Angel Fire Ski Resort - Review 2023

Resort

Locally owned and vibrant, Angel Fire Resort is ready to bring an authentic mountain vacation your way. The ski resort has sustained a classic retro vibe since its opening in 1966, despite ownership transfers.

Angel Fire prides itself in being “your family’s first resort;” this mountain could not be better suited for families and beginners. Angel Fire is your favorite family vacation: free s’mores evenings, user-friendly terrain, a qualified ski school, and people-oriented customer service.

An average of 210in of snow a year blesses Angel Fire. Due to the high altitude of 8,600ft, the snow stays light, fluffy, and shreddable. Visiting during February and early March will provide sick pow days.

Angel Fire Resort is not just for skiers or snowboarders. Sleigh rides, ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, sledding, tubing, and more are offered in the area. Individual adventurers and families will have a jam-packed schedule filled with versatile activities.

Crowds stay relatively thin at Angel Fire Resort. However, you will notice long lift lines on holidays and special weekends. There are seven chair lifts. So this relatively small mountain can be affected by an abundance of visitors.

Angel Fire Resort has 560 skiable acres. Most of the terrain is geared toward beginners and intermediates. However, the area of the mountain labeled “The Steeps” will test expert riders. The “Silver Chute” is also ready to test rad rippers and shredders.

Home to a lift-serviced vertical drop of 2050ft; if you think resort skiing in New Mexico can’t test your limits, think again. The stoked will find stoke-worthy terrain at this resort in the steeps, the trees, and the terrain park. However, experts will have better luck at Crested Butte, Palisades, or Whistler for extreme terrain.

Glade skiing (tree skiing) is a New Mexico ski resort’s favorite terrain type. Thirty acres of glade trails are contained at Angel Fire. Bear, Elk, Eagle, and Shane’s Glade areas are designated on the map. If tree skiing is what you scope out, check out the neighboring ski resort Taos Ski Valley.

The Liberation Terrain Park is prepared to help advanced park rats geek out on the rails, funboxes, and multiple jumps. If you are just entering the park world, Sweet Street offers progressive x-small and small features for newbies.

Angel Fire Ski School is proud to offer adaptive lessons. Adaptive lessons are for skiers and boarders with disabilities that need accommodation.

Getting There

The nearest major city to Angel Fire Resort is Taos, New Mexico. The closest airport will be Taos Regional Airport, featuring a private charter flight available to the public.

Taos Air flies routinely into Taos during the winter months. The flights are affordable and service round trip from Austin, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and San Diego. If flying from somewhere else, making a connection at one of these cities and an airline transfer is necessary.

Once at Taos Regional Airport, renting a car, taking a shuttle, or getting on the bus to Angel Fire Resort will be available. Taos is about a 40-minute drive from Angel Fire Resort.

Angel Fire Resort offers a free shuttle service to The Lodge from Taos Regional Airport for any guest lodging with the ski resort.

If a commercial flight is your preferred method, Santa Fe Regional Airport and Albuquerque International Sunport Airport are closest. These airports offer non-stop flights from 20 major cities in the United States. However, Taos Air is recommended, as both these airports are about a 2-hour drive.

Driving to this destination will be beautiful and effortless for Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma residents. Residents in New Mexico should also jump on the opportunity to visit this resort. The highways are well maintained.

Accommodations

Lodging will not be first-rate here, but the customer service and inviting environment make up for it. There is no Ritz Carlton; visit Vail for that kind of experience.

The charming accommodations at Angel Fire are located around the ski resort’s base. Having ski-in ski-out lodging options make your ski holiday that much fresher. Good thing Angel Fire has this option.

The Lodge is the central hotel at Angel Fire Resort. This cozy hotel is located at the bottom of the hill, steps away from the Chile Express chairlift. There are several dining options within the hotel. There are rental shops, retail stores, and other restaurants within walking distance. There are pet-friendly rooms, a fitness center, an indoor pool, and a hot tub.

Big Red’s Cabin ski-in ski-out retreat is an exclusive opportunity for a hide-a-way cabin in the woods. The 2,800 sq ft building has 4 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths, and a 2 car garage. Your family can wake up and cook breakfast in the fully stocked kitchen, then click into skis at your backdoor and slide down the hill to the chairlift.

Vacation rentals and condominiums are available slopeside or in town at Angel Fire. Slopeside cabins and condos are at your disposal. Prices vary, but Angel Fire is relatively inexpensive.

Shuttles are conveniently available at Angel Fire. Although, walking will be your standard transportation if you stay at the resort. However, shuttles run from the three free parking lots to and from the base area of the ski mountain.

Facilities

Facilities at Angel Fire will meet your expectations of what a quality ski vacation should contain. There is an indoor pool and hot tub at The Lodge. Other accommodations will also provide hot tubs; check with the lodging.

Fitness centers at Angel Fire will not disappoint. Visitors have the option to go to Angel Fire Country Club or Angel Fire Community Center. For a more upscale experience, visit the former.

There are no independent yoga studios. But yoga will be available at Angel Fire Community Center.

Angel Fire Spa, available at 3453 Mountain View Blvd, Angel Fire, NM 87710, will be your go-to spa destination.

Daycare is available on the mountain at Angel Fire resort. Contact Valley Kids Kamp to reserve a slot for your little ones that need attending.

Families and Kids

Families love visiting Angel Fire. The family-friendly environment of the resort helps families feel taken care of and relaxed. You will find a ski school, kid-friendly terrain, daycare, and kid-friendly activities here.

Unique to Angel Fire, there is beginner terrain located on every lift. But some of the lifts also include intermediate and advanced runs. This means that families can ride the lift up together, take different routes dependent on skill level, and meet at the base of the lift. Helping everyone stay together but also achieve the maximum fun level.

The ski school at Angel Fire offers children and adult group and private lessons. However, they do not provide the opportunity to take a family-private lesson like at Kirkwood, Palisades, and Park City.

Learning to ski and board here is dreamy. The beginner terrain is scattered all over the mountain. Some areas marked off on the hill are designated slow zones to help keep riders safe. The diverse beginner terrain and x-small terrain park features will help kiddos improve quickly.

Angel Fire Resort Tubing Hill is a must-stop spot for families. The rider’s height must be at least 42’’. Tubing is open daily from 9am-4pm. It is $40 per person per hour. Tubes will be made available to you.

If you have an x-small chicken that is not 42’’ yet, the sledding hill is available at the Nordic Center outside the Country Club. It is $10 per person per hour. Booking in advance is recommended.

There is a daycare located on the mountain. Contact Valley Kids Kamp.

For Beginner Riders

Beginner skiers and boarders should book their trip and start packing their suitcases— no need to worry about not having ski equipment because Angel Fire has got you covered.

The packaged deals for new riders are dope. Lift tickets accompany the ski school lesson. And for group and private lessons, adding rental equipment to your lesson is a minimal fee.

Angel Fire’s ski school does a fine job of helping riders excel. The class prices are affordable compared to other resorts. It is necessary to make a reservation with the ski school during the holidays. Other than that, drop-ins on weekdays and off weekends should be available.

There are 17 green runs accessible to novice skiers. Beginners love this mountain because every single lift provides access to green runs. New skiers and boarders will be able to summit the peak and find their way down the hill safely.

Most of Angel Fire is made up of blue-marked runs. A little over half the mountain, or 45 trails, is dedicated to intermediate terrain. Beginners, progressing skiers, and boarders have many opportunities to improve. Entry-level tree skiing is here.

For riders unprepared for loading and unloading the chair lift, there are two magic carpets that service beginner terrains. One of the carpets is for ski school participants only.

For Routine Skiers

Angel Fire Resort has 5 chairlifts (plus 2 magic carpets). Skiers and boarders flood this resort on holidays. Weekdays provide empty slopes. Advanced runs stay uncrowded on this hill.

If you take Southwest Flyer, rippers can hike to advanced terrain, likely not to contain chowder (choppy skied out snow + powder). The hike is about twenty minutes to the advanced runs of Nitro, Detonator, or Baa-Da-Bing. That snowstorm a few days before your holiday will reward you at this hikeable destination.

On pow dumping days, risk-takers can send it down Silver Chute or Maxwell’s Grant. These gnarly runs only open when lots of snow is present. Find these expert runs left under Chile Express.

Backcountry/off-piste skiing is not popular at Angel Fire.

For Snowboarders

Snowboarders are welcomed at Angel Fire. The large selection of easy blue cruisers will make any snowboarder a better rider. Practice your butters, carving, and steeze on these groomed intermediate runs.

The terrain park is loaded with opportunities for anyone strapped to a board. From small rollers and rails to dancefloors and jumps, Angel Fire’s terrain parks provide.

Liberation Park is sure to brighten a snowboarding park rat’s day. This park is for seasoned riders.

Sweet Street Park is for entry-level snowboarders. This terrain park will help you get to the next level.

There is NO half-pipe at angel fire resort.

The Apres-Ski

Angel Fire Resort supplies a satisfying apres-ski scene. Restaurants and bars are slope-side, at the mountain’s base, and in town.

El Jefe, located across from Chile Express Chairlift, is your go-to spot for Mexican food. Treat yourself to tacos, burritos, tequilas, and beers at this local joint at any point in your ski day.

If you’re looking for food with a view, The Summit Haus provides just this. Enjoy classic ski food (burgers, salads, chili, chicken tenders) and a full bar at the top of the Chile Express Chairlift. One can see all the way to Colorado from this summit.

Go to Elements at the Country Club for fine dining. Sip at the upscale bar, dine outside to enjoy expansive views or lounge inside. The food selection includes steaks, seafood, light fares, appetizers, and an array of alcoholic beverages.

For a meal a few steps away from the ski resort, check out Mikuna Grill. This Peruvian restaurant has glowing reviews and delicious food.

Angel Fire’s calendar includes special events they host throughout the season. You will find options at Angel Fire Resort: live music, painting while sipping, and hot chocolate and smores on the base deck.

Night Skiing is offered at Angel Fire. We recommend taking this opportunity, as this is a rare option at ski resorts. Angel Fire season passholders can night ski for free. It is a $25 add-on to day ticket users. For night skiing only, it is $35.

Shopping Options

Angel Fire has a small selection of shopping but in a bijou way. Home decor, an ice cream & candy shop, handmade gifts, mountain gear shops, and boutiques are found at Mountain View Boulevard.

At the base of Angel Fire Resort is a selection of ski and mountain gear stores. And the option to get family or individual ski photos at Angel Fire Ski Photos.

The Bottom Line

Angel Fire Resort will bring just the right amount of relaxation and stoke. Terrain for every level of rider is provided on the hill. And if strapping into boards is not your style, there are plenty of non-ski activities.

The family-oriented resorts and the beginner-friendly terrain makes this place the perfect place to go as a novice skiing family. Members of the southwest of North America should jump on the opportunity of visiting Angel Fire Resort.

Advanced riders still find pleasure in this mountain. And the apres scene is sure to make up for the lack of quantity of advanced runs.

Angel Fire has something for you whether you are a new skiing family or a shredding individual. The quaint atmosphere and friendly faces will make your vacation here great.