New Mexico resorts give great blend of skiing, dining, shopping
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Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, 90 minutes north of Santa Fe, N.M., has 41 named trails and a vertical drop of 1,055 feet
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SANTA FE, N.M. -- It was an offer I couldn't turn down: An invitation to share a house here with three longtime ski companions and an opportunity to conduct some "product evaluation" at three snow- and sun-blessed New Mexico resorts.
We flew to Albuquerque, rented an SUV and drove about an hour to Santa Fe -- "Holy Faith" -- the capital of New Mexico. It's a high desert town at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and bordered by the Rio Grande.
Our group of Pittsburghers -- Joe Bensy, Bob Hughes, Tony Powell and I -- have skied together for more than 20 years, almost exclusively at Vail. They're strong skiers, capable of handling any type of terrain.
Flight information
We took American Airlines ($364.80 roundtrip) from Pittsburgh via Dallas/Fort Worth to Albuquerque and rented a sport utility vehicle from Dollar ($270, plus $105.70 for gas)
Lodging
Ski Santa Fe has no on-site overnight accommodations. There are B&Bs, condos, hotels, inns and national chains in Santa Fe, a 16-mile drive, that will assemble all-inclusive packages that include lodging, lift tickets, rental equipment and lessons.
B&Bs
El Pueblo Bonito B&B Inn, 138 W. Manhattan Ave., 1-800-461-4599, $70/$125 per night.
Las Palomas, 460 W. San Francisco St., 1-877-982-5560, $89/$159 per night.
Condominiums
All Vacation Rentals Santa Fe, 323 Kearney Road, 1-505-699-2289, $75/$250 per night.
Cozy Condo Rentals, 442 Gregg Ave., 1-913-262-4522, $109/$150 per night.
Inns/Hotels/Motels
Santa Fe Sage Inn, 725 Cerrillos Road, 1-866-433-0335, $59/79 per night.
La Fonda on the Plaza, 100 E. San Francisco St., 1-800-523-5002, $129/$599 per night.
Website:
Vacation rentals/dining are listed on the region's tourism site, www.santafe.org or go to www.skisantafe.com; 1-505-982-4429.
SIPAPU
Sipapu has apartments, bunk rooms, cabins, campsites, duplexes, lodge rooms, mobile homes, hotel rooms, RV spaces and suites at or near the family-friendly resort.
Its most popular special -- stay for free Sunday through Thursday with the purchase of one $44 lift ticket -- includes a hotel room with two queen-sized beds and a full bathroom located near the base lodge.
First Published February 5, 2012 12:00 am
