We were recently contacted by a Travel Guide NEW MEXICO reader and watcher looking for suggestions about non-skiing activities in Angel Fire, New Mexico. We have a few recommendations and wanted to share them with everyone:
- El Monte Sagrado (www.elmontesagrado.com) is an incredible spa in Taos (there are none in Angel Fire) and about a 30-40 minute drive from Angel Fire. They have overnight accommodations, day spa and a great restaurant. We have visited many spas in the state and I would put this one at the top of our list. It is a great place to go and be pampered.
- Angel Fire Excursions offers snow mobile tours through Kit Carson National Forest. The folks at AFE are great folks and are terrific working with those who may not have been on a snow mobile before. We have been through Kit Carson and it is a wonderful forest. Lots of wildlife in the winter including Elk … and if you’re lucky you might spot a bear or two!
- Road Runner Tours offers winter horseback riding, sleigh rides and dinner sleigh rides, too. These folks have been doing tours for over 25 years and are wonderful people … and a lot of fun to be with/around.
- Enchanted Circle: This is one of the State’s scenic byways that goes up to Red River (shopping, etc.) and Taos and loops back to Angel Fire. It is a beautiful drive and depending upon the time of winter you go it is an easy drive. Be careful if there has been a lot of snow. Views are spectacular through the mountains and Red River is another of those fun places to visit.
- Shopping: Angel Fire has some great shops and art galleries. The town is small enough that you can park your car just about anywhere and walk Main Street. There is great shopping, too, in both Taos and Red River. Again … both an easy drive from Angel Fire.
We recommend a stop at the Angel Fire Visitors Bureau, on the far end of Main Street — they have lots of information and can help you with reservations and ideas for additional non-skiing opportunities.
A few last thoughts … make sure you treat yourselves to dinner at the Roasted Clove, which is near the Resort at Angel Fire. It is one of the finest restaurants we’ve eaten in while touring the state. Everything from incredible burgers to great steaks and sea food. You won’t go wrong. I think Monday night is their special burger night. Well worth checking out.
We also recommend that you get into your car at dusk or just around dawn and drive up the mountain. The roads are paved and clear of snow (99% of the time). If you want to see Elk you’re almost a shoe-in for great pictures. Lots of “critters” around and on the mountain.
