Most people heading to the picturesque village of Angel Fire, located 100 miles north of Santa Fe, are there to play on, or bask in, the soaring Rocky Mountains that surround the Moreno Valley. Nearby ski areas offer great options year-round for outdoor adventures, whether you’re skiing and sledding in the winter or mountain biking, hiking, and ziplining in the warmer months. The town is also a short drive from many parks and nature reserves, including the Cimarron Canyon State Park and Eagle Nest Lake State Park, where you may encounter elk, deer, and wild turkeys as you’re exploring this magnificent corner of the Earth.

But nature isn’t the only reason to come to Angel Fire. Festivals throughout the year showcase the region’s art, music, and culture, not to mention New Mexico’s distinctive (and mighty delicious) cuisine. A mere 40-minute drive brings you to Taos, a renowned artists’ colony famous for its historic adobe buildings and Native American heritage.

During the summer, Angel Fire is warm and sunny, attracting many visitors interested in outdoor activities, the annual Chamber Music Festival, and the hot air balloon festival. The advantage of renting an Angel Fire cabin in the spring and fall is that you can still take advantage of the beautiful hiking trails while encountering far fewer crowds. In the winter, the town picks back up again as people head to the nearby ski resorts.

Ski Resorts

Angel Fire is surrounded by ski resorts that offer ample opportunities for outdoor activities. You can find many beginner and intermediate ski runs in addition to advanced slopes, making Angel Fire a great destination if you are traveling with a group of varying levels.

Cimarron Canyon State Park

This state park, just 20 minutes outside Angel Fire, is the perfect stop for an early morning hike on the four-mile Clear Creek Trail, where you can take in beautiful vistas and fascinating rock formations. Because it is in the center of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area, you may encounter birds and animals that rarely venture into more populous parts of the state.

Taos

This New Mexico city is well known for its adobe houses, thriving arts community, and historic St. Francisco de Asis Church, built between 1772 and 1816. Taos Pueblo, located just outside town, is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site and National Historic Landmark but a thousand-year-old Native American community. The Pueblo allows tourists to visit only during certain hours, so you’d be wise to check the schedule beforehand and arrive earlier in the day.