Angel Fire
560 acres, 81 runs in northern New Mexico. Family-friendly terrain, night skiing, golf, lake.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
13 Dec 2025
Closes
22 Mar 2026
Days open
99
Annual snow
17ft
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Angel Fire Resort's summit reaches 10,676 feet, dropping 2,077 vertical feet to a base at 8,599 feet across 81 runs spread over 560 acres in northern New Mexico. Terrain splits 56 per cent intermediate, 23 per cent advanced and 21 per cent beginner, with no expert-rated runs, and average annual snowfall of roughly 210 inches. The resort carries no major multi-resort pass affiliation and is New Mexico's only ski area offering night skiing. Seven lifts, including three double chairs and two quad chairs, serve the mountain alongside two surface lifts.
Angel Fire's intermediate-weighted terrain and family-oriented programming distinguish it from New Mexico's steeper, more expert-focused resorts such as Taos. Its night skiing, unique in the state, extends the ski day for visitors staying in the resort's own lodging and the surrounding village. The mountain sits within the Southern Rocky Mountains, offering broad views across a landscape shaped by its origins as a cattle ranch.
The land was originally used for cattle grazing before the LeBus family, who had purchased the 15,000-acre Cieneguilla Tract in 1956 as part of the historic Maxwell Land Grant, converted it into a resort in 1966. Construction proceeded over roughly 18 months, cutting the early ski trails alongside a nine-hole golf course and Monte Verde Lake, establishing Angel Fire as a four-season destination from the outset rather than a ski-only operation.
The LeBus family sold the resort in 1972 to the Baca Grande Angel Fire Corporation, retaining more than 1,000 acres of their original holdings. The resort passed through numerous ownership changes over subsequent decades, struggling through the 1980s recession and extended legal disputes before entering bankruptcy; most disputes were finally settled in 1996 when a limited partnership group purchased the resort. Today it operates as a privately owned, for-profit New Mexico limited liability company. Adult daily tickets run from 110 to 120 US dollars, with a season pass at 899 dollars.
2,077ft
Vertical
81
Runs
560 acres
Skiable
17ft
Annual snow
The Terrain
81 runs across 560 acres skiable
Angel Fire spreads 81 runs across 560 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 56%, with 17 beginner runs to find your feet and 19 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
81
runs
81 runs across 4 grades
Beginner17 runs · 21%
Intermediate45 runs · 56%
Advanced19 runs · 23%
Expert0 runs · 0%
Time it right
When to visit Angel Fire
The 2025-26 season at Angel Fire Resort ran from 13 December 2025 to 22 March 2026, a comparatively short season of roughly fourteen weeks. Average annual snowfall of around 210 inches supports this window, though the resort's lower base elevation relative to some New Mexico peers means season length can be more sensitive to variable snow years. Season dates can shift depending on early and late-season conditions.
Midwinter, from January through February, typically offers the most reliable natural conditions across the resort's intermediate-weighted terrain. Night skiing, unique among New Mexico resorts, extends the useful ski day for visitors and is a defining part of Angel Fire's seasonal identity. Weekend crowds are generally heavier than weekdays, drawing from both New Mexico and neighbouring Texas and Colorado.
As a family-oriented, four-season resort with an on-site golf course and Monte Verde Lake, Angel Fire's winter programming often connects with broader village and resort activities beyond skiing alone. School holiday periods bring the heaviest family visitation given the resort's beginner and intermediate-focused terrain and absence of expert runs. Military discount ticket options reflect a visitor base that includes nearby military communities.
Specific event programming beyond standard operations and night skiing is not confirmed in available resort information. The resort's history of extended ownership disputes through the 1980s and into the 1990s has given way to a more stable operating period under its current New Mexico LLC structure. Angel Fire's identity as an approachable, family-friendly alternative to steeper New Mexico resorts continues to shape its seasonal visitor base.
Season 2025 - 2026
13 Dec 2025
Opens
22 Mar 2026
Closes
99
Days open
17 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Angel Fire, and where to stay
Angel Fire Resort sits in the Moreno Valley of northern New Mexico, with a base elevation of 8,599 feet and a summit at 10,676 feet across a 2,077-foot vertical drop over 560 acres. The resort forms the centre of the village of Angel Fire, a purpose-built four-season community developed alongside the ski area since the 1960s.
Angel Fire village itself provides lodging, dining and golf alongside the ski resort, while the town of Taos, home to New Mexico's most prominent ski resort, lies roughly 25 miles to the west. Santa Fe, the state capital, sits within a few hours' drive to the south, and the resort draws visitors from across northern New Mexico as well as neighbouring Texas and Colorado.
US Route 64 provides the main route to Angel Fire from Taos and the broader region, winding through the mountainous Moreno Valley landscape. Winter driving conditions on this route can include snow and ice at elevation, and travellers should allow extra time during storms. There is no direct public transport service to the resort.
Angel Fire Airport offers limited general aviation access directly at the resort, while Santa Fe Regional Airport and Albuquerque International Sunport provide more extensive commercial flight options for visitors travelling from further afield. Most visitors drive to Angel Fire from within New Mexico or neighbouring states, with the resort's own village infrastructure supporting extended stays.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Angel Fire, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Angel Fire Webcams
6 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Angel Fire's live webcams
Check live conditions across Angel Fire with 6 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Summit10,676ft
- Experience breathtaking panoramic views from New Mexico's premier mountain destination through this Angel Fire webcam positioned at the impressive 3,254-meter summit elevation. This Angel Fire live cam captures sweeping vistas across the entire ski area and surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains, providing essential visibility updates for advanced skiers planning their descent. Monitor current weather conditions and snow quality through this Angel Fire web cam as you prepare to explore the resort's challenging upper mountain terrain.
- Base Area8,599ft
- Monitor the heart of Angel Fire resort operations through this essential Angel Fire webcam positioned at the main base area at 2,621 meters elevation. This Angel Fire live cam provides real-time views of lift loading areas, guest services, and current mountain conditions throughout the day. Perfect for checking crowd levels and operational status, this Angel Fire web cam helps families plan their arrival time at New Mexico's most popular four-season mountain destination.
- Chile Unload10,676ft
- Witness the culmination of New Mexico's longest chairlift journey through this Angel Fire webcam positioned at the Chile Express unload station at 3,254 meters elevation. This Angel Fire live cam shows the top terminal of the impressive 2-mile chairlift that carries skiers from the village to the summit terrain. Essential for monitoring upper mountain conditions, this Angel Fire web cam provides crucial visibility information for advanced skiers accessing the resort's most challenging runs.
- Exhibition & Ski School8,599ft
- Track the learning progress at New Mexico's premier ski instruction facility through this Angel Fire webcam focused on the ski school area at 2,621 meters elevation. This Angel Fire live cam captures the dedicated learning terrain where thousands of new skiers and snowboarders master their first turns each season. Monitor lesson activity and beginner slope conditions through this Angel Fire web cam, perfect for families planning their mountain learning adventure.
- Sledding Hill8,599ft
- Discover family-friendly winter fun beyond skiing through this Angel Fire webcam overlooking the popular sledding hill at 2,621 meters elevation. This Angel Fire live cam shows the dedicated sledding area where families enjoy traditional winter activities in the stunning Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Check current snow conditions and activity levels through this Angel Fire web cam as you plan your perfect mountain day for all family members.
- Liberation Park10,499ft
- Experience the adrenaline of freestyle skiing and snowboarding through this Angel Fire webcam focused on Liberation Park at 3,200 meters elevation. This Angel Fire live cam captures all the action as riders showcase their skills on jumps, rails, and terrain features in New Mexico's premier terrain park. Monitor park conditions and feature setup through this Angel Fire web cam, essential for freestyle enthusiasts planning their next session in the high-altitude playground.
Angel Fire snow cams FAQ
How often do Angel Fire snow cams update?
All Angel Fire snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Angel Fire.
Which Angel Fire webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Summit webcam at 3,254m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Angel Fire webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Angel Fire lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Angel Fire snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Angel Fire snow cams?
Check Angel Fire webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Angel Fire lift tickets?
Use our Angel Fire webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Angel Fire webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Angel Fire snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Angel Fire intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.