fun for all ages. Take the time to try to solve the puzzles or just wonder at the creative minds who created this iconic location.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

One of the sweetest ways to savor winter is to stroll in the snow with someone you love. Whether you walk along fabled Canyon Road as flurries fall, or set out on a mountain trail freshly covered in snow, with no other tracks than yours, you’ll experience the magic of the season in Santa Fe.

Relax in Front of a Fire

And then you can reward yourself with a hot chocolate, or something stronger, relaxing in front of a fire at the stylish Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi or at another one of the city’s acclaimed destinations. Read our Heating It Up story about their restaurant here.

Original story by Lynn Cline.

This article was posted by Cheryl Fallstead

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