riding in new mexico? - Snowboarding Forum

sheepstealer · 03-02-2010, 02:55 PM

So I just got a job offer (!!!) in albuquerque, new mexico and I'm seriously considering it.

As a New England guy, I have absolutely no knowledge on riding in New Mexico. Can anyone offer any insight to this region? One of my number one priorities is that there are mountains nearby to ride at.

thanks for your help!

jpb3 · 03-02-2010, 04:14 PM

Taos and Angel Fire are about 2.5 hrs from Albuquerque. Red River is also in the are but I have only been to AF and Taos. There is also a little hill right outside Albuquerque but I'm not sure what its called and I haven't been to that one either. I guess I'm not much help so hopefully someone from the land of enchantment will chime in. I can say that Taos is good fun on the back side and if your up for hiking Kachina peak offers some really good runs. AF is way less steep and more family oriented I would say. If parks are your think AF has a good one. One thing about NM is you can really have some bluebird days out there.

Wolf Creek, CO is about 5 hrs away too and its one of the best in the US IMO.

P.S. my avatar pic was taken at AF. Told you about that bluebird sky!

Aside from riding aspects, NM is really cool. Much more beautiful than I ever expected.

Rufus · 03-02-2010, 05:39 PM

Here's the place near Albuquerque: Winter Sports

I've only visited there in the summer but it looks like a decent place to ride close to town, there's a gondola from the city to the top of the mountain. I have heard that sometimes the season there is pretty short, hopefully someone local will post some info for you.

that_guy · 03-04-2010, 08:39 AM

Sandia Peak, reachable by the tram from ABQ, or from the "back side" by car.

Santa Fe ski area is a 20-25 minute drive from the Santa Fe plaza, and is small, but has decent terrain.

Pajarito is in the Jemez, 10 minutes from downtown Los Alamos, open Thurs. - Sun.

And then there's Taos, Angel Fire, Red River, and Sipapu in the northern part of the state near the CO border.

Down south is the town of Ruidoso and Ski Apache.

**killclimbz** · 03-04-2010, 08:53 AM

There is definitely quality terrain in NM. The southwest flavor is awesome around there too. Taos can definitely hold it's own terrain wise with any of the big resorts. Sandia Peak is your quick fix right out of town spot.

Great hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and other sports to be enjoyed there. There is a reason they call it the "Land of Enchantment". Outdoor opportunity wise it's going to be way better than New England...

ElChupocabra · 03-07-2010, 02:05 PM

I live in 'burque. Sandia is rarely worth going to but when it is, it is cool to get some laps only fifteen minutes from where you live. Ski santa Fe is dope! and only about two hour drive from albuquerque. Taos is three hours away and offers better terrain than most ski areas in colorado (yeah I said it.) Ski apache is rarely worth the 3.5 - 4 hour drive but is this year. The ski areas in southern colorado are also fairly accessible, requiring only a 4-5 hour journey to get to the following places:silverton, telluride, purgatory, wolf creek, and monarch.(all of which are sick)
The only draw back of New Mexico is the lack of good parks. (Taos has the best by a long shot)
Definantly better than nearly everything the east coast has to offer.

----------------
Now playing: The Hood Internet - Fire It Up, Firemouse (Lil Wayne vs Modest Mouse)
via FoxyTunes

sheepstealer · 03-11-2010, 03:20 PM

thanks for the info. chupo (or anyone else), can you tell me anything about the lifestyle in albuquerque? housing? nightlife? types of people? thanks.

azrider · 03-11-2010, 06:58 PM

bump!! any locals on here at taos or santa fe?? im looking to head out there from az

Gigglinpig · 03-17-2010, 01:56 PM

I live in Albuquerque, and work in Santa Fe. I can see the snow packed Ski Santa Fe peak from my office - great mountain. Sandia Peak got the most snow in a decade this year, so it has been fun. Taos, Angel Fire, and Red River are within 3 - 3 1/2 hours of driving. Pajarito is another local mountain close to Santa Fe that most people forget about. It's pretty decent sized, and steep.

I think Albuquerque has the best weather, since we get a taste of all four seasons. Winters are moderately cold, but the town doesn't get too much snow itself. However, if you are into winter sports, Sandia Peak is only 20 minutes from town. There's lots of good fishing throughout the year as well. The housing market depends on the side of town you want to live in. The NE Heights ( closer to mountain ) is more expensive than the west side, which is a new subdivision with newly constructed houses etc. Traffic is hardly ever a problem, unless you are travelling to the west side during rush hour traffic.

We do have a decent downtown ( could always use more nightclubs ). You will find a lot of clubs playing salsa, other latin music here. Hip/hop and reggae as well. Electronic music scene is finally starting to pick up here, and hopefully keeps improving.

The population of Albuquerque is 45 % hispanic, 40% white and so on, but you will never feel out of place anywhere, since most people here are very accepting, friendly and tolerant. There's always arts and crafts festivals, and food fairs going on here. We like our chile! I never want to move away from here. It's awesome. Midsized city, with lots of outdoor stuff. Most of the town has bike lanes, and you can golf pretty much throughout the year.

03-02-2010, 02:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
sheepstealer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 261	riding in new mexico? So I just got a job offer (!!!) in albuquerque, new mexico and I'm seriously considering it. As a New England guy, I have absolutely no knowledge on riding in New Mexico. Can anyone offer any insight to this region? One of my number one priorities is that there are mountains nearby to ride at. thanks for your help!

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03-02-2010, 04:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
jpb3 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: dubV Posts: 255	Taos and Angel Fire are about 2.5 hrs from Albuquerque. Red River is also in the are but I have only been to AF and Taos. There is also a little hill right outside Albuquerque but I'm not sure what its called and I haven't been to that one either. I guess I'm not much help so hopefully someone from the land of enchantment will chime in. I can say that Taos is good fun on the back side and if your up for hiking Kachina peak offers some really good runs. AF is way less steep and more family oriented I would say. If parks are your think AF has a good one. One thing about NM is you can really have some bluebird days out there. Wolf Creek, CO is about 5 hrs away too and its one of the best in the US IMO. P.S. my avatar pic was taken at AF. Told you about that bluebird sky! Aside from riding aspects, NM is really cool. Much more beautiful than I ever expected.

03-02-2010, 05:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rufus Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: California Posts: 418	Here's the place near Albuquerque: Winter Sports I've only visited there in the summer but it looks like a decent place to ride close to town, there's a gondola from the city to the top of the mountain. I have heard that sometimes the season there is pretty short, hopefully someone local will post some info for you.

03-04-2010, 08:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
that_guy Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 65	Sandia Peak, reachable by the tram from ABQ, or from the "back side" by car. Santa Fe ski area is a 20-25 minute drive from the Santa Fe plaza, and is small, but has decent terrain. Pajarito is in the Jemez, 10 minutes from downtown Los Alamos, open Thurs. - Sun. And then there's Taos, Angel Fire, Red River, and Sipapu in the northern part of the state near the CO border. Down south is the town of Ruidoso and Ski Apache.

03-04-2010, 08:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
killclimbz Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Front Range Posts: 9,255	There is definitely quality terrain in NM. The southwest flavor is awesome around there too. Taos can definitely hold it's own terrain wise with any of the big resorts. Sandia Peak is your quick fix right out of town spot. Great hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and other sports to be enjoyed there. There is a reason they call it the "Land of Enchantment". Outdoor opportunity wise it's going to be way better than New England...

03-07-2010, 02:05 PM	#6 (permalink)
ElChupocabra Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 182	I live in 'burque. Sandia is rarely worth going to but when it is, it is cool to get some laps only fifteen minutes from where you live. Ski santa Fe is dope! and only about two hour drive from albuquerque. Taos is three hours away and offers better terrain than most ski areas in colorado (yeah I said it.) Ski apache is rarely worth the 3.5 - 4 hour drive but is this year. The ski areas in southern colorado are also fairly accessible, requiring only a 4-5 hour journey to get to the following places:silverton, telluride, purgatory, wolf creek, and monarch.(all of which are sick) The only draw back of New Mexico is the lack of good parks. (Taos has the best by a long shot) Definantly better than nearly everything the east coast has to offer. ---------------- Now playing: The Hood Internet - Fire It Up, Firemouse (Lil Wayne vs Modest Mouse) via FoxyTunes

03-11-2010, 03:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
sheepstealer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 261	thanks for the info. chupo (or anyone else), can you tell me anything about the lifestyle in albuquerque? housing? nightlife? types of people? thanks.

03-11-2010, 06:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
azrider Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 48	bump!! any locals on here at taos or santa fe?? im looking to head out there from az

03-17-2010, 01:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Gigglinpig -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 35	I live in Albuquerque, and work in Santa Fe. I can see the snow packed Ski Santa Fe peak from my office - great mountain. Sandia Peak got the most snow in a decade this year, so it has been fun. Taos, Angel Fire, and Red River are within 3 - 3 1/2 hours of driving. Pajarito is another local mountain close to Santa Fe that most people forget about. It's pretty decent sized, and steep. I think Albuquerque has the best weather, since we get a taste of all four seasons. Winters are moderately cold, but the town doesn't get too much snow itself. However, if you are into winter sports, Sandia Peak is only 20 minutes from town. There's lots of good fishing throughout the year as well. The housing market depends on the side of town you want to live in. The NE Heights ( closer to mountain ) is more expensive than the west side, which is a new subdivision with newly constructed houses etc. Traffic is hardly ever a problem, unless you are travelling to the west side during rush hour traffic. We do have a decent downtown ( could always use more nightclubs ). You will find a lot of clubs playing salsa, other latin music here. Hip/hop and reggae as well. Electronic music scene is finally starting to pick up here, and hopefully keeps improving. The population of Albuquerque is 45 % hispanic, 40% white and so on, but you will never feel out of place anywhere, since most people here are very accepting, friendly and tolerant. There's always arts and crafts festivals, and food fairs going on here. We like our chile! I never want to move away from here. It's awesome. Midsized city, with lots of outdoor stuff. Most of the town has bike lanes, and you can golf pretty much throughout the year.