High-altitude fun greets visitors in Angle Fire, New Mexico.
The rugged beauty of New Mexico is the center of attention in Angel Fire. This resort community welcomes skiers, golfers and many more adventuresome types. But you don’t have to be a daredevil to enjoy Angel Fire — relaxation and rejuvenation come in ample supply as well.
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Angel Fire sits nearly 9,000 feet above sea level in the Southern Rocky Mountains. From here, Wheeler Peak—the highest point in New Mexico—can easily be seen. Hiking is a popular warm-weather activity, and Angel Fire’s trail systems provide varying levels of difficulty for visitors of all skill levels. Trails pass through grassy meadows and thickly forested areas, and all offer spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
The trails around Angel Fire are inviting to mountain bikers, ranging in difficulty from family-friendly to adrenaline junkie. The extensive South Boundary Trail begins south of the town and winds through Carson National Forest. If young adventurers want to ride above the earth, send them down a 1,600-foot tandem zip line over the forest floor. Laidback aerial transportation is available on Angel Fire chairlifts, which run year-round and offer stunning views from Agua Fria Peak.
Colorful Skies
Brightly colored hot air balloons waft through the sky over Angel Fire during its summer festival. Watch the balloons glide by or ride in a basket traveling silently over the northern New Mexico landscape.
Seeking more terrestrial pursuits? Carson National Forest sits adjacent to Angel Fire and is a prime spot for fishing and hunting. Trout are the prize catch in the streams that run through the forest, including native Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Small game in the forest includes grouse, mourning dove, gray squirrel and banned-tailed pigeon. Elk, turkey, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep and mule deer make up the large-game set for avid hunters.
Just north of Angel Fire, on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, the mountains of the Moreno Valley surround Eagle Nest Lake. Trout and salmon thrive in the lake, where boat fishing and ice fishing are popular activities. Boat rides, kayaking and canoeing are ideal activities on the water as well. Eagle Nest Lake is a prime bird-watching spot, so pack your binoculars and keep an eye out for migratory species.
New Mexico’s High-Altitude Past
The Enchanted Circle Byway is an 84-mile loop that takes day-trippers around Wheeler Peak. Head north from Angel Fire and stop to visit the memorial chapel in Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park. Further north, in the town of Eagle Nest is Laguna Vista Lodge and Saloon, which once served as one of the state’s earliest bordellos. The nearby Gateway Museum features exhibits on gold panning and early railroad travel in the region.
Past Wheeler Peak is the town of Red River, a historic mining town with a local museum. Heading back south, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is a must-see feat of engineering. The bridge is one of the highest spans in North America and offers breathtaking views of the Rio Grande below, as well as Sangre de Cristo mountain range in the distance.
Enjoy an high-altitude adventure on a wagon ride through the surrounding woods before stopping to enjoy a chuck wagon dinner. Live the cowboy life for a night with a sunset horseback ride and dinner, and then camp out under the stars.
Angel Fire’s resort-based golf course is a top-rated facility carved into forested canyons. The course’s signature sixth hole features a tee box that soars 200 feet up above the green, and the back nine introduces rolling fairways and abundant bunkers for players of all skill levels.
Ski Bum Paradise
The packed powder on a clear winter day is Angel Fire’s signature cold-weather attraction. Whether going downhill or cross-country on your skis, high-altitude Angel Fire welcomes you to try 76 trails on more than 560 skiable acres as well as two terrain parks. An on-site racecourse lets skiers time their speed, and expert skiers are invited to check out runs for a challenging time. Night skiing is a prime attraction at Angel Fire; 50 acres of continuing downhill runs are opened up after the sun goes down.
The locally owned stores in Angel Fire virtually guarantee unique finds for shoppers. From wood-fired pottery and sculpture to hand-made quilts to craft beer, there’s something for everyone to be found here.
For More Information, check out Angel Fire Fun.
