The holidays at Angel Fire Resort are here! There is a lot do this winter, but here are ten “Must Do” events and activities for you and your family!
1. Ski with Santa
Santa will be out on the mountain every day beginning Tuesday, December 23 until Christmas Day. Find him on the mountain for pictures, candy and let him know how good you have been this year.
2. Go Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is a great way to get out into the beautiful wilderness and see some amazing view and if you are lucky, maybe even some wild life. Snowshoeing is an easy activity for the whole family to participate in.
The Nordic Center rents snowshoes, and snowshoeing is allowed on the Nordic Center Trails. Snowshoeing is also allowed on all the Greenbelt Trails.
One of my favorite trails to hike is a trail called Oeste Viste. The trailhead is located across the highway from the turnoff to the Country Club. It is a two mile loop with an option for a shorter loop. The hike is a bit more difficult, but allows you to see beautiful views of the valley.
If doing this hike I would recommend leaving 2 hours to complete the loop. There are picnic tables and benches along the way, where you and the family can stop for a snack and pictures.
Most of the Greenbelt Trails have picnic tables along the way. The Nordic Center Trails have warming huts along the way. Remember to dress for the weather.
3. Watch the Torchlight Parade
Angel Fire Resort has two torchlight parades. One on Christmas Eve and one on New Year’s Eve. The torchlight parades are one of the most unique things to experience at Angel Fire Resort. A torchlight parade is a parade of skiers and snowboarders, all holding torches or lights, that ski in-line down the mountain after dark. This creates a beautiful show of moving lights down the mountain.
Snuggle up with the family and watch a one of a kind experience. It is a great way to celebrate the holidays with the family. After the parade you will be treated to a fun and festive fireworks display. The parade will start at dark.
4. Take a Nordic Lesson
Nordic skiing is another fun activity that is easy for the entire family to participate in. If you downhill ski or if you have ever skated you can pick up the sport easily.
Taking a lesson with the whole family is a great way to try out a new sport and enjoy the snow. The Nordic Center offers lessons by appointment. They also rent all the equipment you need to get started. To reserve a lesson call (575) 377-3055.
5. Try the new Breakfast Buffet at Legends Grill
For the first time Legends Grill is offering a hot breakfast buffet. Wake up, and fuel up for the day with eggs, fresh pastries, biscuits and gravy, pancakes, coffee and more. The buffet is all you can eat and a great way to start your day.
6. Make an Angel Fire Snowflake
These snowflakes make beautiful decorations and are a fun craft to do in the evening by the fire, or if the weather makes you want to stay in with the family.
The steps for the snowflakes are below:
Supplies:
- 6 Pieces of Paper – could be wrapping paper, colored or plain white paper
- Markers – if you have plain white paper
- Scissors
- Tape
- Stapler
Steps:
Make a square out of each piece of paper: Fold one short edge with a long edge to make a triangle, cut off the edge to make a squared off piece of paper.
If you want to, color your paper on both sides with markers. For a true Angel Fire Snowflake, decorate 1 side with fire/sunset colors and the other side with blues, like the sky and snow.
Fold the squares back into triangles. Then fold the triangles into smaller triangles.
Cut slits along the open edge of the smaller triangles, be sure that your cuts are parallel to the long edge of the triangle. This is the most difficult part, younger children may need help.- Unfold all your triangles, back into squares.
With your square flat, role the inner most diamond into a tube and tape it. Continue to tape together each side diamond, alternating sides. This will create 1 stem of the snowflake.
Once you have taped together all the diamond on all your squares, staple 3 stems together in what will be the middle. you will have two sets of three stems.
Staple the two sets together at the middle.
Staple the stems together where each of them meet.
You can make as many as you want, maybe each family member can make one, then hang them all together for a beautiful winter decoration.
7. Take a ride on the Polar Coaster
Invite the family out and take some runs on the Polar Coaster. Tubing is the perfect compliment to a morning of skiing on the mountain.
Tubing is sold in 1.5 hour blocks and is open from 1-5:30 p.m. Afterwards enjoy some hot chocolate at the Village Haus.
8. Have Dinner at Elements
Elements has an array of delicious buffets this holiday season. They start on Christmas Eve, continue on Christmas day and finally will be featured on New Year’s Eve. Try on or Try them all, the food at Elements is always delicious. Pair this with a Nordic Lesson in the Morning for a day full of fun and amazing food. Reservations are required for all Holiday Buffets, call (575) 377-3055 to reserve a table for your family.
9. Try Night Skiing
If you haven’t skied under the lights, it is definitely a must try! You can even take a ride on the Polar Coaster under the lights! On clear nights you can see the beautiful New Mexico night skies and stars. On Saturdays, you can watch the Locals Rail Jam. Watch talented skiers and snowboarders test their skills on features that are LED lit. Night skiing is open from 4-8 p.m. and tickets are $12. After a few runs head into the Village Haus for some hot cocoa and live music!
10. Live Music
It’s always nice to have dinner, listen to some live music and do some dancing! Throughout the holiday season, Angel Fire Resort will have live music in various venues. The Village Haus and Legends will host bands and DJ’s every night until Sunday, January 4. Check the events calendar to find band names and times. Live music is also a great way to unwind after a busy day of skiing, snowboarding or even tubing! Get your Aprés on this holiday season.
