Recommendations for New Mexico - end of Dec / Jan
#21
Join Date: Jul 2005
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I would definitely do Acoma Pueblo. It is as authentic as it gets nowadays. The museum there is also very good.
You say your husband is interested in Route 66- 2 1/2 hours from Albuquerque is Tucumcari which is pretty much stuck in the route 66 days with all of the old signs, buildings and many, many murals. You could make a long day trip there or go and stay the night in one of the original motels. Some of the original 66 runs through Albuquerque and outside the original Rio Puerto bridge is still there (if you go to Acoma you would pass it).
You could take a drive to El Malpais National Monument to see the ancient lava flows and sandstone cliffs or to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge ut that time of year, I am not too sure what birds are around.Also, Sandia Peak Tramway may be open-not too sure you will need to check.
Santa Fe was a disappointment to me a few years ago. I had been there when I was in college and loved it but it has changed so much that after two nights, I was ready to leave. I have yet to go to Taos, so can't comment. We did love stopping in Madrid along the turquoise trail to Santa Fe-actually stayed the night and had a lot of fun!
Definitely be prepared for the possibility of cold weather!
You say your husband is interested in Route 66- 2 1/2 hours from Albuquerque is Tucumcari which is pretty much stuck in the route 66 days with all of the old signs, buildings and many, many murals. You could make a long day trip there or go and stay the night in one of the original motels. Some of the original 66 runs through Albuquerque and outside the original Rio Puerto bridge is still there (if you go to Acoma you would pass it).
You could take a drive to El Malpais National Monument to see the ancient lava flows and sandstone cliffs or to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge ut that time of year, I am not too sure what birds are around.Also, Sandia Peak Tramway may be open-not too sure you will need to check.
Santa Fe was a disappointment to me a few years ago. I had been there when I was in college and loved it but it has changed so much that after two nights, I was ready to leave. I have yet to go to Taos, so can't comment. We did love stopping in Madrid along the turquoise trail to Santa Fe-actually stayed the night and had a lot of fun!
Definitely be prepared for the possibility of cold weather!
#24
Join Date: Feb 2003
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"I would spend at least three nights in Santa Fe with a day trip to Taos. Snow is a strong possibility as this area is at a high altitude, over 7000 ft.. There is a ski area, Angel Fire, nearby."
Let's clarify this. First, Santa Fe has a ski area with the rather boring name of Santa Fe Ski Area. So there's no NEED to go to Taos to ski.
Second, there is not "a" ski area near Taos. There are at least four: Angel Fire, Taos Ski Valley, Red River, and Sipapu.
Sipapu prides itself on being the first to open every year. It is fairly small and has relatively few amenities, but it's the second-closest to Taos.
TSV is the closest to Taos and it's great if you know what you're doing. If you're a new skier or anything below a real intermediate who can handle some less-challenging expert trails, it's rough. It tends to be fairly steep and can get really icy in the afternoons because the trails are in the shade. Unlike Sipapu, TSV has various bars and restaurants.
Angel Fire has a reputation of being far more forgiving and less difficult. I haven't been there, but locals joke that an expert (single diamond) run at Angel Fire is a beginner run at Taos Ski Valley.
Red River is the furthest from Taos (50 min) but it's a good ski area with a mix of difficulties and decent number of runs.
All that said, if you're not going to ski, you won't need to budget the time for doing so into Santa Fe or Taos, which will change your distribution of nights.
Let's clarify this. First, Santa Fe has a ski area with the rather boring name of Santa Fe Ski Area. So there's no NEED to go to Taos to ski.
Second, there is not "a" ski area near Taos. There are at least four: Angel Fire, Taos Ski Valley, Red River, and Sipapu.
Sipapu prides itself on being the first to open every year. It is fairly small and has relatively few amenities, but it's the second-closest to Taos.
TSV is the closest to Taos and it's great if you know what you're doing. If you're a new skier or anything below a real intermediate who can handle some less-challenging expert trails, it's rough. It tends to be fairly steep and can get really icy in the afternoons because the trails are in the shade. Unlike Sipapu, TSV has various bars and restaurants.
Angel Fire has a reputation of being far more forgiving and less difficult. I haven't been there, but locals joke that an expert (single diamond) run at Angel Fire is a beginner run at Taos Ski Valley.
Red River is the furthest from Taos (50 min) but it's a good ski area with a mix of difficulties and decent number of runs.
All that said, if you're not going to ski, you won't need to budget the time for doing so into Santa Fe or Taos, which will change your distribution of nights.
#25
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Join Date: Jun 2012
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Thanks BigRuss for the clarification.
We will not be skiing while we are away but are looking forward to perhaps a "White post Christmas / New Year ". ( We are spending Christmas in LA then coming to New Mexico ).
Our only experience driving in the snow was when we did a trip to Lake Arrowhead and we had to pay someone to put the chains on. ( No snow in Melbourne!)
We are thinking the driving conditions will be similar to those when we were in Sedona a few years back. In Sedona itself no snow but 10 mins down the road there was snow and at Flagstaff and Grand Canyon snow. ( The roads were all cleared so we did not have any issues )
Christmas Day there was a huge blizzard so we just stayed indoors.
Any other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks
We will not be skiing while we are away but are looking forward to perhaps a "White post Christmas / New Year ". ( We are spending Christmas in LA then coming to New Mexico ).
Our only experience driving in the snow was when we did a trip to Lake Arrowhead and we had to pay someone to put the chains on. ( No snow in Melbourne!)
We are thinking the driving conditions will be similar to those when we were in Sedona a few years back. In Sedona itself no snow but 10 mins down the road there was snow and at Flagstaff and Grand Canyon snow. ( The roads were all cleared so we did not have any issues )
Christmas Day there was a huge blizzard so we just stayed indoors.
Any other suggestions are welcome.
Thanks
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