stoweflake

I am planning a 5/6 day trip in January for my 18 year daughter and myself. I've heard great things about Santa Fe. We love the outdoors but she snowboards and Taos doesn't allow snowboards. We could just shop, hike and go to a spa. Can anyone guide us and which to choose? thanks

DebitNM

stoweflake --
My vote is for Santa Fe. Your DD can board at Santa Fe, Angel Fire and Red River.

The shopping is great, terrific food, excellent spas [ten thousand waves] funky stores, nice hikes, museums and so much more!

Type in Santa Fe in the search box above and see what already been written about it. Also, click on DESTINATIONS link at top of page and see what Fodor's says for Santa Fe, they do a great job of activities.

Post back with specific Q's or email me directly.

Hope this helps...
Debi

crefloors

I live in Reno, so quite familiar with Lake Tahoe, but having said that, MY first thought was Santa Fe. Was there once and just LOVED it. However, if snowboarding is an "issue" then I guess it would have to be Tahoe. Personally, I'd skip the snowboarding and head for New Mexico.

DebitNM

Sorry, perhaps I was a bit vague. Angel Fire & Red River are ski places that have snowboarding and are closer than Taos is; also there is a sku place right in Santa Fe that has snowboarding.

Debi

cabovacation

I'd vote for Santa Fe/Taos. I love Tahoe, but there is an entire aura about Santa Fe. It is more sophisticated, and also has much to do outdoors. You'll love the smell of Pinon wood burning.

beachbum

If skiing or boarding is the primary activity, you MIGHT pick Tahoe. But for anything else you might want to do, Santa Fe would be the clear choice. I've not been there when it's snowed, but it's easy to imagine what it must be like: heavenly. quot;>

stoweflake

Wow, thank you all so much for your help. I guess Santa fe it is. How many days do you think we should spend there? and should we stay overnight in Albequrque or Taos? DebitNM I take a look at the mountains in Santa Fe and see if it's worth it you my daughter to board and me to ski. My guess is they may not be. Thanks

DebitNM

stoweflake -- If you are coming from NY and do infact decide on Santa Fe...you will fly into ABQ and then have to drive to Santa Fe. There are lots of things to do in ABQ as well as Santa Fe. You could also drive from Santa Fe up to Taos for the day and check that out too. [A day in Taos should be sufficient -- it is about a 2 hour drive from Santa Fe so you could do it in a long day or you could stay a night] and 3 days in Santa Fe would be good, leaving a day in ABQ on the way in and out. How does that sound?

http://www.dukecityfix.com/index.php?itemid=1307 for some good ideas about ABQ activities.

Don't shortchange the skiing in Santa Fe. If the winter is anything like the summer was, there will be lots of good snow. And it's powder, not ice like back east!

http://www.skisantafe.com/

And ask away regarding anything else you want to know.

Hope this helps...
Debi

cabovacation

do check out taos ski school, etc....the best in the country! the skiing is fabulous.

stoweflake

Thanks The timing looks like it fits with our schedule. sounds great. I will check out the skiing in Santa Fe. Great site for ABQ. Do you know of a site like that for Santa Fe?

DebitNM

Here's a few Santa Fe sites:

http://www.santafenow.com/links/april99/

http://santafe.org/

http://www.seesantafe.org/things_to_do.asp

http://www.santafeartsandculture.org/

Hope these help...
Debi

escargot

My mother and I visited Santa Fe and Albuquerque together - it was one of the most memorable trips we had together.
A good mix of art, architecture, fun, galleries, history, great drives, just wonderful.

Even if you stay in Santa Fe, you can do the road to Taos and back, it's so beautiful and enchanting.

When I think of that trip, and I know some of these things are Albuquerque or further, I think of the Loretto Chapel, Cordova and visiting a woodcarver in his home (soemthing my mother had somehow researched and made arrangements for), Chimayo and all the wonderful sites on the road up and back from Taos, the pueblos (Acoma was my favorite, but I know it is further than Albuquerque and we had to get permission to visit the pueblo) also enjoyed Taos Pueblo) , Bandelier and the Anasazi ruins, all so amazing. I just love the areas of New Mexico I have been to.....this is getting me thinking I have to convince my husband to go, as he has never been..

I don't know if you go to services, or particular ones or not - but one thing my mom did, and I continue to do wtih my children, was have us go to at least one service of some religion wherever we were visiting, usually in an old, beautiful church, and that in itself was a learning experience and very interesting. YOu might want to see if one of the hcurches, or DebitNM can probably help you with this one, she is a good authority on Santa Fe from the posts of hers I've seen - if there is one in particular that stands out, like one in Loretto or in Chimayo perhaps.

This link lists many of the places and routes we took:

http://tinyurl.com/yx7sbh

Have fun ! I remember thinking my mom was so "cool" traveling with me and especially have a vivid memory of her (a tiny, small woman) sliding up onto a bar stool at one of the restaurants we stopped at on the way to Taos and I'd never seen my mom sit on a bar stool never mind eat at a bar and thought she was just oh, so hip !

Have a wonderful time if that is where you go, but I vote for Santa Fe area....
Albuquerque and the surrounds from that you can save for a follow up trip ! I think 5/6 days in Santa Fe sound like heaven, and a good mix of sites to see.

DebitNM

~~~~~~topping for wbonder~~~~

stoweflake

Just a follow up. We did wind up in Santa Fe and loved it. There was so much snow that we decided to Ski Santa Fe. The conditions were wonderful. The food was really good too. We ate on Canyon Road at a tapas bar and a new Thai place on the other side of town. Drove to Chimaya and went to the little church that was recommended. That was great but everything elese seemed to be closed in January. I guess I'll have to return during the summer months.