A magical winter awaits you in Santa Fe County. With the glow of holiday farolitos, festive tree lighting parties and the beguiling beauty of gently falling snow, the joys of the season will enchant you. Fill your days with adventurous hikes through mountain forests of juniper and piñon, and ski some of the best powder in the Southwest. Relax in the spa of a world-class resort with a blissful massage followed by a soothing soak in healing waters. Savor delicious creative cuisine by candlelight. When the holidays are over, January is an ideal month for recharging your spirits amid the beauty of spectacular mountains blanketed in snow. It's a slower time of year, but you'll still find plenty of enticing things to do when you visit one of Time Magazine's picks for the World's Greatest Places and Travel & Leisure's No. 2 Top City in the U.S.https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2021/6079299/santa-fe-new-mexico/
Timeless Traditions and a Trail of Beauty
Pecos National historical Park will not be hosting any winter holiday events because of COVID concerns.
Ski the Legendary Powder
Endless adventure awaits you at Ski Santa Fe, where 86 powdery trails descend from a 12,075-foot summit. Skiers and snowboarders delight in this premiere Southwest ski destination, which offers seven lifts, a vertical drop of 1, 725 feet, and excellent trails for everyone, from novice to expert. Stunning views, extensive glade runs, challenging moguls, a ski school and more, combined with 225 inches of average annual snowfall, make this family ski area the perfect place for your holiday adventures.
A New Year’s Eve to Remember
Ring in the New Year on the Santa Fe Plaza with music, fireworks and fun. Piñon bonfires will keep you warm and fill the air with a fragrant scent, and food trucks will provide plenty of hearty fare. Enjoy free hot chocolate and biscochitos, then join the countdown to the stroke of midnight, when you’ll welcome the New Year in City Different-style, with the rising of a hand-crafted Zia symbol into the night sky, set against a backdrop of fireworks. Be sure to dress warmly.
Enchanting Days and Nights at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado
Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe kicks off the holiday season with its 7th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, open to everyone. Take in the beauty of sparkling lights and elegant ornaments as you enjoy holiday cookies, apple cider and spiced hot chocolate on Thursday, December 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. The holiday enchantment continues on Christmas Day, when Santa Claus drops in to pose for your pictures. The renowned resort's acclaimed Terra Restaurant has cooked up The Seven Nights of Terra, a culinary journey of nightly themed dinner selections served through January 2022, except for the holidays, when you can savor signature dinners on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. And who needs sugarplums when you can cozy up to the Terra firepit and make your own S’mores with kits that are set out from 6 to 7 p.m. Melt away holiday stress with a Warm Bourbon Brown Sugar Body Scrub, a seasonal special at the resort's spa. The full experience includes the body scrub followed by a shea butter treatment to nourish your skin. Complimentary yoga classes will also de-stress, available on limited days throughout the holidays.
Festive Fun at Bishop's Lodge
Ring in the holidays with good cheer at Bishop's Lodge Auberge Resorts Collection | Santa Fe, a historic retreat that has been transformed into a brand new luxury resort. Take in the great outdoors with horseback riding, hiking and other activities, then visit the wellness studio for a relaxing massage with healing botanicals and turquoise gem therapy to rebalance your chakras. A full week of festive activities includes learning to make tamales, a longtime New Mexico holiday tradition, and creating tin folk art, including ornaments. On Thursday, December 23 at 4 p.m., guests can gather in the lounge for mulled wine, apple cider and hot chocolate before joining a musical procession around the property led by theVictorian Caroler group. On Christmas Day, savor the unique flavor of northern New Mexico with a Chile Celebration brunch at SkyFire, the resort's restaurant, served from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. SkyFire also will serve a festive Christmas dinner. New Year's Day dawns with an outdoor fire meditation, in which you’ll write down your worries from the past year and place them in the fire, releasing them to the universe.
Spend time with us in Santa Fe County this winter and let our timeless traditions, spectacular scenery and community camaraderie fill your heart with wonder and joy. You’ll quickly see why Travel + Leisure has named Santa Fe one of the best destinations to spend the holiday season.