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In Santa Fe for the winter? What to do, where to eat, and how to have fun during the enchanting winter months in New Mexico’s capital.
Although the winter solstice arrives in late December, it’s the first crunch of powdery snow in late fall that really signals a change in the life cycle of New Mexico’s capital (and hometown of Meow Wolf), Santa Fe.
It’s the winter carpet that welcomes skiers to the southernmost end of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It’s also the white flag to late nights as locals cozy up to piñon-scented firesides and posole, while warm-weather travelers retreat from the dry desert cold.
For those who enjoy a more relaxed pace – or simply appreciate the invigorating kiss of sunshine on a crisp, hoodie-and-beanie afternoon – Santa Fe in the winter is a charming place to be! So whether you’re looking to enjoy some local cuisine or a healthy dose of slopes and soaks, here are some ideas for winter activities in Santa Fe to get you started.
When snow falls in Santa Fe, there’s just one thing to do: grab your sled and hit the slopes. Unlike skiing, sledding doesn’t have a high learning curve. All you need to do is sit down and hold on tight! Just a 15-minute drive from Santa Fe lands you in Hyde Memorial State Park with plenty of sledding space.
Winter activities in Santa Fe don't have to only involve outdoor adventures. Honor tradition in Santa Fe this winter, as the Winter Spanish Market returns for its hundredth year on December 5th and 6th at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center. According to its website, it’s the oldest and largest art show of its kind in the nation.
Shop goods from an array of traditional artforms originating from the 16th century, including embroidery, pottery, weaving, woodcarving, and a number of classic artforms including retalbos, altar screens, bultos en nicho, and more.
This market is committed to showcasing only the finest traditional artworks. Each artist participating in the Winter Spanish Market has undergone a rigorous screening process to verify heritage or nativity to New Mexico or southern Colorado.
Just a short drive away is one of the best winter activities in the area: the Taos Winter Wine Festival, held February 4th-7th, 2027. Winery partners from around the world bring their best to the area’s top restaurants for tastings, luncheons, dinners, and so much more.
One of the best things to do after skiing is soak your sore muscles, whether at a local spa or in a natural hot spring in the wilderness.
Located about an hour northwest of Santa Fe, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa is known for its healing, rejuvenating, and restorative hot springs. Surrounded by beautiful scenery in a tranquil environment, Ojo Caliente is an invigorating way to enjoy the outdoors without having to suffer the cold!
If you find yourself wanting to mix in a little hike with your soak, the San Antonio Hot Springs offers the best of both worlds. An out-and-back trail offers a stroll full of mountain views and wildlife, but the real prize at the end is the opportunity to sink into flowing mineral waters while you gaze into the New Mexican sky.
Wondering where to eat in Santa Fe? Let your taste buds (and our local intel) guide you.
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The Palacio Cafè is the perfect way to start your day of winter activities in Santa Fe. Casual vibes mix with the comfort of crowd-pleasing dishes and regional fare alike, with offerings like breakfast burritos (handheld or smothered), huevos rancheros, and french toast! This is how you fuel up and warm the soul before hitting the slopes.
Since you’ll probably be lured into Santa Fe’s mystique fairly quickly, no one would blame you if you decided to go on your own, personal, smothered breakfast burrito tour. For a Palacio control group, we recommend The Pantry (now with two more locations!). Regularly featured on lists like this one, The Pantry is a reliable and delicious joint that’s easy to find along the city’s main thoroughfare.
If you’re looking for something low-key and away from the moderate bustle of downtown, the family-owned, country-style French restaurant, Clafoutis, is just the spot. Whether you’re into savory croissants or sweet crepes, Clafoutis has elegant options across the board. Don’t forget to take a few of their freshly-baked pastries to go for a breakfast treat before you ski Santa Fe.
If the most difficult question you have to answer is “red or green?”, you’re probably having a good day.
Of course, when you go to Cafe Castro for a chalupa dinner, your answer should probably be “Christmas,” which is code for a mix of the spicy, herbaceous green chiles and the sweet, yet slow-burning red variety.
Now that you’ve got a taste for chiles, head to La Choza for a combo plate, but make sure one of your choices is carne adovada. This pork (or chicken) dish features tender meat simmered in a thick, (gluten free!) red chile sauce, and La Choza does it right. We also love their vegetarian dishes and wide range of margarita options.
Coyote Cantina is a vibrant rooftop restaurant that features some of the best green chile pork posole in The City Different. Whether you pick that or Mama Schutz’ Frito Pie, they'll be enough to keep you warm through the winter chill. And don’t worry: The rooftop venue is prepared with closed-air seating options to enjoy more crisp air after the slopes.
Celebrate Santa Fe’s title as the flamenco capital of the Southwest at El Flamenco Spanish cabaret for dinner and a show. Resident dance company Entreflamenco begins their winter residency November 27th and continues through early January. Enjoy a vibrant menu of authentic Spanish tapas alongside live music and stunning performances.
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If you're on the hunt for a sweet treat, head to Kakawa Chocolate House, a specialty chocolate company dedicated to reimagining chocolate delights. Find new takes on Mesoamerican and Colonial chocolate recipes featuring classic Santa Fe flavors, like chile, prickly pear, mezcal, and more. Warm up with a steamy chocolate elixir made with New Mexican chilies.
Izanami is a great way to wind down after a day of snowy adventures. Located on 20 wooded acres, Izanami is the restaurant at Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese spa and resort that hosts a number of hot baths among piñons and junipers and serves as one of the best spots to apres-ski in Santa Fe. Izanami provides an upscale dining experience featuring izakaya plates meant for sharing and one of the longest lists of sake we've seen.
Let loose after your day on the slopes at some of the town's most spirited haunts.
One of the newest options on the block is the Santa Fe Spirits Tasting Room on Read Street. This extension of the eponymous distillery is the perfect way to sample everything from apple brandy to Desert Bloom Prickly Pear gin. Cozy up to the bar and sip on curated flights that represent the beauty of the Santa Fe area.
We’ve all heard of farm-to-table restaurants, but what about garden-to-glass lounges?
The Secreto Lounge, a hidden gem in Santa Fe’s historic Hotel St. Francis (steps from The Plaza), is a cocktail bar that focuses on creating drinks with fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and local spirits and bitters. That’s what we call responsible drinking!
When looking for a place to grab a drink after a ski in Santa Fe, it would be a shame to ignore La Reina, whose hand-picked list of tequilas and mezcals supplement a cocktail menu centered on the glory of agave. Nearly hidden beside the lobby of boutique hotel El Rey Court, La Reina offers a supremely chill venue for a wintry margarita.
Why wine alone when you can wine with the pros? New Mexico Wine Tours combines wine tasting, food, and local Santa Fe history into a full day of fun. Visit several boutique local wineries, enjoy a delicious lunch, and learn about this beautiful city.
Santa Fe is known for its arts scene, so a visit here isn't complete without a trip to one of its many museums, galleries, and artsy spaces.
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A walk down Canyon Road and you'll wish you brought one more suitcase to squeeze in all your new artwork. This historic arts district boasts over 70 galleries featuring local artists' work. Take a break from your ski day and stroll along the half-mile corridor, popping into whatever shops and art exhibits in Santa Fe suit your fancy.
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Another can't-miss thing to do after a day of winter activities in Santa Fe is visit our favorite place: House of Eternal Return. We’re biased, of course, but we don’t know of any other place in town that offers an immersive art experience, an awesome cafe and bar, and great live music all in one place!
See you in the multiverse, friends!
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