The New Year is here, and we know you're eager for a great adventure. You couldn't pick a better place to kick off 2022 than Santa Fe County, one of Time Magazine's picks for the World's Greatest Places. Climb aboard an exciting new train for the ride of a lifetime and ski our legendary powder in the foothills of the Rockies. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of a treasured living history museum and connect with nature in a remarkable national historical park. Spend some time with us in the new year and spark your spirit with elevated experiences you can only find in this high-altitude, sun-soaked region of the Southwest. To help you plan your visit easily, and with a coveted insider's view, we've launched a brand new mobile app that you can read about below.
All Aboard
Dragons and dire wolves escort you on the new Sky Railway, a trailblazing train adventure along an historic rail line between Santa Fe and Lamy. Game of Thrones fans will recognize these fabled creatures painted on some of the train car exteriors. They were created by the railway's co-owner George R.R. Martin for his fantasy novels, which were the basis of the hit HBO series. Sky Railway's schedule of immersive “themed” train rides will thrill riders of all ages. Choose The Exodus Experience, a sunset train adventure featuring an interactive theatrical experience company, or Cocktails and Rails, an evening train ride that combines cocktails with cabaret or live jazz. And while it may not be “Murder on the Orient Express” the Murder on the Lamy Line train adventure presents a whodunnit for you and your fellow travelers to solve. Sky Railway's upcoming adventures include The Wild West Express, a journey into the Old West with horse chases and gun fights, The Stargazer Express, a celestial rail-run deep into New Mexico's starry night, as well as culinary excursions, holiday trains and other exciting offerings.
Celebrate a 50th Anniversary
El Rancho de las Golondrinas turns 50 this year, and you can bet this acclaimed living history museum is celebrating its milestone in style, with 50 events for 50 years. Once a historic ranch on the Camino Real—the Royal Road that connected Mexico City to Santa Fe—the museum is devoted to New Mexico’s history, culture and heritage from the 17th and 18th centuries. El Rancho de las Golondrinas vividly brings the region's unique past to life with costumed docents, historic buildings and annual festivals. The 50th anniversary celebrations kick off in January with a monthly lecture series through March, virtual “Live Session” talks in April and an El Camino Real Fun Run on May 14, with a Half Marathon, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run on the museum grounds. You'll run through history, as the routes follow the historic El Camino Real. After reaching the finish line, celebrate your feat at a post-race party with live music, food trucks and a beer tent. Register for the race at golondrinas.org
Look for more events in 2022, including annual festivals with 20 Themed Weekend Days devoted to weaving, blacksmithing, milling, baking, historic foodways and New Mexico traditions. The year of celebration wraps up with a 50th Anniversary Fiesta Matanza, a traditional culinary feast, on October 8.
Spectacular Spring Skiing
Powdery slopes, breathtaking views and brilliant sunlight make Ski Santa Fe the perfect place for a winter getaway and a spring break. With 86 trails descending from a 12,075-foot summit beneath sun-drenched skies, this premiere Southwest ski destination draws skiers and snowboarders alike. Add in seven lifts, a ski school, excellent trails for all levels, and 225 inches of average annual snowfall, and it's easy to see why people return to this family-friendly ski area year after year. Ski gorgeous glade runs or tackle challenging moguls on a mountain with a vertical drop of 1,725 feet then relax slope side at Totemoff's Bar & Grill and fuel up with a green chile cheeseburger. If this is your first visit to Ski Santa Fe, you'll be back.
Hikes Through History
Out among the piñon, juniper and ponderosa woodlands of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the 6,500-acre Pecos National Historical Park contains centuries of history—ancient ruins of a significant Southwest pueblo, haunting remnants of an 18th-century Spanish mission church, wagon wheel ruts on the Santa Fe Trail and traces of a pivotal American Civil war battle. The park's excellent hiking trails connect you to this history and to nature's beauty. For an easy/moderate hike, try the scenic 3.8-mile South Pasture Loop Trail, an old ranching road that winds through pasture lands and a cottonwood grove by the Pecos River. For a trip into the ancient past, the 1.25 easy roundtrip loop Ancestral Sites Trail leads to ancestral sites of the Pecos Pueblo and the mission church. Discover more places to hike through history in our 8 Must-See Parks and Monuments itinerary, on our website: https://santafenmtrue.com/day-trips/parks-monuments
Santa Fe County Launches New Mobile App
Navigating Santa Fe County is a snap with our new Santa Fe County Experience mobile app. Plan your trip in a flash with the app's easy access to local businesses, outdoor adventures, and exciting day trips. With the app's insider's perspective, you'll discover local favorites, hidden gems and all our famed attractions, national parks, monuments and historic landmarks. Curate authentic experiences with the app's itineraries to the top places to see in Santa Fe County, including a Feast of Elevated Flavors and Exploring the Turquoise Trail.
The Santa Fe County Experience app is available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store.