New Mexico’s Ski Santa Fe features some serious vert paired with green runs, perfect for kids just starting out. Less than 20 miles from Downtown Santa Fe, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this area got its first rope tow in the 1930s. Now, a favorite for skiing and boarding, Ski Santa Fe is a well-equipped resort with eight lifts and about 90 trails. If you’re considering a winter ski getaway, here is what to expect from the Ski Santa Fe.
What I Loved at Ski Santa Fe
Conveniently located to downtown Santa Fe, which offers many dining and lodging options.
It’s more affordable than Colorado or Utah
What I Wanted at Ski Santa Fe
More snowmaking, this resort is lean on snow most years early in the season, including the Christmas School Break
This resort is high, its base is located at 10,000, including its lodge
Ski Resort in Santa Fe
The Sangre de Cristo Mountains have been a beacon for skiers since the 1930s. The first tow rope used a car motor and was installed in 1936.
In 1949, the Santa Fe Ski Basin was organized. It raised funds and installed the first life shortly after. It is one of the highest ski resorts in the U.S., with a base elevation of 10,350 feet.
Ski Santa Fe covers two peaks: Lake Peak and Tesuque Peak. The skiing area is divided into the lower mountain and upper mountain.
Lower Mountain is mainly green runs with the Chipmunk Corner, the learning area for younger kids. The two surface lift are in this area: Chipmunk Corner (for ski school) and Pine Flats.
Three other lifts originate in the Lower Mountain area: Easy Street (a beginner chair lift), Sierra and the Santa Fe Express, a high-speed quad.
Upper Mountain is mainly blue, black and double black ski runs with glade skiing as well. It offers two lifts: the Millennium Lift and the Tesuque Peak.
It offers a lodge with restaurants, a rental shop and two areas dedicated to ski schools.
Free Sledding Area near Santa Fe
Ski Santa Fe Lodges
Ski Santa Fe features green runs for beginners and novices, most of them in the sun. I found their staff knowledgeable and friendly.
The main lodge, La Casa Lodge, offers two restaurants: La Casa Cafe and Terrace Grill. Totemoff’s Bar & Grill is located mid-mountain, and this building offers a restroom as well.
During our visit, we went to La Casa Cafe, the grab-and-go cafeteria. It offers plenty of seating. There is also the BaZ Coffee Bar. Outside, the Terrace Grill is the place if the weather is nice.
The rental area is roomy and lockers are located in this area. If you forgot some equipment, there is a ski shop.
Overall, the vibe is super mellow at Ski Santa Fe. Everyone is out to enjoy the snow, and you never feel like you are at an alpine fashion show.
The resort caters to families during the holiday breaks. The base lodge lacks a bar, great for the carful of kids but disappointing for the apres-ski crowd.
Packing List for Family Ski Trips
Ski Lessons at Ski Santa Fe
I am a firm believer in lessons for all ages. It’s the best choice for your children, so they will love to ski or snowboard.
The instructors are accomplished skiers or snowboarders and extremely patient with the little ones. Remember, this is supposed to be FUN.
I made reservations for my youngest, 5, at the Chipmunk Corner for two days (a necessity on school breaks). He skied before and didn’t really like it.
The Chipmunk Corner has its own conveyor-belt lift and fenced-off area. That means the kids will never leave the ground, and out-of-control adults will never run over them.
The check-in process was a breeze; I smeared sunscreen on his face before kissing it. He will be busy for the day.
When I picked up my youngest at the end of the day, he was grinning from ear to ear and said he loves to go fast. No tears, and we didn’t have a meltdown while I tried to cram on his boots.
Details for Chipmunk Corner
Group ski lessons start at 4 years old, and snowboarding starts at 6. If you have younger kids, consider private lessons. The Full Day Package includes the lesson, rental equipment, a lift ticket and lunch. For 2025 – 2026, it is $292. The program is divided by age and ability, from first-timers to green skiers.
Worth noting, Ski Santa Fe doesn’t offer a daycare. The minimum age for the Chipmunk Corner is 4, and kids must be potty-trained. Reservations are required during holiday breaks and most weekends. Participants must arrive one hour before to register and be outfitted with gear for the day.
Adult Lessons at Ski Santa Fe
If you have a tween or teen, they will be in adult lessons. I will be honest: this is not ideal, and for that reason, we didn’t put our older kids into lessons at Ski Santa Fe.
The adult lessons at Ski Santa Fe are divided into morning and afternoon lessons. The package includes a 3-hour lesson, rental gear and a lift ticket. For 2025 – 2026, it is $230 a day. Participants must arrive one hour before to register and be outfitted with gear for the day. Reservations are recommended.
2024 2025 Ski Santa Fe Lift Tickets
Ski Santa Fe doesn’t use the demand pricing model that most ski resorts use now. It uses a refillable RFID card, and each new card has a $2 fee.
It offers lots of discounts, from military to senior to the freedom rate: a $22 lift ticket for those under 5 and those over 72 with no blackout dates. The less expensive lift tickets are one of the main reasons families like this ski resort in Santa Fe.
| Ages | Online RFID Rate Weekday | Online Weekend Rate |
| Adult 24+ Full Day | Half Day | $108 | half-day $84 | $124 | half-day $96 |
| Teen 13 to 23 Full Day | $84 | $96 |
| 6 to 12 Full Day | No Half Day Discounts | $68 | $76 |
Where is Ski Santa Fe
Located at 1477 NM-475, Santa Fe. The road up to Ski Santa Fe, NM Highway 475, is wide and nicely paved. During the winter, it is frequently plowed and has plenty of guard rails. The RTD Mountain Trail Bus Route is a daily public transportation service.
It is open from late November to early April. Its hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the chair lifts run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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