TEN 3 and Tram. Photo credit: Jeff Caven.
An adventure for anyone and everyone
By Jessica Fox
A trip on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway will transport you above deep canyons and breathtaking terrain for a distance of 2.7 miles, watching nature’s beauty unfold. During the day, you will see an 11,000-square-mile panoramic view of the Land of Enchantment, and at sunset, the desert skies produce a spectacular array of color. Hang around a little longer and watch the Albuquerque city lights begin to glow in the distance. All of this can be found at an unbeatable vantage point, the observation deck, atop 10,378-foot Sandia Peak in Cibola National Forest.
At the Peak, guests will discover the exquisite TEN 3 restaurant which is home to some of the finest dining views of Albuquerque and the east side of the Sandias. Our visitors can dine in the casual area after a day of hiking or skiing, or celebrate a special occasion in TEN 3’s spectacular Fine Dining room. Planning to ride with us this winter? Keep an eye out for our City Light Flights, which provide a $10 discount on each tram ticket for adult, senior, military, and young adult tickets purchased for 4 to 8 p.m. Details will be available at sandiapeak.com in October. This is the best way to see the vistas shift from glowing sunset hues to glistening city lights.
The Sandia Peak Tramway has been a staple in Albuquerque since 1966. Founded by Robert Nordhaus and Ben Abruzzo, the Tramway was originally built to help skiers access the Sandia Peak Ski Area, which opened to skiing years earlier. Little did they know it would become one of the top destinations in the state for both visitors and locals to access some of the best outdoor adventure in Albuquerque’s backyard. Young couples can challenge themselves on a long-distance hike, while families with little ones can explore the beautiful nature trails. Those seeking relaxation can immerse themselves in stunning vistas and refreshing mountain air. Our facilities, including the Tram cars, walkways, and parts of the trails, are wheelchair accessible, ensuring that all visitors can create lasting memories in this breathtaking setting.
Courtesy photo: Tram in the Fall, Leaves Changing. Photo credit: Jay Blackwood.
There are more than 100 miles of hiking trails that can be accessed from the bottom and the top of the Tram. These trails range from some of the most challenging hikes, like the La Luz, which takes four to six hours on average, to some of the easiest trails, like the Nature Trail, accessible at the peak, which takes about 30 minutes. We recommend visiting friendsofthesandias.org for information on trails, hiking safety, and more.
Over the past 57 years, the Tram has transported over 12 million guests to the Peak. These guests have crafted many wonderful memories with us: engagements, birthdays, weddings, high school dances, field trips. It’s this very mountain that holds more than 12 million memories that we refer to as Sandia moments—memories made by our guests that will carry on for years to come. We are calling all New Mexico locals and visitors to come up and create their Sandia moments with us.
Heading a bit farther North, check out Ski Santa Fe, a 1.5-hour drive from Albuquerque. When visiting the beautiful town of Santa Fe, one will see the snow-covered peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the distance. Nestled in those mountains is Ski Santa Fe with a base elevation of 10,350 feet. Ski Santa Fe is the launching point for a memorable ski and snowboard experience. It’s located only 16 miles from the heart of Santa Fe, and it’s the country’s most inclusive and unique ski destination.
Over the years, the team at Ski Santa Fe, has worked closely with our staff to create a variety of programs to provide the ski or snowboard experience our guests are interested in. Our team works diligently in every department to provide an inclusive, family-friendly environment that will bring you and your family back to the mountain for years to come.
Our partnership with the Adaptive Sports Program of New Mexico (ASPNM) holds a special place at Ski Santa Fe. The mission of ASPNM is to enhance the lives of children and adults with disabilities through recreation. Through this program, Ski Santa Fe hosts an estimated 500 visits per ski season from the Adaptive Ski Program at no cost to the individuals. Our team works closely with ASPNM to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to savor the freedom and joy of gliding down the mountain. We are grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to be a part of something so special for these individuals and their families. For more information on ASPNM, visit adaptivesportsprogram.org.
Courtesy photo: Happy Youth in Ski School at Ski Santa Fe. Photo credit: Dave Cox.
Outside of the Adaptive Sports Program, Ski Santa Fe offers a variety of ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and abilities. These programs are hosted through our Snow Sports Program, where guests will find welcoming, skilled, and enthusiastic instructors. These programs provide lessons for anyone ages 3 years and up ranging from beginner to experienced skiers and snowboarders.
One of the most popular lesson offerings at Ski Santa Fe is known as Chipmunk Corner, specifically designed for our younger guests, ages 4 to 10. We believe in creating a fun and engaging environment that keeps these little ones excited about the sport. Within Chipmunk Corner, snowboarding lessons are available for ages 6 and up, while 3-year-olds can begin their journey with special one-hour private lessons.
For those 11 years and older, we offer a broad spectrum of beginner to advanced lessons designed in both group and private formats. For anyone needing gear, we offer packages with group or private lessons, lift tickets, and rentals. A popular variation of the group lesson is the family lesson, designed for families with two to five members. This package allows guests to have fun with those closest to them, which increases the likelihood of continuing the sport after the lesson is complete.
Primarily designed for locals looking to greatly improve their skills, comfort level, and knowledge of the mountain, we offer multi-week programs, including White Tornados (for ages 5 to 12), Seasoned Skiers, Women’s Programs, and Men’s Programs. Multi-week programs offer a few significant benefits not seen in our other lesson formats and allow our instructors the opportunity to understand each guest’s personal needs and help build upon their skills throughout the course of the program. Guests can anticipate an empowering progression that will give them the confidence to take control of their own ski/snowboard experience. Group lessons can be reserved at skisantafe.com. If a private or family lesson is more your speed, call our ski school directly at 505-992-5084, and we can place you with an instructor to fit your needs.
Courtesy photo: TEN 3 Fine Dining at Night. Photo credit: Jeff Caven.
Our Tram and Ski Santa Fe teams are ready to greet you and your family on either mountain. With the TEN 3 Restaurant and great hiking trails at Sandia Peak or 86 skiable trails and a new high speed quad lift at Ski Santa Fe, we have an accessible adventure for anyone. The Tram, TEN 3 and Ski Santa Fe are owned and operated by the same family with one specific goal: Make our guests feel like family when they visit. Visit sandiapeak.com or skisantafe.com for information.
Jessica Fox was born and raised in New Mexico. Since she could walk, she has spent many weekends in the mountains with family and friends, enjoying all the fun snow sports that New Mexico has to offer. She is currently the marketing manager for Sandia Peak Tram, TEN 3 Restaurant, and Ski Santa Fe. For additional questions or inquiries regarding Ski Santa Fe, you can reach Jessica at jfox@sandiapeak.com.
