How to Spring Break in Santa Fe
Planning a visit to Santa Fe over spring break? We've got you covered...
Weather
Before you pack your bags for Santa Fe, CHECK THE WEATHER! While some visitors fantasize about 80 degree weather and sipping margaritas by the pool, Santa Fe is at 7,000 feet elevation (higher than Denver!) and the average high in March is only 55 degrees. That said, the weather here this time of year is notoriously fickle, and it isn’t uncommon to wake up to several inches of fresh snowfall one day and then the next be sitting outdoors on the Gruet patio sipping fine American sparkling wines under the sun.
While it isn’t great for planning your patio sipping sesh, the unpredictable weather is good for at least one thing: spring skiing!
Tons of snow and sparse crowds is what makes Ski Santa Fe a hidden gem
Skiing and Snowboarding
One of the best snow years on record, 2019 has already seen 258 inches of snowfall to date (as of the time of writing). Take the picturesque and windy (four-wheel drive is highly recommended!) 15 mile drive up Hyde Park Road to Santa Fe’s low-key, high-altitude ski destination, Ski Santa Fe. When you reach the top (at over 10,000 feet), you’ll find varied terrain without big resort crowds. For refreshments, locals and visitors alike flock to Totemoff’s, an authentic old-school ski lodge right on the slopes.
Whether you want to warm up with a hot cocoa or cool off with a local brew, be sure to get there by 11 to claim your spot on the sunny deck and avoid the long lines.
Looking for something fun to do during your spring break Santa Fe visit? Join one of our walking food tours - or create your own private tour!
Eating
If you work up an appetite on the slopes, cruise back to town to visit LiAnn & Raul Morales’ family owned and ski attire-friendly Taqueria and Grill, El Callejon. Open for lunch at 11:30 through last seating at 8pm, satisfy your apres ski cravings with arguably the best tacos Santa Fe has to offer and a cold local beer. We love the Tractor Brewing “Cerveza Lager” to accompany the lechon (roasted pork) tacos.
If you’re craving chile, head over to La Choza (sister restaurant to perennial favorite The Shed), which locals consistently vote best New Mexican cuisine in the Santa Fe Reporter. Satisfy your appetite with a generous serving of tender carne adovada braised in the city’s best red chile accompanied by a hot, fluffy sopaipilla drenched in honey. Wash it down with one of a dozen or so expertly crafted house margaritas, like the Don D’oro.
Relaxing
If your idea of spring break doesn’t involve lots of snow, that’s okay too. Just get literal and turn spring break into a “springs break” at Sunrise Springs. The younger sibling to Ojo Caliente Hot Springs, this idyllic property has everything you need for relaxation and bliss. Indulge in rejuvenating treatments, soak your cares away in private natural hot springs,or participate in one of Sunrise Springs’ unique experiential offerings, like playing with a big pile of puppies! While there, indulge in a sumptuous meal at their Blue Heron Restaurant where Santa Fe native, Chef Rocky Durham, cooks up locally-inspired creative fare.
Why limit yourself when Santa Fe offers so many fabulous choices for celebrating spring break…on the slopes, at the spa, dining at award-winning restaurants. Why pick just one when you can have them all here in the City Different? And if you need more suggestions to make your Santa Fe spring break stellar, take a look at our other apres ski favorites.
Want more Santa Fe travel ideas? Check out our other blog posts
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