Learn More about Angel Fire

A small village with a giant ski resort, Angel Fire is located at the southern reaches of the Rocky Mountains. The area beckons recreation tourism, with the Angel Fire Resort and nearby Enchanted Circle, but with a population of 1,200, is also the perfect mountain town for a peaceful and rewarding adventurous lifestyle. Winters are snow-filled and the summers moderate, with the high elevation maintaining low humidity and perfect seventies temperatures all summer long.

History

Originally home to the Ute and Apache tribes, the name “Angel Fire” has its own storied legend. The Ute called the alpenglow on the Agua Fria peak the “fire of the gods”, which traveling Franciscan friars then translated into “the place of the fire of the angels” or more simply, Anel Fire. In the 1860s gold was discovered in the area, bringing an influx of prospectors. In fact, one of the first settlements was a rowdy mining town, now abandoned, called Elizabethtown.

Once the nearby Cimarron River was damned in 1918, a farming community developed, and businesses started popping up. It wasn’t until 1966 that Angel Fire resort opened, starting a boom in growth and expansion.

Angel Fire Today

Angel Fire is an alpine town nestled in the Southern Rockies and located on the outside rim of the Enchanted Circle scenic byway. The village hosts only 1,200 residents, and is expectedly a quiet, serene setting surrounded by bugling elk and blanketed in pine trees. It is known as being one of the last affordable ski resorts in the country, and it is one where you can truly reconnect to nature.

Winter

The Angel Fire resort is the main draw in winter, with both beginner and expert terrain, and night skiing. Skiers and boarders can also enjoy the nearby Taos Ski Valley, with 1,300 skiable acres and the famous Kachina Peak. For those who prefer off-mountain entertainment, there is nordic skiing, tubing, sledding, and snowshoeing. Throughout the holiday season, there is live music and a variety of events to keep everyone entertained.

Summer

With temperatures in the mid-70s and low humidity, Angel Fire and the surrounding area offers the perfect climate for enjoying the outdoors. On the mountain, family-friendly activities include golfing, ziplining, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, paddleboarding, and more. The nearby Enchanted Circle scenic byway is the perfect gateway to explore the history, culture, and natural scenery of New Mexico.