Let it snow in New Mexico

"BY JESSE KINOS-GOODIN, NATIONAL POST


'Red or green?' is something you're asked a lot in New Mexico. In fact, New Mexicans are so proud of their two varieties of chiles (it's eaten on practically everything, including the McDonald's cheeseburger Bueno), it's considered the official state question.


And while the chile alone is well worth the trip, choosing red or green is not why I visited the 'land of enchantment' earlier this month. I was there for the simple shade of white - snow, more specifically, and plenty of it.


While cities all over the United States and Canada are experiencing unseasonably mild winters, New Mexico has seen record snowfalls dump the powdery white stuff on its ski resorts. And with the peak elevation ranging from 10,000 feet to more than 12,000 feet above sea level, the snow at these resorts is going to stick around. There's good reason Outside magazine voted one New Mexican resort, Taos Ski Valley, the best place for spring skiing this year.  ------------------


Ski Santa Fe Ski Santa Fe boasts the second highest base in the U.S., sitting at 10,350 feet (it's peak is 12,075 feet). It's so high, in fact, that I was winded just walking up the stairs to the ticket windows. But while thin air is one downfall to its elevation, amazing snow conditions and variety of terrain is the definite upside, with everything from standard groomed trails to 30-foot cliff drops.


One big advantage Ski Santa Fe has is its location just 25 kilometres from Santa Fe, a historic city where all the buildings are made of adobe, and the fragrant smell of burning pinon wood permeates the air like incense.


There are also plenty of authentic New Mexican restaurants, such as Maria's Mexican Kitchen, which boasts more than 100 different types of margaritas (I recommend the Macho Cowboy). 505-982-4429, skisantafe.com


As for answering that 'red or green?' question, if you're not prepared to commit to one or the other, there is always the option to pick both, or have 'Christmas,' as it's called. For ski and snowboard enthusiasts, given that the incredible snow conditions make you feel like a kid on Christmas morning, it seems like the most appropriate response.


- Jesse Kinos-Goodin was a guest of Ski New Mexico."


http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/snow+Mexico/6198545/story.html


email:  newmexicocuisine@gmail.com


tags:
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