Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort

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Located 20 miles southeast of Taos and just over two hours north of Albuquerque, Sipapu offers year-round activities for everyone. Our philosophy is to be the most Family-Friendly, Family Fun resort in the Rockies - while offering the best deals around.

For over 50 years, guests have escaped to the cool air of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the laid-back atmosphere found at Sipapu. Our mountain resort provides the perfect place to play; we offer the following activities for FREE to all guests:

* Trout fishing on our river, the Rio Pueblo, or our stocked fishing pond
* Off-roading, hiking, mountain biking and exploring more than 300 nearby miles of off-road trails that surround our property
* A world-class alpine disc golf course (named one of the most scenic courses in the country)
* Geocaching and hiking in wildflower meadows
* Camping out and making s'mores under the stars

Our resort also includes a variety of affordable accommodations, including suites, cabins, lodge rooms, camp sites, an RV park and more. Paradise Riverside Bar and Grill, Sipapu's newest restaurant, offers New Mexico's best riverside dining experience to hungry visitors, too.
* A New Mexico fishing license is required for all guests and is available for purchase at Sipapu's general store.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

         
One of New Mexico's 13 original Harvey Houses can be found in Belén just south of Albuquerque.

From 1908 to 1939 Belén's Harvey House Dining Room offered hearty fare and good service at reasonable prices to travelers heading into the Wild West. Today, the historic building houses the Harvey House Museum, which preserves Santa Fe Railway and Fred Harvey organization memorabilia. Visit the famous Harvey Girls' dormitories and the Belén Model Railroad Club's creations. Belén is located 30 miles south of Albuquerque off I-25. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Luna Mansion Restuarant
Hungry? Continue south from Belén to Los Lunas, to the Luna Mansion Restaurant.
In 1881, when the New Mexico & Southern wanted to lay track through Antonio José Luna's hacienda, he asked that the company build him a new house of his own design. The resulting Victorian-style Luna-Otero Mansion is still standing today and operates as a restaurant serving elegant, American fare. Several ghosts are also rumored to haunt the mansion, including the late Josefita Otero who once resided there.

Southern
Deming
In March 8, 1881, in Deming, a silver spike joined the Southern Pacific Railroad to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, creating the second transcontinental railway. Although there's relatively little to see where this monumental collision was marked, the town of Deming owes its existence to the railway. Named after Mary Deming Crocker, wife of a railroad tycoon, Deming was officially founded after the meeting of the two railways. A Harvey House quickly followed, and part of that original building still stands next to the town's Amtrak depot today.

RIDE THE HISTORIC RAILS OF NEW MEXICO

         
If you're looking for a new vacation experience for the whole family, get out of the car and hop onto the train. Everyone can ride the rails in New Mexico. (Tip: Remember to always have your ticket on hand for the conductor.) Step back into a simpler time of the Old West with our locomotives, and see striking views of the vast and contrasting landscape. Or if you just want to get from Point A to B, we have that too. From historic railways to a 21st Century commuter train, New Mexico offers a plethora of destinations for rail fans.

Northern
Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
To visit the C&TSRR, head to the village of Chama, 107 miles north of Santa Fe off U.S. 84. The railway was constructed in 1880 as part of the Rio Grande's San Juan Extension to climb the high mountain passages to the silver mining district in southwestern Colorado. Today it operates as one of the United State's highest railroads, reaching an elevation of more than 10,000 feet as it chugs though the Cumbres Pass. It's also the longest narrow gauge railway. The rails are only three feet apart, as opposed to the standard gauge of more than four feet. And the scenery is spectacular. Once the track veers away from U.S. 84, there's little evidence of modern civilization, giving you the impression you're seeing the landscape just as it was in the Old West.
Ride the Rail Runner

The New Mexico Rail Runner Express also departs from the Santa Fe Depot, from which it travels south through Albuquerque to the end of its line in Belén. The Rail Runner began offering commuter train service in 2006 and completed its route along the heavily traveled central corridor in 2008. With a style reminiscent of the Super Chief trains that once toured the southwest, the trains boast double-decker seating where passengers can take in views of the Río Grande and Native American reservations while zipping along at a 21st-Century pace. Just hop aboard at one of the train's dozen stations (you'll buy your ticket on board) and get ready for adventure. Please note that while the train offers regular service, you should consult the schedule when planning your excursion.

PLAN YOUR SOUTHWESTERN NEW MEXICO VACATION

         
New Mexico is Las Cruces (the Crosses, so named because of the number of people buried in the area due to hardship and Apache attacks). With a population of about 75,000 (and growing quickly), Las Cruces is bordered to the east by the jagged and beautiful Organ Mountains. Sunset often colors the jagged peaks a brilliant magenta, called "Las Cruces purple," and they are depicted endlessly by local painters and photographers. Nearby, Old Mesilla once served as the Confederate territorial capital of New Mexico and Arizona.

The incredible, irrigated lushness in the fertile Mesilla Valley would surprise the hard-pressed Spanish settlers who passed through the area 400 years ago. Miles of green fields and orchards track the path of the Rio Grande from north of El Paso to north of Las Cruces, with water from the huge Elephant Butte reservoir irrigating some of the country's most prolific pecan and chile pepper farms. New Mexico's largest body of water, Elephant Butte Lake, is a mecca for water sports and fishing. Nearby, you can soak in natural hot springs and enjoy laid-back, small-town New Mexico in Truth or Consequences. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a resting place for millions of migrating birds each year. Whether you're a bird enthusiast or not, it is quite a treat to witness the sky fill up with enormous varieties of birds taking off or landing in the marshy area.
Outdoors enthusiasts from all over head to the Gila (pronounced hee-la) National Forest and Gila Wilderness areas for access to fantastic camping and hiking and natural hot springs. Old mining towns remind you of the thousands who came here on their quest for silver, copper, and other minerals once found abundantly in the ore-rich hills. Several small museums display the region's minerals, along with fine pottery created by early indigenous inhabitants. This rugged, mountainous area, with its breathtaking vistas and seemingly endless span of trees, was home at different times to two Western legends: Geronimo and Billy the Kid. The hub of the area is Silver City, one of the great small towns of the West. Here you'll find a lively art scene, numerous community festivals, and friendly locals.

Vegetable Lasagna Casserole

         
Casserole doesn’t exactly scream “special occasion dinner,” but this one-bowl meal will make a convert out of any skeptic. Featuring zucchini, carrots, eggs, salsa, and cheese, this Tex-Mex inspired dish is basically a vehicle for vegetables.

Festive Chickpea Tart
This veggie-rich seasonal tart looks complicated (aka impressive), but it’s pretty simple to whip together. Save yourself a step by spreading the topping (made of ground chickpeas, cranberries, spinach, sage, walnuts, rolled oats, tamari, and celery, among other ingredients) on a pre-made whole-wheat piecrust. Or go full DIY and make your own from scratch.

Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf
If the word “meatloaf” still brings to mind scary cafeteria mystery meat, it’s time to revisit the concept with this filling vegan version. Lentils, toasted walnuts, ground flax, carrot, celery, apple, raisins, and breadcrumbs make this meat-free loaf positively healthful. Top with a sweet-n-sour balsamic-apple glaze.

Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Quinoa and Chickpeas
These roasted gourds loaded with leeks, quinoa, chickpeas, currants, and spices are bound to satisfy vegetarians, vegans, and meat-eaters alike. The best part? It’s basically quinoa salad in an edible bowl, so there are fewer dishes to wash at the end of the night!

Butternut Squash and Kale Stuffed Shells
What happens when you combine an Italian classic and a Thanksgiving classic? You get these delicious, healthy, totally main course-worthy stuffed shells. Butternut squash adds moisture and flavor, so it’s possible to cut down on the cheese for a healthier dish.

Sweet Potato, Onion, and Fontina Tart
This rustic tart combines all the colors (and flavors) of fall. It’s a beautiful dish that will surely tempt even the non-vegetarians in the room. When assembling it, alternate rings of sweet potatoes and onions to make a pretty (and yummy) bulls-eye pattern.

Chermoula Eggplant with Bulgur and Yogurt
Leave it to the New York Times to get really creative with vegetarian Thanksgiving dishes. This Middle Eastern eggplant dish is totally non-traditional, featuring bulgur wheat salad, raisins, olives, almonds, and a drizzle of Greek yogurt on top.

Mushroom and Stout Pot Pies with Sweet Potato Crusts
A savory pie that combines beer, sweet potatoes, and mushrooms is the perfect melding of decadence and healthy food. As a Thanksgiving entrée, this dish is pretty simple and speedy, with just a few steps and minimal dishes to wash.