Its winter and its cold out there. Even so, there is still plenty to do during this season in the Santa Fe area.
Everything from the great outdoor winter sports to the indoor winter spots.
For those adventurous ones, there are always the snow sports.
The skiing and snowboarding at Ski Santa Fe or Taos Ski Valley are breathtaking. Some ski areas for those who want to avoid the crowds are Pajarito Mountain and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort. The snowshoeing and cross country skiing at Enchanted Forest and Angel Fire are the places to enjoy these rediscovered winter sports. All these winter sport areas offer lessons, and rentals and places to warm up and chow down.
Want to warm up you body mind and spirit without the outdoor sports? How about visiting one of the Santa Fe area’s spas?
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs was enjoyed by the native Tewa tribe so why not you?
Here you can take advantage of the geothermal spring waters or massages and facials.
What better way to enjoy the winter when it is 40 degrees or lower outside and you are relaxing in 107 degree water inside!
Do you want a full balanced treatment including diet and nutrition? The Vista Clara Ranch can keep you busy for days or a week with exercise activities to spa treatments to healthy gourmet meals. Here you can stay in a room with a private patio: some with a clear view of the Ortiz Mountains and the Galisteo Basin.
Close to Santa Fe just up the mountain a bit, is a very unique spa setting. It is Ten Thousand Waves Japanese Spa. Here as the name evokes, is a spa designed after Japanese bath houses and spas. There is an opportunity to have treatments unique to this spa such as the Nightingale facial (dare to ask why it is called this?) Thai Massage, and Yasuragi hair and scalp massage. The setting is beautiful and something to see. The architecture has been called a Japanese spa in adobe style.
Just want to come indoors from a walk around Santa Fe and warm up? Try one of Santa Fe’s stops for coffee or tea and a snack. Drinks and snacks for the health conscious can be found at The Longevity Café. You will be able to choose from a selection of hot and cold teas. Herbal teas and black, green and white teas are all available as well as deserts. Special elixirs are also popular here such as “The Blues Buster”- helping energy flow.
Jane’s is a café which serves Chocolate pies and cakes from Chocolate Maven (a desert maker in town) The Mexican Mocha is one of the café’s specialties. It is housed in a classic Santa Fe style adobe home that is 150 years old -- with sunny courtyard. Laidback atmosphere.
If people watching and keeping warm inside with a hot drink is how you want to spend some time in Santa Fe, than stop in at Zele Café for their specialty- Raspberry Mocha. Teas from the company Republic of Tea are also available for warming you up.
Breakfast and lunch are served here where you can choose from omelets, bagels pancakes, sandwiches and salads.
When you sit down to eat and sip your hot drink, enjoy watching the people outside in the cold while you’ve chosen your warm escape on a New Mexico winter day
Eileen Richardson
