Looking for a great spring break getaway with plenty of dry snow, green chili, and inter-dimensional installation art—without the crowds? head to the Land of Enchantment.
EAT
No surprise, Santa Fe is full of incredible places for enchiladas, tamales, green chili, et al., but Tomasita’s (tomasitas.com) stands out. It shares a parking lot with the historic Santa Fe Depot train station, which gives restless kids something to explore while you wait for your table. For an easy café lunch, check out Ecco Espresso and Gelato (eccogelato.com), with Italian-style gelato and espresso as well as delicious panini sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Just two blocks from the Santa Fe Plaza, it’s a prime place to gather food for a picnic. When it’s time for a fancy meal, book reservations at The Compound (compoundrestaurant.com), owned by Chef Mark Kiffin, a James-Beard-award-winning Best Chef of the Southwest. It’s a nice, easy walk from downtown and offers a 20% discount to anyone with a same-day Ski Santa Fe lift ticket.
SLEEP
Since there isn’t any on-mountain lodging at Ski Santa Fe, the only options are in town—but that’s a good thing in one of the best art and food cities in the West. Right downtown and near the road up to the ski area is the Southwestern-styled Inn on the Alameda (innonthealameda.com), with large, comfortable rooms, a friendly and accommodating staff, and an incredible breakfast buffet spread. A little north of town near the village of Tesuque, the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe (fourseasons.com/santafe) is a relaxing all-inclusive option, a godsend after a day of skiing. Kids are welcomed with activities like cookie decorating, s’more roasting, and mini-me-sized robes and slippers. Parents will love the spa options and the in-room Chiminea-style fire places.
PLAY
You can spend several full days on the piste and in the trees at the surprising Ski Santa Fe (skisantafe.com), a 30-minute drive from downtown. Seven lifts provide access to 660 acres of terrain for all abilities as well as on-mountain dining. Drop your munchkin at ski school (conveniently located adjacent to the parking lot) and head for Gayway, a long screaming blue with a big view of town. When hunger gnaws, snarf cafeteria-style meals at the La Casa Lodge, or pub-style grub at Totemoff’s Bar & Grill. Spend your in-town days visiting kid-friendly venues like the eclectic and wild Meow Wolf (meowwolf.com) experience (teens will love it and adults can get just as lost in this playground) and the Santa Fe Children’s Museum (santafechildrensmuseum.org) full of science-focused activities for younger children. Parents can head back to Meow Wolf in the evening to see bands including Grouplove, Yonder Mountain String Band, and Pussy Riot who will all be playing in the venue this spring.
