Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
176
HORSEBACK RIDING
Trips ranging in length from a few hours to overnight can be arranged by
Santa Fe
Detours,
54
1
/
2
E. San Francisco St. (summer tour desk, 107 Washington Ave.;
&
800/
338-6877
or 505/983-6565; www.sfdetours.com). You'll ride with “experienced wran-
glers,” and they can even arrange a trip that includes a cookout or brunch. Rides are also
major activities at the
Bishop's Lodge
(see earlier). The
Broken Saddle Riding Com-
pany
(
&
505/424-7774
) offers rides through the stunning Galisteo Basin, south of
Santa Fe.
RIVER RAFTING & KAYAKING
Although Taos is the real rafting center of New Mexico, several companies serve Santa Fe
during the April-to-October white-water season. They include
New Wave Rafting,
70
County Rd. 84B, Santa Fe, NM 87506 (
&
800/984-1444
or 505/984-1444; www.
newwaverafting.com); and
Santa Fe Rafting Co.,
1000 Cerrillos Rd., Santa Fe, NM
87505 (
&
888/988-4914
or 505/988-4914; www.santaferafting.com). You can expect
the cost of a full-day trip to range from about $110 to $125 per person before tax and
the 3% federal land use fee. The day of the week (Mon-Fri are less expensive) and group
size may also affect the price.
RUNNING
Despite its elevation, Santa Fe is popular with runners and hosts numerous competitions,
including the annual
Old Santa Fe Trail Run
on Labor Day. The website
Santa Fe Strid-
ers
(www.santafestriders.org) lists various runs during the year, as well as weekly runs.
This is a great opportunity for travelers to find their way and to meet some locals.
7
SKIING
Every ability level can enjoy
Ski Santa Fe,
about 16 miles northeast of Santa Fe via Hyde
Park (Ski Basin) Road. Lots of locals ski here, particularly on weekends; if you can, go
on weekdays. It's a good family area and fairly small, so it's easy to split off from and later
reconnect with your party. Built on the upper reaches of 12,000-foot Tesuque Peak, the
area has an average annual snowfall of 225 inches and a vertical drop of 1,725 feet. Seven
lifts, including a 5,000-foot triple chair and a quad chair, serve 69 runs and 660 acres of
terrain, with a total capacity of 7,800 riders an hour. Base facilities, at 10,350 feet, center
on
La Casa Mall,
with a cafeteria, lounge, ski shop, and boutique. A restaurant,
Tote-
moff 's,
has a midmountain patio.
The ski area is open daily from 9am to 4pm; the season often runs from Thanksgiving
to early April, depending on snow conditions. Rates for all lifts are $58 for adults, $46
for teens (13-20 years old), $40 for children 12 and under and seniors 62 to 71 years
old; half-day tickets run $42. Tickets are free for kids less than 46 inches tall (in their ski
boots), and for seniors 72 and older. For more information, contact
Ski Santa Fe,
2209
Brothers Rd., Ste. 220 (
&
505/982-4429;
www.skisantafe.com). For 24-hour reports on
snow conditions, call
&
505/983-9155.
Ski New Mexico
(
&
505/585-2422
) gives
statewide reports. Ski packages are available through
SantaFeHotels.com
(
&
800/745-
9910
).
Cross-country skiers find seemingly endless miles of snow to track in the
Santa Fe
National Forest
(
&
505/438-7840;
www.fs.fed.us). A favorite place to start is at the
Black Canyon campground, about 9 miles from downtown en route to the Ski Santa Fe.
In the same area are the
Borrego Trail
(high intermediate),
Aspen Vista Trail,
and the
Norski Trail,
all en route to Ski Santa Fe as well. Other popular activities at the ski area
