Albuquerque - American Southwest - page 256

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spectacular views down across Albuquerque. The 5.5-mile one-way hike is moderate to
difficult. Allow 1 to 8 hours, depending on how far you want to go. Access it by driving
east from downtown on Montgomery Boulevard past the intersection with Tramway
Boulevard. Go left on Glenwood Hills Drive and head north about a half-mile before
turning right onto a short road that leads to the trail head. The premier Sandia Mountain
hike is La Luz Trail, a very strenuous journey from the Sandia foothills to the top of the
Crest. It's a 15-mile round-trip jaunt, and it's half that if you take the Sandia Peak Tram-
way (see “The Top Attractions,” earlier in this chapter) either up or down. Allow a full
day for this hike. Access is off Tramway Boulevard and Forest Service Road 333. For more
details, contact Sandia Ranger Station, Highway 337 south toward Tijeras ( & 505/
281-3304; www.fs.fed.us/r3/cibola).
HORSEBACK RIDING
If you have a hankering to get in a saddle and eat some trail dust, call the Hyatt Regency
Tamaya Resort and Spa, 1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo ( & 505/771-6037;
www.tamaya.hyatt.com). The resort offers 2 1 / 2 -hour-long rides near the Rio Grande for
$75 per person. Children must be over 7 years of age and over 4 feet tall. The resort is
about 15 miles north of Albuquerque. From I-25, take exit 242, following US 550 west
to Tamaya Boulevard, and drive 1 1 / 2 miles to the resort. See p. 244.
SKIING
Sandia Peak Ski Area is a good place for family skiing. There are plenty of beginner and
intermediate runs. (However, if you're looking for more challenge or more variety, head
north to Santa Fe or Taos.) The ski area has twin base-to-summit chairlifts to its upper
slopes at 10,360 feet and a 1,700-foot vertical drop. There are 30 runs (35% beginner,
55% intermediate, 10% advanced) above the day lodge and ski-rental shop. Four chairs
and two pomas accommodate 3,400 skiers an hour. All-day lift tickets are $48 for adults,
$38 for ages 13 to 20, $35 for children ages 6 to 12 and seniors (ages 62-71), and free
for children 46 inches tall or less (in ski boots) and seniors ages 72 and over; rental pack-
ages are available. The season runs mid-December to mid-March. Contact the ski area,
10 Tramway Loop NE ( & 505/242-9052; www.sandiapeak.com), for more informa-
tion, or call the hot line for ski conditions ( & 505/857-8977 ).
Cross-country skiers can enjoy the trails of the Sandia Wilderness from the ski area, or
they can go an hour north to the remote Jemez Wilderness and its hot springs.

9

TENNIS
Albuquerque has 29 public parks with tennis courts. Because of the city's size, your best
bet is to call the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau ( & 800/284-2282;
www.itsatrip.org) to find out which park is closest to your hotel.

8 SPECTATOR SPORTS

BASEBALL
The Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers) play 72 home
games as part of the Pacific Coast League in their stadium, Isotopes Park. Tickets range
in price from $6 to $24. For information, contact & 505/924-2255; www.albuquerque-
baseball.com. Isotopes Park is at 1601 Av. Cesar Chavez SE. Take I-25 south of town to